The Outdoor Lifestyle Blog

An outdoor fireplace is great if you have only a few guests who fit comfortably in a semi-circle around the hearth, but fire pits offer a 360° experience that's perfect for larger groups. Fire pits are lower and more open meaning it's easier for you, your family, and your friends to gather around the fire and still be able to see everyone, chat, and laugh.

If you've considered a fire feature before but decided against a fire pit, writing it off as little more than a hole in the ground that might ruin your backyard aesthetic, we think we can convince you of their greatness.

There is a wide variety of fire pits on the market today and nearly all of them can be customized to your exact taste. Check out 5 different types of fire pits below and discover their many benefits!

Last year we published an article on 2015's biggest backyard design trends and you guys loved it. In fact, it remains one of our most popular articles to date!

So, since you're clearly interested in keeping up with the latest trends, here are the post popular backyard decorating, landscaping, and building choices we saw this year.

If you're in the process of planning a backyard upgrade, we suggest you consider adding a custom pergola to your list of must-haves!

Pergolas are great because they can be built as stand alone structures or as additions to your deck or patio, and they can be outfitted to fit nearly any function you can dream up. Aside from their versatility, here are 3 other benefits of having a custom pergola in your backyard:

A backyard fire pit is a lot more than initially meets the eye; it's a cooking station for gourmet bonfire foods, its a fun way to use your backyard in the fall & winter, and it's a warm, inviting place where people gather and connect with each other.

If you think your backyard can benefit from the extra magic only a fire pit can add, here are some things you need to think about before breaking ground on your new home addition:

There is something about fire that is just so inviting—maybe it's the warmth, maybe it's the beauty of the dancing flames, but no matter what it is, it brings people together. 

If you're interested in an outdoor fireplace, custom fire pit, or even a state-of-the-art fire table to transform your backyard into the ultimate gathering spot, you'll need to be aware of these basic fire safety tips to guarantee your family and friends stay safe, and that your fire stays contained. 

Are you in the early stages of planning an outdoor kitchen and are starting to look for the right appliances to bring your new addition to life?

Here are a few things you should keep in mind as you continue shopping for outdoor kitchen appliances that will help you make the right choices when it comes to durability, functionality, and convenience. We even threw in a few maintenance tips so you'll know exactly how to protect your investments. Enjoy:

It's great that you're treating yourself and your family to a backyard makeover, complete with a custom outdoor kitchen! That addition won't be much fun for the kids, though, who need to stay away from the grill's open flames and dangerous heat. 

We've put together six ideas for backyard fun aimed at making sure you're little ones are having a blast, not just sitting bored around the dinner table. Even better, most of these ideas can be packed up and put away once the night is over, so you won't have to worry about a cluttered backyard!

As we charge head-first into autumn, it's time to start thinking about how you can continue to enjoy your backyard in the fall and winter. One great way to enjoy the great outdoors as the air starts to cool is gathered around a beautiful, custom fireplace.

Here are 4 things you need to consider when designing and planning a custom outdoor fireplace that will help the whole process go off without a hitch:

We have talked quite a bit about choosing cuts of meat, preparing perfect steaks, and grilling hamburgers that are so good they'll change your life, but we know those articles don't really speak to those of you who don't eat meat.

This week we're covering delicious vegetarian recipes that are practically begging to be prepared on your new grill and enjoyed in your outdoor kitchen. We're sure you've had your fair share of tofu and black bean burgers, so here are 4 new vegetarian recipes to help you shake things up:

While the idea of cooking in an outdoor kitchen is fun, the decision to have such a large home addition custom built needs to be taken more seriously.

We understand it's easy to get caught up in the potential parties and family gatherings, so to keep you grounded in reality and focused on the most important parts of the project, here are 5 questions we want you to ask yourself before moving forward with your grand plans: