When it comes to spending time outside, nothing quite adds ambiance like an outdoor fire feature. Whether you’re thinking about adding a patio with a fireplace, fire pit, or some other type of fire feature, you might be trying to figure out which choice is right for you. Any of them could be good choices, but you want the fire feature that is going to help you get the most out of your new space.
The truth is, there is a lot of forethought and planning that should go into fire pit or outdoor fireplace landscape design. Although some landscape contractors might rush you through the process or just railroad you into a particular feature that they’re the most comfortable building, in reality, narrowing it down to the perfect choice should involve some careful consideration into what you want out of the finished patio or landscape design.
By taking time to think ahead about how you’ll use that outdoor area, who you’ll be having over to enjoy it with you, and other important details, you can help ensure that you’re happy when the work is done. After all, there is nothing worse than finding out you chose poorly and ended up with a fire feature that’s too small or that is awkwardly designed within the flow of your outdoor living area.
Problems like these can be avoided by considering these tips when planning your patio or landscape design to include a fire feature.
1. Think About How You Plan to Use Your Patio
One of the biggest fire feature decisions is choosing if you want a fire pit or an outdoor fireplace. One of the ways to determine which fire feature might be right for you is to spend some time thinking about how you plan to use the space. We find that most homeowners already have an idea in their head of how they plan to spend time there. When you think about that brand-new patio area, what are you envisioning?
It’s helpful to think through your vision because a big part of deciding which fire feature is right for you will boil down to how you’ll spend your time on your patio. After all, just think about how different the layout for a patio with a fire pit is from a patio with a fireplace. With an outdoor fireplace, you sit in front of it. It can be situated in a corner or at the edge of a patio, helping you to truly maximize the space to the fullest.
But with a patio with a fire pit, it is designed to sit around it (as opposed to in front of it), and you’ll need to think about the spacing for that seating. Sometimes homeowners who want a fire pit, design it as its own bump out from the main patio. It might incorporate a retaining wall to help with that seating around it.
It’s truly a personal preference.
Do you envision cozy gatherings with family friends all huddled around the fire sharing stories and toasting marshmallows? Then a fire pit might be your optimal choice. Or, is gathering around the fire not as important to you? You like the idea of sitting in front of the fire on couches or other furniture. If so, then an outdoor fireplace might be the way to go.
2. Consider How Many People Will be Using the Outdoor Living Area
As you think about adding a fire feature to your outdoor living area it also helps to consider how many people will typically be using it. Are you someone who throws a lot of large gatherings? For instance, will the kids’ youth group or sports team be coming over for evening meet-ups and want to have a fire pit to gather around?
Or, do you tend to just have another couple over when you entertain? Do you prefer a more intimate gathering? Maybe you typically just spend time with your immediate family at home and you’re looking for a fire feature that will make family time even more special.
Everyone has their own scenarios and it certainly helps to think through your typical gathering size as you plan an outdoor fireplace or fire pit patio design. These features are custom designed and the size can be adjusted to suit your specific needs. Thinking about this now can prevent problems on the back end such as having a fire feature that’s way too small—or, on the flipside, way bigger than you’d ever need.
This is also important for seating. If you’re someone who does host large gatherings, a landscape designer can help you to determine how to best incorporate the fire feature in a way that creates maximized seating so that everyone can be seated comfortably together. Or, if you’re someone who rarely has large events, then you might want to make sure your seating feels intimate and cozy, not too large for what you need.
3. Consider What Type of Furniture You’ll Have in the Space
If you already have furniture in mind for your fire area, this information can really be helpful in the landscape design as well. Even if you don’t know exactly what furniture you plan to purchase, you probably have an idea of a preference for couches over chairs, or vice versa.
For instance, if you’re envisioning couches and maybe even want to lounge by the fire with your feet up, an outdoor fireplace design might be right for you. Again, you’ll be sitting in front of the fire (as opposed to around it), which is more conducive to lounge-type furniture. 
A fire pit, on the other hand, usually has chairs around it. Of course, we have also built some square fire pits that can make use of couches or loveseats thanks to its linear nature (as opposed to being circular).
We also commonly design retaining walls around fire pits that can double as seating. We can even create built-in bench seating, made even cozier with the addition of throw pillows or cushions. 
Of course, the furniture itself can also incorporate a fire feature.
Maybe you’re thinking about an outdoor fire table or an outdoor fire bowl, instead of a custom-build fire feature. These are certainly other options that you can incorporate into your patio to add fire without adding something permanent. However, since these furniture items are not fixtures of your patio, they won’t yield the return on investment that a built-in fire feature would. After all, if you were to move, those furniture items would likely come with you.
4. Do You Already Know Where You Envision Your Fire Feature?
This is another consideration that we find many homeowners have already pondered. Do you envision your fire feature as part of your main patio design or as an entirely separate entity?
Sometimes homeowners specifically request a fire pit design that is separate from the main patio. This could be a smoke-blowing issue. If the wind blows toward your home, but you really want a wood-burning fire pit, it might make sense to design it as its own separate area away from the home and away from the main patio.
But sometimes it’s also a thought-out logistics consideration. Perhaps you envision your teens using the fire pit with their friends while the adults gather on the main patio. Each group wants some privacy so you picture that fire pit area being a separate area.
Of course, the same could be true for outdoor fireplace designs.
Oftentimes, we find that homeowners are interested in multi-level or multi-room patios where they can have different areas for different purposes. There might be a main patio for dining, but you want the fireplace area to be a more cozy and intimate after-dinner area. When you think about the layout this way, you can really maximize the use of your space by having different areas serve different purposes. This is a great way to spend even more time outside.
5. Thinking Through the Differences Between a Fire Pit Design vs. a Fireplace Design
Finally, it’s also important to mention that beyond spatial considerations and how you plan to use the space, there are also some inherent differences between a fire pit and an outdoor fireplace that you should weigh. A fire pit can mean more maintenance, has an open flame and can blow smoke (so wind is a big consideration), and it takes up the most room on a patio.
An outdoor fireplace is more of an enclosed flame and uses a chimney to direct smoke upward. It can be situated on the edge of a patio so that it doesn’t take up prime real estate. And, it can be less-involved than caring for a fire pit.
However, there are many homeowners who just really love a fire pit and the feelings that it evokes. There is something cozy and nostalgic about gathering around a fire. 
In the end, you’ll have to determine which fire feature is the one that suits you best.
On top of that, you’ll also need to consider the gas vs. wood-burning fire feature debate. This is another personal decision. Some homeowners really love the ease of turning their fire on at the push of a button. But other homeowners would say that nothing beats the smell and the sound of a wood-burning fire. Perhaps even the act of gathering the wood and building the fire is part of the fun.
While these decisions should be based on your personal preferences, a professional can also guide you toward the choice that is right for you by presenting everything you ought to know. Armed with all of the information, you can make the choice that will work best for your property as well as your specific wants and needs.
Working with a Landscape Designer on Fire Pit or Outdoor Fireplace Plans
Talking through these considerations with a landscape designer can go a really long way in helping you determine which fire feature is right for you, as well as where it should go and how to get the most out of it. It can make a huge difference in ensuring it’s a feature that enhances your space rather than detracting from it.
Of course, it’s important to mention that not all landscape contractors in Northern Virginia are going to take the time to get this in-depth in the design process. They may simply suggest adding a fire pit or a fireplace where it is the easiest and most convenient for them to build it.
But by failing to take into account all of the specific details that we’ve covered here, it could end up being a feature that you don’t end up using as much as you imagined. Even worse, it could end up being a feature that causes you hassles and headaches rather than enjoyment.
This is why it’s critical to work with a landscape designer that will champion the entire design process and think of all aspects of your outdoor living area.
Don’t get stuck with a fire feature or an outdoor living area that you don’t love.
By choosing the right landscape design company to walk you through the process, you can ensure that you’ll end up with a space that you not only love but that you truly use to the full extent.
If you’re ready to create an amazing outdoor living area including a fire feature at your Ashburn, Aldie, or Leesburg, VA home, talk to an expert, choose a solution that rocks, and then get ready to see your dream truly take shape!
