For many homeowners, the idea of a weekend retreat is no longer about driving hours away to a cottage. The true escape is happening closer to home, in backyards that are being transformed into comfortable, year-round living spaces. By creating warmth, privacy, and atmosphere where you already live, you gain a retreat that doesn’t require a commute.
Outdoor fire elements and automated screens are at the heart of this shift. They extend the season, create inviting spots to be with the family, and allow you to enjoy crisp fall evenings and early spring mornings without leaving home. Whether added as part of a new-build or introduced into an existing backyard, these features dramatically change how a space feels and how often it’s used.
What Is A Fire Feature?
A fire feature is a landscape element designed to use flame as both a function and focal point. While fire pits and fireplaces are the most common, other features include:
- Fire bowls along a pathway
- Gas torches framing a dining area
- Fire columns placed as architectural accents
- Decorative gas lamps at the end of a driveway
These elements are less about gathering and more about mood and structure. They offer soft lighting, dynamic visual movement, and can subtly guide the eye or movement across a property.
What Are The Benefits Of Outdoor Fire Features?
A fire feature offers far more than visual appeal. It becomes the heart of the backyard, shaping how people use the space and when. By adding warmth, light, and atmosphere, a fire pit or fireplace transforms the backyard into a place you actually want to spend time, without needing to leave home.
Warmth and Atmosphere Through the Seasons
A fire pit or fireplace provides consistent warmth that extends the use of outdoor spaces during spring and fall when evenings are often cool and windy. The flame adds both heat and light, creating an atmosphere that supports longer gatherings outside. Wood-burning fire pits offer the traditional sound and scent of burning logs, while modern gas options provide a controlled flame with minimal upkeep. Both options increase comfort and encourage more regular use of the backyard.
A Place to Gather
Instead of travelling for connection, families and friends gather around the fire at home. A fire pit becomes a destination in its own right, making the backyard feel like a private escape. There’s a primal, almost instinctive draw to spend time around a fire. Humans have told stories, cooked meals, and gathered in its glow for thousands of years.
Feature Application
From compact urban yards to large open lots, fire features can be scaled to fit the home. Their flexibility makes them one of the most rewarding ways to turn a backyard into a retreat. In Southern Ontario, natural gas is a convenient and popular option, but propane, electric, and wood-burning pits all have their place. The choice depends on lifestyle, bylaws, and aesthetic preference.
Improved Home Value
More than just an amenity, a well-designed fire feature signals a home built for living. Buyers increasingly see usable outdoor living as a premium feature, and a fire pit adds lasting appeal.
Protection and Function
When designing fire pit areas, the landscape can be transformed to create new functional spaces. You can take advantage of the grade by sinking seating areas or building up retaining walls to provide protection that blends into the landscape.
Designing The Right Fire Element
Fire features vary in structure, placement, and function. The right choice depends on how the space is used and what kind of experience the homeowner wants to create. That may mean a cozy retreat for family evenings, a modern focal point for entertaining, or a versatile element that blends seamlessly with pools, patios, and landscaped gardens. Careful selection of materials, fuel type, and layout ensures the fire pit is both practical and a natural extension of the home’s architecture.
Sunken Patios
Excellent for wind protection and privacy. A sunken fire pit offers a cozy, enclosed atmosphere and can be built into sloped lots or natural grades.
Pergola or Open-Air Structures
Modern fire features often sit beneath pergolas or integrated roofing. This allows for automated screens and lighting, creating a three-season room that balances openness with protection.
Poolside or Lakeside
Fire features can be installed near pools or waterfronts to provide contrast and comfort. Gas fire bowls, for instance, offer elegance without obstructing views.
Flagstone Seating Areas
Traditional and durable, flagstone patios are ideal for integrating fire pits with built-in seating, stone walls, and natural landscaping.
Home Extensions with Hot Tubs
For homes with spa features or covered lounges, a gas or electric fireplace can complete the atmosphere you are looking for, adding comfort without smoke or mess.
Enhancements That Elevate The Experience
- Built-in concrete or stone seating
- Integrated lighting and ceiling fans
- Natural rock walls or retaining structures
- Low planting for visual softness
- Drainage planning in sunken areas
- Heating and lighting zones controlled by automation
- Automated retractable screens
- Outdoor sound systems
- Complimentary water features
Planning these elements early in the design process avoids future compromises and ensures that the space works as a whole.
What Are Automated Retractable Screens?
Automated outdoor screens are retractable panels that can be raised or lowered with the push of a button. They are typically built into pergolas, covered patios, or custom outdoor structures, and are designed to provide flexible protection and privacy. The screens are made from durable fabrics that block wind, reduce sun glare, and keep insects out while still allowing light and airflow.
Unlike permanent walls, automated screens allow homeowners to adjust the enclosure of a space based on conditions. Fabric selections are customizable and offer benefits such as blocking UV exposure, wind, enhancing privacy, blocking pollen and allergens, and retaining heat from fireplaces. On warm days, the screens can remain open to maintain an unobstructed view. When temperatures drop or winds pick up, the screens can be lowered to create a sheltered environment that retains warmth from a fire feature and increases comfort.
From a maintenance perspective, automated retractable screens are self-storing and require less maintenance and winterization. This significantly prolongs the lifetime usability of the fabrics and wear on the technology.
Common Questions About Fire Pits
Are Backyard Fire Pits Worth It?
Yes, when well designed. They extend the season, provide a space to gather, and can increase property value. The return is both functional and experiential.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Fire Pit?
There are considerations: ongoing maintenance (especially with wood), fuel availability, and local bylaws. It’s also important to plan for drainage, ventilation, and spacing from structures.
Where Is the Best Place to Put a Fire Pit in Your Backyard?
Consider wind direction, slope, views, local bylaws and proximity to seating or entertaining zones. The fire pit should feel like a destination but also be connected to how the rest of the space functions.
What Looks Good Around a Fire Pit?
Natural stone, gravel, low plantings, and built-in seating help frame the area. Lighting and automated screens add comfort and dimension.
What Is a Good Size for a Fire Pit Area?
Most seating circles around a fire pit require at least 10 to 14 feet in diameter. Space should also allow for movement, access and safety.
Creating Comfort Closer To Home
Backyards are becoming central to daily life here in Niagara, Hamilton and Burlington. Homeowners are investing in spaces they can use regularly, not only on special occasions or at far away cottages. A fire pit or outdoor fireplace provides steady warmth and light through cooler months, while automated screens add shelter and privacy when weather or time of day calls for it. Together, these elements create settings for family gatherings, quiet evenings, and seasonal traditions that can be enjoyed without leaving home.
At LandArt, we look to create unique and custom designs for each project. Our promise is to deliver enhancements that will increase the enjoyment of your property year-round. We stand behind our work with an above industry-standard warranty, giving you lasting peace of mind and the confidence that your outdoor space will continue to thrive for years to come.