Why a Fire Pit & Outdoor Kitchen Is the Ultimate Backyard Upgrade in North Royalton and Brecksville, OH
There’s nothing quite like stepping into your backyard and feeling like you’ve entered a high-end resort—except it’s yours, designed just the way you want it. A fire pit & outdoor kitchen in North Royalton and Brecksville, OH is the ultimate way to upgrade your outdoor space, transforming it into the perfect place for cooking, entertaining, and relaxing year-round. Whether you're hosting an evening dinner party under the stars, gathering with friends around a fire on a crisp autumn night, or simply sipping your morning coffee in a space designed for pure enjoyment, these upgrades deliver an unparalleled backyard experience.
If you’re considering making this investment, here’s what you need to know about outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and all the elements that come together to create the perfect outdoor space in Northeast Ohio.
Putting an Outdoor Kitchen on Pavers
A paver patio provides a strong, durable, and visually stunning foundation for your outdoor kitchen. Unlike poured concrete, pavers are flexible, which means they can handle Ohio’s freeze-thaw cycles without cracking. With North Royalton and Brecksville experiencing harsh winters and humid summers, this is a major advantage.
Pavers also come in a variety of styles, from sleek modern slabs to tumbled stone with an old-world feel, allowing you to create a space that perfectly matches your home’s architecture and your personal style. High-end brands like Unilock, Techo-Bloc, and Belgard offer options that elevate the aesthetic while ensuring long-lasting performance.
The key to a flawless installation is hiring an expert landscape design and construction team. Proper base preparation, drainage solutions, and precision placement are all critical to ensuring that your outdoor kitchen remains level, stable, and beautiful for years to come.
Outdoor Fireplace vs. Fire Pit
This is the ultimate debate in backyard design, and the answer depends on how you want to use your space.
A fire pit is perfect for a more social, open experience. It allows people to sit around it, facing each other, and enjoy the warmth from all sides. It’s the ideal setting for casual gatherings, late-night conversations, and—let’s be honest—roasting marshmallows.
A fireplace, on the other hand, creates a more intimate and structured atmosphere. It provides a focal point, adds architectural interest, and can act as a windbreak, making it a great choice for cooler evenings. Fireplaces also produce less smoke around the seating area, which is appealing for homeowners who prefer a cleaner experience.
In North Royalton and Brecksville, both options work beautifully, but if you’re looking for a grand statement piece with year-round appeal, an outdoor fireplace is an unbeatable choice. Pair it with a pavilion to create a cozy outdoor living room, complete with plush seating and integrated lighting.
Do I Need a Roof Over My Outdoor Kitchen?
A covered outdoor kitchen isn’t just about shelter—it’s about extending the luxury and functionality of your space. In North Royalton and Brecksville, we experience all four seasons in full force, from humid summers to snowy winters. That means an uncovered outdoor kitchen can be exposed to harsh elements that limit its usability and longevity. A pavilion, pergola, or other covered structure transforms an outdoor kitchen from a fair-weather retreat into an all-season destination, allowing you to cook, entertain, and relax outdoors no matter what the forecast says.
Protection From the Elements
Ohio weather isn’t always predictable. Rain showers can roll in unexpectedly, and winter brings freezing temperatures, ice, and heavy snowfall. Without a roof, your outdoor kitchen is at the mercy of the elements, which can lead to water damage, rust, and wear on appliances. A pavilion or pergola provides much-needed protection, keeping your countertops, grill, and seating area dry and ready to use year-round.
We design and build covered outdoor kitchens that seamlessly blend with the rest of your landscape, ensuring that every detail—from the structure itself to the materials used—complements your space. Whether it’s a fully enclosed pavilion or a more open pergola that allows for natural light and airflow, we make sure your outdoor kitchen is as practical as it is beautiful.
Extended Lifespan for Outdoor Appliances
High-end outdoor kitchens are an investment, and like any investment, they need protection. Rain, snow, and UV exposure can shorten the lifespan of grills, refrigerators, cabinetry, and countertops, leading to unnecessary repairs or replacements.
A covered outdoor kitchen ensures that your appliances last longer by reducing their exposure to direct sunlight and moisture. This is especially important for built-in components like stainless steel grills and refrigerators, which can develop rust or discoloration if left exposed for extended periods. We work with top-tier materials and design strategies that keep your outdoor kitchen looking and functioning at its best for years to come.
A More Comfortable Cooking and Dining Experience
An outdoor kitchen should feel like an extension of your home, not a place where you have to worry about whether the weather will cooperate. Adding a roof provides much-needed shade on hot summer days and keeps your seating area comfortable during light rain.
A pavilion with an open-air design offers the best of both worlds—providing coverage while still allowing for fresh air and an open, airy feel. If you want to take comfort even further, we can incorporate ceiling fans, infrared heaters, and motorized screens to create a truly all-season space. Fans keep the air circulating in the summer, heaters provide warmth in the fall, and screens can block out bugs while still letting in the breeze.
Finding the Right Covered Structure for Your Outdoor Kitchen
Every backyard and outdoor kitchen layout is unique, which is why we tailor the design of your pavilion, pergola, or covered structure to fit seamlessly with your space. Whether you prefer the classic appeal of a gabled pavilion, the rustic charm of a timber pergola, or the sleek look of a modern flat-roof structure, we ensure that your outdoor kitchen feels like a natural extension of your home.
If you’re not sure what type of roof structure will work best for your space, we can guide you through the options. Our goal is to design and build a custom outdoor kitchen that’s just as comfortable and functional as your indoor kitchen—if not more.
The Best Lighting for an Outdoor Kitchen
Lighting is one of the most overlooked yet essential elements of an outdoor kitchen. It’s not just about making sure you can see what you’re doing while you cook—it’s about creating an atmosphere. The right lighting makes your space functional, inviting, and visually stunning, ensuring that your outdoor kitchen is just as enjoyable after sunset as it is during the day.
We take a layered approach to lighting, combining different types to highlight the best features of your space while making sure it’s practical for entertaining and cooking. Whether your outdoor kitchen is part of a pavilion, built into a paver patio, or next to a fire pit, we make sure every detail is illuminated in a way that enhances both the experience and the design.
Task Lighting for Cooking and Prep Areas
Cooking outside at night without proper lighting can be frustrating—not to mention unsafe. Bright, focused task lighting is a must for grilling areas, countertops, and any space where food preparation happens.
We often install LED downlights or integrated lighting within a pavilion or pergola, ensuring even illumination without harsh glare. Under-counter lighting is another great addition, making it easier to find what you need when the sun goes down. For built-in grills, specialty fixtures designed to handle heat and outdoor conditions can be seamlessly integrated into the design.
Ambient Lighting for a Warm, Inviting Glow
Your outdoor kitchen should feel like a natural extension of your home—not just a cooking station. Ambient lighting is what sets the mood, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes your space feel inviting after dark.
We incorporate recessed lighting, overhead string lights, and subtle LED strips under counters or seating walls to add a soft, even glow to your space. If your outdoor kitchen is under a pavilion, pendant lights or chandeliers can bring a touch of indoor elegance to your outdoor space. Landscape designers might like to balance the intensity of the lighting so it feels natural—not too bright, not too dim—so that it enhances your space without overpowering it.
Accent Lighting to Highlight Key Features
Accent lighting is what makes your outdoor kitchen feel high-end and polished. This type of lighting is all about adding depth, highlighting textures, and drawing attention to key features.
We might place uplighting around paver patios, landscape beds, and fire pits to create a dramatic effect. Stone walls, architectural elements, and custom-built features like fireplaces or seating walls all benefit from well-placed accent lighting. Pathway lighting can also be incorporated to guide guests through your space while enhancing the overall look of the landscape.
Custom Lighting for a Luxury Outdoor Kitchen
Every outdoor kitchen is different, which is why we tailor the lighting to match the layout, materials, and overall design. Whether you want a cozy space with soft lighting or a fully illuminated setup for large gatherings, we create a lighting plan that works for the way you use your space.
Outdoor lighting not only enhances the look of your kitchen, but it also makes your space safer and more functional. With the right combination of task, ambient, and accent lighting, your outdoor kitchen will look just as impressive at night as it does during the day.
What to Put Around an Outdoor Fire Pit
A fire pit isn’t just a standalone feature—it’s the heart of an outdoor living space, a place where people naturally gather, relax, and connect. A well-designed fire pit area feels intentional and inviting, making it a seamless extension of your backyard rather than just an isolated feature. That’s why we put just as much thought into what goes around the fire pit as we do into the fire feature itself.
From the right foundation to comfortable seating and ambient lighting, every detail contributes to the overall experience. Whether your fire pit is part of a larger outdoor kitchen and entertaining space or a cozy retreat within your backyard, we design it to be both visually stunning and highly functional.
A Paver Patio for Durability and Style
The surface beneath and around your fire pit matters. At 1st Impressions, we always recommend a paver patio or a natural stone surface rather than a traditional concrete slab. Concrete can crack and shift over time, especially in North Royalton and Brecksville’s freeze-thaw climate, while pavers allow for flexibility and movement without compromising durability.
Pavers come in a range of styles, from sleek and modern to rustic and aged, allowing me to match the fire pit area to the rest of your outdoor design. The materials also stay cooler underfoot in the summer and handle heat better than other options, ensuring comfort year-round. We can make sure your patio extends beyond the immediate fire pit area, creating plenty of room for seating, movement, and additional features.
Built-in Seating for a Permanent, Polished Look
If you want your fire pit area to always feel ready for gathering, built-in seating is the way to go. Masonry seating walls provide a polished, permanent look and eliminate the need for constantly rearranging chairs or bringing out extra seating when guests arrive.
We often design curved or L-shaped seating around fire pits, creating a natural flow that encourages conversation. The materials for the seating walls can match or complement the fire pit itself, tying the entire space together. If you prefer a mix of seating options, we can incorporate custom-built benches with cushions or high-end outdoor furniture that blends seamlessly with the design.
Landscaping That Softens and Frames Your Space
A fire pit naturally becomes the focal point of a backyard, but landscaping is what makes it feel inviting. The right combination of plants and greenery transforms the area from just another part of the yard into a beautifully integrated space.
We like to use low-maintenance shrubs, decorative grasses, and seasonal flowers to add color, texture, and softness around the fire pit. Strategically placed evergreens can provide privacy, while flowering perennials add visual interest throughout the year. We can also consider the distance of plantings from the fire to ensure safety while maintaining a lush, natural feel.
Outdoor Lighting to Extend the Enjoyment After Dark
A fire pit creates natural ambiance, but without the right outdoor lighting, the surrounding space can feel dark and disconnected. Well-placed lighting ensures that pathways, seating areas, and gathering spaces remain safe and usable long after the sun goes down.
We can incorporate soft uplighting around landscape beds, subtle path lighting along walkways, and recessed lighting under seating walls to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. If the fire pit is part of a larger backyard design, we ensure that the lighting ties into the rest of your space, so everything feels cohesive rather than isolated.
A Pavilion for Year-Round Gathering
If you want to make your fire pit area even more functional, consider adding a pavilion or a covered structure nearby. A pavilion provides a protected space for seating, dining, or even an outdoor kitchen, allowing guests to move between the warmth of the fire and a more sheltered area with ease.
We can design fire pit areas as part of a larger backyard layout, ensuring that every element flows naturally. Whether it’s an open-air pavilion, a cozy nook beneath a pergola, or a fully covered outdoor room, adding some form of overhead structure nearby can enhance both the function and visual appeal of your space.
A transformation of your landscape begins with an idea of creating a restful or activity-filled spot in the backyard—and the result will be a gorgeous outdoor living space where you will want to spend the majority of your time. To create such an outdoor oasis, our design and construction experts can plan out a beautiful paver patio, fire features, outdoor kitchen, stairs and walkways, water features, and more.
About the Author
With over 20 years in business and more than a decade as a Unilock Authorized Contractor, 1st Impressions exceeds expectations with every outdoor living space we create—and we stand by our work with an exclusive 10-year warranty on our paver installations. Our attention to detail, knowledgeable team of experts, and dedication to excellent service ensure that you will be able to enjoy your transformed landscape for a long time.
