19 Backyard Fire Pit Ideas for Romantic Summer Nights

Is there anything better than gathering around a fire with family and close friends? Drinking wine, toasting marshmallows, cozying up in front of a warm, crackling fire—seriously, you can't beat it. From portable, enclosed outdoor fireplaces (that are still s'mores worthy!) to beautiful, open concrete and steel options, we came up with 19 outdoor fire pit ideas, examples, and shopping tips to help you set the romantic mood for campfire hangs. There are actually a lot of stylish options out there—not to mention, many of them are surprisingly affordable. So get inspired by the gorgeous outdoor spaces and ultra-cool backyard fire pit ideas.

Customize With Fabric

ETC.etera made this outdoor fire pit stand out even more by adding custom cushions to the built-in bench. Not only does the printed fabric add character, color, and polish, but it also provides somewhere comfy for people to sit around the fire.


Consider Shape

If you already have outdoor furniture for your patio, make sure to take measurements and think about the shapes of yoru preexisting pieces before falling in love with a fire pit. On this roof terrace designed by Heather Hilliard, the long, narrow silhouette of the fire pit complements the sofa perfectly.


Create Privacy the Natural Way

To make your fire pit lounge area even more intimate, consider creating privacy with tall hedges instead of fencing. Here, Jenn Feldman kept things grayscale with a concrete fire pit and complementary seating. The high hedges add privacy, drama, and best of all, greenery.


Keep It Separate

Keep your sitting area away from the splashing zones if your backyard also has a swimming pool. Here, Studio Robert McKinley used different flooring materials to distinguish the separate hangout spots and kept the fire pit area far away from the swimming pool. The concrete flooring under the fire pit sitting area is durable and sturdy while the lawn functions as a nice segue to the pool.


Match It to Your Seating

For a a modern yet rustic feel, opt for a concrete basin in the same color family as your seating. The freestanding bowl shape has a nice floating effect. Or, choose something a little more modern, like a stainless steel fire pit with interlocking panels. Then just add a few butterfly chairs and call it a day.


Make It Cozy

A built-in seating nook is inherently cozy no matter where it is—add an outdoor fireplace, and you've struck gold. This California backyard designed by Alexander DB is modern, intimate, and down to earth all at once, thanks to the use of raw materials and neutral hues.


Hang String Lights

It doesn't take much to make a backyard feel magical, no matter the size. Even a small city patio can transport you elsewhere if you hang romantic string lights. Rustic wooden furniture becomes cozy when surrounding a fire pit and layered with pillows and sheepskin throws. If you have a smaller yard, opt for an enclosed fireplace. You can also take it on the go to a friend's place—the party goes wherever you are!


Stick to the Basics

If you just want a fire pit that feels low-key and inviting, a classic cast iron bowl will do the trick. These black canvas butterfly chairs are a great alternative to white, too, if you prefer an edgier vibe on the lawn. Case in point? This fire pit hangout area at the Atlantic Byron Bay hotel.


Enclose It With Rocks

To make it feel like a special area, set the fire pit apart from the rest of the space by enclosing it with a border of rocks. If you love the rustic look, opt for a round cast iron fire pit bowl in a terra cotta hue.


Channel a Campfire

For her Connecticut property, designer Bonnie Edelman created this outdoor feature as a gathering place for friends and family. Designed with storage in mind, the setup features speakers hidden in the walls of local stone and logs stacked under the benches. If stonework is your thing, this round, brown stone fire pit would be a perfect addition to your backyard.


Make It Minimalist

This open-basin cast iron fire pit is so simple and yet, so stunning — the perfect addition to any backyard. Classic white patio furniture and a minimalist deck designed by Hollander Design allow us to focus on the real stunner: that waterfront view.


Lay Tiles Underneath

A square or rectangular fire pit made of concrete has an industrial edge to it. We love how this area designed by Studio Life.Style speaks to angular shapes throughout the yard, from the pool to the poolhouse, ceramic tiles, and chairs.


Give It a Backdrop

Leave it to the Jonathan Adler-designed Parker hotel in Palm Springs, California to offer the perfect outdoor fire pit situation. At the center of the circular tile island in the middle of the lawn, all eyes will be on the roaring fire. The surrounding butterfly chairs introduce a laidback, SoCal vibe, which is further accentuated by the tall palm trees and dreamy pampas grass.


Go Multifunctional

Just looking at the incredible view in Thom Filicia's yard puts you in a more relaxing frame of mind. If you have a large lawn, consider building a fire pit hangout zone in the middle of it. If you're working with a smaller space, consider a round stone fire pit that also doubles as a surface space to rest your drinks.


Build Into the Ground

This recessed lounge area designed by Studio Life.Style feels like a romantic, relaxing space to unwind in. Because it's sunken, it feels private and separate from the rest of the space. A rectangular fire pit is the perfect thing for a square sitting area. Opt for one that doubles as a cocktail table so you don't have to take up space with side tables when you're eating and drinking al fresco.


Lead Us to It

All eyes are on this fire pit, thanks to the hypnotizing pathway that leads us there in this backyard designed by Janice Parker Design. The shape of the chairs mimic the soft rounded edges of the fireplace and rounded stone enclosure separating the circular patio from the rest of the lawn.


Have Fun With It

Surrounded by comfy, eclectic seating, this fire pit area is the perfect backyard retreat. Add a rocking chair (in a pop of color if you're feeling bold!) and floor cushions for extra seating. For another fire pit option that strikes the balance between bohemian and formal, try a hammered copper fire pit.


Get Graphic

The Surfrider Hotel roof deck in Malibu is the best outdoor space inspiration we've seen in a long time. Take style notes from the sleek and simple matte black fire pit surrounded by spacious sofas with contemporary graphic throw pillows piled on.


Forget About Grass

Now here's an outdoor fire pit idea we can get behind. For an Ojai vacation home, a laid-back seating area fits the no-hurries, no-worries vibe. The fire bowl warms up the courtyard during cooler weather. And the gravel ground gives it an interesting rustic feel.

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