How Contractors Turn the Fire Pit Into the Focus of the Patio in Naperville, IL

When the weather gets colder, nothing beats a warm place to bring friends and family together in your backyard. If you’re planning on enjoying the crisp air while being comforted by the warmth, check out how contractors turn the fire pit into the focus of the patio in Naperville, IL.

1. Where’s the best place to put it?

When you’re making decisions about your fire pit, you need to consider the location first. Look at the shape of your patio and how it relates to the backyard. Come up with a few different spots you would like to sit with others and put a chair in that spot, then sit down for a few minutes and see how you feel. The thing is, you probably want to resist the urge to put your firepit in the center of the patio unless it’s a very large patio. Yet, you should also consider how many people you want to fit around the fire pit.

Offsetting might be the best way to go. A fire pit in the dead center of the patio would dominate your space usage and maybe prevent it being used for other things like a walkway, table, grill, etc. Consider the best place to have a view from where you’ll sit. Lastly, which direction does the wind from? The best place for a fire pit is somewhere sheltered where you won’t be battered by strong, freezing winds.

2. How big should it be?

Even the tiniest fire pit can become a focal point as long as it’s placed in the best way. However, don’t forget that the size of the fire pit also decides the amount of seating area you get. The best idea here is to plan accordingly: find the happy medium between a place for friends to gather and a place for some intimate one-on-one time. Seat walls allow permanent seating around a fire pit that makes all group sizes comfortable. Seat walls also double as a physical barrier between wind and a fire pit.

Don’t go crazy with seat walls. Imagine that with a group gathering, some of your friends or family like to sit while others like to stand. And don’t forget that you can always fill the extra space with chairs if necessary. So, consider building seat walls halfway around the fire pit to allow maximum versatility and, to clearly define fire pit space, face the seat walls so that you get the fire and the view in the same direction.

3. What materials should I use?

It all depends on whether you want a portable or a permanent fire pit. You might opt for a portable fire pit if you don’t entertain very often or don’t want your patio space to be committed for one purpose. Or you could choose a permanent fire pit which allows you to pay tribute to the gorgeous patio materials, your historical home, or the landscape you fell in love with.

4. What else should I consider?

High-backed seat walls give you the same amount of space as backless seat walls. However, they serve as a much cozier - and warmer - option as they both protect your fire pit space from wind and reflect the heat. Of course, cushions are necessary but there are many wonderful weather-proof options available. High-backed seat walls don’t mean you need to obscure any views from the rest of the patio either. A sunken fire pit allows you to create a more intimate space below the grade of the patio that also holds heat even better. The possibilities for fun are endless.