Custom Outdoor Fire Pits for Spaces You Want to Stay In
A custom fire pit can create a gathering area beside a pool or patio. Hillside Pool Builder constructs fire pits as part of outdoor projects. Tell us where you want people to gather and how the feature should connect to the rest of the yard.
Hillside Pool Builder can customize an outdoor fire pit to provide a focal point to a swimming pool area or to harmonize a backyard design. Fire pits must be appropriately sized and situated based on the backyard activities. We can incorporate a fire pit to harmonize the design of your backyard and swimming pool area. If you need assistance in determining the design and integration of your pool area, patio and seating area, we offer design and integration services.
Make the Fire Pit Fit the Way You Gather
Here are some features to consider as you design your backyard patio:
- Informal Gathering: Several homeowners like the informal style of a circle of seating near their swimming pool.
- Final Swim: When planning a backyard patio, how will you incorporate a fire feature? Where will the fire feature be located?
- Safety: A fire feature lends a focal point to a backyard patio. A fire feature can anchor a seating area.
- Accommodating the Neighbors: A fire feature can provide a focal point for a backyard patio.
A fire feature can function as a gathering point.
It is easier to incorporate a fire feature during the initial design of a backyard patio. The patio has to be large enough to accommodate the fire feature and a seating area.
A place for conversation, with room to move
To create a welcoming fire pit, we make seating arrangements to avoid squeezing between people. We take into account multiple approaches to the fire pit from the house, including the best place to set a drink. Fire pits obstruct pathways when seating is placed too closely. We design our plans to account for the safe use of the yard when a fire is lit.
Some clients like for the fire feature to be near the pool so that they incorporate a water feature and a fire feature in their design. Swimming pools obstruct pathways when pool users pass through seated people. Terracing a slope can also assist with designing paths. For other hardscaping features and path designs created by our firm, see our website.
Choose the Right Fire Feature for the Setting
The form of a custom fire pit affects the layout of your entertainment area. Traditionally, circular fire pits foster conversation. Longer, linear designs enhance vertical elements and work well with modern seating arrangements. Consider the focal point of the area when deciding the shape and position of the fire pit.
There are other elements of a fire pit design that are just as important. The material of the coping and edging should complement the hardscaping in the surrounding area. For a contemporary design, a plumbed fire pit with a finished edge could work well with a pool deck. When the fire pit is in view from the home, elements such as the pool deck edge, coping, and paving should be harmonious. We can help with design and construction of your pool deck.
Gas or wood burning?
Your choice of fuel impacts both the kind of experience we can construct and the type of construction we can undertake.
- Gas: The construction would require the specification of a gas outlet and shut-off. The route would need to be determined.
- Wood: Construction would not be as complex; however, experience would include ash and smoke. In addition, fuel would need to be stored.
Regardless of which fuel you select, we will need to determine where to construct the experience, and consider the work involved. Construction would need to comply with local rules and consider any utilities on your property.
Built-in seating or flexible chairs?
Built-in seating incorporates a fire pit more naturally into the landscape. It also helps to delineate a terrace from the rest of the yard. Fire pits with removable chairs let you adjust the size of the seating area and use the area to play or work. A fire pit with built-in seats and a surrounding wall to define the edge of the terrace can provide a good balance of structure and flexibility to a yard.
Relating the location of seats to the other elements of the design, such as the distance from the fire, other seating, steps, and the direction guests face, can create a better design than simply fitting in as many seats as possible. We are able to take other considerations into account as well, such as where the best place to put the food and drink is, before adding in extra seats.
Fire Pits Beside Pools and Spas
From a design perspective, implementing a fire feature across from the pool creates a unique atmosphere while maintaining access to the pool and providing a place for socializing by the fire. The view of the fire feature from the house creates a nice effect on pool property, but the feature and pool do not need to be directly across from each other to achieve this.
During the initial design stages of a project that includes a fire feature and new pool, we can integrate the fire feature with the overall design of the property, which includes the location of utilities and other site constraints. Fire features can also be integrated with pool designs being constructed this year. For properties with existing pools, we assess the design potential and integrate the fire feature where it best complements the overall design. Additional information about swimming pools can be found on our swimming pool construction page.
A fire feature and spa create a nice use of outdoor space at night, and the path between the fire feature and spa must be maintained. The design and construction of a spa can be found on our custom spa construction page.
Planning for a Sloped or Compact Yard
An outdoor fire feature doesn’t work well with large yards. It’s more about seating and placement. If you have a small yard, a larger fire feature can take up a large seating area, and small features can be placed around the yard. When small features are placed around the yard, seating and other functions are maintained.
When designing a yard with a view and a slope, there are many things to consider. The factor that is most difficult to visualize is the area that offers the best drainage. Walls on the property may limit the location of a terrace. There are many reasons to do a site analysis before coming to any conclusions.
There are many things to consider for the placement of a feature outside of the design of that feature. Wind can make a place that is sheltered from other things uncomfortably cold. Plants can provide a barrier to wind and reduce the chill of the air, but a wall can provide the same barrier. Doors and windows can provide a view that remains sheltered. The best time to think over these considerations is while a site is still unbuilt.
Materials That Belong in the Yard
A custom fire pit should integrate seamlessly into the surrounding surfaces. Sometimes a small variation in a design can help distinguish one area from another. This allows for visual unity across the entire property.
When talking about material selection, we need to address the fire pit’s construction. Certain elements of the fire pit may prohibit the use of a given finish. For example, if a wall adjacent to the fire pit has a finish we like, that finish may not be appropriate to use on the fire pit itself. We need to evaluate the construction of the fire pit to determine where constraints may inhibit the use of a given finish.
Plants can also be used to define areas. Plants used along the edge of a sitting area can frame that area without obstructing the view beyond. When adding planting to the outer edge of a sitting area to create a defined area to enclose a fire feature, the area must still provide a clear line of site beyond the seating area. Visit our pool landscape design page for information on our ideas regarding planting and pool side areas.
What Does a Custom Fire Pit Project Involve?
The extent of the work varies with the current conditions. Adding a feature to a completed patio is different from creating a terrace that includes seating, utility connections, masonry walls and a pool. The first step is to assess how you will use the space and then consider the physical limits of the space. From there, the work to be done will be better defined.
- Discuss the site.
Where do you picture gathering? What do you like about the current back yard? What do you dislike? Photos are helpful, as are approximate dimensions. We need to visit the site. - Examine site lines. Access, lines of sight, and site issues are considered. Grades and surrounding site features are analyzed. Potential challenges may dictate the scope of design and level of professional input, as well as the type of project review and/or permitting required.
- Establish the design. Consideration is given to the placement of the design in relationship to the pool and/or existing outdoor living spaces. Related site work (i.e. installation of site furniture) is integrated into the design build project.
- Construct the design. The completed design is constructed in accordance with all permitting and approvals. Landscaping and hardscaping elements are constructed and completed.
We can help integrate elements of your backyard plan. Knowing where an element of your plan is located relative to other plan elements helps focus the discussion on what is most important to you and explain the limitations of your site. For example, the location of an outdoor fire feature may need to be left unbuilt in order to construct an outdoor kitchen at a later date. For cooking and entertaining features, explore our outdoor kitchens and BBQ areas.
What Affects the Cost?
Consider your backyard as we give a general idea of costs associated with your project. Most affect the bottom line are:
- The design of the firepit (size, shape, choice of fuel, and finish)
- The existence of a useable patio and other hard surfaces
- Grade of the site and other site conditions including site access
Of course, the cost of the work is dependent on the budget. Tell us what is most important to you and we can give you an idea of costs for the project.
Outdoor Fire Pits in the Los Angeles Area
Hillside Pool Builder is based in Sherman Oaks and discusses pool and outdoor projects in the Los Angeles area. Consider both the space and the function to best utilize your yard. The ideal design for your neighbor’s yard may not work for you, even if your houses are adjacent to each other.
If your project is in Sherman Oaks or other places within the team’s service area, please send in a ticket and give a description of your property. For project planning, the team has limited information on the service areas, but you can see the service area overview for estimates on when the team will operate in your location.
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, the answer is yes. There are a number of constraints including the size of the deck or patio, the location of utilities, grades and other site conditions. Safety and comfort of seating play a role as well. A site visit can help locate the best place for the fire pit.
From an ease of use standpoint, gas fire pits can be good alternatives to wood burning fire pits. There are many considerations including the location, the design, and the gas line. These should be evaluated prior to construction.
Yes. There are many constraints on a slope including the location of existing walls and terracing. The size and location of the fire pit should be evaluated along with other site constraints.
It depends. It is best to check with the local jurisdiction to verify.
The price can really vary. It really depends on what is being done along with the fire pit (landscaping, grading, etc.) and the materials used.
Absolutely! Fire pits and outdoor kitchens can both be integrated into the outdoor lifestyle in different ways. Planning them together can provide the most functional layout for a outdoor space for cooking and entertainment.
Make More of your Evenings
Help us to understand your outdoor space and help you create the evenings that you desire and deserve! We have the expertise and knowledge to provide you with a fire pit that is perfect for your space, and the people that will use it. We can help you with your outdoor living space and pool plans as well! Contact us to get started!