An outdoor fireplace could be much more than a luxurious feature in a landscape in Sag Harbor or Huntington, NY. It would allow you more time to enjoy your outdoor space, and it would create additional opportunities for relaxing and entertaining—that is, if you have the right seating. Here are our tips for turning an outdoor fireplace into a gathering space with the right seating options.
Adequate seating could be one of the biggest challenges when it comes to deciding your version of the perfect outdoor gathering space. For a small patio, you may want an adjacent outdoor fireplace that has its own dedicated seating, perhaps with a seating wall. For a larger patio, the fire feature could take center stage and you could have more flexibility with moveable furniture.
Related: HOW AN OUTDOOR FIREPLACE CAN BE INCLUDED IN AN ISLAND-STYLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN IN NORTHPORT, NY
Give consideration, with your landscape design team’s input, on how you plan to entertain in this remodeled space along with the typical group sizes you’ll have. You may not want to end up with a huge fireplace area that’s only appropriate for parties and not cozy enough for daily enjoyment. Or perhaps, your home is the hub of entertainment in your family and this feature does deserve ample space.
Here are seating options that are flexible enough to offer options:
Open Seating Area
An open seating area around an outdoor fireplace allows placement of chairs anywhere you like. This can be the ideal solution if you don’t entertain often or if you entertain small groups (such as one or two other couples).
The benefits of this arrangement are that you can adjust the seating to accommodate personal preferences. Some people prefer to sit right by the fire to soak up the warmth; others like to be a bit farther away. You can also choose your seating according to personal preferences—for example, Adirondack-style chairs or cushioned lounge chairs.
The cons of this arrangement are that you are limited in the number of chairs you can place around the fire. Unlike a fire pit, an outdoor fireplace does not give off noticeable heat on all sides. This means that anyone who wants to warm up by the fire will need to sit more or less directly in front of it. When using individual chairs, you are also faced with more clutter around the fire, which can make larger gatherings a bit of a challenge.
A Masonry and Standalone Seating Area
A popular solution is to create a semi-circular masonry seat wall around the fireplace area that partially encloses the area and creates a cozy, sheltered fire nook.
This solution also provides overflow seating for larger gatherings, and still allows for plenty of chairs to be arranged around the fire for everyday use.
If the surrounding seat wall is low, you will get a more spacious feeling. If the surrounding seat wall has a high back, it will help hold heat in the area as well as more comfortable accommodations for guests. Adding colorful cushions and pillows can contribute to a cozy feeling of an outdoor living room.
Living Room-Style Seating
An option for those who don’t want to sit “around the fire” but still enjoy its warmth and ambience is to simply create an outdoor living room where the focus is on friends and family, and not the fire. This solution does away with dedicated fireside seating and instead, gives you the feeling of an outdoor living room. It also creates an effortless transition between relaxing and entertaining.
Related: HOW MASONRY ENHANCES FIRESIDE LIVING SPACES ON LONG ISLAND, NY
