A fire pit is an excellent addition to any outdoor area, creating the perfect center point for social gatherings and outdoor family fun. With quality masonry, a fire pit is not just a functional addition, but a complement to the aesthetic of your Oyster Bay, NYhome and landscape. Below is just about everything you need to know in order get the best fire pit for your purposes and make the most of this fantastic feature.
Size
The size of your fire pit design depends largely on how many people you intend to accommodate, with smaller pits of around 3 feet across being ideal for intimate family occasions and larger designs of up to 6 feet accommodating large groups of people. A good height should accommodate people sitting in chairs around it and allow them to prop their feet up comfortably on the edge.
Shape
There are three main shapes of fire pit suited to various purposes. Square fire pits fit well into a geometric or formal backyard aesthetic, as well as angular modern landscape designs. These also allow easy arrangement of comfortable outdoor sofas around the fire. Circular fire pits, on the other hand, are ideal for landscapes with organic form themes and tend to fit well with traditional architecture and rustic themes. Circular pits are open, allowing for people to gather around standing or pull up patio furniture as they wish. They’re great for accommodating large numbers of guests and providing even distribution of heat. Lastly, elongated fire pits are an excellent complement to the strong horizontal lines of modern architecture. For convenience and even heating, these are often fueled by some form of natural gas or propane. These are great for focusing the attention outward to a view or parallel swimming pool.
Style
Quality natural stone is ideal for giving a fire pit it’s stylistic flair. Rough hewn sandstone blocks, for example, are perfect for creating a traditional, timeworn appearance, while dark granite slabs can contribute to a crisp modern look. Stacked slate or flagstone are both an excellent veneer for a rustic look and can contribute a rich natural aesthetic that complements just about any architectural style.
Placement
The beauty of the fire pit is that it creates no obstruction to a sweeping vista or view of your landscape, and because it’s so open, it draws the attention outward, highlighting its surroundings. Take advantage of this by placing your fire pit out in the open where you’ll be able to enjoy not just the warmth of your fire pit, but the beauty that lies beyond it. You’ll also want plenty of ventilation along with easy access to other outdoor entertainment areas.
Seating
Being a permanent feature, permanent seating can easily be added to a fire pit design to ensure that your fire pit area is never without plenty of space to sit back and relax. Circular or semicircular seating is ideal for round fire pits, while permanent benches can also be added alongside elongated or square fire pit designs. Permanent single seater stools are also an option for any fire pit design and allow additional moveable seating to be added as needed.