Fire pits are key elements when it comes to creating a warm and welcoming hardscape design. They create a spot that naturally draws people’s attention and provides warmth, light and a place to gather. If you live in Dayton, OH, where the summer weather allows for countless nights outdoors, take advantage of a fire pit for creating a comfortable evening atmosphere.
Due to the increased popularity of fire pits in the recent years, there is a huge variety of designs and shapes out there on the market for you to choose from. To help you out, we’ve made a list of different shapes and designs, so you can decide which one will work best for your landscape.
Rectangular or Square
Rectangular and square fire pits have an elegant look that works well in contemporary or formal landscapes. Using Lineo Dimensional Stone for a square or rectangular fire pit design will guarantee a sophisticated modern appeal. However, they are certainly not limited to a modern aesthetic. These fire pits work well as a complement for pools with a geometric design or to echo the straight lines of retaining walls or benches. Rectangular fire pits and fire tables provide an excellent visual base for a sweeping view or to accommodate large numbers of guests. They’re also ideal for making full use of narrow spaces or for elongating the appearance of an area. Square fire pits, being smaller, are still able to accommodate a reasonable number of people, although heat distribution may not be as effective as circular design. Still, they are an attractive decorative element and make excellent focal points.
Sunken
A sunken fire pit refers to a fire pit at or below floor level with the pit and surrounding seating built into the ground. This style of fire pit provides an opportunity for some interesting designs and creates an unusual flow for a hardscape. A sunken fire pit and seating area can provide maximum privacy, wind shielding and warmth, although accessibility is sometimes compromised with this design. The pit and seating also need not be completely set into the hardscape, with a small step included in the design to increase accessibility. The creativity of this design requires some engineering to ensure proper drainage to the sunken area, but the overall effect is modern, intimate and stunning.
Related Read: Creating Comfy Permanent Seating for your Fire Pit Area
Circular
There is no doubt that circular fire pits are the most traditional as far as fire pits go. After all, it’s a design that has been around for thousands of years. But that doesn’t mean they have to look boring. One of the best ways to create interest for a round shaped pit is to build a seating wall around it. Using the Brussels Dimensional System for both fire pit and seating is perfect for this, as the units allow for the construction of curved walls and have their own coping stones as well. Choose Brussels Fullnose Coping for a rounded edge and comfort, add attractive pillows to the seating for additional comfort and voila! Circular fire pits work well in homes with organic shapes, sweeping curves and more naturalistic features.
The title image features an Umbriano pool deck with Artline and Series 3000 accents accentuating the Brussels Dimensional System fire pit.
