What Is A Fire Pit
A fire pit is technically a pit in the ground in which you can safely build a fire. The pit is typically lined with rocks, metal or brick.
However, these days, the meaning of fire pit has expanded to include above-ground container-like structures that can contain fire such as fire bowls and fire pit tables.
This article takes the expanded meaning which means we explain and showcase fire pits in the ground as well as above.
Finish Your Fire Pit With Tiles
Photo via @donflood
Whether youre adding a fire table or a square fire pit to your backyard design, finish your fire pit with a fun tile design! Make your fire pit the focal point of your outdoor space with colorful mosaic tiles. Or if you have a stone fire pit, finish off the top with a simple ceramic tile design.
Need to store fire pit equipment and supplies during winter? Extra Space Storage has convenient self storage facilities throughout the nation that can help. Find a storage unit near you!
Design A Modern Fire Pit
Photo via @houseandhome.vibe
Create a conversational fire pit by embracing a Modern home design, which focuses on clean lines and natural materials like marble, concrete, or stone. Check out what other materials are used in your patio design for a way to tie everything together. Looking for a unique design? Go with a fire pit bowl! Their sleek shape creates a striking accent piece perfect for a Modern patio. Add a glass covering around the edge of the fire pit to complete your Modern look!
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Backyard And Patio Fire Pit Ideas
Posted on
Growing up we had a fire pit in the backyard. I loved it. We didnt use it every night, but we used it enough that I have many fond memories of roasting hot dogs and marshmallows in our backyard.
Fire pits, whether somewhere in the backyard or on the patio are super popular these days. Keep in mind that fire pits are just one type of fire feature you can put in your backyard.
Theyre relatively easy and inexpensive to make. At a minimum you need rocks and a shovel.
However, because everyone wants a fire pit in their yard, there are many options you can buy. You can buy both wood-burning and gas-fueled fire pits. We recently purchased a propane-powered fire pit. Im not too fond of chopping wood I prefer flipping the on switch.
Fire Pit Landscaping Ideas Our Designers Love
Posted on August 12, 2022
Fire pits: we love them. So do a whole lot of other people theyre among the most commonly requested features in Yardzen designs, and for good reason.
Most obviously, fire pits offer a way to extend the outdoor season by keeping you toasty when the weather turns cool. If outdoor living is your aim, fire pits are your ally, especially in colder regions.
But fire pits offer more than just heat! They make for dramatic focal points in an evening landscape, and provide a prominent canvas to express landscape style. Unlit , theyre great as a footrest, drink ledge, or even an informal seat.
Above all, fire pits anchor and activate gathering spaces. Their greatest utility is in their power to bring family and friends together to enjoy each others company.
So how does one best integrate a fire pit into their landscape design? The answer will vary depending on your functional and stylistic goals.
To help you develop your own design ideas, weve collected 61 of our favorite fire pit designs below, offering our take on what makes each of them shine along the way. Grab some smores and take a look!
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Square And Rectangular Fire Pits
Stage a backyard makeover by adding a square or rectangular fire pit. The strong right angles and lines of these boxy shapes create a formal look that infuses any garden or patio with elegant ease. New square fire pit designs feature blends of classic hardscape materials, like granite and stainless steel, which make any outdoor living space look grand.
From a design perspective, a larger square or rectangular fire pit blends better with a more formal garden. The angular shape, with its more structured feel, lacks the warm coziness of a round fire pit, which easily favors gatherings and conversation. A long rectangular fire pit does, however, provide the perfect complement to a long seating wall or retaining wall. A rectangular or square fire pit also pairs beautifully with privacy walls or square or rectangular water gardens.
Before you add a square or rectangular fire pit, youll have to decide if you want a temporary or permanent structure. Many temporary manufactured fire pits feature a round bowl surrounded with a coping that gives it a finished square shape. These fire pits are typically portable, weighing anywhere from 20 to 70 pounds, depending on the size.
Be sure to consider what type of fuel your manufactured fire pit burns. If you have family members with respiratory difficulties, consider a liquid propane-fueled type. These fire pits work on the same types of propane tanks used to fire gas grills.
Get Cookin With A Bbq Fire Pit
Photo via @breeo
If you love hosting backyard BBQs, be sure to get yourself a BBQ fire pit! Your fire pit can double as a grilling surface and a source of heat when the sun goes down. Add grill grates so you can easily cook your steaks to perfection or add a smoky hint to your pizza. For an ultimate grill master move, install multiple grill levels so you can cook more food at different temperatures!
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Get Creative With Fire Pit Fillers
Photo via @mericanheritagefireplace
Of course, your outdoor ethanol or gas fire pit can have a different filler than a wood-burning fire pit. Carefully choose what material you want to line the bottom of your fit pit. Materials like treated wood, hard rock, sand, and gravel arent made for hot temperatures and, if used, could be dangerous or release chemicals into the air. Instead, choose fire pit fillers like lava rocks, fire beads, fire nuggets, or fire stones to the bottom of your outdoor fire pit.
Consider A Brick Fire Pit
Photo via @texasdreamhome
With so many different fire pit materials to pick from, its easy to overlook brick fire pits. The biggest advantage of brick fire pits is their durability! This type of outdoor fire pit has a long lifespan requiring little maintenance, and easily contains stray embers from escaping. While laying brick can be tricky, you can still DIY a brick fire pit!
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Introduction To Square Fire Pit Tables
Are you looking for a way to arrange a warm and intimate setting this winter? Let your visitors gather on your patio around a classic square fire table. Square fire pit tables are a sure way to create a magical outdoor and indoor experience. Nothing beats these perfectly-sized elegant, and functional tables!
Features Of Square Fire Pit Tables
- Sleek and modern design
- Size ranges from 36″*36″, 42″*42″, 46″*46″
- Seating capacity of 4-8 people
- Can store a 20lb propane fire pit square tank
- Outdoor and indoor
Different Types And Sizes Of Square Fire Pit Tables
For anyone looking for a great square outdoor fireplace to adorn your backyard, a square fire table is your best choice.
There are several types and sizes of share fire pit tables to choose from at our store. These differences lie in brand, material, and size.
The general size of a square fire pit table can range from 36″*36″, 42″*42″, and d46″*46″. The choice depends on you and the purpose you intend for it. Square fire pit tables also come with different construction. It includes steel, faux, aluminum, and more. With the right square fire table, you can say goodbye to a cold and plain backyard.
A square propane fire pit table is an ideal choice if you have a patio with straight and hard lines. It is compact and more portable than other fire out table shapes. This feature makes them great for moving and shifting. It is also versatile and can serve as an outdoor or indoor fire pit table.
Benefits Of Square Fire Pit Tables
Build A Cinder Block Fire Pit
Photo via @heynemo_store
For those looking to build their own fire pit, cinder block designs are the perfect choice for a minimalist backyard oasis! Cinderblocks require little effort and can help you create the fire pit of your dreams because theyre inexpensive. When you use cinder blocks, its important to know that they are fire resistant but not fire rated, so prolonged and repeated exposure can make them crumble.
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Upgrade Your Outdoor Space With A Fire Pit From Stones For Year
Lacey Ramburger is a personality assessment expert based in Kansas City, Missouri, with more than five years of experience. Her areas of expertise include Zodiac, Myers-Briggs, and the Enneagram. She is the author of the book “Being Whole” and dozens of articles on personality assessments and relationships.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
Adding a natural stone fire pit to your outdoor space makes it a destination. Like moths to a flame, you and your guests will be drawn to a fire feature in the evening to relax, enjoy food and drinks, get warm, and enjoy one another’s company. While portable fire pits are a good choice for some situations, stone fire pits are more permanent and likely to complement a home, landscape, and surrounding terrain.
A fire pit is a good beginner’s project for an outdoor building enthusiast. Most firepits are about 12 to 14 inches tall. Building a fire pit shouldn’t take much time or cost for ambitious do-it-yourselfers who can follow instructions.
Consult a professional if you plan to install a fire pit on an existing patio or deck. If you put a fire pit on a wood deck, flammability becomes an issue.
Go Old School With A Wood
Photo via @breeo
For those who enjoy hearing the crackling sounds of firewood, consider adding a wood-burning fire pit to your patio. While burning wood is more affordable than using gas, youll need to regularly clean your fire pit and ensure the surrounding area is safe. Its important to remember fire safety ruleslike not burning lumber, checking wind conditions, and making sure kids and pets are a safe distance awaybefore lighting your fire pit.
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Concrete Patio With Fire Pit
Contents
If you already have a concrete patio, adding a fire pit is a breeze. Decide the purpose and function of your desired fire pit do you want to be able to cook over it? Do you prefer a rustic or more modern look? Do you want gas or wood burning?
Once youve decided what you want you can start shopping! See some of my favorite fire pits here!
Bright Wood & Cool Grays
Like the sun amongst the clouds, blonde wood details shine against a backdrop of cool gray materials. The fire pit, aligned with the pergola and dining table, casts an inviting glow that beckons visitors to enjoy after-dinner stargazing.
Modern hardscaped area with propane bbq, dining table, and fire pit
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Get Creative With A Sculpture Fire Pit
Photo via @ironbarkmetaldesign_
For those looking for creative outdoor fire pit solutions, go with fire pit art! Create unique sculpture designs and customize your fire pit with your family name, quotes, or fun shapes to produce something specific to you for your patio space. Fire pit art can range from cut steel depicting your favorite outdoor imagery to large sculptures made to look like a globe or a pirate ship. Keep in mind that fire pits are always exposed to the elements, so youll need to treat your fire pit art for rust regularly.
Roast Marshmallows With A Chiminea
Photo via @mooncircleguesthaus
If youre looking for a safe fire pit option, consider a chiminea! Made out of clay or terracotta, a chiminea is a portable, wood-burning fire stove. This potbelly-shaped chimney is better able to contain stray sparks, and still gets hot enough to roast marshmallows while keeping everyone warm! Plus, many chimneys have decorative designs that can be incorporated into your patio design.
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Square Functional Fire Pit
The coffee table you always wanted is here! Locking in place so that your warmth and ambiance are never lost while also providing over 600% more surface area, this patented design will have everyone talking. Close the fire pit at night for an easy built-in cover by simply unlocking its slide mechanism Theres room for your beverages or snacks.
Diy A Rustic Fire Pit
Photo via @upcyclefan
Looking for a rustic fire pit idea? Build a fire table out of some spare wood, or build a pallet fire pit table with a steel pot and concrete tiles. The tiles and steel pot will create a barrier between the flames and the wood, so you can rest assured knowing it wont catch fire. You can even add storage between the pallet layers for a convenient place to keep firewood!
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Round Or Square Fire Pit: Which Is Right For You
A fire pit is a highly desirable feature to add to any backyard. Its a natural gathering point and an exciting visual element. When deciding between a round or square fire pit, the choice may be based off functionality and the design flow of your landscape. Of course, you want it to be aesthetically pleasing and provide sufficient space while maintaining a close and safe distance for people gathered. To determine the shape and size you should ask yourself the following questions:
- Where do you plan to place the fire pit?
- Is there enough room to set up furniture for the appropriate number of people that you want around the pit?
- Will there be sufficient air flow around and over the fire?
- Will it be placed away from flammable materials?
There really is something magical about sitting around a fire pit. Lets discuss some of the key features when deciding between a round or square fire pit.
Make A Statement With A Fire Table
Photo via @bramblecrest
Dont want the same traditional fire pit as everyone else? Add a sense of luxury to your space with a fire table! Fire tables have three components: a base, tabletop, and a slit in the middle of the table that holds the fire. While fire tables offer a great spot to converse over roasting marshmallows, this fire pit design will need to be maintained on a regular basis and have paper items kept away from the flame.
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Open Plan For Any Plan
This open plan deck can adapt to just about any event you throw at it. A nice-but-approachable sectional sofa seating and bench seating along the dining table stand ready for groups big and small. The fire pit makes sure the party can continue into the evening. The broad wraparound deck stair lets people of all edges flow on and off the deck to a lower play lawn perfect for kids to ramble below while parents keep a watchful eye up above.
Fire pit in backyard landscape design for California Yardzen client
Invest In An Outdoor Fireplace
Photo via @bigrockinc
For those looking for the ultimate fire pit for their outdoor living room, a wood-burning, gas-powered, or electric fireplace is a great option for staying warm during cool nights. Just like fire pits, you can design a backyard fireplace from a variety of materials, but be sure to pick a fireplace material that is long-lasting and weather-resistant, like brick or concrete.
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Creating Fire Pit Landscaping Ideas Tailored To Your Yard
Yardzens award-winning online exterior and landscape design service is tailored to homeowners with both large and small yards in all fifty states in the U.S. Ourdesign process begins with understanding your outdoor space, style, and a discussion of your budget and vision to minimize surprises when it comes time to build.
Our top-notch designers then develop a personalized vision for your yard, shared through 3D renderings, 2D plan drawings, and plant and material lists. Your design will capture the look, feel, and function you are hoping for, all while keeping costs within range.
Once your design is complete, well help you connect with a local contractor from ourPro Network of vetted professional contractors to install your new design.
Ready to enjoy some smores around the fire pit in the outdoor living space of your dreams? Create your design profile or explore our professional backyard landscaping and exterior design packages today!
Burn A Clean Safe Fire Pit With Ethanol
Photo via @decoroutdoorcom
Whats the difference between an ethanol fire pit and a gas-powered fire pit? With an ethanol fire pit, you can burn a long-lasting, vibrant orange, low-odor flame! A renewable fuel source made from corn and other plant materials, burning ethanol only releases water vapor and carbon dioxidemeaning theres no smoke or ash, and is less harmful to the environment! This makes an ethanol fire pit fine to use indoors, as well. Plus, because it doesnt get as hot as other sources like gas and wood, clean-burning ethanol is a pet and kid-safe option for your fire pit.
Photo via @woodlanddirect
This fire pit setup idea requires you to run a natural gas line from your house or propane tank, making a gas fire pit an investment for your backyard. That said, gas fire pits are convenient and can save you time since you dont have to clean up ash and soot after using your outdoor fire pit. Keep in mind a gas fire pit will not have the classic, crackling flames that wood-burning fire pits have!
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