Light Your Fire

We know it doesn’t feel like it but yesterday marks the first official day of fall making it the perfect time to talk about your outdoor fire feature.   Adding a fire place or fire pit to your outdoor living space is a great way to enjoy the cool days of fall and even winter in Texas.  A fire feature draws people outside for great conversations and delicious s’mores.  So how should you light your fire feature?

When it comes to outdoor fire places and fire pits, it’s easy to think of them as self-producing light sources. While they do put off a certain amount of light all by themselves, this does not necessarily mean that they eliminate the need for light fixtures altogether. A functional light source is important from a safety stand point while also creating ambiance for your patio.  For ambiance around the fire pit, consider keeping the lighting low. Using path lighting and hardscape seat lighting are a great way to make light without sacrificing the campfire ambiance. A separate switched light from above can give you the light you need to start the fire, then turn it off when everything gets going.

For fireplaces that are part of a covered patio, down lighting from the ceiling on to the mantel area really looks nice and can highlight any personal art you are displaying. For standalone outdoor fireplaces consider hardscape lights and well lights installed into the hearth for a dramatic effect, up lighting the fire place as a focal point on the patio looks good all year long.