Outdoor fire pits are a popular addition to backyard landscapes, something many of your clients would appreciate as part of a hardscaping layout. Since you’ll use materials such as stone, brick or concrete to create an outdoor fireplace or wood-burning fire pit, you’ll want to add features to sharpen the harsh lines and make the outdoor retreat cozy and welcoming. 

How to Add an Outdoor Fire Pit to Your Landscape Layout

Planning a cozy retreat with an outdoor fire pit starts with understanding your client’s needs. How do they plan to use their outdoor space? Some families see their backyards as an extension of the interior of their home, tapping into features such as outdoor electric fire pits. Others utilize the space to entertain guests occasionally. Once you have an idea of their preferences, developing a few outdoor fire pit ideas that will work for the space is more manageable.

1. Discuss Budget 

The average cost of a new landscape installation runs between $3,000 and $16,000. However, adding features such as outdoor propane fire pits can significantly raise the project’s cost. Figuring out how to give your clients a space to entertain while sticking to their budget requires extra planning. Be upfront about what the fees cover, and for those on a tight budget, suggest doing the project in stages to split up the costs. 

2. Work With the Natural Ebb and Flow of the Land

If you want to incorporate a sunken, wood-burning fire pit, see if there are any natural dips in the yard. Once you find the best layout, digging and leveling the ground for fire pit installation should be easier. The less prep work you must do, the easier the project will be.

Consider incorporating natural features and tapping into some xeriscaping techniques in areas of the yard without access to water, such as farther from the house and closest to the warmth of a firepit. You can add rock gardens or hardy plants to create an appealing look with objects and plants that won’t wilt.

3. Consider HOA Regulations

If the home is under a homeowners association, you’ll need to find out if there are any requirements for outdoor fireplaces. Imagine the nightmare of the homeowner paying for a newly landscaped back patio only to find out they must have their beautiful stone fire pit torn out because the bylaws don’t allow fire features. 

Ask the homeowner for a copy of the bylaws so you know what to expect. If any gray areas exist, have the homeowner get permission to do the work ahead of time and keep a copy of the written permission.

4. Know the Trends

Your clients will be happy and refer you to their neighbors when you know the latest trends and equipment and can install an outdoor firepit that looks like it came out of a glossy magazine photo. 

Attend home and garden shows to get ideas for what you can buy to create long-lasting and efficient hardware for outdoor propane fire pits or to learn about the best materials to build the structure. 

Popular Mechanics studied the best outdoor fire pits to find ones with little to no smoke. Smokeless fire pits are a popular trend, and hardscape experts have long known that creating an air tunnel burns nearly 100% of the wood in a fire pit and thus produces a fire with little smoke. Your clients will love how warm a smokeless pit keeps them in the winter and enjoy a pleasant conversation with friends without fanning the smoke away.

5. Choose Hardscape Materials 

Layering materials so the area isn’t flat and unidimensional is a trick that makes a new outdoor fire pit look upscale. Leave space between pavers and allow some grass to peak through. Pour a stamped concrete patio where the chiminea or fire pit can reside. You can also fence in the concrete with loose stones.

Using different textures and layers gives the human eye different elements to focus on in the design, making for a more welcoming, cozy feel. You can even add some additional textures with the plants surrounding the area and any potted plants on the patio. Select different colors, mixing and matching dark and light stones for contrast.

6. Consider Safety First

Ensure the new fire pit is far enough away from the house to prevent fire from jumping into buildings. Homeowners sometimes have a poured patio just off the back door of their houses. They may want you to place the firepit in that spot because they already have it landscaped. 

Resist the urge to give in to your client’s wishes and opt instead for safety. You can still play off what they have and extend the patio area out so the fire pit is away from any structures. 

Adding Charm to Outdoor Spaces

A fire pit adds character to any space. You’ll do more than install a hardscape feature — you’ll figure out the personality of the client and how an outdoor fire pit fits into the overall aesthetic of what’s already in the client’s backyard. 

The key to creating something people will enjoy for years to come is understanding the homeowner’s vision while working within excellent design principles. Pay attention to the little details, and you’ll take your landscape designs to a whole new level.