If you’ve been mulling over your options for a backyard renovation, the odds are that the first thing you wanted to improve was the patio or deck. A new finish for the wood or shopping for firepits could spruce things up. Any area that serves as an in-between from the yard to the house is like an extension to the home, especially during warmer months when your family will be spending more time outside. It’s also the place where the easiest improvements can be made to change the look and feel of the entire backyard environment (I found this website also helpful for additional ideas). Adding fences or doing heavy landscaping is time consuming and can cost a lot of money. Sticking to the basics will spare your wallet and make a world of difference.

If you’ve been burning wood the past few summers to entertain guests, gas fire pits will provide a total overhaul that will make your old-school pit look downright primitive. Instead of dealing with the hassle of having to stock up on lumber and get a good fire going every time you plan on having people over, a propane pit can be as easy as flipping a switch. The flame burns hotter and cleaner and can be adjusted for warmth and intensity to fit the occasion properly. Many homeowners get even more ambitious by integrating a pit into the concrete or woodwork of their deck or patio. You could have a granite table springing up from the ground with a flame in the middle and enough room for guests to keep plates or drinks right at hand.

If you aren’t ready to make the plunge into expensive stonework, don’t worry, a basic propane setup can operate as a standalone unit and still look great. You’ll want to have a sturdy base, where the propane will be housed, that will look good and hold up under pressure. Bases don’t have to be made of stone or concrete, rather a sturdy plastic housing can do the job so long as it meets safety standards. The pit itself can be open or concealed depending on your preference, though as mentioned above some people like the idea of the fire being centered on a table surface.

Always remember that no matter what style of patio fire pits you end up shopping for, that safety is always the first priority. Never skirt local codes in order to get a better look. It cannot only end up in fines, but serious injury.