Do you want to create the ideal outdoor space without spending a lot of cash? We needed to do something about our weedy backyard. So, we decided to tackle it with a few fire pit ideas on the cheap.
We started by creating a DIY fire pit. You can find all of the easy-to-follow directions right here. It’s a surprisingly easy project, so start there.
Then we made some DIY outdoor benches out of 2x4s. And once again, we were able to whip these out in a day. So, check out our post on this easy DIY bench idea (coming soon!).
Creating these outdoor projects is great, but if you want a truly magical space, there are a few simple ways you can make your outdoor space look spectacular.
Keep reading for our top fire pit ideas you can use to elevate your space on the cheap.
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Gravel Scape
You can certainly make our DIY fire pit and homemade benches in the middle of a grassy area, but our backyard was more weeds than grass. Yes, we could have tried to seed the area. But honestly, we thought it would be a waste of time with the shade from the trees and the sandy soil.
Our quick solution was to gravel scape the fire pit area. We used a weed barrier and about 3 yards of gray granite gravel to create a beautiful finished look around our fire pit and benches.
Out of all our fire pit ideas, this had the most significant impact. It really completed the space, changing it from a dirt patch to an extension of our home.
We bordered the gravel space with wooden boards on the grass side, a stone border toward the water, and a short fence nearest the house. It’s a good idea to use borders to keep the gravel in place—especially if you have children like us.
Add Lighting to your DIY Backyard Fire Pit
If you follow our blog, then you’ve seen our House to Home progress over the last few years. We’ve put a lot of work into our outdoor space. One of our best projects was our patio and horizontal fence.
We took this project to the next level with a DIY outdoor planter box. In the center, we placed a pole to hang string lights from and connect them to the fence.
This gave us the idea to add extra lighting as one of our cheap fire pit ideas. String lights, solar lights, lanterns, or candles are a low-cost way to bump up the look of your space.
Layer a couple of choices for added pizzaz.
DIY Backyard Table
When we created the outdoor planters, we had an extra one leftover. I knew we could use it for something, but I wasn’t sure what—’till now.
Tada, we decided to take the planter box and make it into a table base. We used leftover wood from the DIY bench. We cut the 2×8 board to fit, which meant three pieces fitting flush to create a rectangular top.
You can check out our post to find the simple outdoor planter directions.
We made the table two-tone to match our benches. It’s the perfect addition to place drinks and s’more making supplies.
Adirondack Chairs
This may seem like a no-brainer, but after all that DIY magic it’s okay to purchase a few fire pit ideas to elevate your space. We bought a couple of reasonably priced Adirondack chairs to place opposite our DIY semi-circle bench.
They are black, which coordinates with our black spray-painted bench bases. It ties the look together, but the different shape adds variety to the space and seats with backs for people who need support.
Adirondack chairs are a super-easy way to elevate your outdoor space, and you can control your investment with a wide variety of chair choices in various qualities and materials.
Pillows and Color
This is another one of those quick and easy fire pit ideas. Adding pillows is a simple way to add a pop of color to your space. You can change them out with the seasons or trends.
This allows you to paint or stain your homemade bench in a neutral color such as white, black, gray, or brown. Simply change your pillows for a new look.
Another way to add color is using blankets or potted plants. I can’t help myself though, I love neutrals. We coordinated the black spray paint with a black and white blanket, a white drink tray, and a black cooler.
Bug Repellent
Since we are creating an outdoor space, we need to think about fire pit ideas to fight mosquitos. Bugs can seriously ruin your outdoor fun.
Long sleeves and pants can help, but down South, we need to address bugs with bug repellent. There are a few ways to go about it. To elevate your outdoor space, you can use citronella torches or decorative citronella candles.
Other less known options for insect control are the cool hanging citronella spirals, modern-looking Dynatrap lanterns, or the super cute Anti-Fly Sphere.
We also put spiral bug repellent bracelets on our littlest children.
Final Thoughts on Cheap Fire Pit Ideas to Elevate Your Space
These simple fire pit ideas are so easy and cheap. It’s the little details that can make all the difference to your outdoor look. Adding a few of these touches is an affordable way to make a big impact.
You, and your guest, will enjoy your space so much more.
For added fun, be sure to try our cast iron s’more pizookie or our other yummy s’more recipes. And impress your guests with our fall favorite, apple cider milkshakes.
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