Fire Pit or Outdoor Fireplace? What’s Best for Your Memphis Backyard

Nothing enhances an outdoor living area like a fire feature. But what are the best fire features for a backyard? If you are weighing your options, you might be comparing a fire pit vs. an outdoor fireplace.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about a fire pit or an outdoor fireplace for your Memphis backyard. Having a good understanding of your options will help you decide what’s going to be right for your space.

Like other outdoor living feature additions, a fire feature can really take your space to the next level!

Jump to:

• Comparing a fire pit vs outdoor fireplace

• Memphis backyard fire pit ideas

• Avoiding problems with fire features

• Choosing a professionally designed and built fire feature

Comparing a fire pit vs outdoor fireplace

Both a fire pit or an outdoor fireplace can provide a lot of enjoyment. Both types of fire features create light and heat and help to make your time outside more of an “experience.”

Fire features can extend your time outdoors both into the evening hours and into the chillier seasons.

But there are some considerations to keep in mind when making your choice.

Advantages of outdoor fireplaces

Outdoor fireplaces are generally considered a little more formal. They are vertical structures and you’d sit in front of an outdoor fireplace (as opposed to around it, like you would with a fire pit). They can make a nice architectural statement on your patio.

Some people also like that the smoke from a fireplace is directed up the chimney.

But an outdoor fireplace won’t throw heat into your space the way that a fire pit can. You’re gathering in front of an outdoor fireplace, not around it.

An outdoor fireplace can also sometimes be obstructive as it’s a tall structure.

Advantages of outdoor fire pits

One of the big advantages of outdoor fire pits is that it creates an experience. Since you gather around a fire pit, it’s commonly thought of as a more social and interactive feature.

If you’re thinking about roasting s’mores or having a gathering around the fire, then a fire pit is probably going to be the better choice.

A fire pit is also going to cast a lot more heat to everyone sitting around it. It’s cozy and becomes a gathering spot.

Most of our clients do end up choosing a fire pit for these reasons.

Memphis backyard fire pit ideas

There are many ways to make your new fire pit unique. Everything from the size, materials, and layout can help make your custom fire pit truly your own.

Here are some ideas for how to make your fire pit into a total destination experience.

• Incorporate seating: Comfy seating is going to help make your time around the fire pit even more enjoyable. Whether you’re looking to do built-in seating in a retaining wall or you're just incorporating some furniture, you want to make sure that everyone has a comfortable place to sit.
• Consider wood storage: If you’re adding a wood-burning fire pit, then you might also want to consider incorporating wood storage somewhere in your outdoor living space. A simple built-in spot in a retaining wall or somewhere else nearby, can give you easy access to fuel for your fire!
• Think about the shape: Most fire pits are round and that makes it easy to gather around! But you might also consider a square fire pit if it suits your space better. A square fit pit has a bit more of a modern look and might be a better choice depending on the architectural details of your home and outdoor space. If your space has a lot of linear edges, a square may be the way to go!
• Strategic location: Another consideration for your fire pit is the location and how the fire pit will affect the flow of the space. You don’t want it in the way but it should be easily accessible, too.

Avoiding problems with fire features

Avoiding problems with fire features boils down to thoughtful design and installation. Sometimes when companies try to build a fire feature themselves or hire an inexperienced company, things can go awry.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you aim to avoid problems.

• Issues with smoke: With a fire feature, it is important to think about which way the wind blows so that you aren’t having smoke blown in your face every time you make a fire. Obviously, there will be some variation to this as many properties experience crosswind patterns. But having some sense of the primary direction of the wind will help avoid problems.
• Poor placement: The optimal placement for the fire pit within your outdoor living area should be considered during the design process. Your landscape designer should consider the way in which people will move about your space and where a fire pit fits best. Oftentimes, this is why people may have a fire pit in a separate area, where it won’t get in the way when not in use. On the same token, you don’t want to end up with wasted space.
• Failing to pay attention to local codes or to safety factors: Local code may specifically state how far a fire pit needs to be from a home or other structures on your property. But beyond codes, safety decisions should also come into play when determining the location of your fire pit. For instance, a fire pit near a tree with low-hanging branches could be dangerous.

Choosing a professionally designed and built fire feature

Choosing the best fire feature for your Memphis property is just one part of the puzzle. Actually designing the fire feature to fit your space is also really critical or else you aren’t going to enjoy it to its fullest.

In fact, a poorly designed fire feature within your space can end up having a negative impact.

That’s why we recommend choosing professional landscape design services in Memphis.

Custom fire features are the result of making sure that design stage is taken seriously. That’s why it is so important to work with a company that will prioritize this early stage of the process.

This means a company that will come out and survey your site, listen to your wants and needs, and then put together an outdoor living design that makes your ideas a reality. A fire feature is ultimately just one component of an outdoor living space, and it’s important that it’s all done well.

When you’re looking for a design/build service keep in mind that many companies either do landscape design OR installation. Some companies even “farm out” the design to someone else. This can lead to inconsistencies as your outdoor living space comes together.

You want to find a company that handles both landscape design and build services in-house, as that will help ensure a seamless transition. A design should guide the way for the installation process and you want the same company handling both.

We really can’t stress enough the importance of finding a landscape design/build firm that handles everything in-house. We have seen too many projects go wrong with mistakes that could have been prevented because two different companies were involved in the process.

It’s also important to know who is handling your project.

At Mid South Irrigation & Landscape, Owner and President Jesse Wisley oversees all of the landscape design and installation projects.

When you begin a landscape project with Mid South Irrigation & Landscape, you are beginning a landscape project with Jesse himself. Jesse only takes on two or three projects at a time in order to ensure maximum service is provided to his clients. Throughout the duration of your landscaping project with Jesse, you will develop a personal relationship with him, and will always be able to contact him directly. That makes all the difference when it comes to getting the best results.

At Mid South Irrigation & Landscape, the process begins with a high-quality and detailed landscape design that incorporates your wants, needs, and ideas. That means designing and building fire creatures that help complete your entire outdoor living area. Soon, you’ll be enjoying more time outside than ever.

Ready to talk about ideas and have your new landscape designed and built? Request a consultation today.