As you contemplate adding a fire feature to your Madison, WI, landscape, you might be wavering between a fireplace vs. a fire pit. This guide to choosing the right fire feature for your outdoor living space can help you make the best decision.
Related: COMBINE A FIRE PIT WITH AN OUTDOOR KITCHEN FOR AN ALL-DAY ENTERTAINING SPACE IN MADISON, WI
When a Fireplace Is the Choice
An outdoor fireplace can be the ideal choice when you want a landscape feature that will make a grand statement. Many outdoor fireplaces are built of sizable wall stone. A large part of the appeal of an outdoor fireplace can be the way the stone blocks are laid to create an engaging pattern.
The outdoor fireplace can be designed and built to be a majestic height while taking up a considerable length of the landscape if you wish. You can have waterspouts added on each side of the outdoor fireplace to introduce the soothing sounds of falling water to your landscape design. Since the fountains are recirculating, you can simply enjoy the unique element that the water adds to your outdoor space.
Some benefits of an outdoor fireplace:
It can offer a clear divide between the main patio and the outdoor dining space.
It can give your outdoor living space a true gathering spot.
It can accommodate more guests who want to sit close to the fire.
It may emit more warmth and light for your outdoor space.
When a Fire Pit Is the Choice
A fire pit also brings warmth and ambiance to your outdoor living space like an outdoor fireplace, but the fire pit can be more interactive. The seating around a fire pit often forms a circle, which can allow you and your guests to have deep conversations as you relax with your feet up.
A fire pit can be more appropriate for a smaller outdoor space since it would require less physical space. During the design phase, the size and shape of a fire pit can be adjusted so that it can nestle into a small area or expand to fill a larger patio area.
The design of a fire pit can specifically make it less of a prominent feature and more the type of element that melds with the rest of the outdoor living space to create an overall warm and inviting atmosphere.
Some benefits of the outdoor fire pit:
It can be more budget-friendly.
It has the feel of sitting around a campfire.
It is a versatile outdoor feature that can complement a swimming pool space, inhabit its own elevated patio area, or sit right beside the patio to increase the aesthetic appeal.
How to Know Which Fire Feature Is Right for You
The best way to decide whether you want an outdoor fireplace or fire pit can be to consult with your landscape team. Their knowledge and expertise of interconnected spaces within a backyard design can help you identify the ideal spot for an outdoor fire feature.
When you want a large landscape feature that commands a presence, an outdoor fireplace can be the perfect solution. If you only have a certain amount of space, an outdoor fire pit can elevate any patio area.
You truly can’t go wrong either way when you choose an outdoor fire feature because both a fire pit and an outdoor fireplace would give your landscape design that unique element that sets it apart from the rest.
Related: ADDING A CLASSIC BRICK PATIO AND OUTDOOR FIREPLACE TO A MODERN PROPERTY IN MADISON, WI
