Spring is here in Michigan, and the warmest, most enjoyable time of the year is right around the corner. If you are planning a custom home and hospitality is an important part of your life, one way to get more out of your investment is to add an outdoor fireplace or fire pit. Outdoor fireplaces add visual interest to your home, extend the summer into the spring and fall, and create a cozy indoor/outdoor atmosphere your family and guests can nestle themselves into.
Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits
In Michigan fire and warmth are always welcome. On long summer evenings a warm fire creates a relaxing ambiance. On colder evenings a fire allows people to enjoy the cool air while still feeling cozy. There are two options for outdoor fires – fireplaces and fire pits.
Many of the families we work with choose to include both outdoor amenities in their home plans. A fire pit allows for a more casual enjoyment of nature and the lakeside for a larger group as they gather or pass from one activity to another. It’s great for cooking hotdogs, making s’mores, playing games, and singing campfire songs.
A fireplace extends the indoors to the outdoors and allows guests to easily enjoy dining space or bathrooms as needed or desired. If you love grilling season or enjoy eating al fresco as a family, a fireplace is a wonderful addition.
Fireplaces can be incorporated into an exterior wall so that families can take advantage of a fire either indoors or out, or they can be built as a focal point to an outdoor living room. A covered patio or pavilion can include a mounted television above the fireplace and plentiful seating.
There are different fuel options for fireplaces, but a gas fireplace adds the most value to a home. It burns safely, is always beautiful, and does not require cleanup afterward. Unlike a fire pit, a fireplace will direct the smoke up and out away from the area, providing warmth without the smoke.
Create an Outdoor Oasis
An outdoor fireplace or fire pit can be added anywhere on the property. There’s no rule that says it has to be a part of a porch or patio. It can be added poolside or next to a guest house or anywhere you would like to encourage your guests to relax and enjoy themselves.
Michigan has its fair share of cooler weather, but by incorporating fireplaces or fire pits into your house plans, you can take advantage of our gorgeous fall evenings and make summer come earlier. If you would like to discuss your ideas for your custom home in Northern Michigan, contact us at Eastmark Construction. We would love to talk with you about how we can plan and build the perfect home for your family.