Tag: outdoor space

Low Outdoor Seating: Ideas for Fire Pits

Posted on Camille Smith
Photo courtesy of Luxury Home Magazine Charlotte via Instagram.

Have you heard the phrase “form follows function?” This famous architectural philosophy, coined by skyscraper inventor Louis Henry Sullivan, means that a building or object’s shape reflects its intended purpose. 

This principle certainly applies to outdoor furniture; an outdoor chair’s height depends on its designated function. For instance, high counter stools are for entertaining because hosts can chat with their seated guests at eye level. By contrast, lounge chairs’ low height and reclining backs facilitate ultimate relaxation.

However, seating for fire pits is unique. Lower than a dining chair but higher than a lounge, this low outdoor seating should cater to casual conversation among guests.

For lake homeowners with fire pits, there’s a myriad of types of chairs to pick! From benches to Adirondacks, these differing forms all reflect the same function — enjoying a fireside chat with your friends and family. 

Adirondack Chairs

Photo courtesy of Polywood.

Named for the mountainous region in New York, Adirondack chairs are simply a classic. The classic wooden frames and reclining backs are designed for relaxation. Further, their low height makes them perfect for fire pit seating.

One brand specializing in Adirondack chairs is Polywood, a leading manufacturer in sustainable furniture. Their goal is to incorporate 1 million pounds of ocean-bound plastic into furniture by 2021. If you’re seeking a timeless, simple look, an Adirondack chair is unbeatable.

Sectional Sofas

Photo courtesy of Brown Jordan.

For square and rectangular fire pits, sectional sofas are an ideal low outdoor seating choice. As an angular piece of furniture, their form naturally matches a fire pit’s edges. This form matching creates a seamless, congruous design.

The good news is that it’s possible to find sectional sofas at any price point. For the best of the best, look to Brown Jordan, a renowned luxury outdoor furniture provider. Their selection of outdoor sectional sofas is built to last. 

Swings

Photo courtesy of Little White House Blog/Remodelaholic via Country Living Magazine.

Who says that swings are reserved for front porches? Low-hanging outdoor swings add a laid-back flare to any fire pit. If you’re good with woodworking, you can create a DIY hexagonal swing set for your backyard.

If woodworking is not your thing, there’s plenty of other swing options. These wicker egg chairs from Belham are great for social distancing, as they only accommodate one guest per swing. On a cool fall evening, it’ll be easy to drift to sleep with the rocking motion of these swings. 

Euro Chairs

Photo courtesy of Summer Classics.

For outdoor fire pits, picking the right chair height is ideal. Dining chairs are too high, but lounge chairs are too low. Enter the euro chair — a “chat height” designed for having casual conversations and roasting smores around the fire.

While many brands carry euro chairs as a low outdoor seating option, Summer Classics has a particularly strong collection. This luxury brand of outdoor furniture specializes in durable, high-quality pieces built to last. Add a few plush cushions for maximum comfort. 

Benches

Photo courtesy of Hayneedle.

If you don’t mind backless furniture, curved benches are a great option for low outdoor seating around a fire pit. Multiple benches create a design where each guest can have their own space, and the flat planed seat doubles as a drink holder.

Bench style seating has become a popular trend in recent years. They’re effortlessly stylish, they blend well with nature, and they’re easy to build. If you’d rather not build your own, Wayfair has plenty of options in multiple price ranges. 

Regardless of the specific kind of low outdoor seating furniture, your guests will love gathering around the outdoor fire pit at your lake home. For more backyard landscaping ideas, check out our blog at Lakehomes.com! 

Best Fire Pit Kits of 2020

Posted on Camille Smith
Photo courtesy of decoist.com.

Fire pit kits, a recent DIY trend, are part of a long history of fire pits in general. For the past several years, fire pits have been a popular feature at lake houses. It’s not hard to see why. Especially during the fall, fire pits add a much-needed sense of light and warmth to your outdoor space’s ambiance. Roasting marshmallows, drinking wine, and staying cozy beside a fire describe the season’s essence. 

However, when it comes to choosing a fire pit, there’s a lot to consider. They can be expensive to install, difficult to set up, and a headache to operate. If you’re running into these issues when choosing a fire pit, DIY might be the solution. 

Many manufacturers have created fire pit kits — designed for convenient installation and easy maintenance. If you dream of a nice fire pit but love the convenience of DIY, these user-friendly products are perfect!

Belgard’s Fire Pit Kit

Photo courtesy of Lowe’s.

This circular stone fire pit kit from Lowe’s is a simple DIY design. The tumbled stone evokes a polished, contemporary look. With a retaining wall product surrounding the stones’ interior, it won’t crack at high temperatures like a brick fire pit would. 

This product is available in six color blends to match your existing lake house’s hardscape for aesthetics. Suppose you don’t have all day to install, no worries.

This fire pit kit’s build time is only an hour because it comes with instructions and ready-to-assemble pieces.

RTA Square Fire Pit

Photo courtesy of RTA.

After this square fire pit kit is shipped to your door, it can be assembled in one afternoon. If you’re having trouble, check out one of RTA’s installation videos for outdoor kitchens (the same process applies for fire features). 

Once you’ve installed it, its durable features ensure that you’ll enjoy it for years to come. For instance, it comes with a weatherproof on/off switch, the ability to withstand freeze/thaw cycles and coastal climates, and a lifetime warranty on the structure. 

Available in natural gas or propane, the stainless steel burner is the perfect addition to your outdoor kitchen. You’ll also love using the plate and drink counter space for your lake house guests.

Park Canyon Propane Fire Pit Kit

Photo courtesy of Home Depot.

For a hint of classic elegance in your backyard, check out this propane fire pit kit from Park Canyon. The product is made of resin with a circular steel frame. It doubles as both a patio heater as well as a table. 

When it’s heated, it has a power of 50,000 BTU and an automatic shut off to keep everyone safe. Up to 4 people can enjoy its warmth on a crisp fall evening. Plus, you can control the temperature just by pressing a button for maximum comfort. 

With a mesh guard that contains fire sparks and an attractive cover to conceal the propane, it’s one of the more sophisticated fire pit kits you’ll find.

Cape Cod Fire Pit

Photo courtesy of Stonewood Products.

This Cape Cod Fire Pit has been a bestseller at Stonewood Products every year, and the reasons are obvious. 

First, it’s designed to install quickly and easily so you can spend more time enjoying your fire pit than creating it. It’s also incredibly versatile. 

When ordering, you can customize height and color so that it blends seamlessly into your backyard. 

You can also tailor this fire pit kit to your needs by adding a smokeless fire ring, a spark screen, or a grill surface. This circular, stone fire pit is a timeless look that easily integrates with surrounding nature. 

Belvedere Round Fieldstone Kit

Photo courtesy of Rosetta Hardscapes.

This fire pit kit from Rosetta is designed to help you customize your outdoor dream space. 

Varying shapes of wet cast concrete bring out a balance of modern and rustic looks. Especially paired with a stone hardscape, this look is perfect for a lake property. 

For your convenience, it comes with a block key and pattern for quick installation. And depending on your preference, you can choose between a wood-burning or gas-powered fire pit. 

At your lake house, fire pit kits are a great way to achieve a low maintenance landscape. They’re easy to install, and the designs are elegant and straightforward. 

This fall, you can assemble a fire pit kit in one afternoon and invite guests over for s’ mores by evening. From our lake house to yours, stay warm outside and enjoy the season! 

Prep Your Patio for Grilling Season

Posted on Staff

Article Contributed by: Sarah Miller, Lawnstarter.com

Smoky ribs. Juicy burgers. Corn on the cob, dripping butter. You can almost taste it. We’re coming up fast on grilling season, and food cooked outdoors is the best!

But you likely won’t be able to enjoy that delectable meal if you’re surrounded by weeds, dirt, bugs and peeling paint.

When lake season hits and you’re ready to crack a cold one with friends by the water and eat outside, make sure your patio or deck looks as good as your food.

Clean it Up

Chances are, your patio is covered in dirt, dust, mud and more from winter weather. A pressure washer is often the best way to remove the grime.

If you don’t own one, no need to worry: you can rent one from most home and garden stores.You can use this tool on all types of patios, including concrete, wood, and brick.

Make sure to remove all furniture, planters and other items before you start cleaning, and don’t forget to take necessary safety precautions, including donning your goggles, long pants and protective boots. Use a wide spray nozzle setting. It’s easy to cut or gouge your wood deck with a narrow setting.

Of course, there are alternatives to pressure washing that can still help spruce up your space before peak grilling season.

Using detergent or a bleach solution, take a stiff bristle broom or brush and scrub your outdoor entertainment areas. Take care as you clean the spots where planters or furniture sat during the winter as the moisture trapped underneath may have left mold behind. Rinse thoroughly and voila! Your structure will often look brand new with a little TLC.

Caring For Patio Furniture

Those brightly colored chairs that look so good on your patio can quickly lose their appeal if not property maintained. Furniture that stays outside year-round receives constant abuse from the elements, especially when storms whip dirt, pollen and lake water onto outdoor chairs and tables.

Cleaning them can transform your patio space, so try to do it as often as time allows, although once a year is better than never.

Depending on the types of furniture you’re cleaning, keep in mind that not all surfaces and materials can be cleaned with the same products.

For example, soap should never be used to clean wooden furniture or natural wicker. Just water and a soft brush should do the trick. Wood can benefit from a light coat of tungsten oil. It dries hard to the touch and returns the original luster.

Some brands of outdoor cushions like Sunbrella ™, can be cleaned with bleach without damaging the color or fabric. Check your labels to make sure you’re using the best cleaner for the job.

Also be sure to routinely check for damage to your furniture such as cracks in metal frames, rust and torn cushions. Outdoor furniture will last much longer with simple maintenance that prevents rain and insects from gaining entrance through cracks and tears.

Keep Pests Away

You’re reaching for a burger, fresh off the grill and SLAP! Again and again. Not much cools off a hot backyard party faster than mosquitoes.

If the wind keeps the water on your lake moving, mosquitoes might not be a concern, but if the water is still, there may be a problem. Not only are these pesky little nippers annoying to deal with, but they can also carry disease.

Prepping your patio to be pest-free this grilling season is easy. Eradicate any areas of standing water and try incorporating natural repellents — such as citronella, mint, lavender, and basil — as part of your landscaping.

Extract of eucalyptus in candle form is also helpful to have around, as are mosquito repelling patio lanterns.

If you need a more powerful solution, carbon dioxide mosquito traps can be an excellent investment. Foggers and sprays can be effective for short periods of time, but you must follow directions for application before your guests arrive.

Nothing spoils the appetite quite like the smell of fresh mosquito fogger!

Minor (or Major) Improvements

Go big or go home doesn’t always apply when it comes to enhancing your outdoor space, but even small modifications can make a BIG difference.

One such small improvement is planting flowers around the perimeter of your patio or deck. You can also extend your space by simply installing a hammock next to the seating area or by building a fire pit.

Another easy-to-install improvement is a stone pathway down to the waterline or creating multiple pathways to different parts of your property.

Also try brightening things up with outdoor lighting. Because there are many choices when it comes to outdoor lighting, be sure to give yourself some time to research and decide what will look best with your perfectly prepped patio.

The perfectly set table and centerpiece can make all the difference and set off the entire space with a pop of color. Search for great ideas online.

Adding small accent decor such as a drink serving set, platter or lake-themed throw pillows can pull it all together.

For larger patio improvement projects, First, decide on a budget and check with local specialists on projects that may require a level of expertise beyond yours.

A little time and elbow grease can deliver the perfect space for entertaining, time with family or just a quiet place to unwind. Spending a little time now can bring hours of enjoyment to your lake property this summer!