I think that is what we would call "thinking it through". You still have the final decision to make, but at least you are making your decision considering the consequences along with the benefits.

One of the difficulties is that a fire pit is usually situated such that several people can sit around it which tends to dedicate a lot of space for the purpose. If you do decide to install one consider designing it so that a flush cover or even a table fits over it when it is not in use. Another alternative would be to put it off to the side, but that limits the seating or the camp fire affect.

I have neither designed or built one, but the subject comes up from time to time.

Hmm, I'm not so sure about trendy right now. When my parents were installing a patio c.1975, they installed a fire pit, along with an 'outdoor' kitchen (although it was a BBQ rather than an actual stove, it was built into a wall). I can honestly say it was used continuously, esp. during summer months, until we sold the house in 2002. My brother installed one in the late 90s and it's also used pretty continuously.

Both houses are in So Cal, which may make a difference. I'm fairly certain if we installed one where we live now (So. Texas), we'd use it often, but more in the winter months than summer ;). As it is now we use a portable fire pit for our winter parties. We have more pressing projects so not really considering it now, but once we finally get to the patio stage, we'll likely do it.

Can you design it such that it can be covered with a flat board and transformed into a cocktail table when not to be used for fire?

Hard to say. We have a firepit, but not nearly as glamorous - ds dug a hole in the ground in the backyard. (There was a low spot and dh told him to dig there - it turned out that the previous owners had had their firepit there.) Firepits are pretty popular in our neighborhood because it is legal to burn trash and leaves, etc, but most of them are just holes in the ground, not anything fancy. We have only used it a few times, when we have accumulated enough large branches and the weather is nice.

I guess it also depends on what other uses the patio would have. I am guessing you don't have little kids who would be playing on it, for instance. I will say that if you had it along a wall like cjra's parents, it would interfere less with the space than having it smack dab in the middle.

Can you get some extra flagstones so that if you eventually change your mind, you could pull out the firepit and flatten it out?

Hmmm... the table idea is a good one. I will check to see if we can have a top made / how _heavy_ it would be. I like that idea :-)

We live in northern colorado, so the fire pit won't be used year round. I guess it could be, but I don't hate myself enough to sit on a patio in 20 degree weather, even if there is a fire.

I think my other hesitation is burning wood. Not the environmental aspect of it, but the PITA aspect. We'd probably use it more if it was fueled by natural gas or propane - flip of a switch convenience. Yep, I'm lazy. Know thyself, right? ;-) Have to check into $$$ for that.

laag brings up another good point - the size of the patio. Originally, this patio design started really small (ie just enough for 2 small chairs and a bistro table) and has grown to a 10' diameter circle, which might be barely comfortable with a 36" pit in the middle.

I am prone to overthinking EVERYTHING, so stop me at anytime. :-)

irene - we x-posted. Nope, no kids, all nephews live in So Cal (where by brother and SIL have an outdoor fireplace they ** never ** use due to little ones). We are planning the space for adult use mostly.

Maybe I could place it along the side of the patio, and if I decide not to use it as a fire pit, I could use it as a planter?

considered this and decided against. we have a portable fire pit. in fact, we threw it in the car once and took it to a friend's party where they needed a fire (it was cold out). we will not have a big enough patio to accomodate a built in fire pit AND space for games, etc. we have had our fire pit for several years (although no patio yet) and we have moved it around quite a bit, depending on what else was going on in the yard...branches growing overhead, etc. i like the flexibility. kren

I have no idea about the fesibility of this--but could you build it in such a way so you could convert it to a pond or fountain if it doesn't work out as a firepit?

Can you make it off to the side--or even outside the patio area? It would definitely interfere with eating/sitting and so on in the centre! And 10 feet is pretty small for both uses, I'd think.

But that's only my .02.

I think you help raise some questions about usage that can cause us to stop and think about the interesting phenomenon of us homeowners trying to "own" so many possible experiences in our personal places of residence--the cocooning phenomenon and the idea of having a spa-like envrionment at home. Sitting by a firepit seems, or is, nice on an occasion when we have experienced it, so maybe we should have access all the time. Sitting in a hot tub is nice, so get one of those. Watching koi in a pond is nice, so maybe have that. And so on.

I'm not at all trying to say that you are on the wrong track--instead, am agreeing that you're doing a good thing to think, how much will I use this; will I end up forcing the "let's sit out by the firepit 'cause we have it and need to make use of it" when you'd rather curl up with a book in the house; as you note with the question of wood vs. gas, do you anticipate having several hours of continuous use of the pit once you've got the wood going, or are you more likely to say, well, my hour is up, got other things to do. Weather and climate are huge issues too, since I can clearly see some climates where it is cool and delightful (with no mosquitoes) and firepits or outdoor fireplaces really could get a lot of use; you'll need to decide if it's for "show" when weather is really mild (and will it bother you to burn wood), or if weather is kinda nippy, will you really want to huddle round the pit; will everyone smell like woodsmoke, and will they like that; do you have kids like teenagers who might in fact "hang out" at your house if they can burn something, and that could be a good thing.

The conversion to table or usable floorspace is a neat idea and might sway you, since it'd be there if you want, but not the gaping pit; OTOH, that pit, raised or flat, still won't be as flexible for as many uses covered as would plain patio, if you're limited on your total space and "floorplan".

One of the things I realized was that I just didn't currently live the life of the firepit or some other similar creations, and I ought to instead take trips a few times a year to experience some of these things in a vacation mode, but not try to own them for infrequent in-home experiences. But still it makes perfect sense to try to identify those things that you will really use, and more conveniently and less expensively, by having them at home.

Wow, frankie you hit the nail on the head, I think. This forum is better than counseling.

I think I may have started buying into what my DH calls my "LL Bean fantasy" that I sometimes have. You know, where you look through the catalog and imagine all of the outdoor fun that you'll have camping, hiking, boating, snowshoeing... forgetting for a moment that I HATE camping (I don't see any reason to spend a single night without a down pillow and a feather bed, with a hot shower and espresso the next morning. In my life, B&B's are my version of camping LOL). But the lifestyle looks so fresh and clean and relaxing in a catalog.

I also forget sometimes that I work (happily) 60 hours a week at my profession and do not spend lots of time at home. Sometimes I think I want to nest a bit and bring home some of the vacation "flavor" you are talking about. Forgetting that one hour in front of a fire pit typing work emails will not replace the true relaxation of sitting by a fire pit while on vacation with family in the mountains. Just like I know that I love going to Swami's when I am in So Cal to watch the koi and enjoy the beautiful meditation grounds, but I wouldn't go through the trouble of maintaining that same garden at home.

Thanks for articulating what I think I was feeling, but just couldn't pin down. I think I'll put the fire pit money in the vacation fund.

I really feel better about this choice. Now to break my landscaper's heart (and not let him talk me into a water feature while I'm at it :-) LOL).

We have a chiminea and use it every night. We have moved it several times. Before making a pit you might want to use something like this to find out if its really something you want.

We see it time and time again. Many of our clients wish they would have purchased a little extra square footage. When homeowners embark on an outdoor living project, one of their main goals behind it is to create a space where they can build long-lasting memories. While decreasing the overall size of the patio is an easy way to trim down the total cost, it also diminishes the room for enjoyment with fire pit . If you are unsure if you have enough space, we encourage all clients to lay out their project. Nothing beats a visual representation!