Outdoor Fire Effects: Placement and Seating that make the Setting (2024)

Outdoor Fire Effect

Outdoor fire pits and fireplaces are natural gathering spots, so how you incorporate yours into the landscape – where you put it and what you surround it with – are important considerations when you’re creating a backyard space that can serve multiple functions. Before you begin your planning, be sure to check with your town or city to determine if you need a permit or if restrictions will limit where you can put your fire feature on your property. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind during the design process.

Location, location, location

Whether you want your outdoor fire effect on a patio adjacent to the house, in your backyard away from the house, or enclosed in a stand-alone outdoor room, visual balance is important, both for the yard and the patio. You don’t want to put everything on one side of the space you’re creating. Sometimes a dominant visual space can be softened by an opposing feature, such as a secondary seating area or a small fountain located across from the fire feature.

Remember that while the fire feature has a practical function, adding warmth to an evening, it also serves as a focal point. If possible, consider locating your fire feature where it can be seen comfortably from inside the home. That way, it can still be enjoyed even if the weather prohibits gathering around it.

And be sure to consider wind direction before you commit to a space for your fire feature. Nobody likes to get smoke in the eyes. If you have a strong crosswind in your desired location, you may need to plant a windbreak or build a protective wall. Even with a gas fire feature that doesn’t create smoke, a strong breeze can direct the heat flow, making it uncomfortably hot for some guests and chilly for others.

Size: width

Whether your fire feature is in-ground, on the patio, or freestanding, size counts. Will you frequently be entertaining groups? Make your fire feature up to six feet wide, including the walls, with an additional six feet or so on all sides for easy guest movement. Thinking it will mostly be just the two of you sipping wine by the fire? Downsize to around 3 feet wide for a more intimate experience. And remember that real wood fire features should be bigger than gas ones, giving you the room necessary to generate the embers needed for warmth.

Size: height

Above ground fire features should typically be 12-14″ tall – a few inches shorter than standard patio furniture seat height. If you’re wanting to use the ledge around your fire, or coping, as a footrest, lower the height to anywhere between 6-12″. Want guests to be able to sit on the coping? Raise the fire pit height to no taller than 18-20″. Otherwise the heat will be held in and it will be harder to enjoy the fire from surrounding chairs. And make the coping ledge at least 14″ wide to easily accommodate peoples’ bottoms.

Seating

Some designers believe people will only sit around half the fire pit. They will build a semicircular wall for seating, or alternately, place chairs on only one side of the fire feature. Others will surround the fire feature with seating, using either chairs or benches. Whatever you choose, a good rule of thumb is to allow 3 feet of clear space around furniture.

Style

Wherever your fire feature is located, it’s important to connect it visually to your home. Consider using the same brick as that of your foundation to face your fire feature, or choose stucco or flagstones in colors that pick up the colors of your siding or trim.

Igniting Inspiration

Here at Hearth Products Controls, we’ve been fire inspired since 1975. That’s why we provide our dealers with the broadest gas product line to ignite inspiration, including individual burners, inserts, burner systems, fire and fire/water bowls, enclosure packages, and more, all for natural gas or liquid propane – and all CSA or UL- approved for optimum safety. Working with our dealers gives you the most choice for gas fire pit design, as well as reliable advice from experts. To locate a Hearth Products Controls dealer near you, go here.

Outdoor Fire Effects: Placement and Seating that make the Setting (2024)

FAQs

How do you arrange furniture around a fire pit? ›

If you have a bigger space, utilize it by adding two small sofas and a couple of chairs. For a smaller space, add a circle of chairs around the fire pit or two small cozy couches on each end of the fire pit. This fire pit seating idea is great for those who are looking for inexpensive options and easy decoration.

How far should seating be from a firepit? ›

If you have a wood-burning fire pit, chairs or benches should be placed at least 3 feet from the pit. This provides enough distance to prevent chairs from catching fire. If you have a gas fire pit, chairs should be placed at least 2 feet from the pit.

How do you arrange seating around a fireplace? ›

Position the sofas and chairs in a U-shape around the fireplace for a luxurious vibe. Angle all seating toward the fireplace for a more intimate, personal energy. Keep the room open and encourage conversation by placing a sofa perpendicular to the fireplace and a few small chairs opposite the sofa.

How do you arrange furniture when a fireplace is not centered? ›

Consider placing identical or similar-sized furniture pieces on each side of the fireplace to establish a sense of equilibrium. This arrangement not only distracts from the fireplace's off-centeredness but also creates a cohesive and inviting seating area.

How to make a seating area in a garden? ›

To create a cosy garden seating area, start by selecting a suitable location with shade and privacy. Choose comfortable, weather-resistant outdoor furniture and add soft furnishings like cushions and throws. Incorporate shade options such as umbrellas or pergolas.

What is the best rock for a fire pit seating area? ›

Crushed limestone is a popular choice for gravel fire pit areas due to its excellent drainage properties. This type of gravel compacts well, providing a solid base for seating and heavy items. It is often used as the primary material for the fire pit patio itself, creating a sturdy and functional surface.

What can I put under a fire pit on grass? ›

Patio slabs are the best surfaces to place your fire pit on.

They are an excellent option to protect your lawn from becoming scorched. The flat surface also reduces the risk of the grass below it being crushed by the heavy fire pit. Heat shields are another good option if a patio slab doesn't work.

How to create a cozy outdoor space? ›

Whether you have a small patio or a large deck, making the space feel secluded can actually give it a more cozy feel. You can do this by adding something like a pergola, outdoor draperies, or a large fence. Tall shrubs and bushes are also a pretty way to enclose the space.

Where should you not put a fire pit? ›

Keep your fire pit away from overhanging branches. A 21-foot clearance is standard for most municipalities. Don't put your fire pit too close to your property line. The minimum distance between the fire and property line varies from county to county, so be sure to check your local guidelines.

Where to place a fire pit in the backyard? ›

Keep fire pits at least 10 feet from buildings and trees. Install on a non-flammable surface and away from overhead structures. Check wind patterns to prevent smoke issues. Use services like 811 to locate underground utilities before digging. ]

How tall should the bench around a fire pit? ›

The height from ground to seat level on a fire pit bench should be 15 to 20 inches. The right number all depends on what makes your family the most comfortable. If your dining chairs are comfortable, that's a great height to use.

What do you put around a fire pit area? ›

Putting gravel on the ground around your fire pit creates a nice, level base for seating. Plus, it protects the ground and surrounding area with a non-flammable material in case any embers make their way out of the fire pit.

Where should furniture be placed around a fireplace? ›

When it comes to seating, symmetry is just as important – matching sofas are placed facing each other, while a set of armchairs will point towards the fireplace. A square or rectangular coffee table might be placed in the middle and the television placed above the fire, or even relegated to another room.

What is the best wood arrangement for a fire? ›

Parallel fires have a similar structure to Jenga — minus the middle pieces. Place two pieces of firewood parallel to one another and a small pile of tinder and kindling between them. Then, place two more pieces of firewood on top of the base logs perpendicular, forming a small wall. Add one more perpendicular layer.

How do you arrange wood for a bonfire? ›

Log cabin: Place two larger pieces of firewood parallel to each other and with some room in between to form the base of your structure. Then, turn 90 degrees and place two slightly smaller pieces on top and perpendicular to form a square. Place plenty of tinder inside the square.

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