Outdoor Fire Pit Ideas to Upgrade Your Backyard Oasis

Your yard is about to become your favorite hangout spot.

Fall is upon us and with it comes a transformation in how most of us are spending time outdoors. Gone are the days of soaking up the sun poolside or sipping cocktails in a t-shirt and shorts at 8:30 p.m.—sorry! However, time spent al fresco in the fall can be just as enjoyable as those beloved summer months, as long as you have access to an outdoor fire pit.

Not only do outdoor fire pits add a welcoming and cozy ambiance to your backyard, but the warmth it provides can extend your outdoor time for weeks (if not months) once temperatures drop. “There's no better way to stay toasty and extend outdoor season than a backyard fire pit,” says Allison Messner, CEO and co-founder of Yardzen. “It's for good reason that fire pits are requested in about 60 percent of our client projects. Not only do they infuse ambiance and increase the year-round function of your outdoor space, but they also serve as a captivating focal point and encourage gathering of friends, family, and neighbors.”

But, to make a fire pit truly feel like the centerpiece to a perfect hangout spot, it should be thoughtfully incorporated into your backyard design. So, we’ve rounded up outdoor fire pit ideas that will instantly transform your patio, deck, or lawn into a snug escape.

Related: 20 Small Backyard Ideas for a Dreamy Outdoor Oasis

Keep It Sleek and Modern

Fire pits may have earned themselves a decidedly rustic reputation, but that doesn’t mean that’s the only option if your design style veers in a different direction. For those who gravitate towards modern or industrial design, you simply can’t beat the appeal of a stone or concrete fire pit, like the custom design seen in this space by landscape architect Scott Shrader. The low-profile rectangular shape holds attention without adding visual clutter to the patio, while the modern chairs offer a relaxing place to perch.

Add a Sculptural Touch

When shopping for an outdoor fit pit, look for unique styles or applications that offer a twist on the norm. In this Nashville backyard, the team behind Daigh Rick Landscape Architects skipped the traditional metal bowl in lieu of a sculptural stoneware piece that resembles an urn, allowing the fire pit to double as statuesque art.

Create a Fire Pit With a View

"This property has spectacular views over Los Angeles, and I wanted to create a variety of comfortable, chic spaces to enjoy them," says designer Kishani Perera. "This seating area with a gas firepit on the upper-deck is the ultimate place to retire with a beverage and watch as the sun sets, and the city lights up. My client uses it year-round!"

Make it Feel Beach-y

"The concept for the fire bowl was to provide a laid-back feeling of a beach bonfire due to its close proximity to the beach and Puget Sound," explains Aimee Meisgeier of AM Interior Design. "The fire bowl give the alternative to a propane version when access to a propane line in that area was not available, and the circular configuration of the chairs around the fire bowl provides a more intimate setting than a more formal version."

Make it Portable

Homeowners who value flexibility while entertaining will love the ease and versatility of a portable outdoor fire pit instead of a built-in option. In this scene designed by the team at Yardzen, an active family meets their match with a Solo Stove, a sleek-yet-moveable fire pit that can be toted both around the yard and to off-site adventures.

Embrace the Surrounding Landscape

When deciding where to place your fire pit, consider a back-to-nature approach that allows you to surround yourself with the beauty of your backyard and create a truly transformative escape. In this verdant scene, the team behind Stephens Design Studio carved out a dreamy nook in a San Fransico backyard, pairing it with an inconspicuous Paloform fire pit and low-profile chairs for a scene that feels one with the natural surroundings.

Rethink Traditional Chairs

There’s no denying that comfort should be a priority when choosing furniture for your outdoor fire pit scene—but it doesn’t hurt to pay mind to style, too. For a campfire setup that bottles the rustic appeal of a woodland escape, trade traditional chairs for stumps designed for sitting, like the generously sized ones seen in this project by landscape designer Kathleen Murphy.

Set Up Separate “Rooms”

Just like the inside of your home, your backyard will benefit from having designated spots in which to dine, play, and lounge. When choosing where to place your fire pit, keep flow and function in mind, selecting a spot that will draw a crowd but not add congestion to an already-busy area, like an outdoor kitchen. Here, the Yardzen team worked with designer Jenny Judge to carve out a separate spot to watch the flames flicker, very close to the nearby dining area for social synergy.

Embrace a Playful Palette

When it comes to the design of any outdoor space, most homeowners tend to err on the side of caution, matching their furniture and accessories to either the exterior of their home or the surrounding landscape. Well, consider this scene from Hamilton Design Associates your permission to break that mold. In it, playful pink couches in a range of mid-century modern-inspired silhouettes flank the surround of a concrete fire pit, offering up a party-ready spot for cocktails and conversation.

Create Privacy With Plants

An outdoor fire pit can only feel as intimate as its surrounding locale allows, and unless you boast dozens of quiet acres to yourself, your chosen spot may beg for a bit of privacy. Instead of surrounding your scene with a fence—which often does little in the way of adding ambiance—plant a selection of fast-growing bushes or grasses to create a living cocoon. In this space by Elysian Landscapes, an assortment of catmint and muhly grass act as a natural barrier to the rest of the sprawling landscape.

Add Creature Comforts

To ensure your outdoor fit pit scene draws guests like a moth to a flame, be sure to work a few cozy creature comforts into the equation. Here, the Yardzen team relied on design mainstays like plush pillows, comfy throws, and even an area rug (totally fine if you’re using a gas fire pit that doesn’t throw sparks!) to warm up the outdoor space and make it just as liveable at its indoor counterparts.

Try a Chiminea

While most outdoor fire pits take on a drum or bowl shape, there are certainly other fun silhouettes to be had. If you’re craving a break from tradition, swap a low-profile bowl fire pit for a sprawling chiminea, which is characterized by a potbelly-shaped base and tall, thin chimney. The mustard yellow stunner seen in this Yardzen project is actually a vintage find, providing the perfect pop of color against the home’s creamy white exterior.

Get Low

To add drama to your outdoor fire pit design—and make it feel like an intentional part of your backyard—consider putting your pit in, well, a pit. This sunken space from Chris Loves Julia helps to create a designated spot to decompress and watch the flames, with a circle of roomy Adirondack chairs completing the inviting escape.

Stay Close to Home

Situating your fire pit close to an entrance to your backyard has many perks, top among them is its ability to draw a crowd, inviting guests to continue the dinner party fun and get a little fresh air in the process. This enticing escape by Daigh Rick Landscape Architects and Pfeffer Torode Architects pairs a duo of French doors and a bluestone patio with an intimate fire pit that encourages conversation and cuddling.

Swap Grass for Gravel

Plopping your fire pit in the middle of your lawn may sound dreamy, but it can be a recipe for all sorts of issues, from rogue embers to burnt patches of grass. Instead, try backfilling a small “patio” space with pea gravel, as seen in this charming project by Becky Shea Design. Not only will it act as a safe place to indulge in marshmallow roasting, but it will help define different areas of your backyard and designate them for use.

Add a Little Ambiance

While it’s true nothing beats the ambiance of a real fire, a string of bistro lights is certainly a worthy opponent. To add even more of a glow to your backyard escape, combine the two into a dreamy scene that just begs for a meandering cocktail hour under the stars. Here, designer Catherine Smith of Casa Smith Designs used sturdy wood pillars to bring sophisticated shine to a nearby fire pit.

Build on a Balcony

"Take in the beautiful sand and sea while staying warm and cozy around the fire pit," says Margaret Donaldson, designer at MDI Luxury Design. "This firepit provides a space to rest your feet or place a drink." We also love how the balcony mimics the shape of the fire pit, making it into a cozy nook while still being out in the fresh air.

Pick a Movable Fire Pit

There are definitely advantages to choosing a fire pit that can be moved around or tucked away if you're entertaining and don't want it out. This area, also designed by Donaldson, features a raised, large iron bowl that allows for a wood burning fire in this walled courtyard setting. How charming!

Integrate It!

If you want a fire pit that blends in, take notes from Leigh Jendrusina of SALTHOUSE Collective , who created this one. "One of my favorite ways to build a built-in fireplace is with poured concrete and wood-shaded seating surrounds. Concrete gives the area a nice modern outdoor feel, but wood on a bench surround softens it up."

Add Pavers

Donaldson designed this wood-burning firepit to be set away from the house so it's in its own and feels like an outdoor room. Pavers mixed with gravel create a subtle patterned, textured "floor" area, too!

Related: Upgrade Your Outdoor Space With the Best Smokeless Fire Pits We Tested

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