In Saint Charles, IL, a fire pit says comfort and relaxation just by being a part of your landscape. A comforting fire is an invitation to gather around and enjoy this multi-purpose feature. As well as being a joy to have all year round, a fire pit is a wonderful spot to socialize and unwind. Here are three ways to make your fire pit area extra cozy and inviting. 

Match your Fire Pit and Seating to your Patio 

Your patio can house multiple outdoor areas - an outdoor kitchen, dining areas, and more. In other cases, you might opt for a simpler patio, adding interest with paver laying patterns, outdoor furniture, and a few potted plants or features that you like. In either case, consider including a fire pit as one of these features and have it built to match the style of your patio. Round fire pits, for example, go especially well with round patios. Square fire pits can be matched to more minimalist, formal, or geometric patio form themes. The corresponding seating, too, should reflect this. You can use built-in permanent seating to curve around a round fire pit, or straight seating walls to run alongside a square fire feature, or furniture that complements your style and taste to add the finishing touch to your patio theme. Comfort should be a priority for any kind of fire pit seating, and as such, you can add things like cushions if necessary. Your Montano’s Landscaping Inc. professional will be there with you to help you decide on the options that will work best for your patio and fire pit.

Related: 3 Ideas for Incorporating an Outdoor Fireplace in Your Geneva, IL, Backyard

Lighting

Your fire pit doesn’t have to be the only source of light for your fire pit area. Adding gentle ambient lighting will make it a place that you and visitors won’t want to leave. String or hanging lights surrounding your fire pit area will add to the overall feeling of comfort and intimacy. Subtle, decorative lighting and ambient lighting light that’s not too bright and distracting are ideal for this purpose. Spotlit plants or water features at a reasonable distance can also add to the allure of this area when it’s lit. 

Plants and Shrubs

Surrounding your fire pit area with plants and shrubs can help to add a sense of privacy and intimacy to the area. These can be added in a number of ways, from trellises to raised plant beds, to terracotta pots containing small trees. The extent of the vegetation can vary depending on your preferences and can range from total seclusion to a hint of lush greenery to brighten up the area. 

Fire Pit Grill

It might seem like a small thing, but a fire pit grill can make the area more inviting by adding extra functionality to your fire feature. Adults and children alike will enjoy roasting s’mores and soaking up the campfire-like atmosphere that this produces. Consider, for example, the Rivercrest Firepit Kit from Unilock, made from beautiful Rivercrest Wall units, is pre-assembled to order and comes with a fire pit grill included. 

Related: 5 Tips for Updating Your Outdoor Fireplace in Wheaton, IL

A beautifully illuminated walkway can transform your Lisle, IL, landscape by emphasizing edging plants and adding the right amount of light to guide people on where they need to walk in the dark. When working with a landscape contractor to add or enhance your outdoor lighting, keep the following factors in mind as you go through the many options available. 

Soft and Welcoming Light

Bright light could be harsh on the eyes and nearly blind anyone walking down the pathway. On the other hand, a poorly lit walkway can increase the risks of stumbling, especially for guests that come to your house for the first time and don’t know how to find their way. To create always welcoming and safe walkways, it’s often recommended that path lighting is installed approximately 14 inches above the ground. This can help define space with an optimal amount of light. 

A nice, soft glow can be achieved by placing path lighting a particular distance between each other. Another way could be to stagger lights rather than position them directly one against the other. 

Related: Top Advantages of Proper Outdoor Lighting System in Naperville, IL

Keep Intruders at Bay 

Path lighting could also serve to increase the safety of your home and landscape, by sending a message to intruders that your home is protected and well-lit. Any type of light could help complete this goal, but a few motion sensor lights down the pathway could serve as a deterrent. They will light up automatically as the sensors detect movement.
Motion sensor lights could also be a good choice for a dramatic entryway since they will gradually light up the walkway with your visitors’ every step and spread a sense of anticipation. 

Mix Lights to Create Different Atmospheres 

For landscapes that consist of multiple outdoor areas, such as a dining area, outdoor kitchen, lounge area, or gaming area, a different set of lights can work great to give undivided attention to every part of the backyard.
Such lights can also add interest to the landscape, showcasing a variety of lights and encouraging different moods and atmospheres. For example, lanterns could be placed on both sides of the walkway in the garden for a romantic touch. Long, narrow fixtures installed in a tree could be another option to cast a moonlight-like light on the walkways. Downlights could be installed next to the walkway that leads to the patio to encourage a carefree and spontaneous atmosphere. 

Related: Light Up Your Front Entrance With Beautiful Outdoor Lighting in Batavia, IL

Accentuate Edging Plants 

Edging plants look gorgeous in the daylight and soften the look of a landscape. However, they can also be a good opportunity to experiment with walkway lighting. Path fixtures installed by a professional can accentuate the plants in a fairy-tale manner. If edging plants are tall, the fixtures should be placed on a safe distance to prevent leaves from touching hot lights. 

Energy-efficient LED lights 

LED lights are a popular choice for lighting up walkways due to their energy efficient feature and warm light. LED light bulbs could preserve 70%-80% of electricity. Also, these lights have a long life expectancy, which is about 50,000 hours. 

Due to its sheer size and vertical prominence, a fireplace almost always command its rightful place as the focal point of a room, whether it’s indoors or outside. Your outdoor fireplace should complement the rest of your Wheaton, IL, home as it’s bound to receive lots of attention from onlookers and guests. Whether your outdoor fireplace has become outdated or you’re looking to make updates, here are a few tips for transforming it: 

Instant Aging

Giving your favorite hardscape feature a rustic, time-worn look and feel is just one way to imbue your property with unique character. Not only does an antiqued design defy modern trends, it also presents numerous opportunities for adding charm, whimsy, and personalized touches to the hardscape. Whether in the form of expertly chosen lighting or new but weathered looking materials around your fireplace, you could find that dated designs are the richest in character. 

A brick fireplace, for example, could be treated to resemble the look of distressed brick typically found in Old European architecture. Or tumbled concrete pavers, with purposefully worn surfaces that mimic those of antique brick, could be acquired. Consider opting for a collection of dark brick interspersed by light gray, unpainted mortar for a powerful visual impact. 

Related: 3 Tips for Building an Outdoor Fireplace with Pizza Oven in Geneva, IL

Dainty Details

An old fireplace can be completely reanimated by the addition of a few personalized decorations. Consider the fireplace itself to be a canvas for the creation of an artwork unique to your hardscape. For example: tiles and other heat-resistant materials can be used to create a colorful back panel that peeks through the belly of the fireplace. 

Candles, ornaments, and planters are just a few examples of decorative items that can be placed on the mantle of your fireplace to give it a new personality. For example, a smoky gray fireplace can be brightened and enhanced by both warm- and cool-toned colors, like light blue and burnt orange. Consider the difference between striking white planters and gem-toned mason jars for your mantle as these small details go a long way in determining the aesthetic theme of a particular outdoor room—be it modern, bohemian, or rustic. 

Related: Style Your Outdoor Fireplace with a Beautiful Stacked Stone Look in Burr Ridge, IL

Going Minimal

Consider allowing the frame of your fireplace to fade into the background, giving the flames within it even more attention. By having your fireplace constructed from the same material as all your other vertical hardscape features, or opting for very simple monochrome pavers, you can create the impression that a raging fire is emanating from the very essence of the outdoor room itself. The dynamic nature of the flames will also be much more noticeable, as will its near-endless array of ever-changing shades.

Include a Storage Compartment

Fitting a storage compartment for logs into your wood-burning fireplace can make keeping the fire going rather convenient. What’s more: There is something refined and tasteful about the appearance of a symmetrical assembly of tightly stacked logs on either side of the hearth. This addition to the framework of your fireplace can also add a personalized touch to its design. The logs will become the focal point of the fireplace during the day, when it isn't lit. 

Give It a New Purpose

Look into converting or expanding your outdoor fireplace into a pizza oven. Being able to host make-your-own-pizza nights could stretch out the use you get out of your fireplace investment.

Fall is a favorite time of year for many residents of Downers Grove, IL, who enjoy the season’s colorful foliage, pumpkins, and crisp, cool weather. Before getting to the point of stocking up on apple cider, though, homeowners need to give thought to what they want for their backyard in the fall. These landscape design ideas will help you set up for the cool-down season. 

Install a Firepit

Firepits are becoming more and more popular as a way to enjoy the backyard, especially during cooler weather. Adding this feature to your house can create a focal point to your landscape and a favorite gather-round spot that simultaneously provides a cool visual element and a warm physical resource. 

To prepare for this fall addition, you’ll need to decide where you’d like to put your firepit. Most municipalities have guidelines for how far away from homes or structures firepits have to be. In Downers Grove, firepits have to be at least 15 feet away from any structure or dense brush. With the help of your landscaping design professional, you’ll also need to pick out which materials are best suited for your new firepit. Options include natural-looking materials like Brussels Dimensional Stone for a rustic look. Once your firepit is installed, you’ll be ready to enjoy a beautiful fall evening in front of a warm fire! 

Related: 3 Ideas for Incorporating an Outdoor Fireplace in Your Geneva, IL, Backyard

Plant Some Trees 

It seems like everyone’s favorite part of fall is the beautiful multicolored foliage that abounds in nature. There’s no reason why you can’t enjoy the gorgeous fall colors at your own home! 

Fall is a great time to plant some new trees on your property. Red maple is a go-to because of the deep crimson colors it shows off in fall. You can opt for a young red maple that’s only 6 or 7 feet, or go for an older one that’s 10 to 12 feet. Red maples can get up to 25 feet tall after a period of 10 years. If you don’t want something so large, Japanese maples are another good choice. Short in stature but packed with color, Japanese maples are smaller decorative trees that can be incorporated into mulched beds. Their red leaves are thinner than regular maple leaves but still hold a gorgeous color during the fall months. 

Lastly, you can have an evergreen tree planted that will add a deep green backdrop for other fall foliage, and still hold its color when winter rolls around. As an added bonus, you can enjoy the sights of evergreens as they’re dusted with the first snow of the winter season. 

Let There Be Light

Last but not least, adding lighting to your outdoor landscape is a fabulous way to prepare for fall. Once the fall months come around, the days seem shorter as we lose more light sooner in the day. This can limit the amount of time you have to enjoy the outdoor season. Adding lighting to your backyard can help you spend more time grilling or simply enjoying the weather before the snowy winter months keep you indoors. Consider adding lighting to walkways, atop retaining walls, or to patio areas and kitchens. Even smaller lighting fixtures can provide enough light to make your outdoor space more welcoming and practical for evening entertaining. 

Related: Light Up Your Front Entrance With Beautiful Outdoor Lighting in Batavia, IL