Enjoy Dinner Around a Fire Pit by Including One in Your Outdoor Kitchen Design in the Midlothian, VA Area

A fire pit is a great complementary feature to an outdoor kitchen in the Midlothian, VA, area. After creating a delicious meal to share with loved ones, you’d have a fitting place to gather and enjoy the warmth and ambiance provided while still enjoying your time in nature.

Fire Pit Design

When thinking about the best design for your fire pit, it’s important to consider how you will use it. If you plan to host large gatherings, a larger fire pit that serves as a central landscape feature may be appropriate. A round fire pit that looks crafted of natural stone would give you a classic campfire aesthetic that can transport guests back to summer nights roasting s’mores with their families and wanting to repeat that experience with you. A circular shape, then, could be considered best if you want more casual gatherings that can encourage togetherness and a sense of bonding as guests huddle in one location.

A square fire pit design can establish a more modern look and feel, and encourage a more practical need, such as sharing a meal in an adjacent outdoor dining area. This type of fire feature could also encourage gathering, if it provides ample space to safely rest glassware.

Longer, narrow fire tables can provide a beautiful ambiance of warmth and soft, flickering light. Their center can be filled with lava rocks or glass beads for added style.

Fire Pit Location

In order to share a meal from your beautiful outdoor kitchen around a fire pit, you’ll want your fire pit situated relatively close. Rather than precariously balancing food across your backyard from your outdoor kitchen to your fire pit, your guests will be thrilled with just a short jaunt between the two. When working on larger, multi-course meals, your home chef will be grateful that they can stay involved in the conversation and not feel isolated as they whip up a dining experience. It’s also important to note that while a fire pit can provide soft lighting that’s fun to tell stories around, that may not be adequate lighting for guests to see their food. You can let your outdoor kitchen lighting do double duty and help illuminate your fire pit, too.

Picking the Right Outdoor Furniture

When it comes to eating around the fire pit, one of the most important details to consider is how guests will sit and get comfortable. Some seating lends itself better to relaxation than to a meal. Adirondack chairs are beautiful and comfortable, but the reclined structure of them may make it difficult to eat a dinner-style meal. An outdoor section is a comfortable option with upholstery that can be customized to complement your landscape design, but the seating area may be too deep for guests to be supported while they dine. A classic outdoor chair with a straighter back or bench seat are both great options for seating that can facilitate a meal.

For extra convenience for your guests, consider including tables of various sizes for placing drinks and food. Smaller side tables between chairs or a longer table in front of bench seating can help guests avoid balancing food on their knees and can make it a much more comfortable experience for everyone.