Outdoor fireplaces quickly become the central place where everyone gathers. Everyone wants to have one, especially in southern regions of the country. They are a luxury that is perfect for warmer winter climates throughout the South. Lay down some gravel or pavers to ensure that your fire pit is on a level surface without organic materials beneath it. Outdoor fireplaces are designed to be used on a patio that’s made of something solid and flame resistant. My top three favorite are patio pavers, flagstone and pea gravel.

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”.

Record high temperatures have been seen around the country this summer, but there will soon be relief with Autumn around the corner. The popularity of outdoor spaces have increased as homeowners take full advantage of their property. You too can create a retreat or entertaining area that would extend your own living space outdoors. Think outside the box when it comes to your own outdoor space. “Outdoor rooms” aren’t restricted to the backyard nor should you limit your activity to simply grilling.

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.

Take advantage of seasonal clearance sales to put together a “picnic anytime kit”. Keeping gear organized will increase the chances of taking a spontaneous picnic trip or better yet, have everything pulled together for football tailgating season. Here are some ideas with gearing up for end of summertime fun by going on a picnic or for simply roasting marshmallows on a firebowl in your own backyard.

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!

With a serene, calm aesthetic and natural inspiration, Asian style refers to spaces with Japanese and Chinese influences. Japanese-style rooms use raw materials like bamboo and a natural subtle color palette. While Chinese interiors draw on highly stylized furnishings with hand-painted designs, lacquered finishes and a red and black palette.

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.

Why reserve a roaring fire for a camp-out? Families and friends can gather to enjoy any night of the week. Here are a few tips for building a fire in an outdoor fire pit.

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.

Hosting an outdoor party can be easier and less expensive than you think. Two neighborhood families were coming over to grill out when I realized I needed more seating and serving space. I relocated indoor furniture. I took my kitchen table outdoors and set it up as a second beverage station. Having another spot, different from the food buffet, prevented a traffic jam and allowed guests to mingle while they got a drink. Come sundown have lighting ready so you guests can see to serve themselves. I like the practicality of tabletop fire bowls. Not only does a  tabletop firebowl provide light and warmth as temps drop, they are refillable.

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?

Planning your next beach get away? Thoughts of everyone gathered around the fire pit wiggling their toes down into the sand out by the dunes. Many of us suburbanites live hours away from the coast. Don’t wait for vacation, build your own backyard beach. I am crazy about this idea inspired by myhomeideas.com. So what do you need to pull this off?

• A truckload of sand could be obtained from your local building supply company
• Large pieces of driftwood can be shipped to your door; Google to find a supplier
• A selection of fire pits are found through MantelsDirect.com and quickly delivered
• Plants and large rocks are available at your local nursery or home center

I would suggest native plans that thrive in your local climate.  Ornamental pampas grass is pictured here would bring a coastal vibe to your backyard beach. Installing this outdoor space too near irrigation may find your beach washed away by the sprinklers. Not to mention wet sand is sticky. Who wants to find sandy footprints tracked across the den floor? Fire pits are the focal point which pulls all your friends and family together.  A gas fire pit eliminates having to keep firewood on hand and any concerns about extinguishing the flame at the end of the evening. If your home already is equipped with natural gas, a line could be run to the area where you want a fire pit.  If not, then a propane tank could easily be hidden behind a sand dune.

This is an easy project that requires no special tools or skills, just great imagination. I can just see it now, when the sun goes down, suntanned toes ticklin the sand, cold drink chillin in my right hand…give us a call for help in picking out the perfect fire pit for your backyard beach.