Landscaping retailers have a selection of all their products on display so you can see and touch the materials to help decide what will look best with your outdoor fireplace. Gravel is usually available by the bulk bag or smaller bag so you can have the exact quantity you need. Decorative gravels are available in different grades and colors. The grade being the size of the stone. Local landscaper suppliers in your hometown  or any chain home improvement center stocks the weed membrane that stops weeds from rearing their ugly heads.

Not only ideal for use on driveways, pathways, these materials are perfect for a patio with an outdoor fireplace. Unused square footage away from your home and garage are great spaces to lay down  flagstone for an outdoor firepit. My local code states that a wood burning outdoor fireplace should be 50 feet from my home. If you  have a challenging part of your yard that doesn’t have any grass, pick a solid surface: like pavers, stones or pea gravel; it can be transformed from eye sore into a fire pit patio.

You may select a combination of solid surface materials to define an area for the firepit surrounded by seating. Once your foundation has been laid, you are ready to place an outdoor fireplace and furniture that are weather safe. Outdoor fireplaces have durable surfaces that are designed to weather the elements. The Perfect Outdoor Fireplace is made of heat dissipating stone that will not crack even when temperatures dip and the fireplace is covered in snow.  Some fire pits come with covers ensuring longevity.

These surfaces are not only flame resistant and provide a level surface, they look beautiful. Flagstone’s color variations, and pavers unique shapes make for an interesting outdoor space that suits an outdoor fireplace. To read more about unique areas of your property to place a fire pit, check out my post ” Creative Spaces for Outdoor Fireplaces”.

An outdoor fireplace lends an air of sophistication to a back yard patio and invites guests to linger after dinner. However, front yards are great places to gather neighbors around a cozy outdoor fire pit while children play as well. By simply grouping chairs around a firepit, this parking pad could be elevated to outdoor room status. Not only back and front spaces but side yards offer up areas for entertaining. Take an underutilized area along an outside wall of your house or detached garage, and anchor that with an outdoor patio fireplace.

Side driveways and transitional spaces between the garage and backdoor can multi-task, also being utilized for entertaining. By placing fire pits in flexible spaces, such as the driveway of this New Orleans home on the right, they too become a great place for a hosting friends. Patio fire pits are portable making them perfect for these types of flexible outdoor spaces. However, the Perfect Outdoor Fireplace is able to be disassembled, making it an option should you anticipate a need to relocate your outdoor fireplace.

Outdoor fireplaces are designed to be used on a level surface that’s made of something solid and flame resistant, like concrete, patio pavers or gravel. Check back for my top picks for surface materials as you prepare the area for installing an outdoor fireplace. Late summer early fall is the best time for landscaping projects because the cool temperatures allow new plantings to get established without the stress of dry hot weather. Begin now, complete your space and enjoy a colorful autumn gathered around your outdoor fireplace.

Purchase plastic plates, cups, napkins, plastic utensils, unbreakable salt and pepper shakers and organize them in a deep tray or basket. Store them near the back door for quick loading  in the car or out to the patio. As warm days lessen, place the basket down in a plastic tub and store away while keeping the picnic gear accessible and organized in the attic or on a garage shelf.

Uniflame offers a firebowl with folding legs which comes with a carrying case. Not only is it is easily portable to picnics, but also perfect for camping or tailgating. Roasted hotdogs and marshmallows are great for these occasions, I have not met a kid who doesn’t like hotdogs or would turn down a crispy toasted marshmallow anytime of year. S’mores are great for picnics because the ingredients don’t take up room in the cooler and if the chocolate gets too warm all the better. Keep a bundle of wood near and pack of matches in your picnic anytime kit.

Buy some yard-game equipment: Frisbees, horseshoes, badminton or crochet gear and keep all gear in one place. Like the carrying case with this firebowl, I purchased a ladder golf game that came with a carrying case. Keeping these items stored near the picnic kit helps to not forget the frisbee or leave the fire pit at home.

All home centers and super stores have plastic tubs, my favorite are see through with locking clips on the ends. Organize all this picnic gear inside. Keep salt and matches for the firebowl fresh and dry by throwing in those little packets enclosed in a new shoebox. Now that summer gear is on clearance, pick up some bargains for your picnic anytime kit and quick get away this weekend!

As you draft a plan, consider the function of different parts of the yard. When determining areas for plantings consider which parts of the yard will you view through windows? Give yourself a pretty view. Combine plantings with the patio hardscape and have focal points. For example, anchor the patio with an outdoor fireplace flanked by evergreens and annuals that bloom throughout the seasons. Beds with fall blooming plants and a cozy fire can extend the use of your outdoor space long beyond the summer. Next, do you want to reserve a spot for barbecuing, create a quiet spot for reading, or designate an area for the kids to play?

Outdoor fireplaces are not only an attractive focal point, but provide functionality. If entertaining is part of the plan, having a wood burning outdoor fireplace that you can also grill on provides additional cook space. Wood fired grilled foods taste different than those cooked on the gas grill, menus can be rounded out by the addition of a outdoor BBQ fireplace. My kids never turn down a roasted marshmallow! If convenience is high priority, a gas fueled outdoor fireplace is the way to go. If you already have gas lines, then half the work is done. Outdoor fireplaces can be placed along side the garage, shed or fence line and create a great focal point. Not only are outdoor patio fireplaces a worthy focal point, but when outdoor fireplaces are combined with plantings, like evergreen trees, they make a screen from unattractive views and add privacy. Considering the views beyond your own yard is another part of drafting a backyard plan.

The backyard is an additional room, so take some time to draft your plan. Before you contact the landscaper to implement your new plan, know what you want and how the space is going to function. Give Mantels Direct a call if you have any questions about an outdoor fireplace kit for your backyard.

In addition to providing a cooking and heating solution, by incorporating metals into the design, a Buschbeck outdoor wood fireplace coordinates into the most luxurious outdoor rooms. The stunning white quartz surface is complimented by real copper or stainless steel inserts set within the mantle piece.

For cooking, the Buschbeck has three adjustable cooking heights and comes with a heavy duty chrome grill with a spaciously proportioned combustion chamber that allows easy access when loading more fuel or turning over food when grilling. Barbecue purists believe nothing tastes the same as preparing barbecue over a wood fired grill.

Widely distributed in Europe, these masonry barbecue fireplaces are the only European manufacturer to have been awarded the stringent TUV/GS German product safety standard certification. The steel reinforced concrete & quartz construction of the fireplace ensures a high level of safety as air is constantly circulating between the outer surface and the furnace area.

These outdoor fireplace kits are very easy for two people to assemble and there is little or nothing to do, as far as maintenance goes. An outdoor wood burning fireplace is maintenance free, but if needed you may lightly pressure wash or hose down at the end of the season. The Buschbeck outdoor patio fireplaces are in stock and available for delivery in time for Fourth of July celebrations!

Pared-down modern style that looks sophisticated but not skimpy, is achieved through a few rich color accents and intriguing focal points. Furnishing  a rooftop patio with unusual treatments in weather safe metals and fabrics allow for expression of personal style. Conversation areas on roof top patios can be centered around outdoor patio fireplaces.  Backyard dining areas benefit from both the modern lines and functionality of an outdoor wood fireplace.

Creating an upscale outdoor space with alot of amenities does not have to be expensive. The ultimate centerpiece for an outdoor room, a wood burning outdoor fireplace, follows modern design by combining form and functionality. It serves as much more than a focal point for those who want to grill over an open fire. With a Buschbeck outdoor fireplace kit being a do-it-yourself aspect of the design plan, more money may be budgeted towards additional furnishings. Not only are these outdoor fireplaces highly functional but the German design adds modern mojo to create a beautiful outdoor space.

If you have a traditional house, introducing contemporary pieces will give an eclectic mix. The selection of  contemporary touches transform a space, an outdoor space in particular, into a chic modern backyard.

Birch tree bark’s light shades and texture can bring alot of interest to an otherwise cold dark space. Buy birch at a garden center or on-line and cut it to your specifications. Measure the opening to get a full look without a gap on the sides. Pile one log directly on top of another in the opening, taking time and try them in different orders until you find the best arrangement.

A mirror would not only reflect light but a gorgeous rug facing the fireplace mantel. Visit your local framer to have a piece of mirror cut to the exact dimensions of the fireplace opening. Ask to have the edges of the mirror seamed, so they’re not sharp. Or simply lean a large framed mirror against the front of the hearth, as you might lean a piece of art against the wall above the mantel, if you don’t have pets or small children.

A surprising way to bring a glow to the fireplace is to insert an electric log set, striking when the light reflects against a shiny floor. This is a way to brighten up the fireplace mantel and hearth until the temperatures drop in the fall, so go ahead and snake the cord out of the opening to plug the electric fireplace in.

If it’s the mantel itself that you cannot get over, and the surround is what has caught your eye, I suggest you check out Ramsay from the Majestic Series of Classic Stone Mantels. Summer is a great time to renovate the whole fireplace mantel and surround to ensure the project is completed and ready for year end holidays.

Since serene calming Asian-style rooms provide a great place to clear your head after a long day, the design aesthetic easily translates to exterior spaces. A few key elements of Asian style would be natural materials, clean lines and objects with a low profile. The raw materials suitable for the space would include bamboo, slate and rock and nature’s subtle colors helping create a tranquil space. Asian-style rooms typically don’t have many accessories or much clutter in order to create a calming environment.

An outdoor space would call for multifunctional furnishings with clean lines and a sleek profile. Having a firepit with a wooden top allows it to function as both a table and fire pit. The Revolver firepit converts from a fire pit grill to a cocktail table once the hardwood top is placed in position. Stone accessories such as a fire bowl, sized smaller for table top, or larger freestanding fire bowls on a column provide accent lighting and warmth if the night air is chilly.  Introducing fire bowls styled with natural elements reinforces the Asian feel of the outdoor space.

In addition, Japanese design often includes water features such as Koi ponds or waterfalls. The Cliffstone series includes a fire fountain with a waterfall. Functional pieces, such as a fire pit or fire fountain satisfies the senses and contribute to simple uncluttered Asian design. And despite its antiquity, Asian design is a very modern style that will look current for a long time.

Before you get your fire going here’s a few items to gather:

• tinder
• kindling
• wood
• matches

First step is to pick a location for your fire. Whether in the backyard or campsite, location is key. My local code calls for fire pits to be fifty feet from structures. Pick a spot that’s away from trees or flammable brush as well. Natural surroundings may be lush in the spring but summer drought may dry out grass or plantings around the firepit.

Tinder should be natural material that will burn easily when lit. Small twigs, dried brush or newspaper will work well. You will need a dozen or so sheets of newspaper, crumple each up like a tennis ball. Next, wood can be placed on top inside home fire pits. Make sure the kindling and tinder have enough space for air flow and are not smashed. Properly aged wood will light most effectively. Light it four sides and as the tinder ignites blow air into the fire allowing it to burn hot enough for the kindling to catch. This is a fun step to get age appropriate children involved around outdoor fire pits. Think about how much they love to blow out birthday candles. Once the wood ignites you only have to occasionally add wood to keep the fire going.

Now sit back and relax. You’ll be eating s’mores and telling stories  around the fire pit before you know it.

I also put the kitchen chairs around the patio table. You may be  surprised how many guests can be seated around a round table. That freed up the wrought iron chairs, which I placed out in the backyard, around the fire pit, for an additional seating area. To save on the expense of disposable paper products, I used my everyday dishes and glassware. It’s more eco-friendly and paper plates never support a plate overflowing with bbq balanced on your lap.

Help company stay comfortable outdoor all day and into the night. Near the seating area around the firepit, I put out a big basket filled with amenities like sunblock, bug spray, hand wipes and a stadium blanket. As the party continued after dark, lighting the outdoor fire pit added a warm glow, especially welcome because it was chilly.

S’mores  aren’t exclusive to camp outs. Why not choose these for an easy inexpensive no bake dessert? I handed everyone a  skewer and a marshmallow as they hung out around the fire pit. Neighbors, both young and old, roasted marshmallows right over the fire pit, then layered it between a bit of chocolate bar and a graham cracker. Dessert was big hit, with little effort and expense. Don’t let costs of extra outdoor furniture, serving pieces and gourmet dishes hinder you from entertaining. Parties can be done inexpensively.  Let me hear your ideas?