What to Take into Account When Planning a Seating Area for Your Fire Pit in Downers Grove, IL
Fire pits are a great way to extend the time you spend outdoors in Downers Grove, IL. They keep homeowners warm when enjoying their backyard in the cooler months. What every fire pit needs is a stunning seating area where you and your guests can relax and enjoy the fire. Here’s what you should consider when deciding on the design of your fire pit seating area.
Distance
The most important part of a fire pit is making sure it is safe. That means that it should be a safe distance—usually at least 15 feet—from any structures like trees, shrubs, or flammable furniture like wooden or wicker patio sets.
A safe distance applies to your seating area as well. Consult with your contractor, who will need to take into account the way the wind usually hits the area where your fit pit is, and how strong the winds can get in that area, depending on whether or not your house or any walls block a good portion of the wind. The seating area should be a decent distance from the open fire to keep you and guests as safe as possible as you warm up by the flames.
Size and Shape
The next thing to consider about your seating area is the size and the shape. The shapes for fire pit seating areas tend to be either a half circle, two half circles, or a full circle with a single opening, depending on how many people need to be accommodated.
A full circle would accommodate the most people, and you would want your seating to be farther away from the fire pit itself to allow more space for people to walk through. Also, keep in mind that the farther away the seating area is, the larger the circle will be, allowing more space for people to sit. A half circle would seat the least amount of people and would be best for smaller intimate gatherings—you could always add additional seating later in the form of chairs or a bench.
Materials
Choosing materials for your fire pit in your Downers Grove, IL, home could be based on the look you’d like for your seating area. There’s a wide range of materials you can choose for establishing the right look. For a basic look, consider pavers that resemble natural stone and come in warm, neutral colors perfect for any landscape. For a cleaner look, you may want material that offers a smoother finish and defined lines. If you really want the most natural look possible, you can look into having a wall that resembles the appearance of stacked slate stones. Once you’ve chosen the materials for the base of the seating area, fullnose edgers could add a comfortable seating base for your guests to sit on.
Then, when you’ve got your seating area designed and installed, it’s time to furnish and enjoy! You can bring in a few decorative pillows and a potted plants around the area to add comfort and color.
