Fire Pit Ideas to Transform Your Backyard: Designs, Furniture & Setup
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Time to read 7 min
Enchanting, elemental, and inviting, fire pits greatly enhance the ambiance regardless of space size, season, or design style. And if you don’t have the budget for a total renovation, a fire pit table can single-handedly transform your outdoor area without breaking the bank.
Here are our favorite fire pit ideas to inspire your next backyard glow-up, including several from renowned designers.
In This Article
Fire Pit Design Ideas For Waterfront Living
Traci Connell’s Lakeside Retreat
If you’re seeking fire pit ideas with seating, look to interior designer Traci Connell for inspiration.
For her lake house, Traci opted for a white square fire pit table with ample surface space (hello, happy hour) around the inner glow. The color-coordinated deep seating furniture and stormy grey cushions blend beautifully with her surroundings.
Made from durable, all-weather materials that won’t rust, warp, or rot—perfect for lakeside living—the paired pieces give Traci’s family a cozy gathering spot to enjoy year after year.
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Poolside Fire Pit Table
Whether you have a pool or intend to install one, a nearby fire pit area makes the space feel extra inviting. Not to mention, fireside drinks at dusk or s’mores with towel-wrapped toddlers are the perfect ending to a day of fun in the sun.
Since there will be lots of bare feet, we recommend a natural gas or propane fire pit table for your pool area. It produces little to no smoke, which means less cleaning and fewer sooty footprints on your patio.
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Outdoor Fire Pit Patio Ideas for City and Urban Settings
Anthony Carrino’s Urban Rooftop Deck
Designer and developer Anthony Carrino has plenty of fire pit ideas for patio spaces, and his rooftop deck in Jersey City proves it. He used two square pieces to create a rectangular fire pit that a large group can enjoy together. What a bright idea.
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Kara Bowman’s Cozy Nook
Want to create a semi-secluded nook in a spacious backyard? Snag affordable fire pit ideas from influencer Kara Bowman’s design book. Instead of a full renovation, she set aside a corner of her yard for loved ones to dine and relax around an in-ground fire pit made with stone pavers and her existing fence. Globe string lights add even more shine to this already luminous location.
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Large Fire Pit Ideas and Layouts
Anthony Carrino’s Stone House
In terms of function, style, and overall design potential, a large setting leaves plenty of room to play, especially when considering backyard landscaping fire pit ideas. But without a plan, it can feel a bit barren or easily become unkempt. The key here is to divide your expansive area into “rooms,” giving the space multiple functions within smaller, more manageable zones.
Anthony executes this approach flawlessly at his vacation home in the Catskills. An in-ground fire pit anchors the primary seating area, while a hanging cauldron brings rustic warmth to the yard’s back corner. He chose POLYWOOD Adirondacks and swings in bold, fade-resistant shades that will stand out against the surrounding greenery year after year.
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Rectangular Fire Pit
Bigger is sometimes better, especially when you have a spacious patio to decorate. Match the area’s energy with a large rectangular fire pit table and a corner or L-shaped deep seating sectional. If you’re designing distinct zones, the long lines of the sectional created by the modular seats’ backrests act as a natural “wall” that separates the fire pit area from the others.
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Small Space and Patio Fire Pit Table Ideas
Tabletop Fire Pit Bowl
If you rent, are low on square footage, or aren’t ready to commit to a built-in design, tabletop fire pits are a compact and cost-effective alternative. These portable designs have a smaller footprint while still offering loads of ambiance.
Adding to the versatility, there are endless sizes and styles out there, which makes these one of the most crowd-pleasing and cool fire pit ideas. Place one on a dining table to roast marshmallows for s’mores as a fun after-dinner treat, or set them on side tables to boost coziness in small spaces.
Concrete Basin
The floating effect of a freestanding bowl makes a bold statement and accentuates a circular patio or any small space. All you need before you order your concrete basin is your budget and preferred color. Use the color scheme of the outdoor furniture you already own to create cohesion or opt for a contrasting shade for visual interest.
Steel Cauldron
Whether you have a modern home or a rustic cabin, exploring steel cauldron wood fire pit ideas can enhance your space with their charming, natural appeal. These portable models typically feature a tall base supporting a large steel bowl for safe wood burning, allowing you to enjoy the nostalgic aroma, cozy crackling sounds, and the magic of flickering flames.
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Fire Pit Inspiration for Cool-Weather Celebrations
Autumnal Activities
Fall is truly the fire pit’s season to shine. Whether it's Friendsgiving, at-home Oktoberfest, or hot cocoa night, center your celebration around a fire pit table, which has an integrated surface area to set down drinks or dish out your famous apple pie. For an at-home date idea, you can sharpen your s'more-making skills and toast champagne under a starlit sky.
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Wintery Mixers
Beat the winter blues by bundling up together by a roaring fire. While we typically retreat indoors during chilly months, a cozy fire pit gives us a good reason to get back outside and breathe in the fresh air. Not to mention it's a great option if you have a full house and need another hangout spot.
Pairing all-weather seating and other durable fire pit furniture ideas will ensure your family stays comfortable in the cold. Plus, you can leave the pieces outside year-round, as they can withstand snowy days and dipping temperatures.
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DIY Fire Pit Ideas
In-Ground Stone and Brick Fire Pit
In-ground fire pits seamlessly integrate into your backyard landscape, offering casual elegance and a welcoming gathering spot. This type of fire pit can be an affordable fire pit idea, often costing less than $100, depending on where you purchase supplies. However, it’s essential to research complete instructions on how to build and use your in-ground fire pit safely.
A Modern Adirondack Chair is an affordable addition to your fire pit area. Popular for its durability and sleek design, it’s a smart long-term investment that offers comfort and heightens the overall ambiance of your outdoor space.
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Round Stone Fire Pit
Stone DIY fire pit ideas are among the most affordable options if you want to take on a weekend project. You can find many full tutorials for this online, but here’s the general idea:
Determine the intended dimensions of your fire pit. Use spray paint to make a circle, then excavate the area to a depth of about six inches, making sure it’s level. Then start building your fire pit up using your chosen fire-safe stone material. You may want to add concrete or mortar between layers for added stability. When choosing your material, look for palletized stone to ensure a uniform shape and size.
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Square Concrete Fire Pit
Concrete fire features are increasingly popular due to their sleek, modern aesthetic. For those exploring outdoor square fire pit ideas, a well-designed fire pit can serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. If you have a deep seating sofa or sectional, consider building a taller fire pit to comfortably roast marshmallows while relaxing.
This DIY project can be quite ambitious, so it's important to choose one with clear instructions and a well-organized plan that matches your skill level. Proper preparation ensures a safe, stylish, and practical outdoor addition.
Easy Fire Pit Project
Looking for simple fire pit ideas? Gather medium and large stones from around your property and arrange them in a circle. You want the rocks tall enough to contain the flames and seating positioned a safe distance away. If you already have firewood or artificial outdoor fire logs, you can create this cozy, campground-inspired setup without any fancy tools, extra money, or trips to the hardware store.
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FAQs
What are propane-powered fire pit tables?
POLYWOOD specializes in outdoor fire features, including propane-powered options. As the name suggests, gas fire pit tables are designed with a tabletop for food and drinks. These propane fire pit tables typically ignite with a push-button or similar easy-to-use ignition system, making them a great choice for those exploring gas fire pit ideas.
What do you put in the bottom of a fire pit?
Depending on the look you’re going for, you can top off a base layer of sand with gravel paver base, lava rocks, or fire glass to line the bottom of your fire pit. (Some may opt to just use a layer of sand or dirt.) These non-flammable materials help unify the overall aesthetic and extinguish rogue embers.
How do you style an outdoor fire pit?
When considering fire pit furniture ideas, start with durable, weather-resistant seating from POLYWOOD—our fade- and moisture-resistant lumber makes styling effortless. Add soft blankets, throw pillows, and tactile accents to enhance comfort. Complete the look with decor that reflects your style: large potted plants for privacy, a sculptural firewood rack, or a statement vessel to hold your fire-tending tools.
What is the best coping for a fire pit?
The best materials for your fire pit coping stones (the top layer of your fire pit’s walls) include natural stone, concrete, and brick. Your choice depends on the fire pit design you have in mind and whether you want a cohesive look or an extra splash of color and texture contrast.
