Fire pits make great additions to your outdoor space and can be done in almost any design you can think of. Whether you’re wanting to make the most of your outdoor space to enjoy solo or are looking to create the ultimate entertaining space for friends, family, and neighbors, a fire pit can add a major wow factor. There are even fire and water features that combine the best of both worlds!
Even though we love a good weekend warrior project to spruce up the home, DIY fire pit ideas can backfire when not done correctly. Because there are so many things that need to be done just right to ensure safety and functionality, it’s best left to the professionals. Today, we’re looking at DIY fire pit ideas and ways installing them yourself can backfire.
DIY Fire Pit Ideas and Their Downsides
Everyone loves a good fire pit. No matter if you want to roast marshmallows and hot dogs on a hot summer evening or you just want a beautiful focal point for your backyard design plans, they really make a statement. DIY fire pit ideas can pretty much take on any kind of design you can think of, but might be more of a challenge than you realize. Not only are there potential complications ensuring your outdoor fire pit ideas are safely and securely built, but you also need to consider things like local regulations, planning for smoke, and choosing the best way for connecting it to a gas source.
It’s best to leave things up to professional landscape designers in the Capital Region, but let’s take a look at some DIY fire pit ideas for your home:
- Fire ring with built-in bench
- Raised, modern fire pits
- Fire pits with rocks
- Fire and water features
Fire Ring With Built-In Bench: Stability & Safety Issues
Kicking off our list of DIY fire pit ideas is a stylish design with built-in seating using hardscaping. Stone fire pits are a total classic. Using hardscaping to expand the look further and create a full surround with built-in seating gives you and your guests a way to enjoy it!
The downside to these DIY fire pit ideas is the amount of labor, design, and skill they take to give you the look you’ve envisioned. Building a fire pit with surrounding seating takes a lot of time and hard work. If you’re not familiar with the best practices for using hardscaping, it could turn out to be unstable, unsafe, or look like a landscape version of “Nailed It!” For these kinds of fire pits, it’s a better idea to call in the professionals (like us 👋) who will deliver the design of your dreams without you having to lift a finger.
Modern Fire Pits: Construction Problems
Modern designs for fire pits also make our list of DIY fire pit ideas as they can create a total vibe for your backyard space. Clean lines and sharp edges with well-planned backyard landscaping makes it feel like its own private getaway!
Where modern fire pits make cool DIY fire pit ideas, they also present a challenge to make them look as clean and polished as possible. Professional landscape designers will be able to give you the clean lines and sharp look you’re going for. Conversely, doing it yourself might lead to complications using materials like concrete or wonky lines that look cheap instead of luxe.
Fire Pits With Rocks: Explosive Concerns
Adding a fire pit to your backyard space is more than just throwing a steel ring outside and calling it a day. The best fire pits bring stylish looks that elevate your overall landscaping. They make cool backyard makeover ideas for those looking to spruce up their outdoor space with ease. One of the ways some homeowners like to add a little flair to DIY fire pit ideas are with rocks or fire glass. These elements add a wow factor to your fire pit, making it look sleek and chic.
Installing DIY fire pit ideas like this, however, comes with a few risks, as well. You can’t just choose any kind of rock or glass to add to your fire pit. In fact, choosing the wrong materials could be really dangerous. Flammable or non-porous, water-retaining building materials could trap steam and run the risk of eventually exploding. Let our professionals come in and design the fire pit you’ve always wanted so you can rest assured it’ll be set up properly, designed just how you want, and let you enjoy it without worrying if it’s going to explode on you!
Issues With DIY Fire and Water Features
A twist on the traditional fire pit or water feature installation, fire and water features give homeowners the best of both worlds. These cool designs mix the calm, zen qualities of a water feature with the spiciness of a fire pit. As far as DIY fire pit ideas go, however, these are another example of projects best left to the pros. A few issues that could go wrong with fire and water features when setting them up yourself are:
- Problems setting up water feature system securely
- Installation problems (identifying electrical, buried lines, etc.)
- Bad liner installation leading to leaks
- Choosing the wrong water feature pump (size, efficiency)
- Issues with the gas line or setup for the fire element
Pro Tip: NVS Waterscapes, a division of NVS Landscapes, is ready to build you the water feature installation of your dreams. Our professional team can design and install the fire and water feature you want to turn your backyard into a showstopper!
As you can see, fire pits make amazing additions to your backyard landscaping. DIY fire pit ideas, however, come with a ton of potential ways to backfire, leaving you with an expensive (and possibly dangerous) mess. Instead of risking your home as well as the safety of yourself, friends, and family, let our professionals deliver the perfect fire pit without you having to lift a finger. Get started with the NVS Project Planner where you can plan and budget your fire pit and surrounding landscaping. Save the plans or submit them to us and we’ll be in touch to give you the best fire pit installation in Albany, Saratoga, Colonie, and surrounding areas!
Want more inspiration for your backyard landscaping? Check out these resources to get ideas on how you can help you home reach its full potential:
