DIY cozy home fire pit [Steps on how to build one]
Have you ever wondered how some people manage to decorate their garden in a wonderful way? How can they implement something as beautiful as a fire pit without professional help? The trick is in the technique which can be taught and learned.
Outdoor DIY projects can be less difficult and much less costly than you think. They can also make your home safer and boost its value. Also, completing something that provides visual beauty brings immediate satisfaction.
Nothing beats the aura of an amazingly designed fire pit in the outdoor space. It might seem complicated but they are not. Plus they add to the beauty of the outdoor area when you get to enjoy evenings around the comfort of your fire pit with a modern sitting area.
Fire is an essential element. Building yourself a fire pit is not only smart but also economical using inexpensive and upcycled materials. Why spend the breezy evenings inside the house when you have the option of killing time near the spectacular fireplace.
Utilize these cheap and easy ideas to revamp your outdoor and backyard.
1] Concrete Block Fire Pit
This is the classic simple fire pit that will last you for years to come while providing the perfect ambiance for many thrilling campfire stories. It is circular in shape and stylish.
2] Tabletop Fire Pit
This is a chic elegant alternative to the traditional garden pit. It brings about a touch of luxury when set together with your favorite furniture. You cannot cook anything over it.
Materials you need
- Marine silicone
- Small rocks
- Pieces of glass
- Metal mesh
- Gel fuel with or 70% isopropyl alcohol
- Square planter with a bit of a lip on it
You will begin by making a glass box. To do that just run a bead of silicone around the edges of your glass and place them together. Do two sides first and hold them in place somehow until they dry. Then run another bead of silicone and place your last piece. When placing your glass, try not to smear the silicone around because it will be scandalous trying to get it off. Just take your time.
After that, flip the box over then place the silicone edge on top of the metal planter making sure there is enough edge in the middle left over for some metal mesh to rest on it. Does the glass break on heat? Only if the glass is tempered with or by extreme fast temperature changes.
Your box is now made, so you move on to cutting your mesh that fits. This mesh is used to hold some rocks which in turn hide the fuel beneath. The rocks should be heavy for their size. Then put an opened can of gel fuel into the center of your pit or pour isopropyl alcohol into a leak-proof metal container.
Finally, start putting down your rocks to cover the hideous mesh. Keep in mind that rocks with moisture in them can explode. Then clear the rocks away from above the gel fuel can and light it up. What makes this fire pit so amazing is its glass.
3] Half Wall Fire Pit
This is for you if you are particularly conscious about safety. The added stone paving around the pit reduces the possibility of escaping.
4] Brick and Stone Pit
This is another classic DIY fire pit design that looks stunning with a rustic stone exterior. Ensure you use fireproof bricks to prevent any unpleasant surprises later on.
Here you will need a string, landscape fabric, mortar, stone, concrete, rebar firebrick, and black stove paint. You start by preparing the base. Here you hammer a piece of rebar directly at the center of the fire pit location and cut a piece of string half the diameter of the pit. Make a loop and use it to mark the circumference of the circle.
Then you pour the footing which is a premixed cement according to the manufacturer’s directions. Spread the cement in the area between the outside and inside the circle while leaving the center area free to allow drainage. It should be at least 2-foot pieces of rebar completely submerged. Then allow it to dry.
Once dry you put the first course of face stones in place then move on to the first row of fire brick. Trowel a layer of mortar along the inside edge of the face stone and press the first fire brick into place. Check for level and remove excess mortar as you work. Continue building the wall of the fire pit by alternating layers of face stone and fire brick until the desired height is reached.
Here you can avoid wall weakness by staggering the joints between the previous and subsequent layers of stone and brick. Fill in any gaps between the fire brick and the stone with mortar and stone scraps. Then you apply a generous amount of mortar on top covering both the set stone and the fire brick for setting capstones.
Ensure that all the stones are as level as possible then use a stiff brush to scrape off the remaining bits of mortar. To complete the project, spray down the fire pit with water to remove any dust that might have collected and leave it to dry. Then you spray the interior with black stove paint.
5] Concrete Tree Rings the Fire Pit
This petite fire pit stands out for its unusual design and color. And can be made with a $50 budget and can be moved to a different spot without a lot of trouble or expense.
You will need a Weber Smokey Joe portable charcoal grill, 4 sections of 14 inside diameter concrete tree ring, and 2 cubic feet of small stones, pebbles, road gravels, or decorative rock. You begin by constructing the inner ring on a nice level area of your yard. The tree rings will be more stable on bare earth than on grass or on top of concrete.
The trick to turning tree rings into a decent-looking fire pit is to make the ring two sections tall by turning the fluted top sections upside down so they interlock with the fluted bottom section. To give the fire pit more mass, you can choose to surround the inner ring with an outer ring. Which has a very convenient tab-type locking design that helps a great deal with stabilization.
Next, you fill in the void. You will notice that there is a gap between the inner ring and the outer ring and the latter is an inch taller. To solve both of these issues, the outer ring is erected first and then filled approximately two inches deep with small stones. Then you set the inner ring on top of those stones after trial and error to ensure the tops of the inner and outer rings will be level when they are completed.
Once in the level, install the Weber Smokey Joe grill and unscrew the legs if it comes with it. Once in place, you start a fire after setting the vent opening however you want. Then get out the graham crackers and marshmallows to enjoy your firepit.
6] Washing Machine Drum Pit
This basic fire pit is a great solution if you are looking for something simple and portable. It will keep you warm, look great and it’s a great upcycling project.
7] Simply Circular
If you are not interested in digging up any parts of your lawn you can use sand and tile to create a fireproof base. This type of fire pit will only cost you $60 plus no one can tip it over. Also, the outside pavers do not get too hot hence you can put your feet on them.
You will need pavers laid out in a circle and then build them up three levels. Ensure the top layer has as few gaps as possible and use concrete for additional support. Now for the floor, you can use pavers, some in squares and some in triangles to fill the circle. Then take some paver sand, and put it into cracks and sides of the flooring using a broom to evenly distribute it.
8] Concrete Fire Pit
If building blocks are not so much your style, then you can keep things simple with a concrete pit.
The materials you will require are gravel, fire pit metal bowl, flagstone, pebbles, stakes, cement, mortar, rebar, boards, nails, and wire mesh. Start by building the exterior and then the interior concrete form. Then add reinforcement, the wire mesh, and pour concrete. Tamp it down so that all holes are filled then smooth off the top with a trowel.
Once the concrete is dry and set up, carefully strip the forms. Then add a thin layer of mortar along the outside of the frame to add a smooth finish. Then add gravel about three-quarters of the way full so the top of the fire bowl will be flush with the top of the concrete frame. Set the bowl in place to the correct height.
Add decorative rocks along the outside of the bowl until only the top rim of the bowl is exposed. Then a little flagstone to cap the concrete frame and the firepit is complete.
9] All Squared Away
If a concrete square is a little too spartan for your tastes but a circle seems passé try a concrete block square. It avoids the time-consuming process of cutting the blocks to fit into a tidy circle.
Start by finding your center point and spray painting a circle in the grass to mark where you need to shovel out the dirt. Then put down the cement blocks and some rectangular pavers around the top for additional visual appeal. Cement everything and the fire pit is ready for making new memories.
10] Brick Fire Pit
Old bricks not only build beautiful fire pits but also simple ones with minimal materials which are all cheap. Definitely under $50.
You will need bricks, spray paint, and landscaping stone. Then lay them down in the pattern you want, and mark the diameter to have a nice trace to go by. Now dig your depth according to your pattern and configuration of the brick. Place your bricks back into the configuration you started with and fill the gaps with the landscape stone of your choice.
The stone will help to keep the walls and stones in place. In case it is winter you may want to backfill with concrete or better yet quiet.
11] Tractor Tire Rim
Although not everyone has access to tractor tires, it is also possible to use car rims to achieve a mini version of this fire pit. Using the rim provides you with a perfect circle form hence avoiding any digging.
12] Crazy Paving
If you want to stand out, then this unusual tiling fire pit is for you. It is simple, effective, and goes a long way to show that one small change can affect the whole look of your pit.
You will need a shovel, a bunch of bricks, marking paint, gravel, concrete adhesive, a rake, and a wheelbarrow. Once you have decided on the size of your pit, use a string that is cut to the radius of your future circle of fire and mark it. Then dig out a 12-inch deep hole, and make a sturdy base by spreading a 4-inch layer of gravel or lava rocks.
Rake the top layer flat and continue on to placing the bricks or retaining wall units secured into the base with a mallet. Use the shovel again to remove sod away from the rim of your pit. So that you place flat rocks all around. Make sure they sit partially on the bricks and the spaces in between are filled with dirt. And there you have a fire pit made by your own hands.
Maybe you have some of your own creative designs in mind after reading about these DIY pit ideas. Where you can get to enjoy the atmosphere in the warmth of fire and light. With your family and friends gathered around, roasting marshmallows, drinking mulled wine, and enjoying the moment.