by ANDREW LEMIEUX
You have the space, the time, and the creativity. Now, it’s all hands on deck to design your dream backyard. The typical Southern backyard is warm, welcoming, and cozy, and with the theme already cast in stone, all you have to do is customize it to your liking. Southerners hierarchize outdoor living; the backyard is the canvas we use to showcase our creativity, unique identity, rich history, and distinct culture. The centerpiece—the one that guides the entire arrangement—is the fire pit.
A fire pit is the focal point of an outdoor sitting area because you arrange the rest of the furniture around it. It provides natural light and warmth, creating the perfect ambiance for relaxing and socializing. Even when alone, flickering flames, crackling sounds, and smoke from the burning wood create a calming atmosphere and a terrific distraction after a long day. You could cook from it using skewers or a grate above the fire. With these benefits, passing on getting a fire pit is difficult.
So, let’s get to designing the perfect fire pit.
How To Design the Ultimate Fire Pit
Follow these steps:
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Choose Where to Position the Pit
First, know that a fire pit needs elbow room. It should be at least 15 feet from the neighbor’s fence, your house, or other structures. If there’s a tree nearby, be cautious about its low overhanging branches. The site should also be private to avoid disturbing your neighbors or passing motorists. If it’s not private enough, erect a wooden fence or plant some shrubs.
Consider the wind direction. Will it blow smoke right into the neighbor’s house? If so, you have a problem. You will not enjoy your backyard if you have a disgruntled neighbor and constant shutdowns from the HOA. Choose a spot where the winds blow smoke away from the properties.
Noise is also a key deciding factor in the location of your pit. Your larger-than-life family and friends may be rowdy when they come over, and this will not augur well with neighbors trying to have a quiet dinner or an intimate conversation. Choose a spot that is a reasonable distance from their house.
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What Shape Do You Covet?
While you can choose any shape, a basic square or round shape is perfect for your custom Charlotte fire pit. A round shape is open and inviting. Its design encourages better airflow for a more efficient burning with less smoke. The circular seating arrangement around it encourages conversation among the gathered. Heat is distributed evenly, and there’s plenty of standing room to move about. This design blends well with different yard designs and themes, from natural to modern and contemporary.
A square fire pit is best for yards with limited space. Its geometric shape and clean-cut lines give it a structured, modern look. You can place it in a corner against an incombustible wall or build it into other outdoor features like pools or seating walls. However, square pits are not as open as round pits and would not accommodate many people.
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How Does It Fit With the Rest of Your Outdoor Space?
Carefully plan the layout to connect your fire pit to the rest of the backyard features. For example, you should have unfettered access to your house so that it’s safe for you to carry food, drinks, or cutlery to and from.
Do you already have an ongoing theme—traditional, rustic, modern, bohemian, modern, or contemporary? Choose a fire pit design that matches. For example, wood materials enhance a natural look, brick fire pits match traditional brick homes, and natural stones go well with a rustic theme.
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Choose the Materials
Choose durable materials to enhance the longevity of your fire pit. Here’s a table of the most durable materials, with their cons and pros:
| Building Materials | Pros | Cons |
| Stainless Steel |
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| Concrete |
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| Copper |
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| Natural Stone |
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| Bricks |
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Today, the trend is to combine various materials to leverage their durability, heat resistance, heat retention, and aesthetic appeal. For example, you could install a carbon steel pit with a natural stone, brick, or concrete block surround. Arrange the materials in unique designs for a personalized, distinctive look that complements your ongoing theme.
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Integrate Safety and Lighting Features
You need protective screens to protect against an open fire and fire pit materials that absorb heat. The screens contain the sparks within the pit and protect people and pets from accidental touch. Fire extinguishing tools should also be on standby.
Lighting fixtures enhance the ambiance of your outdoor living space, so incorporate a few. String lights, post lights, wall lights, in-ground lights, pool lights, lanterns, and even a flood light can complement your fire pit and warm up the space. Most lighting is adjustable; you can tune it to achieve the right balance while ensuring enough visibility.
Get Your Dream Pit
Outdoor spaces enhance your lifestyle and help to create memories, so spare no effort to make them exactly what you envision. Start by designing a custom fire pit that matches your needs and style, then work around it to achieve the perfect Southern backyard. Seek expert craftsmanship for the perfect outcome.
Andrew Lemieux is a creative writer, poet, and content strategist with a passion for literature, food, wine, travel, and sports. In his spare time, he enjoys tackling home projects, maintenance, and restoring the 1837 Greek Revival home he shares with his wife.
