Laura Walters
A fire pit can add joy to your backyard experience, turning an ordinary evening meal into a special moment under the stars. The crackle of the fire, the dancing flames, the smell of marshmallows toasting… It’s all the adventure of camping without having to sleep in a tent.
But even if you are committed to the idea, don’t rush out and buy the first backyard fire pit you see. You should take several factors into account, like size, design, and safety, before you make a final decision.
I'll cover the most important factors you need to consider before purchasing or building a fire pit in your yard. Plus, I'll share some helpful tips when it comes to adding a fire feature to your landscape.
What to Consider Before Buying a Fire Pit
There is no “ideal” outdoor fire pit for the backyard because not all backyards are the same. People’s tastes and desires also differ. It’s important to pick a fire pit that appeals to you, but it's just as important to select one that works well in your backyard. It's also important to follow a few simple guidelines about how to integrate a fire pit into your landscape.
1. Size Matters
Have you ever walked into someone’s house and noticed that their loveseat is just too tiny for the room? Or perhaps you’ve fallen in love with a couch but, upon reflection, realized that it was way too big for your studio apartment?
Not thinking about size and scale is one of the most common landscape design problems as well. These elements matter just as much outdoors as they do inside your home. Think of an outdoor fire pit like a piece of furniture to help get the size right in relation to your yard.
Outdoor fire pits are available in sizes from tiny tabletop fire pits, which you can find on Amazon, to huge fire pits, like this stunning round concrete fire feature from Home Depot. So weigh the matter carefully before jumping in.
You’ll need to do some measuring and mapping of your space first. Factor in at least 6 feet (2 m) around the pit to allow for seating as well as safe and easy passage around the fire.
The more people you wish to accommodate around the fire pit, the larger the fire pit you should buy. If you’re thinking just you and your partner, a smaller pit under 1 yard (1 m) wide will do. A medium sized pit between 1 and 1.5 yards (1-1.5 m) will provide enough space and heat for about 10 people. If you expect to host larger gatherings, you should go bigger.
2. Wood or Gas?
If a crackling fire is part of the fire pit dream, you might insist on getting a wood-burning model. But gas—either propane or natural gas—also has advantages.
Before going shopping for different styles of fire pits, consult local laws to see whether wood fires are allowed in your area. Many urban areas have regulations to lower air pollution. But if you are allowed to have a wood-burning fire pit, they do tend to be a bit cheaper. There are dozens of fire pits under $100 at Home Depot that fit any landscape or house design.
If you are not permitted a wood-burning pit where you live, check out gas options. They are easier to use in general. You won’t have to cut logs or store stacks of wood, the pits don’t smoke, and they start right up without great effort—just flick a quick “on” switch.
Walmart has hundreds of great gas fire pit options to explore.
3. Location, Location, Location
Proper fire pit safety requires placing any pit well away from your home, outbuildings, and trees. At a minimum, all sides of the fire feature should be at least 6 feet (2 m) from any structures or plants.
City or county regulations may vary, so check with your local authorities. Some municipalities dictate that a fire pit must be at least to 10 feet (3.3 m) away from dwellings and fences.
Build in adequate spacing for seating around your fire pit, too. Are you going to sit in big, cozy chairs or wooden benches? Make sure you provide enough space for your desired types of backyard seating.
You should also consider the overall design of the landscape and traffic flow in the backyard. If your area is windy, factor prevailing wind direction into your choice of location.
4. Think Style & Material
No two backyards look the same and many are designed with a particular style in mind. This is reflected in the layout of the yard, the selection of flowers, shrubs and trees, the ground covers, choice of path materials, patio furnishings, and outdoor heating. Your fire pit will be an important feature in the landscape and must integrate well with the existing style.
Today you have a wide range of choices of material, color, shape, and portability when it comes to fire pits. Material is a good place to start. You can go for concrete, stone, metal, or a mix of several of these materials.
Pick something that will coordinate with your current backyard. But also consider the downsides of each material. For example, concrete and stone can both stain from soot, whereas metal gets hot.
Match color and shape to your home and existing hardscape. If you're planning on making your fire pit a big part of your time outdoors, a permanent structure is the obvious choice. But if you are only planning on using the pit a few times per season, there are temporary models available you can quickly stash in the garage.
This clever, collapsible smokeless fire pit from Amazon even turns into a grill or a table when not in use. It's perfect for the backyard or camping!
5. Money Matters
Prices for fire pits range from don’t-have-to-agonize-about-it small to fire-pit-or-vacation big. Only you can determine an appropriate amount for your household to spend.
If your budget is tight, pick a small, freestanding metal pit that burns wood. But there are stylish options even for smaller budgets, like this copper fire pit from Home Depot. For unlimited budgets, nothing beats a built-in custom fire pit or backyard fireplace, designed especially for your space.
If you're looking to invest in a fire pit that will be a truly show-stopping focal point, Terrain has some absolutely beautiful fire pits and accessories that are designed to last. They're perfect for a more modern aesthetic, but they are timeless and well-made enough to fit into any landscape design.
