A firepit is a great addition to your backyard and it doesn't need to be expensive to install one. (Shutterstock image)
March 30, 2020
By Lynn Burkhead
Few things in life are more inviting than the warmth of a fire, whether that’s on a cool fall evening as a favored gridiron game is contested on the radio or on a warm mid-summer’s night as the air is lit by the soft glow of fireflies flitting about.
Add a beverage, some hot dogs or smores, and the smiles that a well-worn story or friendly conversation can provide and having a spot on your property where such a fire can be safely enjoyed will turn your home’s landscape into the envy of the neighborhood.
Video courtesy of Exmark’s Backyard Life
For many people, the perfect way to provide that opportunity comes by way of a firepit, an outdoors space that allows for the crackle of a good fire and the smell of woodsmoke wafting into the night. And according to Doug Scott, a landscape designer at Redeem Your Ground in Atlanta, Ga., that’s an easier weekend project than many might think.
First, you’ll want to decide on how elaborate and unique you want your space to be. From custom designs to match the exterior of a home to simple but unique do-it-yourself projects that express a homeowner’s personality, the options are almost endless for this project.
After planning your space and choosing the type of firepit that will be at the center of it, from a simple stack stone or paver design to a commercially made product, you’ll need to get to work on creating and beautifying the space in a safe manner.
You’ll need to consider where the safest spot is, at least 10-feet away from a home or manmade structure. Then you’ll need adequate gathering space—Scott says at least 15 to 18-feet in diameter—so that the pit is safely centered and guests can mill around.
As you build your firepit, Scott will walk you through the process in this video, including showing do-it-yourselfers how to properly mark the project’s space out, how to safely install a floor for the area, and how to decorate and repurpose items to give your firepit a unique landscaping flavor that will keep guests coming back for more.
After a few hours of simple work, a safely built backyard firepit is an inviting addition to a home’s landscape, a place where the magic of love, laughter and a good story can unfold.
All that’s left to do after its creation is to provide a few logs for the fire, some refreshments, and the time to sit back and enjoy a space that invites people in and makes them want to stay awhile!
For more ideas on simple home improvements and property upgrades that can be accomplished over a weekend’s worth of time, please visit WeAreExmark.com .
