Here are 13 fire pit ideas to spark inspiration, with design tips ranging from high to low. I love how interior designer Audrey Scheck approaches this space. “The goal is to make outdoor spaces an extension of your home by creating a symbiotic flow that encourages everyone to get outside.”

In The Center

For their Austin home, Camille and Adam built a custom stone fire pit that has become the centerpiece of their backyard. “We wanted a large area where family and friends could gather to make s’mores and hang out, but we also wanted a place to cook outside,” Camille says. Making the fire pit the focal point ensures that people are always snuggled up and relaxed.

Well Shaded

It is usually best to start the fire once daylight and temperatures drop. Still, a fire pit is lovely to while away the day. Keep it cool and shaded with large free-standing umbrellas that offer respite from the sun.

Mix And Match

Think of a fire pit as an outdoor living room. Make comfort and style paramount by incorporating attractive seating. This can include a combination of sofas, chairs, cushions, or whatever arrangement best suits your space. Even tree stumps filled with cushions can be turned into organic seating.

Plant It

Pay attention to the decor beyond the fire pit and seating. This area calls for other design moments, such as small side tables and planters. Even a few outdoor lanterns sprinkled throughout can offer a warm tone to complement the fire.

Open Mind

There’s always room for a fire pit. You just have to be creative! Look for a vacant concrete corner, grassy corner or dirt area as an opportunity. The terrain and environment do not have to be perfect. Set up the fire pit and seating and watch the space instantly transform.

A Hearty Bowl

If the mention of fire pit ideas conjures up images of vast expanses and giant backyards, here’s a new twist: a more intimate space can be just as perfect. In cases where space is limited, a smaller, circular fire pit is an ideal pit with a lower profile.

Triple Service

Even more than a peaceful gathering place, a bonfire is a great impromptu place to barbecue and rest drinks and snacks. A single grill cover can turn one into an instant outdoor grill, while a removable cover checks the box for an additional table.

Ancient Treasures

Of course, any furniture left around the fire pit will need to withstand the elements, from wind to dirt to sunlight. This makes it a great case for knitting second-hand pieces, whether from a previous interior space or scoured at the flea market. Choose natural wood or stone furniture that ages well indoors and outdoors.

Colour Story

Fire pits tend to be neutral in colour, making them an easy backdrop for some bright colours. Experiment with incorporating seating in vibrant hues. Several wooden Adirondacks would make a perfect canvas to paint (and repaint).

Stylish Stacked

Fire logs have a utilitarian beauty when displayed neatly. Place extra firewood in a fancy box nearby so it’s within easy reach to replenish the flames.

Smart Sections

For the renovation of Camille’s beach house in Zuma, bonfires reign supreme. Her coastal home will have two: a smaller fire pit and a larger rectangular pit equipped with a built-in sectional sofa. Food to go? Consider two fire pits for optimal outdoor “living rooms” and look for built-ins for a streamlined look.

Wrapped

Follow the lead of Jaimee Longo of The Layered House and keep some blankets thrown on the seats around the fire pit. These make for makeshift cover-ups to keep bugs and chills at bay.

Varied Borders

Like a living room, a combination of hard and soft edges offers a good aesthetic balance. Choose a circular fire pit or bowl to anchor a square or rectangular sofa or sectional. And for a fire pit with hard edges, consider placing the seats in the corners.