Are you seeking a cost-effective way to make the most out of your backyard on summer evenings? If so, a fire pit can create a relaxing and romantic atmosphere reminiscent of a campfire. So, what fire pit shape is best for you?
Fire pit shapes to consider include round, rectangular, square, and L-shaped. A sphere, teardrop, or hexagonal-shaped fire pit can introduce a fun element, while an oval, diamond, or triangular fire pit works well with a contemporary backyard.
Read further to learn more about the most popular fire pit shapes and how they can improve your backyard’s ambiance.
1. Round
A circle is the most common shape and design for a fire pit. One of the reasons round fire pits are so popular is because they resemble campfires, which typically have a circular shape with a welcoming and open feel.
If your lawn and flower bed edges are curved, a round fire pit can complement your backyard’s look and give it a rustic feel.
Whether you want a tabletop fire pit or a permanent one that you can build, choosing a round fire pit offers you plenty of options.
Sitting around a round fire pit is an engaging experience because you can place chairs around it in a circular format and see all your guests. You could also buy or construct a circular bench, so you never have to scramble around for spare chairs.
If you are currently renting your home or apartment, a portable round fire pit is ideal, as you can take it with you when you move. Amazon Basics Steel Lattice Fire Pit from Amazon.com comes with a fire poker and spark screen and is easy to move around.
Alternatively, you could ask a fire pit specialist to build you a custom pit, or you can make one yourself.
2. Rectangular
Rectangular fire pits are usually more expensive than round ones as they are often sold as all-in-one fire pit tables or must be custom built as permanent fixtures in your backyard.
A rectangular-shaped fire pit is excellent if you want to use benches around your fire pit. With bench seating, you don’t need to neaten up several chairs after a fun evening around the fire pit, allowing your guests to sit closer to each other.
After placing two benches on either side of the fire pit’s long end, you could put a chair at the bottom and top for additional seating.
You might consider a rectangular fire pit if you have a swimming pool in the same shape or a long and thin backyard. With straight lines and sharp corners, rectangular fire pits look neat, structured, and even better with a stone-filled border. Alternatively, you could create a brick border around the fire pit, which can serve as a platform for your s’mores supplies.
Outland Living Series Fire Table from Amazon.com is the perfect example of a smart-looking rectangular-shaped fire pit. Since it’s propane-fueled, you don’t need to keep adding wood the whole evening—so you have more time to relax and socialize.
3. Square
Do you have a contemporary-style backyard, and are you looking for a suitable fire pit? If so, a square-shaped model might be ideal.
Square-shaped fire pits make fantastic focal points in any backyard and can enhance the look of backyards with straight lines and sharp edges or provide an exciting contrast if your garden has curved lines.
Square-shaped fire pits efficiently use space and allow anyone sitting around them to take advantage of the heat. Depending on your square fire pit’s size, you could fit a short bench along one of its sides, making your seating options flexible.
A small square table fire pit is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a suitable fire pit for your deck, patio, or balcony. Although you can’t cook most foods on a propane fire pit, it’s perfect for those who want to enjoy a relaxing drink after dinner and keep the chill at bay.
BAIDE HOME Propane Fire Table from Amazon.com has a beautiful flint finish with a wide square rim that you can use for resting drinks or snacks.
4. L-Shaped
L-shaped fire pits are pretty rare at DIY stores or online. However, if you’d like to add some extra flair to your backyard with a unique focal point, you could always build one or have one constructed by a fire pit professional.
These interestingly-shaped fire pits provide an element of uniqueness to your backyard while carefully incorporating elegance and style. The best way to take advantage of an L-shaped fire pit’s heat is to use an outdoor sofa in the same shape.
If you already have an L-shaped outdoor sofa and want to build a fire pit, ensure you construct it at a similar height to take full advantage of the heat.
5. Sphere
Also known as silhouette fire pits or fire pit balls, you can suspend these sphere-shaped balls on a pole or buy them as standalone or tabletop models.
Manufacturers usually make these fire pits from dark, fire-resistant metal, with the edges around the opening crafted into a variety of creative shapes, such as:
- Animals
- Landscape scenes
- Meaningful words
- Stars
- Hearts.
A sphere-shaped fire pit’s main appeal is the beautiful silhouette it creates when you light the flames, which can be a fantastic conversation starter. Another advantage of this fire pit is that it’s only partially open on one side, making it safer if you have young kids or pets running around.
These fire pits are generally wood-burning models and produce smoke, but they emit lots of heat and are easy to move around.
Sphere-shaped fire pits with silhouettes are laser-cut, and unless you’re a laser cutting pro, you’ll need to buy one or have one custom-made.
Esschert Design Leaf Fire Sphere from Amazon.com has a rustic metal finish with a beautiful falling leaves pattern and would make a great addition to any backyard.
6. Teardrop
A teardrop-shaped fire pit is an interesting take on a sphere-shaped or round one. It is round at the base and gradually tapers into a peak at the top.
Aside from its elegant shape, a teardrop fire pit is ideal if you live in a windy or coastal area because you can position it to avoid the wind.
The best way to arrange seats around a teardrop-shaped fire pit is in a semi-circle format. This arrangement allows all your guests to enjoy the fire pit’s warmth and visual impact.
Finding a teardrop-shaped fire pit for sale can be challenging because the makers commonly build them from scratch. If you are up to the task, here’s what you’ll need to make a teardrop-shaped fire pit:
- Metal stake
- 8-inch (20.32 cm) length of string
- Spirit level
- Trowel
- Shovel
- Sledgehammer
- Length of bendable plastic with a 25-inch (63.5cm) diameter
- Duct tape
- 15 lb (6.8 kg) of premixed concrete
- 10lb (4.5 kg) of mortar (made from a 3:1 ratio of sand and fire-grade cement)
- 12lb (5.4 kg) of gravel
- 100 fire-resistant bricks.
After gathering your supplies, follow these steps to construct the fire pit:
- Find the ideal place for your fire pit, and place the metal stake in the center of this area.
- Tie the string to the stake and carefully rotate it to mark your fire pit’s circular shape.
- Using the shovel, dig up the grass or earth in the circle, and compact it with a sledgehammer.
- Attach both ends of the bendable plastic with duct tape to form a circle, then place it in the center of the marked-out area.
- Pour the premixed concrete outside the inner circle created by the bendable plastic and make it level using the shovel or trowel. Leave it for at least two to three days to dry completely before removing the bendable plastic.
- Empty the gravel into the inner circular area, and make it level with a shovel.
- Make the mortar mixture by following the instructions on the package and thinly spread a layer over the outer concrete circle.
- Place a layer of bricks on the mortar mixture, compress it with a sledgehammer and fill in any gaps with additional mortar. Remove any excess mortar with the trowel and gently sand the exposed mortar for a smooth finish. Repeat the process for another two layers.
- The fourth brick layer should contain four fewer bricks and, with each subsequent layer, decrease the number of bricks by four so that it gradually tapers into a teardrop shape.
- Wait three days for the mortar to dry before using your new teardrop-shaped fire pit.
7. Hexagonal
Are you looking for a neat and structured fire pit but one with an attractive shape? If so, consider a hexagonal one. With six sides, a hexagonal-shaped fire pit is ideal for small groups, small outdoor spaces, or if you often use irregularly-shaped wood.
F2C Hex-Shaped Fire Pit from Amazon.com has an attractive lattice design on the sides and comes with a protective mesh screen to keep your guests safe from stray sparks. It is elegant enough to use at outdoor dinner parties and can add an element of class to a casual outdoor gathering.
Hexagonal-shaped fire pits aren’t very common, and if you’re struggling to find one that you like, you could always buy a round or square-shaped one and then create a hexagonal-shaped fire pit area for an interesting visual contrast.
Here is how to create a hexagonal-shaped fire pit area:
- Using two pieces of string (with each piece being 12 inches or 30.48cm long), create two parallel lines 20 inches (50.8 cm) apart.
- Create a vertical line in the center, and join the two parallel lines at the top and bottom with another two string pieces.
- Cut another four pieces of string, each with a 6-inch (15.24 cm) length. Attach each piece to the end of the two vertical lines, and connect them to the center vertical line to create a hexagonal shape.
- Remove the grass inside the stringed area with a shovel, and compact the earth with a rubber mallet or sledgehammer.
- Fill the hexagon with gravel or concrete, and create a border using rocks or pebbles in a contrasting color.
- Place your fire pit in the middle of the hexagon and enjoy your stylish fire pit area.
8. Oval
An oval-shaped fire pit is another attractive option if you haven’t settled on a fire pit shape. With its gentle and curved angles with slightly elongated sides, an oval fire pit can accommodate two benches and a chair at either end.
You could always buy one if you don’t feel like constructing an oval-shaped fire pit. Sunnydaze Cast Iron Fire Pit Bowl from Amazon.com is the perfect size for a small group and features heavy-duty rust-colored metal for a campfire-inspired look.
9. Diamond
It’s rare to find a diamond-shaped fire pit, but if you find one you like, you’ll love the unique shape and how it creates a striking focal point in your backyard. Alternatively, you could ask a fire pit builder to make one for you.
Exciting ways to personalize a diamond-shaped fire pit include:
- You can create a ledge around the fire pit’s border to accommodate drinks and small bowls of snacks.
- You could add a stone border in a contrasting color if the fire pit is built directly on the ground.
- You may opt to decorate the fire pit’s walls with mosaic tiles.
10. Triangular
One of the more unusual shapes for a fire pit is a triangle. With its sharp angles and straight lines, it can give your backyard an edgy and contemporary appearance.
You might find an attractive triangular-shaped fire pit when browsing your local homeware store or online. However, if you can’t find one you like, you could ask a fire pit professional to make one for you.
Alternatively, if you have a welder and know how to use it safely, you could weld three pieces of fire-resistant metal together to form a triangle. After you create a piece of metal for the base, you would have a portable fire pit on the ground—or an outdoor table.
Another option could be to create a triangular-shaped fire pit area and place a round model inside it for an exciting shape contrast.
