Designing a Brick Patio Around Your Fire Pit In Hinsdale, IL

Gathering with friends and family around a fire pit in your beautiful backyard can create some of the best memories of anyone’s lifetime. The fire pit can be a design centerpiece for your entire landscape and should be aesthetically integrated into the surroundings and general theme of your home. Since the fire pit is a focal point it makes sense to design a brick patio around it to create a cohesive and memorable space. This partnership between fire pit and patio will make your backyard one of the best places to gather. Here’s a guide at designing a brick patio around your fire pit in Hinsdale, IL.

Visuals - Colors and Patterns

A brick patio and a fire pit go hand-in-hand due to their timeless appeal and beauty. The visual aesthetics of the brick should be tied directly to the hues used on the outside of the home. Since bricks are composed of earthy tones – mostly reds and tans – consult a landscape designer or visit a supply yard for some brick samples to take home, that will give you a good idea of what looks good in your backyard. Bricks also come in a wide variety of shapes that can create complex or simple patterns to your preference.​

Seating Options

There are two big choices to make when designing the seating around your fire pit and patio. You can either set an open plan with temporary seating like Adirondack chairs or you can install permanent seating such as high-backed seat walls. The advantage to an open plan is that you can have whatever size gathering you want without obstructions and then you can change the seating arrangement as you wish.

The advantage to high-backed seat walls is that you will always have gorgeous brick structures that help keep the heat around your fire pit and create a sturdy yet comfortable place to gather. The seat walls also provide ample space for storage of blankets, pillows, and more. Arrange your seat walls in a half-circle around the fire pit with the backs facing the direction of the wind so they block the breezes during the cooler nights. That way you also have a half-circle of an open plan to put chairs in or take them away as you wish.

Location

Another decision to make is whether you want the fire pit to be your hub of activity during parties or a secluded little area away from the crowds. Both of these choices have advantages. If your fire pit is the hub of activity, your friends and family will surely flock there as night falls and the bonfire provides light and warmth. On the other hand, creating a quiet little brick patio and fire pit at a distance gives that perfect escape and an opportunity for quiet conversation.

Orientation

Always make sure that your fire pit takes advantage of any views that your landscape has to offer. If there aren’t compelling views, you could place the base of the fire pit a few steps below the grade of the patio, creating a sunken area to help protect from the wind and create an intimate environment. The seat walls should be placed facing the most advantageous views, though wind should always be factored into any fire pit decision. If possible, landscapers can design the fire pit so one side facing the seat walls is more open than the other, blocking wind from taking heat away from the patio area.