Is there anything better than gathering with friends and family around a cosy fire in your backyard. Whether you have a dedicated fire pit area, or have just kitted out your alfresco space with something like a fire bowl, a bit of heat can transform your outdoor room for year-round use.
And there are plenty of options on the market, from electic heater solutions, built-in outdoor fireplaces, and DIY fire pits. Even pizza ovens can help heat your outdoor space! There are plenty of ways to ensure your outdoor areas are enjoyable no matter what the night-time temperature.
Of all the options, though, fire pits are the most budget-friendly outdoor heating option, and can be the easiest to install. They come in a range of different sizes and styles, so you can find one that looks great in your space, and even makes a feature of your backyard.
What should you put at the bottom of a fire pit?
When setting up a fire pit area in your backyard, it’s best to put a layer of fire-resistant material at the base to ensure the fire pit doesn’t overheat the ground and is stable. Something like gravel, bricks, concrete or sand would work. It’s always safest to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing a fire pit.
What is the cheapest way to make a fire pit area?
There are plenty of ways to make a DIY fire pit if your budget doesn’t allow for something pre-made. Fire Rings can be purchased from most hardware stores and are typically made of steel and very affordable.
Old bricks, concrete blocks or large rocks can also be recycled and used to create fire pits in your backyard for less. Visit your local tip shop or have a look in the streets during council clean-ups for materials.
Once again, when constructing a fire pit it’s important to consider safety. Contact your local fire department or council for help, and ensure you clear out any flammable objects before lighting your fire.
What do you put in a fire pit to make it burn?
Unlike gas heaters that only require pressing a button to turn them on, with fire pits you actually have to start a fire! You can do this with firewood and kindling — hardwoods like oak, maple and birch are the best. It’s important that the wood is dry and old to avoid creating too much smoke.
Alternatively, you can use things like fire starters and other accelerants, available at your local supermarket and hardware stores.
21 fire pit area ideas to inspire
Being completely off-grid, this mindful home in Kyvalley is all about reaping the free benefits that the environment can offer. Run off solar panels and built using a carefully selected array of materials (including recycled timber and concrete for its thermal properties), the home works entirely with nature, rather than against it – glasses of wine enjoyed alfresco by the fire pit included!
In the yard of this modern farmhouse-style home on the Mornington Peninsula, a perfectly landscaped fire pit zone invites gatherings. Shaded by a bay tree and further enclosed by the surrounding pines and bushland, the area feels intimate and private.
Sitting nestled into a valley outside the village of Buckland, Tasmania, the historic Twamley homestead has been handed down through a total of six generations. Out in the garden, simple log seats surround the communal fire pit, which provides sweeping views across the valley.
This restored 1880s cottage in country Victoria is like something out of a fairytale. While the interiors, full of antiques and charm, are absolutely gorgeous, the surrounding gardens, designed by Darren Spiller, are equally magical. Here, nestled within the pear garden, a fire pit purchased in Bendigo offers the most picturesque spot to sit and relax.
This stunning holiday home in Tasmania has been lovingly named Whale Song, and when it’s not hosting countless Airbnb guests, it’s also home to artist Ingrid Daniell. In the creation of Whale Song, capitalising on stunning natural views was a must for Ingrid, so it’s no surprise that the fire pit is the perfect place to gather and view the ocean.
This lovingly revamped mid-century home embraces sculptural design and smooth curves, so it’s no surprise that this ethos extends even to the outdoor entertaining area. A bespoke curved in-built bench arcs around the firepit, creating a natural gathering space.
This Queensland pool house may be small, but it’s filled with clever design details that have made it the perfect holiday rental. In the beautifully landscaped back yard, a fire pit takes pride of place.
This former sheep property in the Southern Tablelands is home to an eco-friendly rammed earth farmhouse that has been designed to be the perfect home for this family that sought the “simpler, more authentic life” as farmers. The fire pit at the rear of the house is perfectly placed between the primary residence and the guest house.
In the courtyard of this modern family home inspired by Japanese design, grey pavers are paired with grey gravel to create a relaxed zen-style outdoor entertaining area. A beautiful curved fire pit is nestled in the heart of the courtyard and a timber bench provides ample seating.
Inspired by gardens that usually accompany Italian villas, this dual-purpose holiday home features a sophisticated outdoor entertaining zone complete with generous lawns, a fire pit, and an outdoor sofa to boot.
Designed as a passion project for creative couple Johnny and Claire Greig, this relaxed dream home in Freshwater has been lovingly designed with ample stylish and creative touches. Perched on the lawn just beside the outdoor dining area is an elevated fire pit.
Packing a whole lot of function in a compact space, the outdoor entertaining zone of this tropical resort-style home features an outdoor shower, fire pit, ample seating and lush tropical plantings to create the ultimate retreat.
Creating a cosy living space is easier than you think! This outdoor room boasts all the creature comforts you’d usually find in the living room, but a fire pit helps to take it to the next level in indoor-outdoor living.
When it comes to creating the perfect outdoor entertaining zone a fire pit is an easy way to make sure the area is trans-seasonal. Choose a fire pit with a sculptural shape to make a bold statement.
The heritage-listed terrace in Sydney was given a brand new outdoor entertaining zone complete with ample built-in seating and lush plantings. A statement EcoSmart fire pit is the crowning feature.
In the creative home of artists Vicki Lee and Ted O’Donnell a cast iron firepit has transformed their balcony into an entertaining zone that remains cosy all year round.
A trio of country cottages were joined together to create the incredible Bowfield abode. Making its home on the generous acreage, this fire pit has “Bowfield” laser cut into its side, adding a truly personalised touch to the entertaining zone.
This old farm cottage in Tasmania has been transformed into a dreamy holiday home, complete with the perfect outdoor entertaining zone. Log stools and outdoor chairs make gathering around this sculptural fire pit the obvious choice at nightfall.
A more modern take on the fire pit, this Modernist home in Sydney features an in-built sculptural fire pit that has become the centrepiece of the outdoor entertaining area.
This renovated river cottage was designed to make the most of its stunning natural surrounds. Nestled under soaring palm trees, this outdoor entertaining area features rustic timber benches surrounding a fire pit that’s perfect for relaxing around throughout the year.
A Robert Plumb fire pit makes a bold statement in the backyard of this family-friendly beachside home that allows the residents to entertain all year round.
WriterLucy FrancisSenior Content Producer
Lucy Francis has a long-standing love affair with homes that began with a childhood spent picking out the nicest house on each street from the back of her parents' 2000s Subaru. Years later, after completing both a Diploma of Interior Design at Design Centre Enmore and a Bachelor of Media at Macquarie University, she dipped her toe into PR at a bespoke firm specialising in architecture, then went on to produce social media and editorial content at a Sydney agency before settling right at home in…homes.Following a brief stint with Better Homes and Gardens, Lucy has spent several years writing under Homes To Love and managing the digital presence of Inside Out, Real Living and Country Style. It’s here that she can combine her great loves every day: design, architecture, lifestyle, homes, and, of course, words. In her free time, she finds her dream home over and over on real estate websites and spends far too long browsing Facebook Marketplace for mid-century furniture.
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