24 Fire Pit Ideas That Bring Year-Round Coziness to Your Yard
From rustic fire pits to modern vessels, let these fire pit ideas inspire your own backyard oasis.
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Your patio and backyard serve as an extension of your home. They are places where you can gather with family and friends to make new memories, spend time with your significant other or kids, or find a quiet moment.
Along with comfortable seating and soft lighting, a fire pit makes for an excellent addition to any backyard. The magic of crackling flames instantly sets a cozy mood and welcoming ambiance, and it somehow has the power to ignite heat and great conversation. Fire pits also run the gamut from expertly designed showstoppers to simple DIY options.
Common Fire Pit Materials
When sourcing the best materials for fire pits, it’s important to consider elements that can withstand extremely high temperatures and the elements. Brick is arguably one of the best options—there’s a reason it’s been used in chimneys across history. Similarly, cured clay or terracotta are excellent materials to use for fire pits.
Stone, concrete, and dense stone pavers are alternatives to brick and terracotta if the rustic-red look isn’t your preference. Stone and pavers can be used similarly to brick with mortar to create a traditional custom shape. Concrete can be poured into different molds to create rounded bowls, modular tables, and intriguing sculptural designs.
For a sleeker option, metal is your best bet. Steel is a common material for fire pits thanks to its durability and extremely high melting point, as are cast iron and copper. Each of the above develops a beautiful patina over time.
Where to Buy a Fire Pit DIY Kit
You can always DIY a firepit out of brick and mortar, concrete, or by repurposing an old metal vessel. However, if you want to build your own fire pit, then consider a DIY kit that makes the job easy.
Retailers such as Wayfair, Amazon, The Home Depot, and Lowes offer complete kits, and the latter two retailers sell raw materials to construct your own. Of course, another option is to purchase a premade fire pit. These are available at many home goods stores and home renovation retailers.
Secluded Stone Fire Pit
Sara Mairead Landscape Design, Sequined Asphault Photography
This stone fire pit by Sara Mairead Landscape Design is nestled in the side yard adjacent to a grouping of trees. The enclosed gravel, surround seating, and wooden arch make it feel intentional and inviting. This is also an approachable DIY project if you want to tackle it.
Rustic Steel Fire Pit
Eden Garden Design, Greg Thomas Photography
This rustic fire pit fits a variety of backyard spaces—particularly those in the south and southwest. “It’s made from an upcycled steel reservoir in which we welded steel legs to it,” says Amy Hovis, principal designer and owner of Eden Garden Design. “It’s super basic but extremely useful.”
White Round Fire Pit Table
The Layered House, Jess Isaac Photography
This white round fire pit table blends seamlessly into the chic coastal aesthetic created by interior design company The Layered House.
Modular Concrete Fire Pit
Eden Garden Design, Greg Thomas Photography
This small, modular concrete fire pit doesn’t take up too much space and lends a modern urban feel. It pairs nicely the orange Adirondack chairs pictured here but is versatile enough to work with a variety of seating.
Simple Column Fire Pit
Renee Allen Photography
Keep your design simple with a tall rounded column fireplace surrounded by a set of chairs and dangling bistro lights. An outdoor rug helps ground the space.
Seaside Fire Pit
Meredith Owen Interiors, Molly Culver Photography
You know you’ve made it when you’re able to roast s’mores while looking out over the water. If you’re lucky enough to live seaside, then a simple fire pit surrounded by chairs is all you need to make that dream a reality. This is also an easy DIY project if you have the time.
Long Fire Pit Table
Meredith Owen Interiors, Molly Culver Photography
A long and tall fire pit table works well in larger outdoor spaces where you’ve got room to spare. In this design by Meredith Interiors, it’s one of a few different vignette seating areas on the back patio.
Fire Pit in an Open-Air Patio
Meredith Owen Interiors, Molly Culver Photography
You can still incorporate a fire pit into your backyard space if most of it is covered. Opt for a low-profile design with a flame you can easily control.
Fire Pit Area With Privacy Screen
Haris Kenjar
Whether you share walls with others or your neighbors are a bit too close, consider ways to make your fire pit oasis more private. A metal privacy screen, as pictured here, feels modern while allowing you to relax in your backyard easily.
Fire Pit in the Grass
Studio BV, Corey Gaffer Photography
You don’t always have to build a structure around your fire pit or keep it on a patio or deck where space may be limited. If your grassy backyard has ample space, you can place it anywhere in the yard it makes sense.
Tucked Away Fire Pit
Courtney B Smith Design, Bess Friday Photography
Consider creating a tucked-away area for your fire pit like designer Courtney B Smith did here. A low wall creates a clear delineation of space without blocking views.
Oversize Fire Pit
The Layered House, Jess Isaac Photography
Another design by The Layered House, this setting features an oversized fire pit in the center of comfortable seating. It takes center stage as the star of the space.
Poolside Concrete Fire Pit
Tessa Neustadt
Fire and water go together brilliantly, so consider incorporating a fire feature if you’ve got a pool in your backyard. Your options are endless in terms of style; this long, concrete fire pit doubles as a table which helps save space while lending a nice ambiance.
Black Half-Moon Fire Pit
Katja Suominen
White, gray, and rustic tones tend to be the default choices for outdoor fire pits, but charcoal black lends a sophisticated urban aesthetic. This half-moon design looks especially sharp sitting on its pedestal.
Deck Fire Pit
William Abranowicz
Make your open-air deck feel more welcoming with a fire pit and ample, oversize seating. This large white fire pit table fits in beautifully at this Spanish home.
Under-the-Pergola Fire Pit
Forge & Bow, Arris Photography
To create the feeling of a cozy nook, consider placing your fire pit and seating underneath a pergola like Forge & Bow did here. This setup not only feels like an intentional space but allows for ample airflow above and around the fire pit.
Low Table Fire Pit
Courtney B Smith Design, Bess Friday Photography
Consider a low profile for your outdoor fire pit, as pictured here in a backyard design by Courtney B Smith.
Beachy Fire Pit
Douglas Friedman
Those who are lucky enough to have a home right on the beach should absolutely take advantage of their surroundings. A rustic DIY fire pit nestled into rocks softened by the ocean, wooden cane chairs, and tree trunks make this an earthy retreat.
By the Dining Table Fire Pit
Kimber Collective
A fire pit tucked into the corner of your patio—ideally right next to your dining area—will help keep you warm during all those al fresco meals. Opt for a smaller DIY fire pit if space is limited.
Metal Geometric Chiminea
280 West Studio, Jim Skanberg
Fire pits come in all shapes and sizes, proven here by a geometric chiminea crafted from metal. It offers a hefty dose of funky intrigue and lends itself to a variety of aesthetics ranging from retro to rustic to modern.
Sunken Fire Pit
Courtesy of Ike Kligerman Barkley
The sunken living room trend from the ’70s has made a modern-day reprise, and you can recreate a similar feel outdoors via a sunken fire pit.
Retro Chiminea
Emily Henderson / Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Speaking of vintage-inspired design, consider a retro-modern chiminea like the one pictured here. It acts as the design star of the space while keeping you warm and inviting you to linger longer.
Fire Pit Table on a Small Deck
Aubrie Pick
You can still incorporate a fire pit into your backyard even if space is limited. The key is to get strategic about your furniture placement just as you would indoors. A corner sectional and fire pit that doubles as a table makes this space super cozy.
Metal Barrel Fire Pit on Gravel
Courtesy of Terremoto
This oversized metal barrel planted within a gravel pit lends a rustic feel to this welcoming outdoor seating area. The low-profile slatted wooden chairs add some interesting flair, as well.
Read the original article on Martha Stewart.