How to Pick Your Perfect Fire Pit for Summer

Summer is finally here, and we are excited to enjoy outdoor living in the Lehigh Valley.  To help you enjoy summer and get the most out of your outdoor spaces, we recommend that you add a fire pit to your home.  A fire pit is more than a beautiful design feature; it is an open invitation to gather, unwind, and connect, and it’s a must-have outdoor addition for the summer.

At Lehigh Valley Home & Garden Center, we have decades of experience with outdoor décor and furniture, and we have the best and healthiest plants in our Pennsylvania garden center.  So, we know how to upgrade outdoor spaces, create a backyard oasis, and how to choose the perfect fire pit.  Here’s our guide for how to choose the right fire pit for your space as well which plants will beautifully complement your new gathering spot.

Why Add a Fire Pit to Your Backyard?

Adding a fire pit is a quick and easy way to upgrade your space and create an outdoor area that you’re excited to use.  Some other reasons why homeowners love fire pits are that fire pits:

Act as a Social Magnet

A fire pit naturally draws people in.  It creates a dedicated gathering space where family and friends can pull up a chair, put down their phones, and make lasting memories. Whether you are sharing childhood stories with old friends or listening to your kids giggle while roasting marshmallows, the fire pit is where connection happens.

Add Ambiance and Warmth

Summer nights can occasionally be chilly, especially as late summer turns into fall. A reliable heat source—such as a fire pit—extends your outdoor hours by keeping you cozy long after the sun goes down.

Create an Affordable Staycation

You don’t need to pack up the car and drive hours away to experience the cozy warmth of a campfire. A backyard fire pit gives you that relaxing, rustic getaway feeling right outside your backdoor.

How to Choose a Fire Pit That Fits Your Space

Choosing the perfect fire pit comes down to balancing functionality, safety, and your existing landscape design. 

Consider the Scale of Your Yard

The size of your patio or lawn dictates the size of your fire pit. You want to maintain a comfortable traffic flow.  So, leave at least three to four feet of clearance around all sides of the unit for seating and safe movement.  A massive stone structure can overwhelm an intimate townhome patio, while a tiny portable bowl might get lost in a sprawling multi-tiered lawn.

Check Your Surface

Safety is paramount when it comes to fire pits. Wood-burning units must sit on a non-combustible surface like concrete pavers, brick, gravel, or stone.

Placing a wood fire directly on a wood deck or directly on lush grass is a major safety hazard. If you have a wooden deck, then a dedicated propane or natural gas model with a protective mat is the safest way to go.

Styles of Fire Pits

Every Lehigh Valley home has its own unique style.  Fortunately, fire pits and fire features come in a variety of designs and fuel sources.

Convenient Propane Fire Tables

If you love the idea of a fire but dislike the smoke, ash, and effort of hauling firewood, then propane is a great alternative. With the simple turn of a knob, you have an instant, adjustable flame. Many propane units are styled as elegant tables, which give you a functional place to rest drinks and appetizers when the flame is turned off.

Clean Natural Gas Features

Choose natural gas features for a permanent and luxurious addition to an outdoor kitchen or custom stone patio. These units hook up to your home's gas line, meaning you never have to worry about running out of fuel mid-evening.

5 Plants to Add to Your Fire Pit Area

To make your fire feature feel like a natural extension of your garden, surrounding it with the proper landscaping is key. The right plants soften the hard edges of stone or metal and frame a seating area to create a welcoming and warm space.

Since fire pits generate dry heat, select plants that are resilient and visually stunning under a flame’s glow. Here are five plant selections that thrive in Pennsylvania gardens:

Maiden Grass

Ornamental grasses provide airiness and vertical height to a space.  In the evening, the firelight will dance across maiden grass’s tall, fountain-like foliage.  Plus, the rustling sound of the grass blowing in the summer breeze adds a peaceful layer of white noise to your gatherings.  Just make sure to keep your maiden grass at a safe distance away from your fire feature.

Lavender

Placing lavender near your outdoor seating is a wonderful way to engage all the senses. As guests walk past and brush against the foliage, the plant will release its soothing aroma.

Lavender thrives in sunny, well-draining spots.  This makes it a perfect companion for an open backyard patio.

Sedum (“Stonecrop”)

Sedum (a.k.a. stonecrop) are tough, drought-tolerant, perennial succulents that thrive in Lehigh Valley’s summer conditions. Their fleshy leaves and sturdy stems store water efficiently, and their flat, broccoli-like flower heads change colors as the season transitions.  So, you’ll get visual interest and beauty all throughout the summer and fall with sedum.

Purple Coneflower

Add a cheerful pop of color to your landscape with coneflowers.  These plants are native to Pennsylvania, and they are hardy perennials that will come back year after year.  Plus, coneflowers’ daisy-like petals contrast beautifully with dark stone or metal fire pits.

Give coneflowers full sun, and watch these flowers attract butterflies and pollinators to your garden.

Fountain Grass

Fountain grass (which is different from maiden grass) brings texture to any landscape design with its brushy plumes and cascading growth habit.  Plant fountain grass in groupings around a patio perimeter to create a soft, natural privacy screen that makes your nighttime gatherings feel cozy, intimate, and tucked away from the rest of the world.

Transform Your Summer with Lehigh Valley Garden Center

Adding a fire pit or fire feature to your outdoor space will aid you in creating a beautiful outdoor destination that encourages everyone to step outside, share a laugh, and enjoy the beautiful Pennsylvania weather.

If you want help choosing your perfect fire pit, then come to our Lehigh Valley outdoor furniture showroom and bring a picture of your space.  We’ll help you find a fire pit that fits your space and your outdoor lifestyle.  Plus, we’ll help you choose plants that complement your choice and your garden goals.  Our knowledgeable and friendly staff is ready to help you make this a summer to remember!