What’s better than gathering around the fire with friends and family? Built-in backyard fire pits encourage outdoor living, for as many days in the year as the seasons allow. To give you inspiration, here are six ideas to consider for your State College, PA, fire pit.   

Think Carefully About the Shape

The classic round fire pit offers an authentic campfire feel. This style is typically associated with casual or rustic settings, and lends itself perfectly to built-in circular seating; however, an oversized concrete bowl, with its clean lines and minimalist look, could be just the right fit for a modern home.

Also consider a square shaped fire feature. Square masonry fire pits are capped with large flat stones perfect for warming your feet. They are wonderfully suited for more elegant and formal settings, and match the stately dimensions of a grand home.

Ideal in modern settings, a linear fire pit echoes the clean lines of contemporary homes and landscapes and would make a striking statement in your landscape. Like other shapes, a linear fire pit can be masonry, stone, metal, or concrete to complement your design style.

For a final consideration: You could completely transform your outdoor living with an L-shaped fire pit that defines spaces and provides an unexpected pop of panache. Imagine a sunken fire pit area with a sophisticated L-shaped fire table and luxurious cushions on built-in seating walls.

Image Source – Unilock

Related: COMPLEMENT YOUR HARDSCAPE PROJECT WITH A STUNNING FIRE PIT IN STATE COLLEGE, PA

Consider a Fire Table

Fire tables are a modern take on traditional fire pits. They are usually round, square, or linear, and are fueled by natural gas or propane. They’re taller than regular fire pits and double as cocktail tables to give visitors a place to set their plates or drinks when dining al fresco. Make a dramatic statement with a fire table, by using colorful decorative glass instead of lava rock.

Choose a Fuel Source

Fire pits are fueled by natural gas, wood, propane, or ethanol. Choosing the right fuel type depends on personal preference as well as practicality. Wood-fired pits offer an authentic campfire experience, but they also come with smoke, debris to clean up, a potential fire hazard (especially in compact or densely wooded spaces), as well as community regulations that may prohibit wood burning in certain times of the year.

Gas, propane, or ethanol fire pits have many advantages including the ability to instantly manage flame size, virtually no maintenance, no smoke-in-the-eyes discomfort, and no splitting firewood. However, there are ongoing costs associated with gas, propane, and ethanol (the gas as well as electricity to run the controls).

Related: TAKE AN OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE FROM TYPICAL TO LUXURIOUS WITH THESE FIRE PIT AND OUTDOOR FIREPLACE DESIGNS IN STATE COLLEGE, PA

Choose Facing Materials

Select facing materials to match your patio and home’s architectural style. Keeping your fire pit in the same color, texture, and size family will tie it into your outdoor living spaces. Or go for a bold look by selecting a concrete or metal bowl shape that turns the fire pit into a dramatic focal point.

Factor in Seating

The type of seating you want for your fire pit is worthy of a big consideration. You want your fire feature to be truly welcoming. Minimize clutter and encourage conversation by using low walls that define the space and double as seating.  

Think About Size

Fire pits can be virtually any size. Consider the size of your home, the layout of your outdoor spaces, the height of other outdoor features, seating opportunities, and the number of people who will use the fire pit.