Do you want to create your own outdoor living room with a cozy warm fireplace as the focal point? The good news is that you have a variety of options, including gas fire pit tables which can save you time, money and provide more versatile seating options.
Not only can outdoor living rooms allow you to expand the usable space in your home, they may also help increase it’s value. Check out the design ideas and tips below to help you get the best value and use out of your backyard.
Benefits of Adding an Outdoor Living Room Fireplace
Outdoor living spaces offer numerous benefits, from making your backyard more functional to enhancing your home’s value. Use the extra square footage for grilling, open-air dining, a comfortable home office, relaxing “resort style” and spending more time with family and friends.
1. Expands Your Living Space
An outdoor “room” gives you extra usable square footage without having to pay for an expensive home remodel. Plus, you can design it as a dining room, living room or outdoor kitchen – or combine all 3. In other words, optimize its functionality to your particular lifestyle.
2. Adds Value to Your Home
An outdoor room can add significant value to your home. The National Association of Realtors reports that outdoor living spaces are highly desirable to home buyers. In fact, this simple upgrade can boost a home’s value by up to 12% when it increases the usable space and makes the house feel larger.
3. Enables You to Reap the Benefits of Outdoor Living
Get more sunshine and fresh air in your life by spending more time outside. Let nature’s sounds relax you, whether you like to meditate or start your day with a cup of coffee at sunrise.
Enjoy resort-style dining on your patio or desk without having to go on vacation or even leave your house. Plus, with a comfy sofa, warm fireplace and cozy blankets, you can stargaze every night and never have a boring day.
Advantages of Using a Gas Fire Pit Table VS an Outdoor Fireplace
When it comes to choosing a fireplace for your outdoor living room, you have several options. One popular choice is a gas fire pit table, which offers a range of advantages over traditional outdoor fireplaces. Let’s look at some of the benefits of using a fire table:
1. Convenient & Versatile
A fire pit table can be more convenient than a traditional outdoor fireplace. For example, you can use a fire pit table on a deck, patio or backyard.
In addition, most tables hold a propane gas tank within the table itself. Therefore, you can move or re-locate your fire pit whenever you like.
2. Clean, Easy & Low Maintenance
A gas fire tables don’t produce smoke or ash, so they don’t require lots of cleaning or maintenance. Instead of burning wood, the gas flames emerge out of bed of fire glass. Plus, you simply push a button to ignite the flame. Then, adjust the flame height depending on how much heat you want.
3. Cost-Saving
Typically, you can assemble a fire table yourself in an afternoon rather than hiring a contractor to build it. You don’t have to plumb for gas, install a flue or build a chimney. Consequently, you can save a lot of money on materials, labor, permits, etc..
Furthermore, fire pits range widely in price, so you can buy a large deluxe model – or buy a less expensive table.
4. More People Can Fit Around the Fire
You can seat more friends or family around a square, round or rectangular fire table compared to a fireplace installed in a wall. Plus, you can feel the heat from a fire pit on all sides versus one.
Not to mention, guests can face each other (and watch the flames) instead of just looking at a fireplace. In my opinion, it’s a more friendly seating set-up, especially fire pit dining tables.
| Outdoor Fireplace | Gas Fire Pit Table | |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | Classic look and feel, can be used for cooking, larger flames | Costs less, faster & easier installation, moveable, enjoy from multiple sides |
| Cons | Requires maintenance and cleaning, can be messy, smoke and ash | Smaller flames, may not produce as much heat, not built-in structure |
Ultimately, the decision between an outdoor fireplace and a gas fire pit table will depend on your personal preferences and needs. If you want to save money, prefer a fast, easy set-up or like the versatility of a free-standing table, then you may want a gas fire pit table.
On the other hand, if you prefer the classic look and feel of a traditional outdoor fireplace and value the ability to cook over an open flame, then an outdoor fireplace may be the better option.
When it comes to selecting a gas fire pit table, you want to consider a few factors. First of all, keep the table size proportional to the area of your outdoor living room.
In other words, you don’t want a table so large that it will make the space feel cramped. On the other hand, a small table in a big space can feel awkward.
You also need to consider the type of fuel source, as some gas fire pit tables use natural gas, while others use propane. Additionally, you should consider the material of the table, as some materials, like stone and concrete, are more durable and weather-resistant, but also heaver to move.
Conclusion
Whether you choose an outdoor fireplace or a gas fire pit table, you can enjoy the benefits of spending time in a cozy and inviting outdoor space. Plus, when you select a fireplace for your outdoor living room, consider the advantages of a fire table, including convenience, versatility and of course cost.
Remember, your outdoor living room should be a reflection of your personal style and preferences. With the right fireplace and furniture set-up, you can create both an attractive and functional outdoor living area that is worth the investment.