3 Easy Ways to DIY a Backyard Fire Pit

Danielle Blundell
Danielle BlundellExecutive Director of Home at Apartment Therapy
As Apartment Therapy's Executive Home Director, I head up our decorating, trends, and designer coverage. I studied Media Studies at UVa and Journalism at Columbia and have worked in media for more than a decade. I love homes, heels, the history of art, and hockey — but not necessarily in that order.
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updated Jun 8, 2019
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(Image credit: Faith Durand)

We’ve already gone on the record

in favor of fire pits

buy a ready-made freestanding fire pit, or dig a hole and stack a bunch of pavers yourself.
Or you can try one of these super-easy DIY projects.
(Image credit: House & Fig)

1. Washing machine drum turned fire pit

Sarah and Joe of House & Fig hit up a nearby appliance store to scavenge for parts to build a makeshift fire pit, and it worked — they got this old drum for just $10. (It’s also worth checking salvage yards if your initial search comes up empty.) The crafty couple used some pro-level tools and paid extra-close attention to detail, but as you’ll see in their instructions, a lot of their steps are totally optional.

The most important thing you’ll need is high-heat paint, so it doesn’t flake off when you light the fire pit. No one would ever guess your fire pit used to be part of a washing machine. We love the brilliance of the idea and how those perforated draining holes look when the flames dance around.

See the steps: $10 DIY One Hour Upcycled Fire Pit at House & Fig

(Image credit: Burlap and Lace)

2. Galvanized tub turned fire pit

We’ve written about this clever hack before, but we just had to include it in this story. It’s just so smart and easy to pull off! All you have to do is put some unscented pillar candles inside a galvanized tub and light them. Just like that, you have instant mood lighting. Don’t have a galvanized tub? We’ve seen some folks use a metal wheelbarrow. Ingenious, right?

See more from this party: The Easiest Way to Create a Backyard Bonfire

(Image credit: Hometalk)

3. Planter turned fire pit

This fire pit from Hometalk was made with just three materials: a big ol’ terra-cotta pot, tin foil, and BBQ coals. Just line the pot’s walls with the foil for some protection and then light the coals.

Make a mini one for s’mores: No Grill? No Problem! You Can Still Make S’mores Outside!

See more: Portable Fire Pit in Just 5 Minutes at Hometalk

(Image credit: ManMade)

Bonus: A DIY concrete fire pit

Okay, so this isn’t a particularly easy project, but it sure is pretty. The folks over at MadMade poured their own concrete bowl to create a super-modern fire pit. You can try casting your own or just pick up a planter from your local hardware store. They then added some gel fuel canisters and some rocks for a final zen-like touch.

Get the instructions: Make a DIY Modern Concrete Fire Pit from Scratch at ManMade

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Entertaining & Gathering