Backyard Firepit Ideas

Backyard Fire Pits will Enhance your Outdoor Living Enjoyment

Backyard Fire pit in Santa Barbara

custom fire pit

An outdoor fire pit warms up chilly Spring or Fall evenings, creates a warm and inviting spot for conversation, and adds a touch of festivity to outdoor gatherings. Outdoor fire pits can be simple or elaborate. There are many options out there regardless of the size of your yard. Whether you seek to create a small, intimate corner for two, or a larger gathering spot, a fire pit adds a welcoming feel to your current landscaping. If you are thinking about having a fire pit built for you, here are some of the benefits:

  • A professionally designed fire pit adds value and appeal to your backyard.
  • Outdoor fire pits creates a central gathering spot for conversation when entertaining friends and family.
  • Fire pits will add warmth, ambiance and personality to your backyard.


Today’s backyards are becoming more sophisticated, a true extension of the home. Outdoor “living areas” are just that. Many homeowners seek to create specific areas within their yard, such as a kitchen, a play space, a dining area and a living area. There are often secluded sections that are used as an extension of the master bedroom.

A professional landscaper can design and build the solid elements of your outdoor space, known as the “hardscape”. This consists of patios, decks, walkways, built-in seating, fireplaces and fire pits. Water features are often integrated into the hardscape.

Varieties of Outdoor Fire Pits

Backyard fire pits are often thought of as the traditional round, wood burning stone pit. While that is often the case, you may be surprised of the myriad of shapes and sizes of your backyard fire pit.  A landscape designer can work with you and your space to create the perfect design for you. If you have limited space, for example, a round pit in the corner of your yard may not be the best option if you are surrounded by close neighbors who might be irritated by smoke.  A gas burning set-up may be the way to go if a wood-burning pit cause smoke problems with the neighbors.

The pit can be round, square, triangular, rectangular…you name it. For smaller areas, a long and narrow rectangle shape saves space and provides an element of interest. While a brick or stone pit is perfect for a rustic or traditional home, those who are looking for a more modern or edgy feel may want something more angular, using a clean, concrete “box” type pit.

To truly differentiate your outdoor living space, design a sunken living-room style area in your yard with a central fire pit. Built-in seating in a U shape around the pit ensures that the warmth will be spread evenly. Stepping down into the pit gives the feeling that you are entering an actual room.

Make a bold statement with a wall of fire. A long and narrow pit made of concrete creates a space-saving, modern focal point in your yard. Other options are incorporating a fire pit into the corner of a low stone wall, complete with built-in seating. Outdoor fire pits made with re-purposed metal basins create a rustic or industrial feel. Adding a nearby built-in water element will create a reflective, serene atmosphere.

A variety of materials may be used to craft a fire pit. Different kinds of stone, brick, concrete and metal can be used that reflect your style and complement the natural surroundings.

Remember, even a small outdoor space can accommodate a built-in fire pit. Consult with a us. We have experience crafting these types of features. So many memories are made around a campfire, why not bring that to your own backyard?

Call us today to schedule an appointment to explore how we can help you create a warm and cozy area in your backyard.

Backyard Patio Ideas In Santa Barbara

Backyard patio ideas in Santa Barbara

Backyard Dining under Custom Pergola

Santa Barbara Backyard Patio Ideas

While a patio might be located outside of your main home, it is just an extension of the home and offers additional space to enjoy. Making the patio an inviting area will add to you and your family’s quality time outdoors. The patio is essentially another room in your home giving the family more options to relax and entertain.

The following list of backyard patio ideas can be used to give you inspiration for transforming your patio into a more enjoyable living space:

  • Add water – There is something that is soothing about water. The sound of running water is so serene and peaceful. Add a water feature to your patio, such as a fountain, and enjoy many relaxing moments.
  • Cover it – Enjoying your patio is much better if you don’t have to deal with the bright, and sometimes hot, sun. Cover the patio with a pergola or other type of sun blocking feature. Heat and rain can be kept at bay with a covered patio.
  • Entertainment center, furniture and rugs – Truly make the patio another room. Add a TV, some outdoor furniture and a rug or two. There are many wonderful choices today in outdoor decor. Add some color to the mix and jazz up your space.
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Santa Barbara Landscaping Company Down to Earth Landscapes, Inc. Offering English Garden Designs

Santa Barbara, CA (PR.COM) February 28, 2013

English Garden in Santa Barbara

English Garden

A leading Santa Barbara-based landscaping  company, Down to Earth Landscapes, Inc., has just announced that they’re now offering English Garden design and installation for homeowners in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. English Gardens are becoming  sought-after service within the area as it allows property owners to achieve a classical appearance within their outdoor living areas.

Traditional English gardens often recreates an array of classical garden features and architecture from ponds, stone walls and stone paths to a flowers and shrubs planted in an “unarranged” manner. While an English Garden might seem a little unusual in Southern California, the team at Down to Earth Landscapes, Inc. can help homeowners create this unique outdoor environment that will become the a peaceful refuge and the envy of  the neighborhood.
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Backyard Kitchens for Cooking Outdoors

Built-in  Kitchens for your Backyard

backyard kitchen in Santa BarbaraWe absolutely love it when our clients are interested in bringing their “indoor” lives outside. There are so many new and interesting options for creating a backyard kitchen and dining area which will enhance your outdoor living spaces.

Santa Barbara is great for outdoor entertaining because our weather is so mild in the winter that it makes it possible to  comfortably entertain family and friends for holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas  outside in your backyard.

During the last few weeks, we’ve been working on installing an example of one of these outdoor living spaces.. a fully functional outdoor kitchen. dining area  and fire pit. Our client had some of their own ideas and and we found the project a fun challenge so we thought we’d share it with you , our blog readers.

The steps we recommend:

Step 1: Select a reputable landscape architect. We recommend finding someone whose vision matches your own. For this project, we called on our friend Leland Walmsley of EverGREEN Landscape Architects located in Carpinteria, California.  We enjoy working with Leland because he is brilliant and gifted. He has an artist’s eye, just like we do! Furthermore, his focus—as his name suggests—is on the green landscape. We both prefer to use sustainable products that make your garden look beautiful while saving water and energy.  Check out his website at: http://www.evergreen-sb.com/.
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