Fire Pit Landscaping Ideas: 5 Ways to Transform Your Small Backyard

watercolor image of a cozy small backyard fire pit area at night with lush planting surrounding and string lights overhead
Fire pits are a must-have feature in your backyard to connect you to the earth. Get inspired with these fire pit landscaping ideas! With five simple principles, you can transform your small backyard.

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Sigh… the cool weather is here. Personally, keeping warm is key to keeping my sanity during the long winter season.

Isolating ourselves in our homes for six months is no way to live. We all know how vital vitamin D is for our health. Social interaction and human connection are also crucial for our happiness and mental health. 

Backyard fire pits are a great way to break up the monotony of winter hibernation. A quality fire pit opens the door to relaxing outside in chillier weather. You can also entertain and spend more time with the people you love. 

To help you image how a fire pit could transform your small backyard into a year-round oasis, here are 5 fire pit landscaping ideas. 

Check out our post on the best fire pits of 2024 for our top fire pit recommendations.

TL;DR

  • Maximize your small backyard space with strategic fire pit placement, multi-functional furniture, and vertical landscaping.

  • Create a cozy atmosphere with creative seating solutions, string lights, lanterns & candles, and reflective surfaces.

  • Create an intimate space with using plants as privacy screening.

The 5 Principles for Fire Pit Landscaping Ideas

You don’t need to break the bank to create a vibey space you can enjoy year-round. You can create a lovely space on a budget if you know how and where to spend your cash. Here are the 5 main ways to make your backyard oasis:

1. Maximize Space for a Small Backyard Fire Pit

Just because your backyard is on the smaller side doesn’t mean it’s hopeless. A little space can go a long way. 

Have you ever been to a tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant that makes you feel like you never want to leave because it’s so cozy and inviting? The key here is space optimization. 

Strategic placement, multi-functional furniture, and vertical landscaping are crucial elements that can help you make the most of your backyard while enhancing its overall appeal.

Strategic Placement

Identifying an ideal spot for your fire pit is critical for maximizing space and maintaining safety. Some placement considerations include:

  • Make the fire pit area the focal point.

  • Position the fire pit where you can enjoy the best view of your garden.

  • Arranging the shape of the fire pit with the type of seating you have (or are going to buy). For a modular/ sectional sofa, a rectangular concrete fire pit or square stone fire pit is a great option. For more flexible seating like Adirondack chairs, consider a circular fire pit.

  • Integrate with other outdoor elements. If you have a pool, outdoor kitchen, or patio, consider how the fire pit can be integrated with these features for a cohesive outdoor living space.

  • Consider the prevailing wind direction in your area. Make sure to place the fire pit where smoke won’t be an issue for your house or neighbors.

  • Ensure the fire pit is safe from your home and any structures, including sheds, garages, and overhanging trees. The recommended distance is typically at least 10 feet.

fire pit landscaping ideas around sectional sofa
photograph by Photography by Pieter Estersohn for Architectural Digest

Multi-Functional Furniture

Incorporate furniture that serves multiple purposes, such as seating with built-in storage or tables with fire pit inserts, to save space and create a cohesive look in your fire pit area. Multi-functional fire pit seating options include

  • Seating with Storage: Benches or ottomans that provide seating and have built-in storage are ideal for stowing fire pit accessories or firewood.

  • Convertible Furniture: Look for furniture that can be transformed, like lounge chairs that can be unfolded into benches. 

  • Built-In Benches: Permanent benches built around the fire pit save space and provide a cohesive look to your outdoor area.

  • Foldable Chairs and Tables: These are great for smaller spaces or occasional extra seating. They can be easily stored away when not in use.

  • Garden Stools: These versatile stools can be used as additional seating or side tables and come in various styles.

Vertical Landscaping

Vertical landscaping elements, like trellises, tall plants, or green walls, can add privacy and visual interest to your small backyard fire pit area. Incorporate vertical landscaping around your fire pit seating area to enhance your outdoor living spaces and create a more inviting atmosphere. We will look at types of privacy plants further down.

photo by n.team design

2. Choose a Compact Fire Pit Design

The right fire pit for your small backyard starts with a compact fire pit design. Tabletop, fire bowls, foldable fire pits, and chimenas are excellent options to fit in your space without compromising style or functionality.

Tabletop Fire Pits

Tabletop fire pits are perfect for small outdoor areas. These tables serve as a fire pit and can easily be transformed into a dining or coffee table. Some models come with a cover to transform the fire pit into a flat surface when not in use.

photoraph by Lisa Romerein

Fire Bowls

If you’re longing for a rustic fire or dreaming of roasting marshmallows, a fire bowl is is a great option. Compact and stylish, fire bowls can sit on the ground or stand. They come in steel, copper, or stone and can be moved around as needed.

Consider landscaping a circular patio area if you choose a circular fire pit. Incorporating different shapes into the design of your backyard can create visual interest to your outdoor fire pit area.

Portable Fire Pits

Portable fire pits are perfect for small spaces or for those who want a portable option for camping or beach trips. A portable fire pit is not the most obvious solution to your landscape design, but it’s a great budget-friendly solution to enjoy the crackling fire with your friends and family.

photograph by UKIAH Co.

Chimineas

A traditional option, chimineas have a small footprint but provide ample heat. They’re usually made of clay, metal, or cast iron and can double as a decorative piece.

photograph by Photo by Rex Bonomelli.

3. Get Creative with Seating

Seating is essential to any fire pit area, providing comfort to take a load off and enjoy some quality time. In a compact backyard, innovative seating solutions are necessary for outdoor living.

Built-in seating, foldable chairs, and convertible furniture are just a few options that can help create a comfortable and welcoming outdoor living room.

Built-In Seating

If you’re up for more construction, built-in seating is a great way to save space (and provide storage) around your fire pit seating area. This type of seating can be incorporated into walls, fences, or raised platforms around outdoor fireplace, eliminating the need for extra furniture that might take up precious floor space.

Examples of built-in seating options include curved wrap-around, L-shaped benches, and seatwalls.

photoraph by ORCA.

Foldable and Stackable Chairs

Foldable and stackable chairs offer flexibility in seating arrangements and can be easily stored when not in use. Camping chairs are an excellent budget multi-purpose item if you are tight on space and are looking for something budget-friendly.

photograph & product by CleverMade

Convertible Furniture

Look for furniture that can transform, like a lounge chair that can be laid flat to become a bench or a table that can be raised or lowered depending on the need.

These ones from Ikea worked great as benches for big groups.

Garden Stools

These can be used as side tables or extra seating. They’re lightweight, versatile, and can add a decorative touch to your fire pit area.

4. Light it Up for Ambiance

The ambiance of your fire pit area is arguably the most critical aspect (aside from safety, of course). For me, lighting is the essence of creating a vibe. Enhance the atmosphere of your small backyard fire pit area with various lighting options, such as string lights, lanterns, candles, and reflective surfaces.

String Lights

String lights create a warm and inviting atmosphere around your fire pit area, setting the perfect mood for relaxing evenings by the fire. These lights can be strung around fencing, trees, or above the fire pit (if using gas or electric) to create a cozy and inviting glow.

photoraph by Logan Dodds.

Lanterns and Candles

Get a little witchy in a good way. Lanterns and candles add a touch of charm and romance to your fire pit area, creating an enchanting atmosphere. Trust me, your friends and family will love it. These lighting options can be easily moved to suit your needs, making them versatile for any backyard.

Reflective Surfaces

This one seems random, but hear me out. Reflective surfaces like mirrors or metallic accents can amplify the light from your metal fire pit, making your backyard more spacious and inviting. Using reflective surfaces in your fire pit area can also create a stunning display of reflections, enhancing the overall ambiance of your outdoor space.

5. Frame the Fire Pit Area with Plants

Plants are the cherry on top to complete your small backyard fire pit area. Select low-maintenance, privacy-enhancing, and container-friendly plant options. Choose native plants when you can. Native plants can give the aesthetic of lushness and vibrantness without extensive maintenance.

Native Plants

When selecting plants for your small backyard fire pit area, opt for native plants. Native plants are beneficial as they are well-adapted to local conditions, require less maintenance and water, and support local ecosystems by providing habitats and food for native wildlife.

Depending on where you are located, your native plants will vary. The nurseries in your area will have a native plant section and can help you out.

I love the mix of native grasses, wildflowers, and pollinator plants for sunnier areas. In shadier areas, look for native ferns, grasses, ground covers, and other perennials.

If you want to learn more about native plants in your area, check out the National Wildlife Federation if you’re in the United States or Bee City Canada.

Privacy Plants

Tall plants or hedges help to create privacy and a natural barrier around your fire pit area, making your space cozy and intimate. Again, depending on where you live, the plant hardiness zone will determine which plants will thrive.

Here are some general examples of privacy plant options for small backyards:

  • Bamboo: Fast-growing and dense, bamboo is ideal for quick privacy but needs to be controlled as it can become invasive.

  • Arborvitae (Thuja): This evergreen is popular for its dense foliage and tall, narrow growth, making it perfect for creating living walls.

  • Boxwood: Known for its dense foliage, boxwood can be shaped and trimmed for precise privacy hedges.

  • Photinia: Its rapid growth and bright red leaves make Photinia a striking choice for a privacy screen.

  • Holly: With its dense growth and prickly leaves, it is excellent for privacy and provides winter interest. This is a great plant for tall hedges.

  • Leyland Cypress: Fast-growing and dense, this evergreen is a popular choice for privacy screens.

  • Privet: Often used for formal hedges, privet has dense foliage and can be shaped easily.

  • Forsythia: While it’s not evergreen, forsythia provides a thick barrier of branches and bright yellow flowers in the spring.

  • Yew: Known for its thick, dark green foliage, yew is a classic choice for hedges and privacy screens.

  • Viburnum: This genus offers several species with dense growth, ideal for privacy screens and attracting wildlife.

  • Laurel: With large leaves and a dense habit, laurels make effective privacy screens and can be pruned to desired shapes.

  • Bamboo Palm: Bamboo palms grow tall and thick for a tropical look, providing privacy and a unique aesthetic.

  • Juniper: Juniper varieties provide dense coverage and grow in various conditions.

  • Oleander: Fast-growing with lush foliage and flowers, oleander is excellent for privacy but is toxic if ingested.

  • Clumping Bamboo: Unlike its invasive counterpart, it stays more contained, making it a good choice for privacy without the worry of spreading.

  • Euonymus: Offers varieties with dense growth, some with colorful foliage.

  • Rhododendron and Azalea: While less dense than other options, they offer beautiful flowers and evergreen varieties.

  • Lilac (Syringa): Not evergreen but provides lush foliage and fragrant spring flowers.

  • Norway Spruce (Picea abies): A robust and fast-growing conifer suitable for a tall, thick screen.

photograph from Anthony Paul Landscape Design

Container Gardening

Container gardening is the most flexible and quick way to add plants to your garden spaces. Containers make it easy to rearrange your backyard as needed. Containers are great for decks or if your backyard is mostly hardscape. An added bonus is that the pottery for your plants adds a creative and stylish element to your space.

Some tips for successful container gardening include:

  • Selecting plants that fit the climate, again, be sure to check your plant hardiness zone and consult with your local nursery

  • Grouping together plants with similar water and fertilizer needs

  • Using a potting mix designed for container gardening

  • Ensuring proper drainage

Fire Pit Safety Tips for Small Backyards

Now that we’ve covered how to transform your small backyard into an intimate oasis, let’s discuss safety. You don’t want to go through all that effort to have it all burn down. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, please adhere to the following fire pit safety tips:

  1. Keep the fire contained and away from any flammable materials.

  2. Use a spark screen to prevent sparks from flying out.

  3. Have a fire extinguisher close by in case of emergencies.

  4. Never leave the fire unattended.

  5. Maintain proper clearances around the fire pit to prevent accidents.

  6. Make sure your garden beds are at least 10 feet away from the fire pit.

DIY Small Backyard Fire Pit Ideas

Do you need more time to dish out thousands for a fire pit, or are you just really want to make your own fire pit? No worries. Check out these DIY fire pit design ideas here.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it – all the fire pit landscaping ideas you need to start transforming your outdoor spaces. By maximizing space, choosing compact fire pit designs, incorporating creative seating solutions, enhancing ambiance with lighting, and selecting appropriate plants, you can stay warm, spend time outside with the people you love, and beat your seasonal depression head-on! Make your outdoor living room the gathering place everyone can’t get enough of.

Have any questions? We love to hear about your outdoor fire pit area. Drop it in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions

When landscaping around a fire pit, use non-combustible materials like gravel, stone, concrete, or create a paver patio in the immediate area. Keep plants and flammable materials at a safe distance (at least 10 feet as a good measure). Incorporate comfortable seating around your fire pit, such as a sectional sofa or Adirondack chairs. If space is tight, consider multi-functional furniture like built-in benches, foldable/ stackable chairs, or loungers that can convert to benches. Add ambient lighting for safety and atmosphere, and consider heat-tolerant, low-maintenance plants to add greenery without increasing fire risk.

Tabletops, fire bowls, portable fire pits, and chimineas work well for small backyards.

Maximize space in your small backyard fire pit area by strategically placing furniture, going vertical with your landscaping, and using multi-functional pieces.

Native plants are always going to be low-maintenance. Be sure to check out your local nursery stock.

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