Building fires is one of mankind's oldest habits and traditions. In recent years, fire pits have become especially popular for homeowners looking for a way to make their outdoor area more useful. They offer not only a gathering place for entertaining, but also a bit of heat as the night cools off.

If you are looking to add a fire pit to your landscape design, then there are a few things to consider. Before you install a fire pit, be mindful of three things: location, size, and type.

In the Know about Fire Pits

Before searching for the perfect fire pit, take a few minutes to get the following information:

Are there any local restrictions or requirements on outdoor fire features?

Depending on your neighborhood or HOA, there could be some specifications about the types of fire pits that are acceptable. Other restrictions may relate to the size or permanency of the fire pit. Here are a few other potential regulations to keep in mind:

• Where the fire pit is placed due to the environment. Some neighborhoods and HOA's may not allow fire pits near wooded areas due to potential fire hazards.
• If you must use smoke-fire pits. There may be regulations on where you can have a fire that produces smoke due to potential hazards or disruptions to neighbors.
• Is there a set number of feet from fencing or buildings? Many associations may require a certain distance from buildings or other flammable structures.

What’s your style?

Fire pits can be small or large, and virtually any shape. Ideally, you want a design that compliments your existing landscape and has features that work for your specific needs. Something to consider if you want a more majestic fire element is to have an outdoor fireplace built.

If you are looking for a higher-end, majestic fire element, consider building an outdoor fireplace.

Do you want seating around the fire pit?

Because fire pits are typically a gathering place, most homeowners want some type of seating space. Your seating areas should be far enough away from the pit to safely walk around it. For built-in seating, you should work with a professional construction team. The advantage of built-in seating is that there are fewer hazards, such as chairs tipping over.

What is the difference between wood-fired pits and gas fire pits?

While both will produce heat, wood-burning pits offer the traditional sounds of fire crackling and need you to keep firewood or kindling on hand. Wood-burning fires also produce a good amount of smoke, something to be mindful of. With gas fire pits, you get the benefits of warmth but without the smoke of a traditional fire. Gas fire pits do not provide the crackling and natural ambiance that wood fires offer.

In regard to gas fire pits, you will need to choose between propane or natural gas. Natural gas fire pits require installing gas lines. While propane saves on the cost of having to have a gas line installed, you also have to figure where to hide the propane tank. It can be challenging to balance easy access while keeping the tank hidden.

Portable or permanent?

A permanent fire pit is a great way to simplify a party set up. You just need to be sure it coordinates with the color, style, shape, and the materials you already have in your yard.

If you think that you will want to transport your fire pit to different locations, then you may want to opt for a fire bowl. Portable fire pit bowls are made of copper, steel, or cast iron and can be used with wood, propane, or natural gas.

When it comes to entertaining, outdoor fires are a great way to improve any outdoor living space. They offer a warm and inviting spot to relax year-round. For the best fire pits in Buckhead area, contact Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces. We will work with you to create a custom fire feature solution in your landscape.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Ideal Fire Pit appeared first on Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces.

Outdoor Fireplaces or Fire Pits are the trendiest elements in Atlanta’s backyards. Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces completed over 130 fire pits and fireplaces in 2019 alone. That is a lot of happy families!

Fire features like an outside fireplace or outdoor fire pit with a chimney are great for the backyard or can be your patio’s companion. Even the most magnificent patios could seem incomplete without the right fire features.

When it comes to outdoor entertaining, fire features are some of the most popular outdoor living elements. Fire pits and fireplaces provide plenty of outdoor entertainment for your family. They are also an inexpensive way of entertaining guests. Many of our clients who categorize themselves as “outdoorsy people” often find out that keeping a large group of people outside takes more than a book. They need an activity to keep their minds happy and entertained.

Why Are Fire Features So Popular for Landscapes in Atlanta?

Residents of Atlanta enjoy a balanced four seasons of weather. In spring, fall, and some winter nights, the weather can be cool and relaxing. We don’t have to travel far in a campground to gather with family members. No more packing, scheduling, and headaches.

Our designers can design a fire feature in your backyard or on your patio. You could enjoy a safe fire with chimney fire pits right in your backyard at any time of the day or night!

Outdoor Makeover designs fire features in specific locations to provide access to them with minimal effort. For example, we place fireplaces, chimney fire pits or stove gas on decks right outside your living space. We can also add one on a patio attached to the main access to the backyard through a basement or deck stairs. On the other hand, some homes require the placement of fire features further away in a natural area of the property. Especially if there are lakes, a creek, or a really nice site at the end of the property. Our team can install fire features wherever you enjoy them most.

Outdoor Fireplaces Pros

• Outside fire pit and fireplaces are more elegant. They attribute much more to the aesthetics of the overall backyard.
• Carefully designed fireplaces maximize the enjoyment of natural wood.
• Provides extra safety to the experience as it contains the flame with three surrounding walls.
• Only heat radiates out and not the smoke. Smoke rises through the chimney and is less likely to get in your eyes and lungs.
• Fireplaces provide a good place for a TV and decorations on the hearth.
• A wood storage compartment can be built into the fireplace.
• They can be fireplaces gas stoves or wood.

Outdoor Fireplaces Cons

• Fireplaces are more expensive than a fire pit.
• With three walls around the opening, fireplaces limit how many people can sit around it. Unless it is a double-sided fireplace.

Benefits of Fire Pits

• Outdoor fire pits cost much less than fireplaces ($1500-$3000) depending on the model and type of stone.
• Fire pits seat many people who can sit around 360 degrees.
• They are smaller than - usually around 5 feet in diameter.
• Fire pits can be turned into a table for people to sit around.
• They an be a gas fire pit or wood.
• They provide a natural camping experience without the hassle.
• Great for a big family.

Disadvantages of an Outdoor Fire Pit

• Fire pits take up a minimum of 150 sq ft a patio so the patio must be bigger to accommodate outdoor tables.
• If the fire pit is wood burning, the smoke could potentially bother you and clothes may smell like a campfire.
• Fire pits do not provide the height to a landscape as a fireplace would.

Whether an outdoor fire pit or fireplace is ideal for you, Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces is your best fire feature resource. We are Atlanta’s outdoor living experts. Contact us today for a design consultation or more information.

The post Pros and Cons: Outdoor Fire Pits and Fireplaces appeared first on Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces.

If the home is one’s castle, then the yard is the palace grounds. And, like the landscape of any palace, your yard needs to be a place where you can rest, relax, and be rejuvenated. However, it is difficult to find these three “R’s” if looking at your backyard conjures up a list of To Do projects or makes you cringe. But perhaps looking at your backyard is much like an artist with a clean canvas. You know the possibilities are there, you just haven’t determined how to best utilize the space. If this is you, then here are a few ideas to get you started.

• Custom designed patio or deck: From mini-kitchens to fire pits, delightful chandeliers and romantic seating options, the sky is the limit in designing an oasis where you can entertain or simply relax like royalty.
• Define the zones: Create specific areas in your yard based on activity. Be it a space for that hot tub you have always wanted, an outdoor chimney with a casual dining area, a place for croquet or a shaded area perfect for encouraging creativity, a landscape designer can determine a plan that will meet all your outdoor needs.
• Privacy is a must: Just because you live in a neighborhood doesn’t mean that the whole block has to know what you are doing! When thinking about an outdoor oasis, be sure to include shaded areas or enclosed spaces such as fences or garden walls –don’t forget a beautiful gate! Or, you may want to consider a secluded patio or seating area that allows you to relax in private.
• Water feature: Have a pond or waterfall built to add the quiet sounds of water trickling and creating a soothing melody. Add a larger pond and you can have fish to make the water element even more relaxing – as well as entertaining.
• Take a walk: A quiet garden path that meanders around delightful gardens, through an arbor, perhaps a footbridge over a water feature, or nooks that give the element of privacy are great ways to add delight to a backyard area. Be sure to include secluded, comfortable seating, some statues, and soft lights to make night strolls more doable!
• Add some romance: Don’t forget the citronella candles that not only help minimize the bugs, but add some soft lighting. Other lighting may include strings of white lights, buckets with light or even old school lampposts.
• Don’t forget the kids: Make your backyard an oasis for the kids. Include swings, slides, and other items that make children feel welcomed, while allowing them to get their wiggles out and develop their imagination. Of course, sometimes the problem with the backyard is more about the planning. After all, not all of us excel at designing the perfect backyard oasis! Thankfully, you don’t have to be a backyard design expert to have a gorgeous backyard retreat. The Outdoor Makeover team has a long list of ideas, and is always looking for new ways to take a basic, inviting yard and turn it into an oasis worthy of royalty. Give us a call today to get started on your outdoor oasis.

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