Tag: outdoor living

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Get The Most Out Of Your Fire Pit This Spring

Houston Home and Patio Fire pit spring

Your outdoor fire pit is more than just a decorative element. They are a great addition to any outdoor space, providing warmth and ambiance for gatherings with friends and family. As the weather starts warming up in the spring, it’s the perfect time to use your gas fire pit again. Here are some tips on how to make the most of your gas fire pit this spring.

Check for Damage or Wear on your Fire Pit

Before using your gas fire pit, it’s essential to give it a thorough check for any damage or wear that may have occurred over the winter months. Check the gas lines, burners, and igniter to ensure everything works correctly. If you notice any damage, it’s best to have it repaired by a professional before using it or consider upgrading to a new round or square fire pit for the season.

Clean your Fire Pit

Once you’ve checked for damage, it’s time to clean the fire pit. Remove any accumulated debris or ashes from the fire pit, and wipe the exterior with a damp cloth. If your fire pit has a cover, remove it and clean it. This will ensure that your fire pit is in good working order and looks great for spring gatherings.

Choose the Right Spot

When deciding where to place your gas fire pit, choose a safe and comfortable spot for your guests. Keep the fire pit away from any flammable materials, and make sure there’s enough space for people to sit comfortably around the fire. Consider using a smaller fire pit or a chat-height fire pit if you have a restricted area.

Stock up on Fuel for your Gas Fire Pit

Make sure you have enough fuel on hand for your gas fire pit. Depending on how often you plan to use it, you may need to refill your propane tank or natural gas line. Check the fuel level before your first use and stock up as needed.

Add Outdoor Decor

To make your gas fire pit look even better, consider adding decor or outdoor seating to jazz up your space. You can use decorative rocks or fire glass to add color and texture to your fire pit. You can also place outdoor pillows or blankets nearby to create a cozy atmosphere. Also, remember to add some lighting for ambiance, such as string lights or lanterns.

Start your Fire Pit

Starting a gas fire pit is easy. Turn on the gas and use the igniter to light the flames. Use a long lighter or matches if your fire pit doesn’t have an igniter. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for starting and operating your fire pit. Once the fire is lit, adjust the flames to your desired height.

Use Fire Responsibly

When using a gas fire pit, it’s important to do so responsibly. Keep a close eye on the flames, and never leave the fire unattended. Keep children and pets away from the fire pit, and ensure everyone knows the fire pit’s location. If you’re using a propane tank, make sure it’s securely attached to the fire pit and stored in a safe location.

Turn Off the Fire Pit Before Moving It

Turn off the gas and extinguish the flames when you’re done using the fire pit. Wait for the fire pit to cool down before covering it or moving it. Store any fuel containers safely away from the fire pit and other flammable materials.

Visit Home and Patio for your next fire pit 

Using a gas fire pit in the spring is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and create a cozy atmosphere for gatherings with friends and family. With a few simple steps, you can make sure your fire pit is in good working order, clean, and ready to use. Remember to choose a safe location, stock up on fuel, add some decor, use responsibly, and turn off the fire pit when you’re done. Enjoy your gas fire pit in the spring and beyond!

If you want to create a fire feature outside your home, we can help. Home and Patio offers a wide selection of Houston fire pits to help you enhance your space. Whether you’re looking for the traditional ambiance or something sleek and sophisticated, we have just what you need to take your patio to the next level. Contact us today or visit our showroom to see what we have to offer.

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Houston Fire Pits for Your Outdoor Space

Houston Fire Pits
Adding an outdoor fire pit to your Houston backyard, patio, or rooftop terrace is a creative way to spruce up and elevate your outdoor living space. An outdoor fire pit makes an appealing center of attraction for your outdoor space and is a great focal point while relaxing in your yard or patio. While you can find several varieties of fire pits to choose from, discover our recommendations for different options when selecting the best Houston fire pits.

Fire pit styles

Depending on your needs for an outdoor fire pit and your backyard or patio decor, you can choose from various fire pit styles, from a traditional round fire pit to a contemporary rectangular or square-shaped fire pit. The most common styles of Houston fire pits include:

Fire pit bowls

Fire pit bowls are reminiscent of the classic campfire shape and create optimum warmth with their deep bowl. You can move specific fire pit bowl types around because of their size and portability. This feature allows you to change the location of your outdoor fire pit space, making fire pit bowls flexible.

Fire tables

Fire tables come in round, rectangular or square shapes, adding an elegant and modern appearance to your outdoor living space. These fire pit options often have a ledge to set a cup or glass on, making fire tables ideal for entertaining. Usually, the manufacturer of fire tables gives them an insert for the fuel source, concealing the firebox while only exposing the fire table frame and flames.

Tabletop fire pits and bowls

If you have a small outdoor space, consider having a tabletop fire pit or chat height fire pit that takes up minimum space. These pint-sized fire pits create a warm ambiance while dining, similar to burning candles, but with a bit more warmth.

Chimineas

Consider adding a chiminea to your yard or patio if you’re looking for a rustic outdoor fire pit that uses minimal space. These terra-cotta fire pits have a distinct Mexican or Southwestern style, adding a charming look to your outdoor space. Because chimineas have a clay surface, they require special care to keep them from cracking or breaking.

Fire pit fuel types

Several of the above fire pit styles create warmth and ambiance from the following fuel sources:

Wood-burning

Wood-burning fire pits bring warmth and a focal point to your outdoor space. The smell of wood smoke often reminds people of camping and fun outdoor activities. If you want a wood-burning fire pit, look for fire bowls with a deep hole to hold the wood. Chimineas are the ideal fire pit for burning wood. Keeping an ash or spark screen over the wood-burning fire pit can help reduce sparks from flying into the air and landing in unwanted areas.

Propane and natural gas

Many people appreciate the ease of using propane and natural gas fire pits. This fire pit style turns on with a flick of a switch and comes with controls to adjust the flame height and intensity. Many propane and natural gas fire pits have timers that can turn off after a set amount of time. People who don’t want to haul wood or clean up ashes enjoy propane and natural gas fire pits. In addition, authorities generally allow fire pits that use propane or natural gas in areas where they ban or restrict wood-burning devices.

Gel fuel

If you have a small tabletop fire pit or bowl and want a smokeless experience, you can use alcohol-based gel fuel to create the ambiance of a backyard campfire. Gel fuel fire pits don’t need propane or natural gas lines or hookups, making them portable. You can move them around your outdoor space as needed. To light the fuel, open gel fuel cans, place them inside your gel fuel fire pit, and light up the ceramic logs or stones. Once lit, the fuel generally lasts for about three hours. Gel fuel fire pits are an environmentally friendly alternative to propane, natural gas, or wood-burning fire pits.

Choose Houston Home & Patio for your outdoor oasis 

Home and Patio is the premier place to get outdoor seating and furniture in the Houston, Texas, area, including gas operated outdoor fire pits and patio decor items. We can also repair your damaged sling furniture and recommend cleaning solutions for various outdoor furniture surfaces. Call us today at 281-440-7667 or contact us through our website to learn more about our Houston Home and Patio services and schedule a consultation.  
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How to style your outdoor firepit

Outdoor Firepit

There’s nothing quite as cozy as hanging out with friends and family around a crackling fire. Sure, sitting around a campfire while camping is a fun way to spend the evening, but you can also enjoy an outdoor fire pit on your patio or in your garden space without having to leave home. While the fire pit alone makes for an attractive setting, completing the area with outdoor furniture and accessories elevates your outdoor fire pit location.

Whether you want fire pits to roast marshmallows with the kids, warm up on a cool evening, or enjoy a romantic night snuggled under a blanket with someone special, you’ll also want updated patio furniture to complete your unique outdoor space. Here are several ideas on how to style your outdoor fire pit in the Houston, Texas, area.

Pick the Right Outdoor Seating

Depending on the type of outdoor theme you want, choosing the perfect type of outdoor seating can style and enhance your outdoor fire pit. For a relaxing theme, add loungers or club chairs with ottomans for your guests to put their feet on.

Create a romantic atmosphere with a double chaise lounge or a love-seat glider where a couple can snuggle under a blanket together. Elegant outdoor seating with plush cushions will invite your guests to linger comfortably while gazing into the fire pit. For a tropical-style theme, place woven or wicker furniture around the patio, and for a rustic look, choose wrought-iron tables and chairs covered with comfortable cushions.

Keep Colorful Blankets and Throws Nearby

Your guests and family will appreciate the thoughtful touch of having warm blankets and throws to drape across their shoulders or laps when the evening turns chilly. Depending on your backyard or patio theme, you can keep your blankets and throws rolled up and placed in seagrass baskets or trunks with an open lid.

Make a colorful statement by placing brightly patterned coverings across the back of your outdoor chairs, sectionals, or loungers. If you have a wall around the fire pit area, consider placing a wooden ladder against the wall and hanging your blankets and throws on the ladder for a charming and rustic appearance.

Hang String Lights

Give your outdoor fire pit area a magical appearance by hanging string lights around the space. You can string the lights through trees, under a pergola or roof covering, or around the pillars of a gazebo or umbrella. Create a whimsical look with string lights that have fairy or magical creature themes, make an elegant theme with globe string lights, or enjoy a festive look with colorful, twinkling lights.

Inserting path lights around the perimeter of the fire pit area helps people maneuver to and from the main house and out to the fire pit location. To help save on energy bills, use string and pathway lights powered by their own solar panels with battery storage.

Put the Fire Pit Near the Hot Tub

If you’re fortunate to have a hot tub in your Houston yard or patio, consider placing a fire pit nearby. Those sitting in the hot tub can benefit from the cozy ambiance the fire creates as it gives them a focal point while relaxing in the hot water.

In addition, once the people have finished soaking in the hot tub, they’ll appreciate wrapping up in a warm blanket and sitting in comfortable chairs near the fire pit to stay warm after their soak. Be sure to have a well-lit walkway to and from the hot tub to keep people safe from falling.

Create Natural Privacy

Unless you want the fire pit and outdoor furniture to be the center of attention, create a cozy, private section of your yard or patio for a more intimate and romantic experience. You can use natural or landscaped vegetation to create privacy, place the fire pit and seating in a naturally secluded spot, or use creative foundations and rock walls to make a private area. Solar path lights and string lights will make your private fire pit area even more special and intimate.

Our team at Home and Patio looks forward to helping you style your outdoor fire pit in the Houston area. Give us a call at 281-440-7667 or contact us through our website to set up a consultation about the best types of outdoor furniture in Houston for your unique outdoor living space.