10 Fire Pit Ideas

One-of-a-kind designs are the hallmarks of 21st-century home style, and that’s true for fire pits, too. This multi-level version has two distinct fire pit areas, one lower than the first. It’s an unusual arrangement but one that complements the sectional seating as well as the oversize paver path.

For very narrow landscape spaces, a full circle may not be feasible for a fire pit. That’s OK: Like so much else in our homes, fire pits very much adapt to our personalized style as well as our space restrictions. This half-circle fits neatly into a sloping space that’s not deep enough to accommodate any wider diameter.

Scale and shape are important in a fire pit design, too. Angles and straight lines in a home or yard equal the same in a fire pit.  The rustic bend of this version is tempered with a cool almost-white stone selection and flat edge at the top.

The choice of materials can make your fire pit feel as though it's a seamless extension of your existing landscape design. Although the larger paving stones on this elegant and Mediterranean-style patio gave way to smaller version in the fire pit, the color palette remains mostly the same, helping preserve cohesion.

Although fire pits are a common appearance in more traditionally influenced landscapes, with the right detailing they can fit perfectly in modern-leaning yards. That’s why the choice of material is particularly important if you’re adding a fire pit after the backyard gathering area has already been assembled. Here, an atypical fire pit design -- a sloped-in base -- as well as the neutral color and wide top shelf help give this portable fire pit a clean-line aesthetic.

People naturally want to draw closer together when seated around a fire pit. This elegant tall version includes a few enviable features. More comfy seats equal fewer spots for a side table; the fire pit eliminates that need with enough height to double as a narrow shelf, too. Two materials offer subtle textural and color contrast in the patio space to help heighten visual interest.

All permanent fire pits have some sort of fireproof material as a surround; it acts as a barrier to prevent people from getting too close and as a buffer to any loose, hot materials that may escape the structure. If you have the space, a wider than normal decking can be easily integrated into the fire pit’s permanent seating, for a setup that mimics this space. Here, a slightly raised surround elevates the narrow ring of the fire pit and offers casual seating for larger gatherings.

Although fire pits are often a central part of backyards, portable versions are good options for encouraging more secluded seating nooks. Here, a change in material underfoot -- from gravel to pavers -- marks the quiet square. It's just big enough for a cozy sofa and chair as well as the central fire pit.

The wide range of portable fire pit options means it’s easy (and not overly expensive) to try one out before diving into a permanent location or design. However, make sure to measure the fire pit space available and review existing details in your home and furniture to help guide your purchase. Here, the pretty curve in the chairs as well as the richly finished color supplied easy guidance for the choice of focal point fire pit. Another welcome detail: The outdoor space includes a clever nook for stashing needed firewood.

Loose and casual, the distinctive design of this fire pit makes it feel as though it springs naturally from the paved patio area. Although the fire pit is a central part of the secluded backyard, the homeowners tucked it in a seating corner, surrounding it with benches and chairs to better manage the main traffic flow in the landscape.