As crisp autumn air settles over Virginia, homeowners are increasingly turning to a timeless solution for extending their outdoor living season: the cheerful warmth of a fire. From cozy fire pits to elegant outdoor fireplaces, these additions are rapidly becoming the heart of backyard gatherings.
Fire features are one of the most popular additions to landscape design projects in the Northern Virginia area due to their versatility and ability to transform a space, according to Ed Ball Designs near Leesburg, whose services include fire pits and fireplaces, landscape architecture, pools, and more. It’s easy to understand fire features’ allure: a custom-built fire pit or fireplace quickly becomes an outdoor space’s focal point, adding warmth, light, and a cozy ambiance—and extending outdoor living and entertainment experiences well into the chillier seasons.
“They bring warmth, and they bring a sense of community with your family and friends,” Ed Ball Designs owner Ed Ball explained. But they’re also a peaceful place to enjoy a little solitude and reflection with, say, the first cup of coffee by the fireside on a frosty morning or a mug of hot cocoa in the evening.
“There’s really no limit on how or when you can use it,” Ball said. “For those who are more adventurous, you could even cook with an outdoor fire pit.”
There are many variations of types and materials you can choose from when constructing a fire feature, including natural wood-burning fire pits, gas-fired fires, chimineas, and fireplaces built into a pergola or outdoor “room” that can extend a home and reflect the homeowner’s style.
“I really enjoy spaces that include an outdoor dining area, an outdoor kitchen; a place that you can sit and relax separate from, say, an outdoor table; and that then have some kind of water feature or fire feature,” Ball said. “So you’re bringing about uses throughout all of the seasons. Maybe you have a fire pit for fall, winter, and early spring, and you have a water feature that gives you that tranquil sound in the warmer months.”
What’s more, a fire feature also can increase your home’s appeal and market value.
Tips for Choosing Your Fire Feature
If all of that has you imagining the possibilities for your own property, here are some things to consider as you plan for a fire feature.
Location, Location, Location. When planning the ideal spot for your fire feature, be sure that your site is well away from the house, Ball advises. “That’s not only for safety purposes, but because you don’t necessarily want to be under the shadow of the structure of the house,” Ball explained. He suggests placing the feature further out in the yard for a better “feel” and to create a destination within your outdoor space.
Integration with the Landscape. Consider how your fire feature will fit into your overall outdoor design. “We want the whole space to flow, so there’s good circulation, and so that everything is oriented in the right way and works together,” said Ball. “You want the elements to function together such that you’re not segmenting or making a property feel too small.
“You also want to take advantage of a good view,” he added. “And you need to look at the backyard space: what are the grades like? How does it slope? You want to consider how you place a fire pit or fireplace in such a way that it allows for optimal performance and doesn’t stifle other areas and their uses. That way, each area or outdoor ‘room’ has its own purpose, and collectively they work together.”
Permanent or Portable? Decide whether you want a built-in feature or something you can move around, like a smaller chiminea on a stand. “Think about whether you want a permanent fire pit or something that you can move around so the space is flexible,” Ball recommended.
Fuel Type. Consider whether you prefer wood-burning or gas-fueled options. Each has its own charm and maintenance requirements. Work with your designer and research what fuel costs you can expect.
Style and Design. Fire features come in various styles, from rustic to contemporary. “You can have a round fire pit. You can have a rectangular or square, depending on your style,” Ball noted. “Most of the fire pits we build are generally 20” to 24” above the ground, so there’s a seat wall on the outside.” Love the idea of fire but don’t like smoke? You might want to opt for a smokeless fire pit insert.
Budget Considerations. Costs can vary widely based on your choices, and adding features like walls, pergolas, and gas appliances can bump up the price. Ball provides a rough estimate: “A built-in stone fire pit for a wood fire is $5,000. If you put in an insert, it could be $500 to $2,000 more. A patio space around it could be another $10,000.” Another factor in price: the literal lay of the land. Grading and leveling land to work with your dream fire feature can add to the cost, but it might be well worth it to fulfill your ideal and add value to your home. And you might also consider developing your outdoor living space over time to spread the costs. “Our primary objective with our clients is to create an overall master plan that they can implement, whether all at once or in phases,” Ball said.
Permitting. Be aware of local regulations and permit requirements. “For most fire pits in the Washington, D.C., area, if it’s a wood fire pit, you generally do not need a permit,” Ball explained. “If you get into a gas appliance fire pit, you would need a gas line run, and therefore you would need a gas permit. We can design a space and help build it, and we’ll also handle any permitting required by the local jurisdiction, whether that’s a county, city, or town.”
Whether you opt for a simple fire pit or an elaborate outdoor fireplace built into a pergola or pavilion, a fire feature can transform your backyard into a year-round retreat. So as the leaves begin to turn and the evenings grow cooler, why not consider how a fire feature could warm up your outdoor space and your evenings with family and friends? It might just become your favorite “room” in the house—even though it’s outside.
Ready to explore fire feature options for your home? Visit Ed Ball Designs online at edballdesigns.com or call (703) 433-1863.
A fire feature can transform your backyard into a year-round retreat.
“They bring warmth, and they bring a sense of community with your family and friends.”