Fire pits are a fantastic garden feature for two reasons in particular. First and foremost, they look lovely; an extra design element that adds extra intrigue to the overall design of your outdoor space. Secondly, fire pits are also useful - you can use them as a source of heat, or even to make the perfect toasted marshmallows on a pleasant summer’s evening.
Given the benefits a fire pit can offer, you may well find yourself tempted to add such a feature to your own garden in future. Here are a few ideas you may want to consider.
Submerged fire pit
A submerged fire pit is entirely what it sounds like it would be: a fire pit that predominantly exists below ground level. These types of pits are incredibly popular, and - you’ll be pleased to know - relatively easy to construct. You will, obviously, need to dig down to create a trench, line the walls of the pit with stone, and then add gravel and kindling to the base of the pit.
Above-ground fire pit
With an above-ground fire pit, you are essentially creating a submerged fire pit, then continuing to build the walls of the pit above ground level. Many families, particularly those with young children, find this kind of fire pit to be a safer choice as the edges are clearly defined, which ensures there’s no risk of children tripping and falling into the pit.
It’s worth noting that this type of pit does not require a particularly arduous construction process. Some people choose simply to lay stones on top of one another to create the above-ground ‘walls’; others prefer a more robust construction made of stone and mortar - so you can go with whatever works well for you.
Gravel fire “pit”
If you’re not particularly enamoured with the idea of digging a deep trench for your fire pit, then there is an alternative option that is well worth considering. For this kind of fire “pit”, you’ll need to section off an area of your garden; preferably an area that is large enough for your fire, seating arrangements, and perhaps some additional lighting.
When you have an area in mind, you can lay a bed of gravel over the entire designated area. With your gravel base established, you can then build a stone surrounding structure wherever you please, using the gravel itself as the base for the fire. You can build “walls” up in a similar manner as described with the above-ground fire pit. Of course, without digging deeper into the soil this type of pit isn’t technically a pit, but it is one of the easiest options if you’re looking for a way to enjoy a roaring fire in your garden.
In conclusion
All of the above options work well, and perhaps their greatest asset is how customisable they are. Your fire pit can be as large, or small, as you need it to be, so literally any garden is suitable.
If you have always thought a fire pit would be a great addition to your garden, hopefully the ideas above will inspire you to turn the dream into a reality!