Building a Fire Pit

Here is how we built a DIY fire pit in a weekend.

Chairs around outdoor fire pit


Sometimes the job doesn't seem as enormous as it is until you're in the middle of it! 

This is our yard before...
The muddy corner where nothing grew because it was all shade and our two dogs ran through it all day.
Old fence and muddy corner

Meet the culprits:
   Kirby            &              Kody 
two little dogs

Here is what we did about it...

Step #1:
Mark off the space and lay a border.
Plastic edging to design the spot

Step #2:
Decide where you want to put the fire pit.  

 We used Nicolock Pavers. A circle will require 15 stones.
First row of pavers in a circle

We started with the first layer, working diligently to make it level.
We added the next 3 levels on top of the first. 

 You can use cement or a non combustable adhesive if you wish. 

These blocks are heavy and don't move easily!
4 pictures of pavers getting higher

Step #3:

Spray weed killer and cover the ground with a black weed barrier.
Before and after of corner with landscape fabric

I did this part... check out the pink work gloves.

Pink glove and a hammer

Step #4:

Start hauling wheelbarrow-full after wheelbarrow-full of pea gravel from the front driveway to the back yard. 
4 photos of the progress of adding stones

Man with wheelbarrow adding pea gravel

Somewhere about half way through, we were thinking about calling in some help. 

 I've gotta hand it to my husband, he did not quit!

As you can see I was totally about the decorating. I was putting out the pots as fast as Jim could get down the gravel.
Finished fire pit with sneakers



The yard was turning out great!
This is the back gate to our friends house... 

 The old fence badly needs to be replaced!
Gate added in the fence

Step #5:

Sit down and relax!

Corner of yard with chairs and fire pit

Check out the cool ladder I made for the corner!
Ready for the cover? 
I also built a stylish cover for the fire pit that made it double as a coffee table when not in use!

Corner of yard filled with planters

Soon after we replaced the fence and the yard took on a whole new look!

Fire pit with chairs around

A while later we added a small removable metal fire pit (found on the side of the road) to the inside of the brick fire pit for days when a smaller fire is all you need.

Chairs and fire pit with new fence

And though it wasn't an easy job by any means, together we got it done!

(and then we went out to dinner because we were too tired to cook!) 
Man with heart shaped sweat stain on shirt

Notice the sweaty heart on his shirt?
He worked really hard to make my idea come true!

Fire pit pinterest pin

Here is another updated photo of our fire pit with a new fence which made all the difference in our yard!

Outdoor fire pit with pea gravel

More backyard ideas from Homeroad...

Replacing the Fence with Vinyl.

Sprucing up the Yard with Mulch.

Adding Pea Gravel to the Fire Pit Area.

Making a Fire Pit Cover.

Making a DIY Log Holder.
How to build a log holder for fire wood. Homeroad.net
                   
Thanks so much for visiting and be sure to pin this project. You can follow Homeroad on Pinterest using the icons on the sidebar and sign up for emails so I can send my latest DIY tutorial straight to you!


Homeroad
Homeroad

I am Susan, the author and creator at Homeroad. I am a wife, mother of 4 daughters, and a grandmother of 5 and counting. I am a retired teacher, a DIY blogger and an artist at heart. .

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