20 Beautiful Outdoor Fire Pit Ideas

One of the wonderful things about a backyard, is that you get to create your own oasis and enjoy it all year round, especially if you have a beautiful fire pit to sit by. Fire pits have become very popular backyard amenities that homeowners are adding so that they can truly enjoy their backyards, and not just in the summer, but all year round.

Fire pits are one of the best places for friends and family to gather, socialize, eat, drink and have a relaxing time under the stars. Fire pits can be big, small, simple or elaborate. It all depends on the space you have available, what your style is, and even how often you think you may use it, can all play a role in what type of fire pit you will design and construct. If you have been thinking about putting in a fire pit out back, here are some things you will want to consider before you get started.

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Choose your location

Where do you plan to set up your fire pit? Many homeowners like to put their fire pit where there is a view, such as close to a pool, a lake, or an open area overlooking a garden. Wherever you choose, it should be open and away from overhanging obstacles or other fire hazards. You will also want to check with your fire department to make sure you are going to be in compliance with any outdoor fire ordinances.

A fire pit on a porch, if abiding by code, can be a nice place to have a ceramic or iron fire pit, or ceramic or clay chimnea. They add a cozy atmosphere to an outdoor kitchen or bar. In a garden area, not set too close to foliage, can bring a beautiful view to your time around a warm fire. Or poolside for warming up after an evening swim.

Who will be putting the fire pit in?

Next, you will need to decide if this is going to be a pre-made fire pit or chiminea, or one that a contractor will need to design and install, or if you are the handy guy that will be doing all the work yourself. Whatever you decide as far as who will be doing the work or if you are getting a ready-made pit, the fire pit needs to be constructed of sturdy materials without risk of crumbling, tipping, or being a hazard in any way to your home or surrounding area.

Choose your material and design

There are so many ideas for fire pits, the sky is really the limit. A lot will have to do with the space you have available, as to what size you can install, so this may affect what type of pit you put in. If you just want a small, simple fire pit, stone makes a nice fire pit and can be built to just about any size.

Set it up cozy

Set comfortable chairs or benches around the fire pit. or perhaps you have unique sitting stools to sit on, for a different kind of atmosphere and real feel of an outdoor fire. For more elaborate fire pits, toss a few colorful or printed decorative pillow in the chairs or on the benches, to give it a more festive feel. However elaborate or simple you want to create the environment around the fire pit is up to your style and budget. There is no set standard for how much or how little you do to your fire pit, just creating the right pit for your vision and your yard to make it a relaxing and enjoyable part of your home, is what it’s all about.

Take a look at the following 20 beautiful outdoor fire pits for some ideas.