Nearly every client we work with is looking to include a fire pit in their outdoor space. While a lot of the time, the most cost effective option is to simply buy a pre-fabricated option, a custom fire pit can be the element that takes your outdoor space to the next level. There is a wide range of materials that can be used to finish a custom fire place, and a multitude of ways it can be designed and installed. Here are some of our favorite custom fire pit ideas for you to use as inspiration in your brand new backyard.
Board Formed Concrete Fire Pit
Not all fire pits need to be metal finish bowls where you spend the night moving around the pit trying to avoid smoke. Custom fire pits are nearly always gas burning, which saves you the smoke-dodging and allows you to to start a fire in seconds.
Above, a custom fire pit has been constructed to bisect a large, composite deck in this home’s backyard living space. The original landscape has a large tree which the clients wanted to retain. Instead of cutting it down, we worked around it. The fire pit, finished with board formed concrete, divides the deck into two different areas.
To the right, a large table provides outdoor dining space. To the left, the deck opens up to the pool, and provides a shaded, finished area for clients to relax. On both sides of the deck, however, guests can gather around and enjoy an evening by the fire.
Auxiliary Patio Fire Pit
One of our favorite design additions is the inclusion of an auxiliary space. Whether it’s a raised deck of a small patio, it’s great to provide a secondary destination away from the hustle of the main living space. In the project above, we turned this small auxiliary patio into a campfire destination using a custom built fire pit.
The fire pit here is finished is a two-teir style. Both the base and the lip are done in a crisp, modern white to contrast the dark stone underneath. The large rectangular shape allows for a wider perimeter, meaning two outdoor sofas and two chairs are able to comfortably fit along side. Building a custom fire pit means that you are able to control size, design, and location resulting in a finished space that’s exactly to your standards.
Segmental Wall Block Custom Fire Pit
Another huge plus to designing a custom fire pit is your ability to match the fire pit to the rest of your space. This makes your finished design feel completely cohesive, as though the fire pit naturall sprung up from the hardscaping.
In the space above, we decided to finish the client’s fire pit in the same segmental wall blocks that finish the base of the long seat bench. This repetition of color and pattern ties the space together, making the entire design feel more intentional.
To finish, the top of the custom fire pit is finished in a dark gray slab that mimics the pavers around the base. The long, rectangular shape means plent of surface area for guests and homeowners to gather, while the gas flames means avoid the hassle of wood. The overall effect is a modern, beautiful fire pit that is custom made for the space.
Conversation Pit Fire Pit
Many of our clients are looking to do something a bit less traditional in their outdoor space. However, they still want the finished product to look modern and timeless. A great way to do this is to play with layout and elevation. Most patios are one level, or work with grading by building upwards. But one of our favorite unique elements to include in an outdoor space does the opposite.
The conversation pit, as seen above, becomes a cozy vessel for this next custom fire pit. Placed strategically in a lowered patio patio space, the sunken space creates a sense of privacy, even next to high-traffic areas of the property like the pool.
Here, the fire pit is an even square, tucking neatly into the corner and providing plenty of space for seating. The top of the custom fire pit is finished in the same material as the seat bench and the pavers that surround the sunken fire pit space.
Custom, Circular Fire Pit
Another way you can get creative with custom fire pits is through shape. While most of the custom fire pits we’ve showcased here are angular, we have finished this space with a custom, circular fire pit. This shape becomes the central point for the surrounding design.
Around the circular pit, a large, curved seat bench provides ample space to sit and relax. Supporting the bench is a long, curved, concrete wall. If you look closely, you can see that both the wall and the custom fire pit have been finished in the same material. This repetition of design ties the space together. In the center of the fire pit, white stone provide bright contrast against the dark gray walls. Underfoot, assorted rectangular pavers create geometric contrast against the organic lines of the seat wall and fire place.
Explore More Custom Fire Pit Design Inspiration
From custom fire pits, to paver patios and pools, we’ve got design inspiration for any backyard project on the blog. View completed designs, or get your questions answered. For a day to day look at what we’re up to, follow us on Instagram!
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