Here's How a Mason Can Revamp Your Outdoor Living Experience in Newport and Bristol, RI
Summer is over and you may not be using your patio quite as much as you were in the warmer months. But did you feel that something was missing from your patio this past summer? If so, here’s how a mason can revamp your outdoor living experience in Newport and Bristol, RI.
Related: How a Mason Can Extend the Use of Your Barrington, RI Landscape by Adding an Outdoor Fireplace
1. Fire
Other than food, what brings people together? Fire. In any outdoor party, any time of year, you will find people gathered around a fire pit, outdoor fireplace, or fire table. A fire feature can be the single best investment you make in your outdoor spaces, because it will keep your patio comfortable even when it would otherwise be far too cold to sit outside.
A fire pit can be circular or square, gas-fueled or wood-burning, and it has the advantage over other fire features in that you can seat a fairly large number of people around it at the same time to share in the warmth. Using the same type of wall blocks - whether natural stone or concrete - as other vertical elements will create a cohesive look. If your fire pit has a generous capstone, you could even install LED landscape lighting underneath to provide soft illumination when the fire pit isn’t in use, or for after the fire has died down.
An outdoor fireplace is an opportunity to unleash your creativity. The result will be a magnificent fire feature that is exactly the style and size you want. You can even integrate a wood-fired pizza oven into the structure (even if your primary fire box is gas-fueled); and you can create an exceptional experience by integrating a water feature and lighting into the structure. Wherever you place your outdoor fireplace, it will become an instant focal point that transforms your patio into an outdoor living room.
A fire table is an entertainer’s dream, marrying the best qualities of a fire pit with a dining table. These gas-fueled fire features create a memorable dining experience with their flaming centerpiece and broad tops that easily accommodate complete place settings. Fire tables come in a variety of heights: fire pit height, dining table height, and bar height.
2. A Retaining Wall
A retaining wall helps carve out additional outdoor living space on a sloped property. It’s an opportunity to build seating into it, as well as a fireplace or a water feature. A wall is wonderful for creating an outdoor living room feel that feels as cozy as an indoor living room with four walls. Even if your backyard is perfectly flat, adding a seat wall to your patio will enhance it in several ways. First, you’ll create additional seating for larger parties, without cluttering up the patio with furniture. A seat wall can also be a place to display colorful pots filled with seasonal flowers.
3. An Updated Paver Surface
What’s underfoot is as important as what’s around you. Both natural paving stones and concrete patio pavers can be a design statement that contributes to the overall feel of the space. For a fresh and modern look, consider large format pavers or stone slabs that minimize joint lines. Natural flagstone, or textured pavers that take inspiration from natural flagstone are wonderful for creating a relaxed backyard vibe. But there are many, many more options. Ask your mason for ideas.
Related: How a Mason Can Turn Your Inground Pool Into a Mini-Resort in Barrington RI