The Best Outdoor Fire Pit Ideas for your Backyard

Fire pits are a great way to spend time with friends and family. They keep you warm and the mosquitoes away. If you have a good fire pit, you can sell your property for three-quarters of what you paid.

You'll find something here no matter what type of fire pit you're looking for. We've also put together a guide to help you stay safe while using your fire pit and make the experience more enjoyable. With our instructions, learn how to make a DIY fire pit, whether in the ground or made of propane.

1. A Circular Half-Wall Surrounds A Stone Fire Pit

Stone fire pits are famous for outdoor living. They have a circular half-wall, perfect for eating, drinking, and socializing with friends. You can choose from many stones to create a design that fits your taste.

If you have a fire in your outdoor fireplace, make sure you use a fireproof wall on the inside. It will keep the exterior wall safe from the heat and stop the natural stone from cracking.

2. Square Fire Pit With Colored Glass

This square fire pit is excellent for people who want something simple and modern. It is a gas-fired outdoor fireplace with blue fire glass. The flames sit in the center of the glass and create a unique and warm atmosphere in your backyard.

This fire pit has an easy-to-use electric system to start a fire. You don't have to be concerned about having matches or manually beginning it. The black steel fire bowl and sleek side panels give this fire pit a contemporary, upscale vibe.

3. A Rock Circle Custom Fire Pit

A fire pit is a great outdoor activity, whether lounging around them or cooking over them. However, this low-cost fire pit design is for you if you want something other than the conventional square-shaped fire pit.

Making a custom rustic circular firepit is easy with suitable materials. Find some giant boulders and create a circle with them. It will help keep the wind from blowing out the fire and look great too!

4. A Low-Cost DIY Fire Pit That Looks Store-Bought

To make this cheap fire pit, you need some fire bricks. If you are thrifty, you might be able to get them for free. You may also want to get some pea gravel for the base, but it's optional.

No matter which route you go, you'll still be saving money by making this DIY firepit yourself. It is cheap and easy to get an outdoor fireplace that looks custom-made.

5. DIY Fire Pit With Campfire Ring That Is Fire-Safe

Fire pits are an excellent place for friends and family to gather around. You can chat, tell jokes, and play games together. It's a great way to hang out together.

Building a safe fire pit is essential. It would help if you ensured the hole was stable and would not collapse. You also need to put it on something that will not catch fire. This tutorial shows you how to do it and comes with a steel fire ring.

You'll need a few days, but after you're done, you'll have a fire pit that is secure, beautiful, and long-lasting.

6. Round 48-inch Brick Fire Pit

A brick fire pit might be a good option if you are looking for an outdoor fire pit. This type of firepit is perfect if you like to use your grill or smoker outside and would also like a place where you can set up a small campfire. It is also a good option if you have limited space in your yard and want to save money on building materials by using bricks from old projects.

You probably already have some of the necessary tools and know-how for this project in your home. It will only take you around one weekend to finish. Let's get going!

7. Contemporary Rectangular Natural Gas Fire Pit Table in Cast Concrete

This gas fire pit table is an excellent addition to your backyard. The rectangular cast concrete table is a beautiful natural gas fireplace. The stainless steel burner will help you create a warm and inviting atmosphere for any day.

This natural gas fire pit table can be customized to fit your backyard's existing furnishings or other accessories.

8. Cosmic Outdoor Fire Pit

The Cosmic Fire Pit is a steel patio and backyard fire pit suitable for small spaces. It features a dome-shaped spark screen and burns natural wood. The cutouts of a star and a moon on the side make it stand out. With the fire shining through, these look fantastic at night.

This fire pit is excellent because you can set it up almost anywhere. The spark screen will keep it safe, and the included grates in the base of the fire bowl will help the fire last longer.

9. Round Propane Fire Bowl

You wish to give your outdoor space some style and class. You don't want to spend much time caring for an expensive gas fire pit. Here is the ideal answer! You can use a sleek and modern design on your patio or deck. It is built of gray cast concrete and features a gas flame for warmth and safety instead of the inconvenience associated with traditional outdoor fires.

You'll feel as though you're relaxing by a campfire while using this fireplace but without any risk of smoke inhalation or bug contact. Stock up on lava rock for decoration, don't forget.

10. Wall-Integrated Fire Pit

Before building your new outdoor living space, consider what you want it to be. You also need to consider saving money using features you already have.

Installing a fire pit in the retaining wall is a terrific option if you want an area in your garden that can be utilized. It serves as a cooking or dining area on cooler nights.

You can create one if you don't know where to put it. For example, you can dig out an area like they have done here and add a stacked stone wall with a fire pit and steps.

This design lets you enjoy sitting around the campfire in a safe place in your garden. The high back of the wall will keep the fire from getting too close to nearby plants.

11. Easy-to-Make Fire Pit and Sitting Area

You can make a fire pit and seating area like this on the weekend. The fire pit is made of thick pavers, four courses high. It also has sand in the base, so it is safe. I love how they've made a whole little living space outside that's so inviting. Solar lights along the path and light strings that hang above the seating area make it easy to find your way.

There are many different ways to make an outdoor fireplace. Still, this one is easy enough to make without special tools or skills.

12. Advanced Modern DIY Fire Pit

It is a fire pit you can make for about $250. You make the form for the concrete from wood and then pour the concrete yourself. You can get a modern fire pit for 10% of what it would cost to buy one. From start to end, it takes roughly 16 hours. So if you are handy, this is an excellent project for the weekend. This one burns wood, but you could also place a removable grate over it to grill food.

13. Recycled Washing Machine Drum Fire Pit

It's a fantastic concept for a low-cost fire pit! You can create your fire pit out of a washing machine drum. It's simple and inexpensive to do. Plus, you can find the drum for free if you're lucky or pay around $10.

14. 28-39-inch Traditional Wood Burning Fire Bowl

If you want a fire pit, you don't need to spend much money on a fancy design. You can buy a metal fire bowl that is heavy but portable. You can put it on your patio, on the beach, or in a graveled area. The three legs will keep the fire bowl safe off the ground.

You can choose a cast iron bowl between 28 and 39 inches. Plus, it has deep sides and comes with a grate, making it perfect for cooking! If you want to create a simple rustic set up with seating, consider placing this fire pit in the middle and arranging some rough logs around it.

15. RumbleStone 46-inch Concrete Fire Pit Kit with Round Steel Insert

With this Home Depot fire pit kit, you can enjoy the best of both worlds. You get a solid kit that, when put together correctly, gives you a beautiful fire pit with a high-end look. But you still get to DIY it yourself. Just follow the complete instructions, and you'll be good to go.

We like this idea for a fire pit in the backyard because the cast concrete blocks look like natural stone but don't cost as much. Also, the iron pigment used to color the concrete won't fade from heat or sunlight; this modern outdoor fire pit should last a long time.

You can choose from three different colors that will look good in the natural environment. For safety, the kit also comes with a steel fire ring. Putting everything together shouldn't take more than a day or two. So, it's a great little project for the weekend that doesn't need any cutting or special skills.

16. Lowes Rustic Budget-Friendly Fire Pit Kit

This rustic kit from Lowes, for just $230, is an excellent outdoor fire pit idea. If you want a complete set but don't want to spend too much. It's ready to put together, and it shouldn't take more than a weekend.

You can place this rock on a patio or in the landscape. You will need to add a safe base of gravel or sand. It is made of gray flagstone and looks good overall.

Everything you need to build a simple fire pit is included in the kit. However, if you want to personalize it, you can add fire glass or pretty stone chips.

17. Outdoor Cohesive Timeless Rock Fire Pit With Seating

It is a great outdoor fire pit and seating idea. It looks simple but beautiful when you put it all together. The fire pit is not very special, but it's lovely when you add the matching sets.

This outdoor fire pit area is a great place to entertain people. The brick pavers, fire pit, and seats all go well together. If the stone benches are uncomfortable, you can buy some outdoor cushions. Or, you can get everyone up and dance!

18. Tribal Terrace With Fire Bowl

The chairs give your home a homespun/DIY vibe. Adding some comfy tribal cushions and little carved wooden side tables is a great idea. The large fire bowl is cast iron and sits on a concrete base for safety. A beautiful wooden terrace surrounds the fire bowl. You could set up a tripod or stand and add a grate to cook food.

19. Enjoy the Beauty of Snow and Stay Warm at the Same Time

Some people who live in places with a lot of snow get to see beautiful landscapes. This gentleman created a terrific concept for people who desire a fire pit year-round, even in winter.

The half-round design on the wall around the fire pit is intelligent and attractive. Plus, no built-in fire pit would be complete without the ubiquitous Adirondack seating. Each pair of chairs conveniently share a side table.

20. Elegant and Modern Fire Pit That Burns Wood and Seating Area

This sunken deck is an excellent place for a fire pit. It's designed well and looks good. Even if you can't build your fire pit this way, it's still a great idea.

This fire pit is so cool because it is made from squares, straight lines, and right angles. It has a modern look, and it is elevated. The seating follows the same clean lines as the fire pit, which matches the fire pit's color.

21. Simple Wooden Fire Pit

Modern and minimalist, this spherical fire pit is made of plain timber. It doesn't have any stone pavers or concrete material in sight. It is an excellent idea if you want to make your fire pit because it will look different and be more attractive than other fire pits.

It's a do-it-yourself job that's simple to do. On the weekends, it's best for this kind of thing to occur. Table and fire pit are two of the alternatives. If you'd like, you could turn it into a barbecue. You can add storage to the table if you make it more challenging.

22. Budget-Friendly Fire Ball

The Briarglen fireball is a good choice for people who want a fire pit but don't want to spend too much money. It is about $130, which is not very expensive. The fireball is also tiny so it can fit in a smaller space.

There is a large door you can open to get the fire going. The ball is metal, but a porcelain bowl is inside to help the fire stay safe and last longer.

23. Cosy Balcony Fire Pit Idea

If you don't have a backyard suitable for a fire pit, how about this idea for a fire pit with seating? A circular fire pit is often large and built with stones, bricks, or large rocks. But this small fire table is perfect for a more intimate setting. And it's also affordable.

This gas model is environmentally friendly because you can use ethanol to fuel it.

The chairs match the railing and the awning. Plus, there's an awning so you can enjoy your balcony space even when it's raining or cold.

24. Beautiful Colorful DIY Fire Pit Idea

This backyard fire pit is colorful. The stones and rocks are different colors, and the gravel is the same color as the walls of the fire pit. The blue cushion on the bench also matches.

25. Concrete “Wood” Fire Pit

If you want a unique fire pit, this concrete fire pit that looks like wood is a good choice. It is different than the regular concrete fire pits. You can put it on your deck, patio, balcony, or yard.

It's clean and environmentally friendly due to the propane it uses. In addition, the body is heat-resistant for extra protection.

Fire Pit Safety Precautions

Fire pits are great, but they can be dangerous because of the fire. There are risks of getting burned, and the fire can also cause environmental damage. The Environmental Protection Agency says that the fine particle pollution from burning wood can cause significant respiratory issues for some people.

Regardless of the type, you must follow some basic safety precautions when you have a fire pit. It includes making sure that everyone stays safe and that your property does not get damaged.

• Never burn trash, plastic, carpet, or any other debris because doing so might cause harmful vapors to be released.
• Burn only dry, seasoned wood in outdoor fire pits because it burns hotter, cleaner, and longer.
• On days when there are air quality warnings, avoid using outdoor fire pits.
• Verify local ordinances for any limitations on outdoor fire pits.
• Avoid using a backyard fire pit on days with high winds because sparks could fly out and ignite nearby foliage or property.
• Ensure the gas is safely switched off before retiring for the evening if your fire pit burns gas. Keep a tool on hand for putting out a fire.
• Never construct a fire pit on a flammable surface.
• Maintain chairs at a safe distance.
• Never let a fire pit burn unattended, and refrain from dropping bottles or alcoholic beverages in it.
• Don't disregard a no-burn alert.

Read more: Upgrading Your Outdoor Space for More Fun and Profit

Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Fire Pit Ideas

What Do You Put in the Bottom of a Fire Pit?

To make a fire pit, you will need to start with a layer of sand on the bottom. Then you will put gravel on top of the sand. You can also put lava rocks, fire pit glass, paving stones, or bricks on top of the gravel.

Can Concrete Pavers Be Used for a Fire Pit?

A fire pit is safe to use when appropriately built. You can use fire brick or a metal pit liner on the inside. On the outside, you can use interlocking pavers or natural stone. There are also concrete paver kits designed to be used as either gas or wood fire pits.

Does a Fire Pit Need a Liner?

If you intend to use your fire pit over an extended period, you should invest in a fire pit liner. It will stop your materials from cracking or getting damaged.

How Far Should Fire Pit Be From House?

When you set up your fire pit, make sure to place it in a safe spot. It should be far away from flammable things, like your house, trees, shed, or car. The fire pit should also be far from branches that might fall. Make sure to follow the safety guidelines for your specific municipality to figure out how far away the fire pit should be from other things.

How Much Space Do You Need Around a Fire Pit?

A fire pit is usually not larger than four or five feet across. The patio space around it should be at least four to six feet, so people have enough room to walk around. You can also use seat walls to make the space look nicer and provide places for people to sit. But don't enclose the area entirely with walls because that will make it harder for people to get in and out.