Once the pool itself is designed, most St. Augustine homeowners face the same question: what goes around it? Two of the most requested additions are a summer kitchen and an outdoor fireplace or fire pit, and while both extend how you use your backyard, they solve different problems. Here's how to think through which one fits your space first.

What a Summer Kitchen Actually Adds

A summer kitchen turns your pool area into a space where you can cook, entertain, and relax without going back inside. A built-in grill, countertops, a sink, and refrigeration mean meal prep, cooking, and cleanup all happen outdoors, which matters most if you already host regularly or want the kitchen to be the center of pool-day gatherings.

The tradeoff is scope. A summer kitchen is a more involved build than a fire feature, since it typically needs plumbing and electrical work in addition to weather-resistant cabinetry and countertops.

What an Outdoor Fireplace or Fire Pit Actually Adds

An outdoor fireplace or fire pit solves a different problem: extending how many months and hours a day you actually use your backyard. A linear fireplace or stone fire pit gives you a warm gathering spot on cooler evenings, and works as a visual focal point even when it's not lit.

Fire features are generally a smaller-scope addition than a full kitchen build, since they don't require plumbing, though gas lines and proper clearances still need to be planned for.

Which One Should You Start With?

If you're choosing between the two rather than budgeting for both at once, the honest answer depends on how you actually use your backyard:

• Choose a summer kitchen first if you host often, cook outdoors regularly, or want the pool area to function as a real second kitchen during the warmer months.
• Choose a fire feature first if you want to extend backyard use into the evening and cooler months, or want a lower-scope addition that still changes how the space feels.

Many of the backyards we build end up with both over time. A fire feature is often the first addition after the pool itself, with a summer kitchen following once the rest of the outdoor living space is established. There's no wrong order, it comes down to which gap in your outdoor space bothers you most right now.

Neither Has to Stand Alone

Both features integrate with the rest of a custom outdoor design, whether that's a surrounding patio, a pergola for shade near the kitchen, or seating built around the fire feature. We design each addition to work with what's already there rather than as an isolated purchase.

Talk Through Your Space With Us

The right first addition depends on your property, your budget, and how you actually plan to use the space, not a generic recommendation. We're happy to walk your backyard and talk through what makes sense for your home.

Ready to take the first step? Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.