Sitting around an outdoor fire pit with loved ones, gazing at the warm flames under the starry night sky, life is just blissful and magical!
As a home and garden designer, I see fire pit on almost everyone’s wish list. The good news is, you don’t have to spend thousands on a custom built fire feature. I can’t wait to share with you my favorite fire pit ideas today, from beautiful DIY fire pits in one day, to stylish outdoor fire pits to buy for less than $100. ( Some of the helpful resources are affiliate links. Full disclosure here. )
4 important design and safety considerations before you buy or build an outdoor fire pit:
- The idea height of a fire pit ranges from ground level to about 20″. You can enjoy the most warmth from the fire at this height.
- Remember to provide drainage for outdoor fire pits. It can be a layer of gravel at the bottom of an in ground fire pit, or drain holes in a fire bowl.
- Choose the right materials such as fire bricks, lava rocks, lava pebbles, or fire glass to put inside fire pits, because certain materials such as concrete or river rocks exposed to high heat can explode. Some of the good tutorials below address these considerations in detail.
- Charcoal or wood burning fire pits can release flame sparks, and chemicals including carbon monoxide. Always use caution to prevent fire and chemical hazards!
Now the important basics are out of the way, let’s explore some great fire pit ideas!
1. Easy DIY fire pit with stacked stone.
This easy DIY wood burning fire pit is made of stacked flagstone, fire brick interiors, and pea gravel which filled the bottom. A 6 to 12 inch deep gravel layer can provide sufficient drainage for most DIY fire pits. The secret to this beautiful DIY fire pit is to take the time to stack the stone in a natural looking pattern.
2 & 3. In ground fire pit ideas.
Two beautiful variations of in ground fire pits, one is made with large boulders, the other is made of stacked stone, which also functions as a low retaining wall, giving the outdoor fire pit an attractive look almost like a fireplace.
TIP: Before digging into the ground, always call 811, the “Call Before You Dig Number.” to come to site and mark any underground utility lines.
4 & 5. Outdoor fire pit grills are even more fun.
Create a super fun DIY fire pit grill or fire pit BBQ by adding grill grates over wood burning fire pits. Here’s a 16 inch square grill grate, and here is a round swing-away grate. ( Top image source lost. Please let me know if you find the original source, thank you! )
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6, 7 & 8. DIY fire pit tables.
Board formed concrete and lava pebbles make this outdoor fire pit table super attractive. Below are two great DIY tutorials to make your own!
My awesome friend Ben is a super talented architect who makes high quality furniture accessible to everyone through his creative DIY projects. Looks at his fire pit coffee table, isn’t it stunning? Check out his detailed tutorial at Homemade Modern, and his great youtube video channel below-
Below is another wonderful tutorial of DIY wood burning fire pit table, using a per-made fire bowl at center. Tip:lava pebbles look great and are safer than river rocks when used near high heat.
9. Propane fire pit coffee table.
At 26 inch diameter by 19h, this chic propane fire pit coffee table has beautiful metalwork details, and powerful heating abilities. The included side table offers room to conceal a standard 20-pound propane tank! Available at $160 here.
10, 11 & 12. Beautiful wood burning fire bowls for $100 or less.
The 30 inch round cast iron wood burning fire bowl will nicely complement any existing décor with its deep black finish and simple design. Available here at $89.
The steel cauldron fire bowl with cover shield looks great in a naturalistic setting. Choose from 2 models at 34″ or 23.5″ diameter , 9″ or 12” height. Available here at $80. Tip: bring extra fun and enjoyments to your fire bowls by adding matching size grill grates to these fire bowls.
This 36 inch by 18in wood burning fire bowl BBQ comes with a grill grate! Available here .
13. Easy DIY fire pit kits.
A fire pit kit with metal fire ring and circular precast stones makes it so much easier to build your own fire feature. Above is the video tutorial from Lowes Youtube channel.
14. Create an attractive space.
An outdoor fire pit can become the center of a gathering space.
This circular space is just perfect and so easy to DIY using concrete pavers ( or stone ) and gravel! Check out the video tutorial from Your House a Home TV on Youtube:
15. Simple and elegant outdoor fire bowl.
Another beautiful wood-burning fire bowl. At 30L x 30W x 16H in., it’s a great size for family and friends to gather around. Available here at $72.
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16 & 17. Propane fire pit table.
At 30L x 30W x 24.15H in. Both fire pit tables have stylish porcelain-tile table top and cover to shield the pit when not in use. The base panels hide the gas tank. Here is the light grey table, and dark grey table.
Tip: a tempered glass wind guard will help with flickering flames when windy, like this one- American Fireglass Wind Guard
18. Re-purposed fire feature.
A recycled washing machine drum (found at a used appliance store for $10) is made into a gorgeous DIY fire pit in this tutorial!
19 & 20. Beautiful fire pit tables.
This 28″ round fire pit table with a decorative rock base is great for a small space. Both iiquid propane or natural gas models available here .
The charcoal gray wood burning fire table is so stylish, and beautiful as an outdoor coffee table at 36.75L x 36.75W x 19.5H. Available here .
21 & 22. DIY fire bowl.
Here are two great DIY fire bowl tutorials, both using gel fuel. , first one using fire safe decorative pebbles , second one using fire glass. Video tutorial from DIY Creators on Youtube.
Tip: always use lava rocks, lava pebbles, or fire glass made for high heat.
23 & 24. Table top fire pits.
The 10″x10” table top fire feature includes a fuel canister, and uses clean burning liquid parrafin fuel with citronella for repelling insects. Available here for $39.
Video tutorial from DIY Creators on Youtube.
Tip: choose lava rocks, lava pebbles, or fire glass , because river pebbles or concrete pieces can possibly explode when used over high heat flames.
Still here? OK, you have to visit our outdoor room makeover here, all with pallets!
Check out the AFTER here- our outdoor room makeover here, all with pallets!
Happy creating! See you next week!
Source: apieceofrainbow.com
