Fire Power: Enjoying Time Together Around Your Outdoor Fire Feature

Sep 15

At Oak Valley Custom Hardscapes, we believe the most memorable evenings often happen when friends and family gather around glowing embers, laughter dancing in the firelight. Your outdoor fire feature isn’t just heat—it’s heart. Whether you’re toasting s’mores or simply unwinding under the stars, here’s how to elevate your backyard into a cozy, fire-lit retreat.

1. Fuel the Mood: Wood vs. Gas

Choosing between wood-burning and gas fireplaces? It’s more than a style decision—it sets the tone for every evening you host.

Wood-burning fireplaces offer an unmistakable ambiance: the scent of crackling logs, the hypnotic dance of flames, and that nostalgic, camping-in-the-backyard sensation. Just be ready for some added chores—stacking seasoned wood, tending the fire, and sweeping up ash afterward.
Gas-powered fireplaces offer quick, clean warmth at the push of a button. No smoke, no embers, no slow burn—just instant ambiance at your command.

2. Your Fireplace, Your Gathering Place

A well-designed fire feature is more than functional—it becomes the heart of your patio.

Outdoor fireplaces create a natural sense of structure and intimacy—drawing everyone together in warmth and conversation.
Unlike open fire pits, fireplaces keep embers neatly contained, and many can hide a wood storage alcove for style and utility.
Plus, they can serve as a striking architectural focal point—designed with stone, brick, or even sculptural finishes that complement your home.

3. Extend Your Seasons—and Your Evenings

Outdoor fire features do more than glow—they last.

A properly placed and cozy fireplace turns cool evenings into moments to linger outdoors—from spring into late fall (and sometimes beyond!)
And there’s a built-in return on that warmth: both fire pits and fireplaces often offer strong ROI—typically between 56% and 67%, depending on materials and design complexity.

4. Design and Safety First

Let the design feel as timeless as the fire itself—with plenty of smarts and safety built in.

Position your fire feature thoughtfully—allowing for comfortable seating, safe clearances, and smooth sightlines.
Ensure proper maintenance: keep the firebox clean, inspect for cracks, and check that chimneys or flues stay clear and functional.
Use high-quality, weather-resistant materials like stone or brick to ensure your fire feature ages gracefully through Virginia’s seasons

5. Set the Scene

It’s not just the fire—it’s everything around it.

Arrange cozy seating—Adirondack chairs, cushioned benches, or built-in stone seating—to encourage lingering conversations under the stars.
Complement the glow with layered lighting: soft uplights, lanterns, or string lights deepen the ambiance and keep pathways safe and inviting.
Add materials and décor—natural textures like woven blankets, outdoor rugs, or potted evergreens—to make the space feel as warm as the fire itself.

Why Oak Valley Makes It Feel Effortless

We don't just install fireplaces—we design experiences.

We tailor layouts that integrate your fire feature seamlessly into your landscape—both beautiful and functional.
We choose materials that reflect your style and weather Virginia winters with ease.
And we fine-tune every detail—lighting, seating, circulation—to make every evening feel welcoming and effortless.

Ready to Light Up Your Evenings?

Whether your dream is a crackling hearth under the pergola or a sleek modern fireplace framed by pavers—we’re here to bring that vision to life. Reach out today, and let’s start designing the fire-lit sanctuary your family will return to night after night.

James Moffitt