How to Create a Stunning Outdoor Firepit Area

Outdoor firepit areas have been rising in popularity over the last few years, for a multitude of reasons. Not only are they functional, they are also aesthetically pleasing. If you like to be outdoors, your outdoor firepit can add an extra ambiance. Especially in the fall, when the temperatures start to cool, it’s always nice to spend time in a cozy backyard. However, there can be more to building an outdoor fire pit than you may think.

There are many aspects to think about. From the layout, stone, pavers, plants, lighting, furniture, and so much more! It sounds simple to say, but when you break it down, there are quite a few steps you need to take to plan the perfect outdoor firepit area. Let’s take a look more closely what’s important to consider to create the backyard of your dreams.

Factors Involved in Building an Outdoor Firepit

There are a few key factors in the beginning steps of building your perfect outdoor firepit.

Find the Perfect Spot

Firstly, find the perfect spot for your new outdoor firepit. This should, of course, be a safe distance from your home. It should also be free from tree coverage, as ashes could rise up to be a hazard. Lastly, be sure that the outdoor firepit is not under any covering, even if it is not attached to your home.

DIY…or Don’t

You will next need to decide if this a DIY project or if you would like to outsource this project. There are many options in every city that can help pull off an outdoor firepit. If you do plan to go the Do-It-Yourself route, there are many pre-fab kits available to make the project more possible. With that being said, factors such as laying stones and pavers might be what steers your decision to hire out, as grading and leveling could be a daunting task.

Prep the Area

To ensure that your outdoor firepit will fit nicely into your backyard, you will need to think if your area needs prep for pavers, concrete, gravel, etc. Your ground may need re-leveling, or you may need a retention wall. These are just many more of the aspects to consider if you do plan to make this a DIY project.

You may be able to blend hiring a professional for some of the aspects, such as masonry, grading, etc. Then, you can some steps, like landscaping, yourself. This is a budget-efficient way that still ensures the proper groundwork to make the project possible.

Consider Styles

Think about the style you like for your outdoor firepit. Knowing how to communicate your style preferences can ensure you will be happy with the end result. One thing to do before chatting with professionals is to find inspiration photos or create a mood board on Pinterest. You may be surprised at what draws your eye or what styles you tend to gravitate towards!

Another option is to explore outsourcing this step. Companies like Yardzen offer services to give you a visual rendering of DIY home projects to help bring your vision to life.

The Benefit of a Visual Rendering

For planning purposes, companies like Yardzen offer services to give you a visual rendering of your outdoor project. There are many pros to this option. Firstly, it will help make the selection of the material an easier process. They will tell you exactly the type of materials you need to execute your vision effortlessly.

Secondly, it helps to be able to foresee any adjustments you may need to make throughout the process. Sometimes these mistakes can be costly and require quite a bit of time to fix, so this is a big reason it is beneficial to have a plan up front.

Lastly, they can help with other considerations such as lighting, furniture, and more. Seeing this all before your project begins can be helpful in all the decision making from start to finish.

Options for a Coastal Home

There are many options out there to purchase. If you have an existing patio, or if you want to build one, you can choose to purchase many different types of fire pits. Some examples of fire pits you can purchase can be found here.

Wood-burning Outdoor Firepit Options

Wood-burning firepits have many advantages. Firstly, they are usually more affordable. They also are easier to install. However, the disadvantages include the fact that the sparks can be more hazardous, plus you will need a wood storage area.

Gas Outdoor Firepit Options

Gas fire pits also have their own pros and cons. Gas fire pits are safe and can be easier to start. Of course, the disadvantages include that usually, gas fire pits will be more expensive. Although sometimes, you can find affordable options. They also require a more extensive installation time. They require propane storage and refilling. They are super convenient and easy to start, and this can improve the user experience.

Outdoor Firepit Planning

We used Yardzen (to help us with curb appeal) and for this firepit project to help with the beginning steps. The renderings have helped to visualize and prep the whole project. They helped to assess our budget and establish the timeline to know exactly what to expect in the entire process. By submitting inspiration photos and images of our space, we were able to get renderings and plans to help us see the potential and what we need to do to make this space come to life. We have encountered some issues with the grade of our lawn, and we are currently working with masonry professionals to understand our options to create the look and feel of the renderings.

Before

Renderings

After

Conclusion

I hope this helps you if you are considering or in the planning stages of an outdoor firepit area. Our next step is to select stone, so be on the lookout for additional information on this specific step!

It can be overwhelming to plan an outdoor firepit area, considering how many aspects there are to keep in mind. However, planning and prepping the correct way will be so worth it in creating the backyard of your dreams.