Can you feel the chill in the air? No? Don’t worry it will be upon us before we know it. Now is the time to consider how best to enjoy your outdoor spaces in the cooler months. Our team of interior designers has been hard at work sprucing up outdoor terraces near and far, and we’ve been fielding a lot of questions about how to make an outdoor fire pit look stylish.
Rather than discussing the pros and cons of natural gas, electric, or traditional fire pits, we want to share some great ideas to transform your fire pit area into a cozy outdoor living space. Whether you have a portable fire pit, a sleek patio fire pit with lava rocks, or a built-in fire pit ring, here are some ideas to make this space a focal point of your backyard.
An Outdoor Living Room
Just because you are gathered around a fire pit doesn’t mean you are relegated to foldable chairs and s’mores on sticks. Instead, treat the fire feature, be it a fire table or a fire pit bowl, like an outdoor fireplace. Set up a large, comfy outdoor seating area. Maybe you use our Sag Harbor Sofa, and 2 swivel chairs. Add throw pillows like our Fascination Outdoor pillow and a blanket to make the area feel extra snug. Make It a place where you want to stay curled up with friends and family for a while.
All-White Furniture
Take a cue from the stylish outdoor spaces in Cape Cod and the Hamptons and opt for all-white furniture around your fire feature. The contrast between the white upholstery and the fire pit creates an overall look that is elevated and chic. Complement your seating area with white-washed wooden tables and potted plants for added texture and color. This monochromatic palette has a calming vibe that suits a coastal home perfectly.
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Classic Adirondack-Style Furniture
Designed by Thomas Lee at the turn of the 20th century, the Adirondack chair was named after the Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York. This iconic chair has remained a favorite outdoor design since then. While these loungers make a great addition to your fire pit area, you might also like to mix up the arrangement with a matching bench and loveseat. Adirondack furniture comes in a huge variety of materials, from cedar to teak, cherry wood, and poly lumber. They are all stylish in their own right, plus they can withstand the whims of Mother Nature.
Extra Garden Stools
You can never have enough seating when you are designing an outdoor gathering place. We always recommend adding at least two stools to an outdoor area. They can be used for multiple purposes – as seats, tables, pedestals for plants, or footrests. Some of the best materials for outdoor stools include ceramic and teak. Use a soft pouf for extra coziness. Our Pineapple Garden Stool is the perfect accent for the job. Pair 2 with this indoor/outdoor pouf to add a dose of style. You can even use them indoors when needed!
Lodge Aesthetic
Leaning into a lodge aesthetic is a good design idea to get the whole family excited about your outdoor space. Think log cabin and summer camp. Begin by centering your design around an in-ground fire pit. A traditional wood-burning fire pit is best as the smell and crackle of the burning logs create a nostalgic, authentic atmosphere. Add comfy seating, plaid fabrics, and wool throw blankets. Use lanterns and warm drinks to set the scene. Just make sure your furniture and accessories are far enough away from the base of the fire pit to be safe. Set up outdoor games like cornhole, croquet, or a horseshoe toss for the family to play together. A night around a fire pit with friends and family is always in style!
Gather Around the Fire with GDC
Fire pits come in all formats, but it is what you do with your landscape design and outdoor furniture that really brings them to life. To make your fire pit set up the most enjoyable place to relax all summer, stop by any of our three Charleston furniture stores to pick out some beautiful outdoor furniture and accessories.
Shop the Look
Chippendale Garden Armchair
The delicacy of Chinese latticework and the durability of teak produces the Chippendale garden armchair
Sag Harbor Sofa
Hand-crafted from the finest all-weather materials, our Sag Harbor deep seating sofa is a beautiful addition to any natural setting.
