5 Plants to Keep Away Mosquitoes Around the Fire Pit Mosquitoes are unpleasant to say the least; they can end a fun evening around the fire pit or pool faster than almost anything else. Understanding how they hatch and hunt can help you rid your backyard of the pests. First things first, get rid of any stagnate or standing water; mosquitoes use pools of non-moving water to lay their eggs. But why are they attracted to humans? Mosquitoes actually hunt by smell, which is why some people seem to get bit more often than others during the warmer seasons. The easiest way to protect yourself is to mask your scent, which is why citronella candles and sprays that contain DEET sell during the [...]

3 Easy Steps to a Great Fire Pit Design It's Opening Day, which means Spring is upon us. You have probably been looking at home improvement ideas and were gearing up to complete them all Winter. If you are looking into an outdoor fire pit or an outdoor fire feature, there are some key design points to consider. Before deciding on a fire pit design, choose your fuel and the atmosphere you want to foster. There are pros and cons to all fuel types that are outlined below. Wood Pros - Wood burning fire pits are cheap, easy, and effective if you are hunting for warmth. They beat all gas burning fire pits on heat, hands down. Cons - They produce smoke and [...]

Why Kiosks and Display Stands Work in Retail Kiosks and display stands showcase products and interact with customers in a visually engaging way. Walk into any store and you'll see them being used to advertise a variety of products. They are attractive, informative, and unique. Kiosks and display stands also offer retailers an immediate understanding of what a customer is looking for. And while these displays are not the only way to gain insight into a customer's thought process, they also function as an upsell opportunity, because they should never be marketing exclusively a single product. Retailcustomerexperience.com outlines omnichannel strategies, and creating a seamless blend is the best way to convert new customers into advocates for your store. It should showcase other products [...]

Outdoor Fire Effects: Placement and Seating that make the Setting Outdoor Fire Effect Outdoor fire pits and fireplaces are natural gathering spots, so how you incorporate yours into the landscape – where you put it and what you surround it with – are important considerations when you're creating a backyard space that can serve multiple functions. Before you begin your planning, be sure to check with your town or city to determine if you need a permit or if restrictions will limit where you can put your fire feature on your property. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind during the design process. Location, location, location Whether you want your outdoor fire effect on a patio adjacent to the house, in [...]

The Top 4 Things to Know About Gas Fire Pit Installation Gas Fire Pit Installation Backyard fire features add beauty and warmth to any landscape project, but there are design factors to consider before incorporating one into your yard. The gas type, shape, size ignition type, and location (clearance) of features are the main checklist to think through before purchasing your fire pit. Construction While adding a fire pit to your home is not the same degree of construction for that dream add-on for your house, there are still logistical factors that need to be considered. Like any construction project there will be permits and inspections, so make sure you follow the clearances specified in the instructions or you will not pass the [...]

Outdoor Fire Effects: Why Customers are Lining up for Linear One of the hottest looks to hit the outdoor fire feature design in recent years is linear. For those who love contemporary clean lines, the modern aesthetic of the long rectangular flame hits home. But even for the more traditional, the outdoor linear fireplace feature has a strong appeal. Here's why. Open Flames Warm Evenings, Conversations Nothing beats a built-in linear fire feature with an open flame. The look is modern and the ambiance, unequaled for romance and intimacy. Plus a linear built-in is easily and affordably accomplished, thanks to the wealth of options available from industry suppliers. Linear Enclosures Most built-ins start with an enclosure. This is the fire feature "shell" that [...]