The golden light; the warmth of the flames; the crackling in your ear as you’re immersed in the scent of warm, toasty marshmallows. Nothing quite says “summertime” like sitting fireside under the stars. Wouldn’t it be nice to bring that to your own backyard? Well, it may be easier than you think…
By incorporating a backyard fire pit to your home’s outdoor living space, you can relive that evening summertime feeling every night, whilst also boosting your home’s curb appeal and overall value. Sound too good to be true? Keep reading as the House Hacks Tips team outlines the financial motivation for installing an outdoor fire pit, along with a step-by-step tutorial so you can easily, and affordably, install one and transform your backyard living space into a fireside oasis.
Why Build a Backyard Fire Pit?
Being able to host friends and family at your home, or head out back to make a few s’mores after dinner certainly does enhance your living experience, but fire pits can also help to increase your home’s value. In fact, installing a DIY fire pit (or, if budget allows, hiring a team to install one) is a project that yields an average return of about 70%. However, keep in mind that there are caveats to that kind of ROI.
The overall value a fire pit can add to your home, specifically, depends on the materials used for the fire pit, and the overall quality of the build. Spaces that incorporate built-in benches and seating, for example, tend to skew toward the higher side of an equity increase – sometimes upwards of 15 – 20 percent! On the other hand, poorly put together fire pits could decrease your home’s value, and turn off potential buyers.
How to Build Your Own Backyard Fire Pit
Step One – Gather Your Supplies
Photo Credit: Houzz; metal fire pit ring
- Metal Fire Pit Ring
- Shovel
- Level
- Concrete adhesive
- 7” concrete fire blocks or brick
- 7” pavers
- Pea Gravel
- All-purpose sand
Step Two – Plan Your Fire Pit’s Location
Safety comes first when working with fire, so always be sure your fire pit is located at least 15 feet away from your home or any other structure. You’ll also want to be sure you have a hose or water source closeby to to the location you choose to place your pit.
Step Three – Dig a Hole
Measure the diameter of your fire pit and ring, and dig about a 7” hole – this will be the center of your fire pit and where the ring sits, so make sure to level it off so it’s a smooth, flat surface.
Step Four – Line Your Base Layer
Fill the first 1” of your hole with sand, followed by a row of blocks or fire bricks on top around the perimeter of the circle.
Step Five – Place Metal Fire Ring
Place the metal fire ring in the center of the perimeter-lined row of blocks.
Step Six: Lay Bricks or Pavers
Photo Credit: Mama Needs a Project
Lay your fire bricks or 7” pavers on the bottom of the pit, inside the metal ring. Secure them with your concrete adhesive.
Step Seven: Add Pea Gravel
Fill in any gaps between the blocks and pavers with pea gravel.
Step Eight: Lay Remaining Rows of Blocks
Photo Credit: The Shabby Creek Cottage
Following the circle, stagger and stack the remaining blocks to your designed height. You can also use any kind of rock or stone if you’d prefer.
Step Nine: Add Wood and Seating
Add in your wood or flammable logs, and line your fireside area with plenty of cozy seating for you, your family, and friends to enjoy,
Step Ten: Spark and S’more
Spark up the new fire pit and enjoy a s’more for your hard work – along with s’more home value!
