Room Design
Outdoor Spaces
By
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel has written on design for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Slate, Fast Company, and the international editions of Elle Decor.
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Published on 02/17/23
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As outdoor entertaining has become more vital and prevalent in recent years, there's never been a better reason to upgrade your backyard, patio, deck, courtyard, pool house, or other outdoor space.
A fire pit that will remind you of childhood campfires and family camping trips without having to travel or pitch a tent. Check out these fire pit ideas in a range of sizes, styles, and settings that will help inspire you to create a warm and cozy all-weather outdoor gathering space that will remind you of the timeless joys of communing around a crackling fire.
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Make It Front and Center
Heather Hilliard Design positioned the fireplace in the center of a wall of glass-and-metal doors that lead from a San Francisco open-plan kitchen and dining room onto an outdoor terrace that makes it a focal point both indoors and out.
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Front Yard Fire Pit
While most people place their fire pits in the privacy of their backyards, depending on the layout of your home, it may make sense to choose the front yard instead.
This Los Angeles beach bungalow from Home Consultant is surrounded by a horizontal 6-foot-tall plank pine fence that creates privacy in the front yard, which is outfitted with a Douglas fir deck. The ground is covered in used decomposed granite with a sandy appearance, the perfect spot for a portable black metal fire pit and pair of chairs that don't take up much space.
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Warm the Outdoor Living Room
This outdoor living room from Eggshell Home is anchored by an area rug and a spherical fire pit with a glass wind guard that enhances the comfortable seating and smart black-and-white color palette.
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Make It Chalet Style
WRJ Design created a sophisticated outdoor living room on the back patio of this modern chalet-style home that includes a massive sleek rectangular black fire pit that is surrounded by a set of luxurious upholstered outdoor furniture that would look as sophisticated indoors as out.
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DIY Backyard Fire Pit
Most Lovely Things added sheepskin seat covers, extra blankets, Christmas lights, greenery, and tree stump side tables to create an outdoor spot for cold weather gatherings around the DIY fire pit made from an upcycled dye vat purchased at an import-export store.
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Taper the Edges
Envi Interior Design added a large square concrete fire pit with tapered edges that add contemporary flair to this Montana lodge-style home with its outdoor sitting area graced with arresting snow-capped mountain views.
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Add a Screen Cover
Tall hedges lend this Portland, Oregon outdoor living room from BASE Landscape Architecture a sense of privacy. The architects used a range of stones to build a neutral, chic outdoor living room with a mix of seating, sculptural side tables, and a custom banquette that houses firewood beneath the seating for the stainless steel fire pit that is topped with a safety screen cover.
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Make It Long and Linear
A rectangular fire pit is the perfect shape for this long and narrow NYC balcony from New Eco Landscapes that is transformed into a sophisticated outdoor living room for relaxing and taking in the city views.
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Keep It White
This Newport Beach, CA outdoor living room from Mindy Gayer Design Co. has white wicker-style furniture with a matching large square white fire pit that fits the shape of the large sectional sofa. This ensures that everyone can enjoy the warmth of the fire no matter where they are sitting.
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Choose a Black Finish
Michelle Boudreau Design created a conversation pit in this Palm Springs back patio that is centered around a large round fire pit surrounded with sculptural wire chairs. The fire pit surround is perfect for entertaining and looks perfectly at home in the backyard with its palette of black, white, and concrete gray.
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Create a Poolside Conversation Area
This Southern California outdoor living room from Mindy Gayer Design Co. is located on a paved stone patch of the lawn that is centered around a fire pit for nighttime entertaining.
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Mix Shapes
The centerpiece of this contemporary rooftop living room from Design Lines Signature is a dark gray square fire pit topped with a round glass wind guard that is surrounded by seating for any kind of crowd.
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Add Curves
This sunken half-circle fire pit is the centerpiece of this rustic chic backyard patio from Kibler & Kirch. A custom-built set of curving steps completes the circle, leading to a conversation area outfitted with comfortable chairs. The large round fire pit is surfaced in the same stone as the home's siding and landscaped with lush greenery that softens all the stone finishes while connecting to the surrounding green space.
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Surround It With Comfy Seating
This spacious outdoor living room from Leclair Decor has comfortable wrap-around seating around a central rectangular fire pit with an oval-shaped center that is positioned on top of a patterned tile rug in a pale shade of gray.
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DIY a 4-Step Firepit
This straightforward four-step DIY fire pit from A Beautiful Mess comes together with a little elbow grease and concrete landscaping stones, a metal fire pit ring, and some gravel. And if you're feeling ambitious, go ahead and take a stab at the DIY curved fire pit bench seen above to go along with it.
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Create Shelter
A Beautiful Mess added a round matte black fire pit to the semi-covered backyard patio that allows you to enjoy a nice outdoor fire even on rainy nights. A roof covered with twinkly lights enhances the relaxing feel, and plants and flowing white curtains that puddle on the ground soften the space.
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Keep It Neutral
This outdoor fire pit area from Crisp Architects looks polished enough to fit indoors, while the clean lines and dark neutral colors of the fire pit and deck chairs allows the lush greenery of the surrounding landscape to take center stage while the sun is out.
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Keep It Long and Lean
This long and lean San Francisco outdoor bar and lounge area from Seed Studio Landscape Design is built for entertaining, with a central gathering space that includes a fire pit and arbor-covered bar with a fold-down TV for watching sporting events.
The cool gray tones of the entertaining space contrast nicely with the wood fencing and surrounding greenery, creating a sophisticated setting for gathering with friends and family.
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Smooth It Out
This intimate fire pit conversation area from Seed Studio Landscape Design has a smooth spherical fire pit, contemporary woven black chairs, and weathered wood decking that give the space a smooth modern feel.
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Style With Firewood
This multifunctional NYC backyard from Manscapers includes a patio area equipped with a sectional, extra poufs, and a simple wood-burning fire pit that is styled with firewood during off hours.
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Sink the Seating Area
The back deck of this home from House of Ponce Design has a sunken seating area that features a large L-shaped upholstered banquette and a massive black fire pit that matches the dark siding.
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Include an Outdoor Kitchen
This stylish outdoor kitchen from Seed Studio Landscape Design includes a sleek sofa and long, linear fire pit that creates a stylish spot for outdoor entertaining.
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Beautify the Front Yard
This front yard fire pit from Brophy Interiors is located on a small patio equipped with armchairs a few steps from the small front porch.
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Style With Contemporary Designs
A contemporary rectangular white fire pit is set on a stone paved patio on the green lawn of this Southern California backyard from Mindy Gayer Design Co.
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Create a Cozy Corner
This cozy rooftop corner fire pit area from Seed Studio Landscape Design is anchored by a seating area with a large sectional that is sheltered by a wood-paneled wall. It's surrounded by potted plants to give it a cozy and private lounge feel with a view of the city skyline and seating for a crowd.
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Use a Rock Finish
This back patio from Christina Kim Interior Design has a subtle coastal theme with its blue-and-white palette, striped upholstery on lounge chairs, and a curved built-in stone banquette equipped with a round fire pit. The pit is finished in the same stone for a cohesive look that blends into the surroundings.
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Choose a Concrete Finish
A Beautiful Mess swapped an outdoor coffee table for a propane-fit pit to take the chill off of fall evenings.
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Add a Sunset
Whenever possible, position your fire pit in a scenic spot that will give you something more to gaze at than the crackling fire. This lakeside fire pit from Attardo Architecture & Design is set on the edge of the lawn with a view of the water, the ideal spot to watch the sun go down.
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Bring in Low Stools
A tree sheltering the fire pit seating area in this outdoor patio from Mindy Gayer Design Co. makes the space feel cozier while providing a little shade. Short metal outdoor Tolix stools add extra seating.
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Use Natural Tones
A stone fire pit and conversation area surrounded by natural wood Adirondack chairs create an intimate spot on a vast backyard patio that blends right in with the natural surroundings and sweeping landscape views outside this home from JLF Architects.
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Make It Intimate
Laura Brophy Interiors proves that the next best thing to having a bedroom fireplace is having a fire pit on the private terrace off of your Newport Beach, CA primary en suite that you can enjoy in the open air or gaze at from the bed.
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Anchor Double Sofas
Kate Marker Interiors used a fire pit to anchor a pair of backyard sofas that are just outside the French doors, and added side tables with outdoor lanterns to balance the large space with even more light.
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Go Kitschy
Dazey Den created a bright and kitschy outdoor fire pit with a flame-colored surrounding and matching bright orange-red chairs to create a fun and festive outdoor spot that doesn't take itself too seriously.
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Mix Shades of Gray
Heather Hilliard Design created a cozy conversation area with a fire pit and comfortable seating in the corner of a vast wide open patio that includes space for dining and lounging.
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Make It Organic
This fire pit from JLF Architects is seamlessly built into a rocky outdoor patio that looks like it's part of the landscape for an organic and natural feel.
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Match the Gravel
Kate Marker Interiors added pale gray gravel to the inside of the fire pit and the ground below for a cohesive look that matches the gray, white, and blue color scheme of the backyard. Blue patterned accents on the sofa make the space feel as thoughtfully decorated as any indoor living room.
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Build a Bridge
Interior designer Maite Granda added a moat-like walkway across the green grass leading to a round stone patio equipped with a matching round stone fire pit. The fire pit seating area is the centerpiece in this Florida backyard that provides a place to soak in the sun in the daytime, and a convenient spot to retire to for a drink after a meal.
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Go Rustic
This ultra rustic fire pit in a clearing outside a house surrounded by the woods from Winkelman Architecture creates a spot to camp out for long evenings. The pit can be reached from all the conveniences of home.
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Create a Lounge Vibe
A freestanding wood bar in a San Francisco backyard from Seed Studio Landscape Design is part of a larger entertaining space complete with a large picnic table and lounge space. Edison bulb string lights and a round white concrete fire pit create a cozy corner to curl up on chilly Northern California evenings.
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Have a Tall One
A tall cylindrical fire pit on the covered back patio of this Austin bungalow from Martha O’Hara Interiors creates a comfortable space to relax or watch the game. The thick rim on the top surface doubles as a drink holder when the fire isn't lit.
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Embrace Rustic Chic
This hillside house in Park City, UT from JLF Architects mixes rustic Western elements with contemporary materials to create a homesteader-like compound. The outdoor fire pit area can be accessed by double staircases and includes built-in banquette seating.
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Air It Out
This light and airy lounge space and fire pit area work both day and night. Set on a large patch of gravel that floats like an island in the spacious green yard, the small plantings around the periphery help define the space. The black-and-white furniture and accessories like the black metal firewood holder keep it chic.
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Combine Gray and Brown Tones
This spacious outdoor entertaining area from Kibler & Kirch includes an outdoor kitchen, bar, and fire pit area in shades of gray that complement the dark siding of the home and create a rustic chic patio space built for gathering with family and friends.
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Raise It Up
Mindy Gayer Design Co. created a fire pit area on a raised deck overlooking neatly manicured lawns and landscaping that has a modern outdoor living room feel in shades of gray and taupe.
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Build It With Boulders
WRJ Design used large boulders to define this rustic outdoor fire pit area that gives it a casual and organic feel.
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Take a Minimalist Approach
Home Consultant created a place to chill at the edge of a green lawn that came together with nothing more than a simple black round fire pit on a small pedestal and two chairs.
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Deck It Out
This modern fire pit is built into the faux grass floor of an upper deck with comfy outdoor furniture, modern railings, and open water views that gives it a rooftop feel in a rural setting.
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Position It Poolside
Tina Ramchandani Creative added a poolside fire pit area that is slightly raised above the pool and separated from the sitting area to give it a pride of place. The rectangular concrete fire pit is complemented with a pair of gray slip-covered outdoor sofas and blue-and-white striped throw pillows that complement the palette of the sprawling outdoor space.
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Choose Colored Chairs
Attardo Architecture & Design added a fire pit in a corner of the backyard of this sprawling home that is located several steps away from the back porch to make it feel like a destination and make the yard feel more connected to the rest of the home.
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Try Black and Gray
This fire pit conversation area is built on the weathered wood deck of a home by Crisp Architects and outfitted with modern black deck chairs styled with throw blankets and pillows that provide a comfy perch with a polished feel.
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Screen It in
A large wood screen provides privacy for the outdoor sofa and defines the inward-facing fire pit area from the rest of this wide-open deck from Seed Studio Landscape Design, creating a cozy feel for relaxing after dark.
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Lower the Pit
This rustic outdoor patio from Compton and Pierce Architects includes a fire pit built low to the ground on the edge of the water. A series of seating zones radiate around it which are connected by the use of the same white furniture.
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Add Cottage Style
Kate Marker Interiors surrounded this tall outdoor lake house fire pit area with white painted deck chairs that match the lattice fencing, creating a cozy spot with cottage style.
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Create an Indoor Outdoor Feel
Large glass windows allow this outdoor fire pit from Seed Studio Landscape Design to be visible from the inside, while the indoors glow with warm ambient light that is visible from the fire pit area. Ambient lighting on the desk helps maintain a low-key but balanced glow which creates a relaxing indoor-outdoor feel.
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Brighten Your Pit With Colorful Seating
Attardo Architecture & Design surrounded this backyard outdoor fire pit with colorful Adirondack chairs in patriotic shades of red, white, and blue.
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Stay in the Zone
Mindy Gayer Design Co. created double seating areas in this large, multi-level backyard entertaining space. The space includes a dedicated space with six low-to-the-ground deck chairs wrapped around a large rectangular fire pit that is separate from the seating area on the back patio just off the house.
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Add Landscaping
Some delicate landscaping and a set of airy metal chairs lighten up this conversation area from Seed Studio Landscape Design that is anchored by a large rectangular fire pit.
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Use Matching Finishes
Both this patio and fire pit from Jessica Nelson Design are covered in the same stone to create a cohesive look, while wood chairs add warmth in this scenic spot beneath tall trees and open sky.
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Create a S'Mores Corner
The Merrythought added a small portable wood-burning fire pit to this cozy backyard patio renovation that provides a place for the kids to make s'mores without taking up much space and fitting in with the modern decor.
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Shade the Area
This cozy modern fire pit seating area from Seed Studio Landscape Design is positioned on the back deck just outside the main living space to create a seamless indoor-outdoor flow, shaded by a mature tree that is the centerpiece of the outdoor space.
Does the Shape of a Fire Pit Matter?
Modern fire pits come in many shapes and sizes to accommodate varying tastes and needs. Whether you choose a round, square, or rectangular fire pit will depend on the size of your outdoor space, the furniture layout, and your preferences.
A square or rectangular fire pit will work well to anchor a pair of outdoor sofas facing one another; a square fire pit will fit nicely in the crook of an L-shaped banquette. A round fire pit will work well surrounded by deck chairs while maintaining flow.
These basic shapes have various heights and variations that include spherical and cylindrical variations. However, you can forget the geometric forms and opt for an organically shaped custom-built or DIY fire pit with a stone surround to blend into rustic natural surroundings and informal outdoor settings.
What Is the Best Kind of Fire Pit?
When choosing a fire pit, first decide whether you want one that is powered by wood, charcoal, or propane gas. Once you’ve figured that out, there are a host of options that include everything from old-school open-flame wood-burning models that require basic fire-building skills and will have you smelling like a campfire at the end of the night to new generation smokeless fire pits with double-wall stainless steel construction. In the end, the best kind of fire pit is the one you can afford, are comfortable using, and fits your space.