Fire in the backyard!
Add a little sizzle to your backyard with fire! Here are several tips from our guest blogger Derek Lotts. And if you love these ideas, make sure to check out the KARE 11 Backyardcompleted last summer by BATC partners.
Finally, the time has come to do something different about your backyard that has been untouched for years. Depending on the size of it, there could be few and there could be infinite different options and solutions. However, there is one general idea that is universal, regardless of the size and it will surely come in handy throughout the year. Fire up your backyard! Of course, do not make it a one time experience, the subject here is decorating your backyard with fire pits, fireplaces or outdoor kitchens equipped with a grill and making it a central place for family and friends gathering. Here is how to make a proper choice and make the best of it.
Fireplace
Carefully positioned fireplace can completely change the outlook of your backyard, even become its central piece. On the other hand, you can blend them into the surrounding by choosing suitable design and material they are built from. You can opt for traditional brick ones, resembling those in the old Hollywood movies, stone ones, looking like those in Nordic cabins, or marble ones, just like those you see in well equipped saunas, to name just a few. The design, on the other hand is almost limitless. They come in various shapes and dimension and can be customized to any of your demands. Therefore, they easily blend into any landscape, surface and surroundings. If they seem sterile, soften it with various flower arrangements. On the other hand, you can completely contrast them to the surroundings and get a dynamic whole. For example, metal and glass details added to your fireplace will give interesting contemporary contrast to your Victorian style house. (Editors note: find great fireplace options in the Twin Cities from our KARE 11 Backyard partner Brock White.)
Fire pits
Fire has been something that people gathered around ever since it was first noticed. There is something magical about it and the atmosphere it builds around is soothing, warm and talk opening. Due to their open fire, fire pits most resemble the old fires that attracted people and yours will surely become a spot around which you will spend numerous nights out being warmed and brought into easy conversation with your friends and family. There are various designs available, from traditional, camp fire resembling ones, to more futuristic, such as Olympic fire kind of ones. You will certainly be able to find one suitable for you. Another important thing you should take into consideration is that fire pits are cheaper and easier to maintain than any other outdoor fire solution.
Outdoor kitchen
As we mentioned before, taking your life outdoors adds to dynamics and atmosphere in general, plus it allows you to spend more time out in the fresh air, making everyday cooking more inspiring and exciting. Furthermore, nothing compares to romantic dinner served outside under candle lights. If you prefer a more crowded evenings, such as sports nights spent with friends, by all means, equip your outdoor kitchens with grills (in the Twin Cities, your best resource for great grills is our KARE 11 Backyard partner, Warners’ Stellian) and add even more fire to it. This will also enable you to make family barbecue gatherings more frequently, regardless of the season. Even if it snows, you will be able to make your favorite grilled meat, without having to air the entire house for hours during and after grilling. Of course, outdoor kitchen are also highly customizable and applicable to any taste.
As you can see, adding fire to your backyard is a process where initial choice is of major importance. Therefore, think carefully about your preferences and the main use plan to have from your backyard fire source. The rest of it, such as choice of design and material, will easily follow.
Derek Lotts writes about home improvement and gardening and thinks these all fall under self-improvement. He has found a place at Smoothdecorator among other writers who love brainstorming about décor and design. He believes in the power of sharing ideas and communicating via the internet to achieve betterment. In his free time, he likes spending time in nature with his wife.