Options In Fire Pits
When people make improvements to the outdoor entertaining areas of their home, they typically think about things like outdoor kitchens, fire pits, outdoor bars, etc. If you have the space and budget to combine all of these things, you can create an outdoor area that will truly be the talk of the town! But most people don’t have both the space and budget, and in some cases don’t have very much at all of either, or even both of those things.
One way to make use of a smaller space and still create a comfortable entertaining area is with the use of an outdoor fire pit. Fire pits have become very popular in recent years, even in warmer climates. They make great areas for people to sit around and enjoy the outdoors while enjoying a glass of wine and good conversation.
There are as many options in fire pits as there are in anything else when it comes to outdoor entertaining. Some units come basically assembled and can accommodate perhaps 3 people comfortably in chairs around the pit. These are pretty simple fire pits, and will have some kind of metal casing with a faux finish that you have chosen. It may resemble stacked stone or brick work, for example. The size of these pits goes up from there, with some able to accommodate several people around the fire.
You really have to take a close look at your space and consider what size fire pit you can actually fit. Remember, a round pit takes up more room than you probably think it does. In addition to the actual fire pit you have to consider the space taken up by chairs around the pit. The best way to figure out your space and what you can fit in that space is with the use of blue painter’s tape. Simply tape off a round area in the size of the fire pit you are thinking about getting. Then place some chairs around that circle and you will be able to get a good sense of the size pit you can comfortable put in your available area.
Once you have the size of the pit figured out, you can move onto other things like what it will look like. There are kits available that are usually very simple to assemble that will have you building a fire pit out of stacked stone, or concrete block, or whatever material you choose. The finished product looks like something that was installed by real professionals and the result is you have a new entertaining area and also the pride that comes with building it yourself!
How Outdoor Kitchen Designs Have Evolved
This isn’t going to turn into a heated philosophical discussion about creation versus evolution, so you can stay tuned for a discussion about what has made the outdoor patio designs and concepts so progressive. From the earliest days of home ownership, we have always wanted a place where we could go to escape the daily grind. At one time in our history, it was the porch. There you could swing or rock away, wave at the neighbors and leisurely enjoy the day. We have turned our attention now to the backyard spaces, namely our patios to take over this function. And since the kitchen indoors is often the most popular place to gather, it should come as no surprise to learn that outdoor kitchen designs have come along this way as well.
What was once just a guy with grilling tools standing over a fire has turned into an extravagant, full-service kitchen rivaling what you might find in a commercial setting. You certainly don’t need to go to this extreme to have the type of patio you desire, but just know that this is possible. There are stainless appliances that are every bit as functional and esthetically pleasing as your indoor appliances. The fun thing is that with outdoor kitchens, you can also do things like brick pizza ovens and open fireplaces or fire pits.
Matching these patio kitchens are advances that have been made with respect to outdoor bar furniture as well. These pieces can come in a variety of styles. What was once only available in tropical themes where you would expect to find Tiki torches close by, now come in exotic woods and other contemporary materials. There is nothing wrong with that island feel, after all, you are enjoying some restful and rejuvenating patio time. So, whether you have a more formal bar set up or you just have some outdoor bar stools that you pull up to the counter in your outdoor kitchen, you are sure to find the time melt away.