The Best Fire Pit Designs for Your Backyard: Inspiration and Ideas

Among US citizens who have a yard, 76% of them say it's one of the most important parts of their homes.

An outdoor living space will give you somewhere you can relax with your family or entertain guests outside, while still having the privacy of being at home. There are various elements you can add to your backyard, and a fire pit is one of the most popular.

In this guide, we'll go over some innovative fire pit designs that you can use as inspiration for your own home. Keep reading for more.

Dug Into the Ground

In most cases, fire pits are placed above ground, but you can do things a bit differently. You could instead opt to dig into the ground and build the fire pit so it sits a bit lower. You could even make it completely flush with the ground.

A metal surround can ensure the fire stays contained, and sand and gravel around the outside can help contain the heat so that it doesn't affect the ground nearby. This design is ideal for wood-burning fire pits, and pavers work well around the fire to further contain the heat and create an elevated look.

Built-In to the Surroundings

You might already have an outdoor space that you love, and you've decided to add a fire pit to it. Depending on how things are, you may be able to build your fire pit into the current surroundings so that it doesn't alter the aesthetic you already have.

If you've got a seating area with a brick wall, for example, you could have your fire pit built into the wall. It will look perfectly in place, and you won't have to worry about changing the rest of your outdoor space at all. Doing this may also help save space, so it can be ideal if you don't have a very large backyard.

Colored Glass

Rocks, pavers, wood, and metal are all common fire pit materials. Glass, however, is a lot rarer - especially colored glass. You can have your fire pit made with glass surrounding the flame for a more unique design.

This will certainly serve as a conversation starter and can add a new dynamic to your outdoor space. You may even want to use a specific color to compliment your fire pit seating or other surrounding features.

Rectangular Pit

Most people opt for a round fire pit which makes sense for a central area with seating around it. Despite that, you have plenty of freedom when it comes to your fire pit shape.

A rectangular fire pit can look great and doesn't present any difficulties in terms of installation. This can work very well when you have your seating designed in a similar shape. You may not have a full square of seating around it, but a U-shaped or L-shaped seat wall is perfect for this kind of design.

Incorporated Patio

If you already have a patio as part of your backyard, you may wish to remove some for a fire pit, or simply place your fire pit on top. When doing a complete overhaul of your outdoor space, however, you could design everything to go together perfectly.

You could build a fire pit with bricks along with a surrounding brick patio that matches it. This will create a seamless design and you can have everything flow together well.

Large Stone Fire Pit

It's a common choice to opt for a neat design. For example, you could have a brick fire pit that forms a perfect circle with a level top, clean edges, etc. With that in mind, there's nothing to stop you from changing things up.

You could instead opt for a surround of large, natural stones. They'll give a more rustic feel that's perfect for a backyard. You could pair this with patio pavers of a similar style and plenty of greenery for a more natural environment.

Small and Compact

You may have certain limitations that restrict what you can do in terms of your fire pit placement or design. One of the most common limitations is space.

With a smaller backyard, you might feel like you don't have room for a fire pit, but that's not necessarily the case. It's entirely possible to have a smaller fire pit installed, and you could even place it in a corner if it works better with the space you have. It may not be as impactful as a larger fire pit, but will still be perfect for sitting by in the evening and enjoying the warmth.

Combined Elements

Most fire pits are built using one key material, but you can make things more interesting by adding some additional fire pit decor. An example of this could be to have a cement fire pit that has a surrounding wooden table. This combination of materials gives the fire pit more character, and is also practical as you can make use of the table - just make sure you don't place anything flammable too close to the fire pit.

You can further add to this with other decor. Cushions on the seating area will create a more welcoming feel and make everyone more comfortable. Plants can also make a great accessory around the edge of the seating area.

Custom Fire Pit Designs

When it comes to fire pit designs, there are some standard options, but you're free to be creative. There are also plenty of other features you can add to improve your outdoor space such as a pool or outdoor kitchen.

Outdoor Escapes is a full-service paver and outdoor kitchen installation company. If you're interested in improving your outdoor space or doing a full overhaul, we can help. Take a look at our services page today to see more about what we can do.

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