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Creating an outdoor oasis around the fire pit

Warm summer weather provides the perfect opportunity to transform your backyard into an oasis that brings your daily life outdoors. Your backyard should be an extension of your home, adding usable square footage that welcomes family and friends. If you’ve ever been transfixed while watching a fire’s dancing flames, you know that a fire pit creates an unrivaled ambiance. It enlivens an outdoor space while providing warmth, the ability to cook, and radiating a feeling of summer nostalgia.

Fire pits have a calming effect; the heat and warm glow helps us relax and brings people together to share stories, late-night conversations, and of course, roast s’mores. Creating the perfect oasis around your fire pit will depend on your space, style, and the type of fire pit you choose.

How you design the area around your fire pit will depend on which type of fire pit is right for your lifestyle and yard. Whether you’re building a traditional wood-burning fire pit yourself or looking for a portable option with a propane tank that you can take camping, each has pros and cons that you need to weigh.

Wood-burning fire pits replicate traditional campfires. Made from various materials and available as both permanent and portable options, they provide warmth, the crackling sound of wood, and the ability to cook over

by ALLISON POLLOCK-PUGH

its fire. Built-in fire pits are customizable and can be constructed with stone or brick over a weekend, whereas store-bought fire pits may carry a high price tag but come in various sizes—some of which allow for portability. Wood-burning fire pits also produce varying amounts of smoke that can irritate your eyes, nose and throat, the smell of which can also attach to fabrics.

Non-wood-burning fire pits have become more popular for their convenience in the backyard and more contemporary designs. Propane options are easily turned on and off without the messy ashes but don’t produce the warmth of a wood-burning fire and require an attached propane tank that needs regular refills. Gel fuel fire pits don’t emit smoke and cost less initially but require refueling every couple of hours. Natural gas fire pits connect to your home’s gas line. Its convenient supply and easy maintenance make it popular among homeowners, but it’s not ideal for cooking, isn’t portable, and is often costly to install.

Whether you envision relaxing backyard evenings with s’mores under the stars or plan to fill the space with friends and family ready to battle for this year’s croquet championship, seating sets the tone. If there are not enough