An outdoor fireplace is a focal point in the backyard. Its commanding presence on the patio demands that the materials around it play a supporting role. Whether the fireplace itself is meant to be a striking departure from what’s around it (as a dramatic statement) or it is beautifully integrated into the surroundings, what’s underfoot will greatly affect its impact. Here are five tips for choosing patio pavers that will complement an outdoor fireplace in Highland Park, IL.
Blending Everything Together Into a Cohesive Unit
The simplest way to achieve a cohesive look is to choose patio pavers that are deliberately intended to go with the fireplace. This can be done by choosing a fireplace kit and then choosing complementary pavers. For example, weathered wall blocks and pavers work together to evoke a relaxed feeling where the focus isn’t so much on the materials, but the feeling you and your guests will have while gathering around the fire.
If you opt for a custom fireplace (for example a fireplace with a built-in pizza oven and fire feature), many paver manufacturers will carry complementary lines of pavers and wall units to achieve a unified look.
Supporting the Star of the Show
Some fireplaces, such as stark white modern monolithic styles or fireplaces clad in a natural stone veneer, deserve to stand out as the center of attention. This gives you the opportunity to mix and match materials with dramatic effect. A brick patio could offer a textural and color contrast to the fireplace, which ends up highlighting both materials but emphasizing the mass of the fireplace.
Working with Color
The paver colors you choose will either create a seamless integration of the vertical and horizontal elements; or, an eye-catching contrast. Of course the choice is up to you which you prefer.
If you don’t want to go completely bold with stark contrast, subtle differences like choosing one or two shades lighter or darker for the pavers will let the fireplace have its own distinct presence.
The general rule of thumb is to choose two or at the most three dominant colors to use in your patio. This could include one color for the patio pavers; one color for the fireplace; and one color for borders and accents that tie the two together.
Working with Texture
How much texture you use will depend on whether you want the end result to be unified or whether you want the outdoor fireplace to stand out dramatically.
Introduce a little textural contrast between the vertical and horizontal elements for visual interest. For example, a visually textured material like brick could add interest to your fireplace, while large format bluestone-inspired patio pavers offer up a different kind of texture (more tactile than visual). Adding a third texture to this mix could be too much. Like with color, less is more.
Working with Sizes
An outdoor fireplace is large, so you might consider using patio pavers that are the same size as the wall units to create a unified look. You could also use larger pavers Iike modern large format pavers which are often about 2 feet square, or in an oversized plank style to visually balance the heft of the fireplace.
Remember, you’ll be working with all three: colors, textures, and sizes. Keep things simple, and you’ll get the most pleasing results.
Related: 5 Design Ideas For Patio Pavers That Will Make Your Outdoor Fireplace Stand Out In Buffalo Grove, IL
Image Source: Unilock
