As a St. Louis homeowner, chances are you’re probably always looking for new, creative ways to add allure and value to your home. Fire pits are a great way to accomplish both of these objectives, as they add extra landscape appeal and enhance enjoyment of your outdoor spaces. If you’re not quite sure if a fire pit is a worthy investment, here are six reasons from the landscape design experts at Flora as to why you should consider adding one to your St. Louis home this season.
Let’s start simple – many St. Louis homeowners choose to add a fire pit to their outdoor space purely for the added aesthetic value. From custom builds to prefabricated kits, the design possibilities for fire pits are virtually limitless. If your home is more modern, a steel pit may be a good option. If you’re going for a more classic, traditional look, then concrete or stone may be a more suitable material. No matter what style you’re going for, the designers at Flora can help you thoughtfully integrate a fire pit into your St. Louis landscape design.
Autumn may technically be bonfire season in St. Louis, but fire pits are extremely versatile and can actually be used year-round. Many people stop utilizing their patios and outdoor spaces when the weather gets chilly, but a fire pit will allow you to enjoy these areas of your home even after temperatures drop. Imagine roasting marshmallows with the family on a brisk fall evening or hosting a cozy holiday party where your guests can stay warm while socializing around the fire pit. No matter what the occasion or time of year, fire pits always make a fantastic focal point.
With all the technology nowadays, many parents fear that their children are spending too much time in front of screens. Fire pits encourage families to spend more time together interacting in an outdoor setting. They encourage in-depth conversation and provide the perfect environment for social gatherings, both large and small. In addition to creating a relaxing environment to make new memories, fire pits also tend to cultivate feelings of nostalgia. There’s just something about the entrancing, dancing flames that seems to make people want to reminisce about memories of camping trips, family vacations and special moments shared with friends and loved ones.
Perhaps the most obvious benefit of a fire pit is that it provides warmth. If you have a swimming pool, then the fire pit is the optimal place to warm-up after those chilly, nighttime dips in the summer. They also make an ideal gathering place for family and friends in the fall and winter months when it would otherwise be too cold to comfortably spend time outdoors in St. Louis. In addition to warmth, fire pits are also an additional source of lighting for your yard. Let’s face it, no amount of fancy landscape lighting can compete with the ambiance created by the flickering flames of a real fire.
Gas fire pits don’t produce any smoke, but if you choose a wood burning pit, the smoke that it generates will help to keep mosquitoes and other insects at bay. Having your fire pit burning in your backyard will discourage these pests from coming too close and allow you to spend more time enjoying your evenings outside.
Like most special features, a well-built and maintained fire pit can add value to your St. Louis home. Studies have shown that fire pits are a top feature when it comes to backyard home renovations and can actually make your home more attractive to potential buyers. Of course, once you add a fire pit, you’ll probably never want to move!
Whether you opt for gas or wood-burning, a fire pit makes a great addition to any St. Louis home. If you are interested in incorporating a fire pit into your landscape design, please give Flora a call at (636)728-1520 or fill out our online contact form today!