13 Fire Pit Ideas to Make the Most of Summer Gatherings

A good friend lately instructed me, “You’re by no means alone when there’s a fireplace.” How true, I believed. Once you’re sitting round a fireplace pit, watching the marigold flames dance, a heat takes over. Thoughts come and go, as the fireplace retains you firm. And you probably have the beauty of sharing this with somebody, even higher. 

This all accounts for why a fireplace pit is an inspiring and enjoyable area to design. Doing so is sort of a break in a dam. When you create a comfortable place outside to sip wine, toast marshmallows, and simply be—now that’s a mini flood. You’ll be there each evening. Your pals, too. The upsides to this straightforward area are myriad: outside respite, baked-in summer entertainment, and countless firm (alone or with others). Plus, creating one could be surprisingly extra budget-friendly than you could suppose. 

Featured picture courtesy of Alexander Design.

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Here are 13 fire pit ideas to spark inspiration, with design tips ranging from high to low. I love how interior designer Audrey Scheck approaches this area. “The purpose is to make outside areas an extension of your house by making a symbiotic move that encourages everybody to get exterior.” 

#1: On the Heart

For his or her Austin residence, Camille and Adam constructed a customized stone firepit that has grow to be the centerpiece of their backyard area. “We needed a big space the place household and buddies might collect to make s’mores and hang around, however we additionally needed a spot for open-fire cooking,” says Camille. Making the fireplace pit the point of interest ensures individuals are all the time tucked in and relaxed.

#2: Properly Shaded

It’s often greatest to mild the fireplace as soon as daylight and temperatures dim. Nonetheless, a fireplace pit is beautiful to hold round in the course of the day. Maintain it cool and shady with massive standing patio umbrellas that supply a reprieve from the solar.

#3: Combine and Match

Suppose of a hearth pit as an out of doors front room. Make consolation and magnificence paramount by incorporating seating that’s inviting. This will embrace a mixture of sofas, chairs, cushions, or no matter association fits your area greatest. Even tree stumps replete with cushions could make for natural seating.

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#4: Plant It

Take note of the décor past the fireplace pit and seating. This space begs for different design moments, akin to small facet tables and planters. Even just a few outside lanterns peppered all through can supply a heat hue to enrich the fireplace.

#5: Open Minded

There’s all the time room for a fireplace pit. You simply need to get inventive! Look to a vacant cement nook, grassy nook, or grime space as a possibility. The bottom and setting needn’t be good. Place the fireplace pit and seating and see how the area immediately transforms.

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#6: A Bountiful Bowl

If the point out of fireside pit concepts conjures photos of grand spreads and large backyards, right here’s a contemporary spin: a extra intimate area could be simply as good. In instances the place area is restricted, a round and smaller fire bowl makes an excellent pit with a decrease profile.

#7: Triple Responsibility

Much more than a peaceable gathering spot, a fireplace pit makes for a superb impromptu place to barbecue and relaxation drinks and snacks. A novel grill cowl can flip one into an instantaneous outside grill, whereas a detachable cowl checks the field of an additional desk.

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#8: Classic Treasures

After all, any furnishings that stays across the hearth pit must face up to the weather, from wind to grime to sunshine. This makes for a superb case to weave in second-hand items, whether or not from a earlier indoor area or scoured on the flea market. Intention for pure wooden or stone furnishings that ages nicely in and outside.

#9: Coloration Story

The hearth pits are usually impartial in coloration, making for a simple backdrop for some brilliant colours. Experiment with incorporating seating in vibrant hues. A number of wooden Adirondacks would make an ideal canvas to color (and re-paint).

#10: Stylishly Stacked

Hearth logs have a utilitarian magnificence when displayed neatly. Place additional wooden in a classy catchall close by so it’s inside arm’s attain to replenish the flames.

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#11: Good Sections

For Camille’s Zuma beach house renovation, hearth pits reign. Her coastal residence may have two—one smaller hearth bowl, and one bigger rectangular pit outfitted with a built-in sectional couch. The takeaway? Contemplate two hearth pits for optimum outside “dwelling rooms,” and look to built-ins for a streamlined look.

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#12: Wrapped Up

Take a cue from Jaimee Longo of The Layered Home and preserve just a few throw blankets tossed on the seating across the hearth pit. These make for impromptu cover-ups to maintain bugs and chills at bay.

#13: Diversified Edges

Very like a front room, a mixture of onerous and comfortable edges affords a pleasant aesthetic stability. Go for a round hearth pit or bowl to anchor a sq. or rectangular couch or sectional. And for a fireplace pit with onerous edges, think about arranging the seating on the corners.