Create a cozy outdoor space with one of these cheap and easy DIY fire pits. From simple brick firepit ideas to in-ground firepits, there are plenty of ideas to choose from.
![](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/diy-fire-pits2020.jpg)
Learn how to build a firepit in your backyard so that you can enjoy evenings with your friends and family roasting marshmallows and relaxing on the patio. There are DIY fire pit ideas here for every budget, style, and skill level, so you will find the perfect project that suits your needs!
You can find custom fire pit ideas for cinder, concrete blocks, cement, retaining wall blocks, bricks, rocks, metal, and more. Whether you are looking for square or round firepit ideas, there are plenty of different designs.
These homemade fire pit ideas are cheap and easy to make. Most of these outdoor DIY projects can be completed in a few days with inexpensive materials and supplies like sand, pea gravel, shovels, etc. These DIY backyard ideas will allow you to improve your curb appeal on a budget!
Whether you’re looking for modern designs or classic fire pits, there are countless design options to help you find the right project idea for your yard.
From cheap materials like river rocks to more exotic ones like lava rocks, this collection explores some amazing ideas that anyone can easily execute with a bit of creativity and a weekend or two of work!
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Circular Fire Pits
![Concrete Tree Rings Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/F05U2MQHHS9W2LP.LARGE_.jpg)
$50 Firepit Using Concrete Tree Rings from Instructables
![retaining wall block fire pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/pits-fire-pit.jpg)
Easy Fire Pit DIY from Bower Power
![gray paver firepit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/How-to-build-a-DIY-firepit-for-60-8.jpg)
$60 Firepit from Keeping it Simple
![brick DIY fire pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DSC_7842-copy-1.jpg)
Simple Fire Pit from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom
![DIY Brick Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Snapchat-863326838.jpg)
DIY Brick Fire Pit For Only $80 from Daniela Marie
![DIY stone firepit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/one-hour-fire-pit.jpg)
One Hour Firepit from The Shabby Creek Cottage
![Stone rocks Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/finished-firepit.jpg)
Stone Fire Pit from Old World Garden Farms
![in ground brick fire pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Firepit2-1024x768.jpg)
Step-by Step Build Instructions from Tuff Guard Hose
![concrete retaining wall brick fire pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/DIY-Inexpensive-Firepit-1.jpg)
Easy DIY Inexpensive Firepit from Thrifty Little Mom
![Retaining Wall Block firepit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DIY-Fire-Pit-9.jpg)
Retaining Wall Block Fire Pit from Remodelaholic
![in ground brick and rock DIY Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/build-fire-pit.jpg)
How to Build A Firepit from Goods Home Designs
![concrete landscaping stones fire pit with a metal fire pit ring](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/easy-fire-pit.jpg)
Easy 4 Step Fire Pit from A Beautiful Mess
![Landscape Wall Stone Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/08eff7a8-35c4-4012-98d9-dd69edf61777.jpg)
Landscape Wall Stone Firepit from eHow
![wall blocks and capstone fire pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/firepit-0907-x_0.jpg)
Step-by-Step DIY Tutorial from This Old House
![simple round brick fire pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/diy-fire-pit.jpg)
$100 Fire Pit from Family Handyman
![brick backyard firepit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/10-a8b86b.jpg)
DIY Backyard Fire Pit (7 Steps) from Zillow
![gray stone patio fire pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/build-an-outdoor-firepit.jpg)
Professional-Looking Firepit for $125 from How to Nest for Less
![DIY Stone Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1420763896328.jpg)
Stone Fire Pit from DIY Network
![DIY backyard fire pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Screen-Shot-2018-03-24-at-9.51.09-AM.jpg)
Budget-Friendly Firepit (Nifty Video Tutorial) from Facebook
![Multi Level FirePit for Kids](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/multi-level-fire-pit.jpg)
Multi Level One Kids (source unknown)
![Retaining Wall Block Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/fire4.jpg)
$30 Retaining Wall Block Firepit from Always Chasing Life
![retaining wall paver DIY firepit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/owu4mjyymmeg.jpg)
$75 Fire Pit from How Choo
![Decorative Brick firepit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Decorative-Fire-Pit.jpg)
$127 Decorative Firepit from Mommy’s Kitchen
![Built-In Style DIY Fire Pit Kit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/finish2.jpg)
Built-In Style Kit DIY from Red Door Home
![smokeless firepit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/DIY-Smokeless-Fire-Pit-32.jpg-copy.jpg)
DIY Smokeless Firepit from By Brittany Goldwyn
![double fire pit with cooking area](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/cca31db1d69ea2a74d2ebcc65c238959.jpg)
Double Firepit with Cooking Area from Pinterest
![weekend backyard diy project](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/DIY-Fire-Pit-1-of-1.jpg)
Weekend Backyard DIY from Bless’er House
Tabletop Fire Pits
![DIY Tabletop Firebowl](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Firebowl-fire.jpg)
DIY Tabletop Fire Bowls from Today’s Creative Life
![Cheap Personal firepit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/personal-fire-pit.jpg)
Cheap Personal Firepit from The Art of Doing Stuff
![Tabletop Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/DunnDIY-SeattleWA-TabletopFirePit-28_170127_102739.jpg)
Tabletop Fire Pit Bowl from Dunn Lumber
![DIY Modern Concrete Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/diy-fire-pit-feature-1_large.jpg)
DIY Modern Concrete Fire Pit from Scratch from Man-Made DIY
Square Firepits
![square Cinder Block Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Cinder-BLock-Fire-Pit.jpg)
Cinder Block Firepit from Prepper Ways
![Square Concrete FirePit DIY](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1420779607676.jpg)
Concrete Fire Feature from DIY Network
![DIY Square cement block Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/fire-pit-no-stones-blog-size.jpg)
DIY Square Firepit Using Concrete Pavers from Carole Knits
![DIY Stone Square Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/diy-fire-pit2.jpg)
DIY Stone Square Fire Pit from The Crafty Ninja
![Giant Square Fire Pit Using Repurposed Materials](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Fire-Pit-21.jpg)
Giant Square Firepit Using Repurposed Materials from Rachel Ferrucci
![Modern Concrete Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/hmm_ep46_concretefirepit_pcard.jpg)
Modern $250 Concrete Fire Pit from Homemade Modern
Other Fire Pits
![In Ground Stone & Brick Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/in-ground-brick-stone-fire-pit.jpg)
In Ground Stone & Brick Firepit from Pinterest
![In Ground FirePit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/how-to-build-an-in-ground-fire-pit-finished.jpg)
In-Ground Fire Pit from Lowes
![Outdoor Stacked Fireplace](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/How-to-build-a-stacked-stone-fireplace-DIY-900x1354.jpg)
Outdoor Stacked Stone Fireplace from Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
This project is more complex to make and costs more money, but it sure is gorgeous!
![Garden Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/F5I5ZLNHZ88NK82.LARGE_.jpg)
Garden Firepit from Instructables
![Flat Rock Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_2158.jpg)
Flat Rock Firepit from Lucy’s Lamp Shade
![Upcycled metal Fire pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/firepitDIY010.jpg)
$10 DIY One Hour Upcycled Washing Machine Drum from House and Fig
![DIY Fire Pit Tabletop](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/tabletop-fire-pit.jpg)
DIY Tabletop from The Lily Pad Cottage
![Tracker Wheel Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/tractor-wheel-fire-pit-04.jpg)
Tracker Wheel from Tractor by Net
![Square Metal Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/metal-fire-pit.jpg)
Metal Fire Pit from The Brick House
![Faux Fire Pit with string lights and wood](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/garden-holiday-lighting-fire-without-flame-1215-xl.jpg)
Faux Lights from Sunset
![DIY Table Cover](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/20201104_142344-copy.jpg)
DIY Fire Pit Table Cover from Le Bois Home
Seating & Design Ideas
![Circle Bench for Your Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/diy-curved-bench-for-fire-pit.jpg)
$125 Circle Bench for Your Firepit from 1001 Gardens
![DIY Circular Fire Pit Patio](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/backyard-backyard-ice-chest-backyards-backyard-ice-chest-l-4d5a2712e588bfd6.jpg)
DIY Circular Patio from Brooklyn Limestone
![DIY Fire Pit Patio](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Fire-Pit-Patio-050a_thumb6.jpg)
Firepit Patio from Recaptured Charm
![Fire Pit with Gravel](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_2963.jpg)
Fire Pit with Pea Gravel from Homeroad
![In Ground Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ingroundfirepit.jpg)
In Ground Fire Pit (source unknown)
![DIY Stacked Stone fire pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/100_2355-1024x768.jpg)
DIY Stacked Stone with Rustic Seating from Our Fairfield Home and Garden
![Backyard Seating Area](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/fire-pit-idea.jpg)
Backyard Seating Area with Adirondack Chairs (source unknown)
![DIY Seating Area](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/fire-pit-seating-area-e1521742647875.jpg)
DIY Seating Area from Instructables
![Rustic Fire Pit with Seating Area](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Rustic-Fire-Pit.jpg)
Rustic Seating Area (source unknown)
![Brick Paver Fire Pit and Patio](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/patio-17.jpg)
Brick Paver Patio from Country Farm Lifestyles
![Swings Around a Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/swings-around-a-fire-pit.jpg)
DIY Swings from Bow Hunting
![DIY swings](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/How-to-Build-a-Pergola-with-a-Fire-Pit-by-Little-White-House-Blog-featured-on-@Remodelaholic.jpg)
Firepit with Swings from Remodelaholic
![Custom Benches and Square Fire Pit](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Screen-Shot-2018-03-23-at-8.01.04-AM.png)
Custom Benches (source unknown)
![large Rock Fire Pit with Chairs and Gravel](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Cant-Live-Withoout-Outdoor-Essentials.jpg)
Large Rock Firepit with Chairs and Pebbles (source unknown)
![DIY Fire Pit with Retaining Wall](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Screen-Shot-2018-03-23-at-8.55.10-AM.jpg)
Retaining Wall from Flickr
![Square Gravel Area](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1001gardens.org-firepit5.jpg)
Square Gravel Area (source unknown)
![diy patio area on a budget](https://www.prudentpennypincher.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ACS_0103.jpg)
DIY Patio Idea on a Budget from The Spoiled Home
DIY Firepits FAQ
Building your own fire pit is not just a cheaper option, but it’s also a fantastic way to add a personal touch to the design and infuse some of your own style into it. Unlike the expensive store-bought fire pit kit, a DIY fire pit allows you to repurpose materials you already have and can be customized for any budget.
Here are some top choices for what to put in the bottom of the pit:
Sand: Affordable and easy, sand spreads heat evenly and adds a beachy, coastal feel.
Gravel or Crushed Stone: Perfect for a natural look and excellent for drainage, it’s the low-maintenance hero of fire pit bases.
Fire-Resistant Bricks or Lava Rocks: These are the VIPs of fire pit materials, offering top-notch heat resistance and durability. They’re a bit pricier but worth the investment for a long-lasting, heat-savvy pit.
Whichever material you choose, aim for a couple of inches thick for a sturdy and safe foundation.
More Outdoor Ideas
- 100 Cheap and Easy DIY Backyard Ideas
- 100 Best Front and Backyard Landscaping Ideas
- 100 Best DIY Outdoor Patio Decor Ideas
- 100 Cheap and Easy DIY Outdoor Furniture Ideas
Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Flipboard, or Instagram for more inspiration on crafts, DIY, free printables, and recipes!
Ronald says
Keep up the excellent work on the variety of pits.
I’ve a 50 gallon steel barrel with a dozen holes I want to bury a few feet and use as a mid size pit for marshmallows and hot dogs. The barrel was a grape seed container retired.
Any drum pits you find and post would be great. ty RSS
Emily Stimpson says
Now is the perfect time to build a fire pit to enjoy the warmer weather with my friends and family.
Lisa says
That is good idea. Thank you for sharing!
Callie says
I LOVE your fire pit, and these pictures are amazing. Your blog was recommended on bloglovin, and I am so glad I subscribed. I can’t wait for the tutorial for the circle bench. Pinned and followed.
ARTHUR KLEIN says
These all look cool, but what is being done about sparks flying around. I have wooded area 60 feet away from where I want a fire pit. Should I be concerned?
prudentpennypincher.com says
According to most community guidelines, your fire pit should be at least 10-15 feet from your home, wooded areas, and your neighbor’s yard so it sounds like you have plenty of space to build one safely. Also, it should not be near overhanging branches, wooden decks, or fences. You can check with your local fire departments regulations in regards to specific rules for your community. Sometimes a burn permit is required. Hope that helps!
Erika says
This is a really nice fire pit! I’ve been wanting one in my backyard as well.
Shawn Nelson says
I like the square pit with the fire resistant cinder block caps, red lava rocks, and a bag of mortar. There is only a list of supplies and a picture of the completed project. Are there step by step instructions for those of us that need them?
prudentpennypincher.com says
Unfortunately for that particular project, I couldn’t find the detailed instructions because the original source couldn’t be found. However, a forum poster from the following link provides some basic instructions for this project: https://www.budget101.com/community/topic/diy-cinderblock-firepit-idea/ …. hope that helps!
Dave says
All the pits look great,I’m putting in a square style fire pit thank you for all the ideasDa
Anonymous says
Wonderful Fire Pits Ideas 🙂
sanchez says
I’m being overwhelmed because a lot of nice fire pits are here. It seems to me the hardest part is deciding which one to build.
Susan Dubose says
I like the concrete fire pit and it looks easy to make. I’m excited to make one and toast some food. Thanks for sharing!
Charron says
Love the fire pits