With the cold weather upon us, many are looking for ways in which we can still spend time in our backyards without having the chill get the best of us. One of the best ways to get the most out of our outdoor spaces is by installing a firepit.
However, many people believe that if you did not purchase a home that came with a firepit, then it would be an ordeal to install one after the fact. Of course, this is simply not true! It is actually rather easy to install a firepit, and can often be done without the help of a professional. Just make sure that your local bylaws allow for open fire on your property.
Here are 15 different examples of do-it-yourself firepits that you can install in your backyard.
1. Concrete Tire Ring Firepit
Let’s start our list off with what might be the least expensive option on this entire list. In fact, if you have these materials on hand, this project is practically free!
Just to clarify: when we are talking about a “tire ring” for this project, we are referring to a tractor tire ring. We are not referring to a regular automobile tire ring, and we are definitely not referring to a rubber tire ring (rubber tires are high flammable, and the last thing you want is for them to be up in flames — that is very hard to distinguish!)
To make this fire pit, you will need to find an old tractor tire rim that you can cut the center out of. You will then use the outer metal to hold your kindling. You can surround the metal ring with some bricks to help trap in the heat! Check out an easy-to-use tutorial from Ideas2Live4.
2. Washing Machine Drum Firepit
If you do not have easy access to old trailer parts, there are other materials that you can make use of in a firepit. One much more common material is an old washing machine barrel.
Many of us have washing machines in our homes, and although they can last some time all appliances will inevitably one day run out. Instead of condemning them to an afterlife in the landfill, we can find clever uses for them, such as turning them into a firepit!
An old washing machine drum actually makes a wonderful firepit, because they come with holes within the body already, which can help with ventilation. You can even decorate this firepit with fire-safe paint, if you’d like. Here’s a video that will show you how.
3. Concrete Building Blocks Firepit
Concrete building blocks are an example of cheap and relatively easy-to-find materials that serve a variety of purposes. Although concrete blocks may not be the most sightly of building materials, they are very sturdy and make excellent building blocks.
There are many ways that you can fashion concrete blocks into the shape of a firepit, but we love this tutorial from Lowe’s for its clarity. You should be able to acquire concrete blocks from a local masonry company, or from a hardware store.
4. Classic Stone Firepit
When we are building structures in our backyards, it doesn’t always have to be perfect! In fact, sometimes the most beautiful projects are the ones where we can approach them with an easy going, creative attitude. This DIY firepit tutorial from Hometalk encourages you to do exactly that, by showing how you can use assorted large rocks to make a makeshift but fully functional firepit that will keep your guests occupied all summer long.
5. Brick Firepit
Much like concrete blocks, bricks also make robust building materials. Even the standard bricks that you might have stacked around in your backyard can create great insulation. You will still need some sort of metal container to create the actual fire in, but bricks are a versatile way to create the surrounding enclosure! Get the details from this tutorial from SF Gate.
6. Firepit With Cover
Although uncovered fire pits are very popular, there are many reasons to invest in a firepit cover. For one thing, having a cover for your firepit will protect it from the elements of nature, such as rain and sun, which will in turn prolong its lifespan. It will also keep your firepit away from wildlife, which will help protect not only the pit but the animals, as well.
It doesn’t take much more effort or money to create a DIY firepit with a cover. Get the lowdown here at Addicted 2 DIY.
7. Retaining Wall Firepit
Retaining wall blocks are some of the most common materials used to build a firepit, although their intended purpose is to retain soil or water. Thanks to their large size and inexpensive cost, they are a popular choice for building a firepit if you have no other materials to work with. Learn how from Remodelaholic.
8. Professional Firepit
Some of us thrive off of the “DIY look”, but what if you are looking for something with a bit more of a polished look? Luckily for our wallets, it is actually possible to create a firepit by yourself that looks just as good as the ones that you could easily spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on. This how-to guide from This Old House is not entirely different from the other tutorials on this list, but there is something about its precision that gives it the look of something you would find in a professional showroom.
9. Budget Firepit
Not all of us are concerned about our firepits looking like they are something out of a magazine. If you are just concerned with creating something functional for the cheapest price possible, then there are also options out there for you. In our research, one of the least expensive firepits that we came across can be achieved for not even $75. Check it out at HowChoo.
10. Tabletop Fire Bowl
And now for something a little different! When we think of firepits, we usually think of individuals sitting around an enclosure. However, there are other ways that you can enjoy a night by the fire — such as with a tabletop firepit!
A tabletop firepit is a lot like a traditional firepit, except smaller and — you guessed it —on a table. Despite their statue, they are still effective in providing heat and ambience. Here is an example from The Art of Doing Stuff that uses cheap materials, such as small rocks and metal mesh to create a stylish firepit that can be placed on a table.
11. Tree Ring Firepit
This creative take on a traditional firepit is a great option for anyone who lives in fire-sensitive areas who needs to carefully keep their flames enclosed at all times. This tutorial from Instructables.com uses tree rings to contain flames. And we don’t mean literal tree rings — that would be a fiery disaster. In this sense, tree rings are simply those concrete rings that you often see protecting city trees (hence the name).
12. Tabletop Firepit 2.0
We loved the first tabletop firepit idea that we came across that we decided to search around for a second one. Here is a creative idea from the Garden Glove that uses decorative rocks and ceramic bowls to create tabletop firepits that look like something you would see in a resort or a spa.
13. One Hour Firepit
The amount that it costs is one way to measure a firepit project, but how about the amount of time that it takes? Would building your own firepit seem less intimidating if you knew that it could be accomplished in less than an hour?
That’s the idea behind this tutorial from The Shabby Creek Cottage which walks you through swift steps that can result in a functional firepit in less than an hour.
14. Four Step Firepit
Okay, if you thought the one hour firepit was still too complicated, we are going to take it one step further. Four steps, actually! This creation from A Beautiful Mess can be mimicked in only four steps: outline the firepit, dig the firepit, fill the firepit, and build the firepit! A project this easy can be completed over the course of one afternoon.
15. Professional Looking Firepit 2.0
Here’s another DIY firepit idea that will look like it came straight off the display room’s shelves. This example from The Owner Builder Network uses a mosaic made from cap stone, and the result is a design that looks both unique and manufactured.
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