Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits Create a Gathering Spot

The warm glow of a fire just seems to draw people together, and that is true whether the fire is in the hearth in your great room or if the fire is out of doors. Because of this, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are gaining in popularity as centerpieces for outdoor living spaces.

A large natural stone fireplace sitting on one side of a patio and a full outdoor kitchen and bar placed on the opposite side of the patio will turn that space into the optimal outdoor entertaining venue. Serve your guests their drinks and dinner plates on one side of the patio and then have your patio chairs sitting semi-circle around the front of the fireplace, ready for them to sit down and relax in front of the flames.

For a full circle view of the flames and a more traditional campfire setting, the fire pit is another popular route. Fire pits today are seldom just a metal ring in the sand. Many families have made them the true centerpiece of their stone patios. This allows for roasting of marshmallows and hot dogs over the fire and the easy flow of conversation as family and friends sit in a close but safe circle around the campfire.

Fire pits today aren’t always the traditional wood burning campfire variety. Fire pits can be gas burning as well and come in a wide variety of designs. You’ll find them with copper and cast iron finishes, as well as those that are ceramic or stone. There are permanent, built in fire pits and there are many different types of free standing fire pits that can be brought out onto the patio and removed again when they’re not in use.

There’s nothing much better in the cool of the evening than to sit out under the night sky with the warmth of a fire nearby.