design element Fire Pits & Fireplaces

Outdoor fire pits and fireplaces add warmth, light, and atmosphere to the landscape while extending the season outdoors. From materials and styles to placement and safety, explore how fire features enhance comfort, gathering, and everyday use.
A square stone fire pit anchors this bluestone terrace beside the pool, offering clean lines, durable materials, and a central gathering point that enhances both day and evening use.

anchoring warmth and charm

Outdoor fire pits and fireplaces can play a defining role in landscape design, adding structure, warmth, and a natural focal point to outdoor spaces. Built from materials such as natural stone, brick, concrete, or steel, fire features can be tailored to complement both traditional and modern properties. Strategic placement enhances usability, anchoring patios, terraces, and seating areas while improving flow and balance within the landscape.

Beyond visual impact, fire features also extend seasonal use, encouraging outdoor living well into cooler Boston area months. When integrated early in the design process, they support gathering, relaxation, and year-round enjoyment while adding lasting value to the property.

common fire pit and fireplace questions

1. What materials are best for outdoor fire features?
Natural stone, brick, concrete, and steel are commonly used for their durability, heat resistance, and design flexibility.
2. What safety considerations are important with fire features?
Clearances, fuel type, ventilation, and surrounding materials all influence safe and reliable performance.
3. Which fuel option is best: wood, natural gas, or propane?
The right fuel depends on convenience, maintenance, and how often the feature will be used. Wood offers a classic experience but requires more upkeep. Natural gas provides instant ignition and consistent heat, while propane offers flexibility without a permanent gas line.
4. Are permits or zoning approvals required for fire pits or outdoor fireplaces?
In many Massachusetts communities, permits or zoning approvals may be required, especially for built-in fire pits, outdoor fireplaces, or gas-fueled systems. Requirements vary by town and may involve building, fire, or zoning departments. Working with a professional helps ensure local codes, setbacks, and safety standards are met before installation.
A fieldstone outdoor fireplace with integrated seating walls creates a protected gathering area, offering warmth, enclosure, and a natural transition between patio and garden.

see examples of our fire pits and fireplaces

Set within a woodland garden, this stone outdoor fireplace pairs a quiet patio with a winding pathway, creating a secluded retreat that extends outdoor living while blending seamlessly into its natural setting.
A round stone fire pit forms the center of this garden seating area, encouraging conversation while softening the hardscape with curved lines that complement surrounding plantings.
A rectangular stone fire pit set into a bluestone patio defines a cozy seating area, offering durability, warmth, and a natural focal point for everyday outdoor living.
A minimal stone fire pit placed along an open lawn edge preserves long views while creating a subtle destination for quiet evenings and informal outdoor seating.
This rectangular granite fire pit in Winchester, MA anchors a bluestone patio with clean lines and lasting materials, creating a refined gathering space that complements the surrounding garden.
This natural stone fire pit with a seating wall in Weston, MA blends into the bluestone patio, providing warmth, safety, and a defined gathering space that feels both refined and relaxed.
A terraced stone fire pit in Duxbury, MA uses retaining walls to define seating, manage grade changes, and create a warm gathering space that feels intentional, comfortable, and well integrated into the landscape.
This square masonry fire pit in Sudbury, MA is framed by stone walls to create a defined outdoor room, offering durability, safety, and a comfortable focal point for year-round enjoyment.
This low-profile stone fire pit fits neatly into a terraced patio, delivering warmth and visual interest without interrupting sightlines or overwhelming the surrounding landscape.
Surrounded by trees, this square stone fire pit brings warmth and definition to a bluestone patio, creating an inviting destination that feels tucked into the woodland landscape.
This formal outdoor fireplace constructed of natural stone adds symmetry and structure to the landscape, creating a refined outdoor room designed for comfort and entertaining.
This stone fire pit near the pool is paired with a low seating wall, providing warmth, safety, and a natural gathering spot that balances hardscape structure with open views of the landscape.
A natural stone outdoor fireplace near the pool creates a strong visual anchor, combining warmth, texture, and architectural presence to elevate the entire outdoor living area.
A stone outdoor fireplace beneath a pergola defines this lounge patio, adding shade, structure, and warmth while creating a year-round destination for relaxed seating and conversation.
This round masonry fire pit is integrated into a cedar pergola and spa terrace, creating a cohesive outdoor retreat that balances warmth, relaxation, and architectural structure.
A granite fire pit set within a bluestone patio in Wayland, MA offers long-term durability and a welcoming focal point that supports casual gatherings and seasonal use.
This classic stone outdoor fireplace in Dover, MA features curved seating that encourages conversation while providing warmth and a timeless New England focal point.
This rectangular stone fire pit enhances an outdoor dining patio by providing ambient warmth and atmosphere, making the space more inviting for longer meals and evening gatherings.
This tall natural stone outdoor fireplace features a wood-burning hearth that anchors the patio, offering radiant warmth, vertical presence, and a timeless focal point for evening entertaining.
A round gas fire pit with a curved stone seating wall offers consistent heat and low maintenance, creating a comfortable gathering space that feels both elegant and highly functional.

year round enjoyment and value

In addition to comfort and ambiance, fire pits and fireplaces contribute to how outdoor spaces function day to day. Design considerations such as fuel type, scale, wind exposure, and surrounding materials influence performance, safety, and long-term maintenance. Whether used for quiet evenings or larger gatherings, a well-designed fire feature strengthens the connection between home and landscape. With careful planning, these elements become permanent extensions of the living environment rather than seasonal accessories.

If you are considering adding a fire pit or fireplace to your Boston area property, contact the Blade team to explore design options that align with your home, lifestyle, and landscape goals.
Positioned poolside, this rectangular stone fire pit adds warmth and visual balance, extending the usability of the patio while reinforcing clean lines within the landscape design.

read our fire pit and fireplace blog posts

fire feature

Bring the Heat with Outdoor Fire Features

We all have an ancestral connection with fire that persists, even as technology plays an ever-increasing role in our day-to-day life. Fire is elemental, essential - it gathers us round to inspire with its dazzling dance, protect for the unknown in the dark, and soothe our psyches with its warm embrace. As landscape designers, we love to include fire features — pits, bowls, rings, and even grills — for exactly these reasons.
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what our clients say

review - a blade of grass landscape designer Boston review
“Exceptional vision coupled with practical advice. The team worked hard under difficult conditions, the job was done in a timely manner and the outcome surpassed my very high expectations.”
Kathy H.
West Roxbury, MA
“What a great company. The people we work with are responsive, knowledgeable and a delight to work with. They meet with us each year at the beginning of the season to understand our needs and they make sure they meet those needs.”
Helen S.
Concord, MA
“They listened to what we wanted and created an oasis where each month we saw different plants blooming with different colors. Our designer was a joy to work with and she truly taught us about plants and flowers through this experience.”
Jaimin P.
Sudbury, MA
“Their creative vision, thoroughness, and professionalism exceeds all expectations. Further, the Blade of Grass team is exceptionally friendly, responsive and easy-going.”
Lindsey M.
Dover, MA
“They gave me an accurate budget and timetable up front and pretty much stuck to it - much to my husband's delight. They are not pushy about their services which I truly appreciate and which is why I continue to use them for maintenance, new plantings etc. Would highly recommend them!”
Sunitha D.
Newton, MA
“a Blade of Grass was a joy to work with from beginning to end. They were focused on us the entire process from brainstorming, designing, selecting and installation. We love our new landscaped backyard and know you will too!”
Pamela D.
West Roxbury, MA
“a Blade of Grass transformed our front yard from a barren wasteland of wood chips to a stunningly gorgeous garden. In late 2012, we embarked on a major project to rebuild our backyard and add a pool and patio. The result far exceeded our expectations. Heather and her crew maintain all of our gardens throughout the year, and are very responsive to our questions and requests.”
John H.
Weston, MA
“When designing the space Tom considered every detail including privacy concerns, colors, the reuse of existing plants, our likes and dislikes, cost, placement and size of walkways and stairs, shape of pool deck and where snow would be plowed in the winter. The result is a yard we enjoy all year-round. Since its design, the maintenance team at a Blade of Grass has maintained the yard's beauty.”
Dave H.
Waltham, MA
“Joanna had an encyclopedic knowledge of every plant we looked at. The installation crew led by Joel was also terrific. In fact, despite oppressive heat, they removed some old stones in the way and used them to repair and extend a fallen wall - a really thoughtful touch that went above and beyond the plan.” 
Betty T.
Lincoln, MA

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