One surefire way to brighten up your evening is by having an outdoor fire. Regardless of whether you cook marshmallows with the whole family or cuddle up together under a blanket – outdoor fireplaces create ambience and keep you and your guests warm.
Fireplace popularity went beyond pure indoor fireplaces and made it into the living room in the back yard. By installing an outdoor fire function, homeowners can extend their outdoor use to cooler seasons.
While elaborately constructed outdoor fireplaces can be expensive, there are many great ways to create a fire feature without breaking the bank. To add value to your outdoor living area, you can build your own fire circle or buy a freestanding fire pit or ring.
Here we’re going to explore some of the budget-friendly fire pit options that you can incorporate into your yard.
DIY fire pit with stone
A stone circle with a tipi-shaped pile of gently burning sticks is often an image that comes to mind when one thinks of a circle of fire. Such a fire pit can be very inexpensive (essentially free). This type of pit can be built with stones that you can find. Essentially, all you need is a shovel and some large rocks to line your circle. Smaller stones or gravel could be used in the center of the fire pit for both appearance and drainage.
- First choose a location for your fire circle. There are several factors you need to consider before building your pit:
- Is the fire circle far enough away from buildings, trees or other structures? This also includes overhead space. For safety reasons, make sure that there are no branches or power lines directly above where you want to place the fireplace.
- Is the floor enough to safely accommodate people? Choose a location where people can access the circle of fire and sit comfortably in chairs by the fire. If the level ground is scarce, you may need to dig a bit.
- How big should my circle of fire be? If you have limited space to work, you can create a small ring. However, if you have enough space, you may be interested in making a larger ring. Many fire pits are 3 to 5 feet in diameter.
- Now that you’ve chosen the best location for your fire function, you need to dig the shape of your circle. Dig 6 to 12 inches in the ground to create a base for your fire pit.
- Once the circle is prepared, you need to put stones around the hole. Stack them against the wall of the circle until the circle is complete. Lining the pit with gravel is optional.
Landscaping paving stones and stone facade fire pits
The design of wall blocks is an alternative to using stones from nature. Available at major hardware stores and landscaping companies Create a beautiful and inexpensive fire pit. Pavers are available in a variety of sizes and colors to complement your design aesthetic. This type of pit often looks more uniform than one built with natural stones.
Blocks used for landscaping can be easily stacked to create a permanent and safe place for a fire. You can determine the best height and width of a fire circle that matches your outdoor living space. Griddles can be added to make a couple of burgers for dinner, followed by S’Mores for dessert.
Landscaping retaining wall blocks costs an average of $ 1 to $ 4 per block. You can build a circular, square, or rectangular fire pit. Because the landscape blocks are a uniform size, your design can be as creative or as simple as you like. The cost of a landscape block fire pit could easily be under $ 100, a small investment that can take your outdoor living space to the next level for years to come.
Metal rings
Decorative metal fire pit rings can make a powerful statement that is budget friendly. Hardware stores and outdoor stores carry such products, and they usually cost in Prices range from $ 40 to $ 200. Fire ring rings are more or less available in a variety of widths from 36 to 60 inches.
There are rings with decorative details and often scenes from nature. Pine trees, deer, cabin scenes, and horses are favorites. There are even custom rings that can be personalized with your own design.
Closed fireplaces
Freestanding fire pits that use wood or propane are another way to add a fire feature. Unlike the metal ring and stone fire pits, many of these freestanding fire pits can be placed on concrete or stone patios. There are many designs and materials and here are just a few of the different options:
- Stone facade
- steel
- Galvanized metal
- Chimeneas
- Suspended tripod fireplace
- Features that use real wood
- Functions operated with propane
- Pieces of glass instead of logs
While the price of a self-contained fire is more expensive than a DIY stone fire pit, there are options in every price range from cheap to expensive. A simple freestanding fire pit can cost around $ 100, while more elaborate fire pit designs can cost in the range of $ 500 and up.
Design your firebox outdoors
Creating a layout for your outdoor living space is an important part of the design. Functionality and security can be optimized with the right planning. Determining your budget can also play a role in what materials and accessories you plan to use in your outdoor living space. Think about how to use the space and find the fire function that will make your garden the space you dreamed of.