It’s time to cozy up to the warmth of the toasty fire, but to do so, gather some inspiration from these smart fire pit ideas. From weathered wood to built-in seating, there’s sure to be a range of luxuries to choose from.
Stylish fire pit ideas not only help maximize the space in your backyard, but also allow you to use that space for longer, throughout the seasons. “A fire pit can transform an unused part of your yard into a favorite spot,” says Marci Bonner, a landscape architect with Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture. “They can help extend the useful time in your garden by warming up the cooler evenings; but comfortable seating around it is necessary to make it a success and to encourage people to stay outside longer.”
As the seasons begin to change, it’s time to gather around the fire and make memories that will last a lifetime. Here are a few fireside seating ideas to add to your space.
1. Add Adirondack chairs for an elevated campsite vibe
(Image credit: Brad Ramsey Interiors/Paige Rumore Photography)
Adirondack chairs are a great way to add a back-to-nature feel to your outdoor living room atmosphere, and work especially well in certain settings. “Your environment will help dictate what kind of furniture will work best in your outdoor space,” says Linda Hayslett, of LH.Designs.
“If you have a view and your home is in the mountains or woods, then Adirondack chairs will be best because they are low and lounge-like to face the landscape.” She adds: “Always consider what you want to get out of your outdoor space to understand what furniture you need – this will help understand how to lay things out and what to buy.”
Shawnna Weatherproof Folding Outdoor Adirondack Chair
Price: $129.99
Were: $169.99
2. Install built-in seats for durable style
(Image credit: LH. Designs/Lauren Taylor)
Built-in fire pit seating around a sunken fire pit is a smart way to create a sense of permanence and a seamless look in your landscape.
The beautiful fire pit area designed by Linda Hayslett (above) shows how to use the same material for yours fireplace installation as the hearth itself allows for a curated, soothing aesthetic. Linda says, “If you want to build a seating area around your fire pit, some great materials for your design would be concrete, stone and brick.”
She continues: “These are tough exterior materials that can withstand many of the outdoor elements. They can help build a seating area as well as hold a lot of weight, so they shouldn’t have many problems over time if installed correctly.”
(Image credit: Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture)
For the ultimate cozy space, add cushioned cushions to your built-in fire pits, as seen in the project by Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture above.
3. Select Flexible Separator
(Image credit: Living with Lolo/Life Created)
If built-in seating isn’t an option, why not opt for separate outdoor lounge chairs or armchairs. These are an easy way to maintain flexible seating arrangements when the number of guests is uncertain.
“Multiple movable chairs allow for the most flexible arrangement to suit different gatherings,” explains Marci Bonner. “Additional chairs can then be added if you have a large gathering.”
As for what to choose, Linda Hayslett says: “If you’re unable to create a built-in around your fire pit, look for outdoor furniture made from a similar material or rattan, wicker, wrought iron, resin or teak .”
And Lauren Lerner, principal, Living with Lolo, tells us we should: “Choose versatile, lightweight chairs or stools for flexibility in rearranging and enhance comfort with cushions.”
Southport Outdoor Patio Dining Chairs with Metal Legs Armchairs – Threshold™
Price: $400
Quantity: 2 pcs
4. Go with weathered wood for organic luxury
(Image credit: Jeff Andrews Design/Christopher Stark)
Weathered wood will always bring an organic luxury to any room, and works beautifully in an outdoor living room. Choose curved pieces for extra coziness and a trendy aesthetic.
Speaking of the stylish fire pit area above, Jeff Andrews says, “For the fire pit in my own Los Angeles backyard, I chose weathered wood chairs from RH. “I prefer wood because it maintains the natural elements as well as the warmth. from the fire. Metal seats can get too hot near a fire pit.”
5. Choose Comfort as well as Style
(Image credit: Living with Lolo/Life Created)
Comfortable cushions are a must, but if you’re going to place them on your outdoor furniture, make sure you know how to prevent cushions from sliding off outdoor furniture. This will help keep things in place! “I always look for the best mix of comfort, durability and style when choosing outdoor furniture, and there are plenty of options to find all three in one,” says Jeff Andrews.
Choosing seats with comfortable cushions is an elegant way to mimic the inviting appeal of your indoor living room. Just make sure the fabric is outdoor friendly. Marci Bonner says, “Durable materials that are easy to wash are best so that soot or marshmallow cream from smores can easily be washed away.”
Outdoor dining chair cushion
6. Choose a neutral shade
(Image credit: Jeffrey Brian Riemer. Studio credit Kate Anne Designs)
An easy way to keep your fire pit ideas looking upscale and chic is to choose neutral shades for your outdoor furniture.
Then, if desired, you can add colors, prints or patterns through pillows or rugs. You can also create a more beautiful aesthetic with pots and plants around the fire pit. “Stick with neutral metal or wood materials for the frame and seat cushions, then add colorful accent pillows and cushions that match your taste or the seasons,” suggests Marci Bonner. “Empty some side tables next to the chairs to provide a place to sit down for a drink or your phone.”
She adds, “Plant pots scattered around the perimeter of your space will make it more inviting.”
7. Embrace All-Out Comfort with a Sectional
(Image credit: Kate Anne Designs)
Extended lounging is a very inviting option to choose for your fire pit seating ideas. A sectional or couch offers the ultimate feet-up-and-flop choice for a place to linger longer and enjoy the warming ambiance and flames. want to sit back and read a book or entertain friends in comfort and style, it is always a successful choice if you have enough space.
Marci Bonner says, “A couch and side chairs are great for lounging as well as conversation and can be angled or moved to be closer to the fire when it gets cooler.”
You can mix up your space and take inspiration from the appealing fireplace idea by Kate Anne Designs above and add lanterns and festoon lighting for an extra feel-good vibe.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best material for a living area with a fire pit?
(Image credit: Kate Anne Designs/Jeffrey Brian Reimer)
A fire pit needs to be durable and heat resistant, so if you are wondering what outdoor furniture will last the longest around a fire pit, it would be seating that can handle the heat around it.
Lauren Lerner tells us, “Surrounding earth elements in a fire pit seating area should be both heat-resistant and robust, with choices like concrete, stone pavers, pea gravel, crushed stone or tile offering functionality and visual appeal”.
She continues: “When it comes to the seating itself, consider weather-resistant wood such as teak, cedar or treated pine, long-lasting metals such as wrought iron or aluminum, or outdoor fabric cushions for that extra touch of coziness.”
How do you arrange furniture around a fire pit?
(Image credit: Brad Ramsey Interiors/Paige Rumore Photography)
The way you arrange your furniture around a fire pit is the key to creating a cozy space – and a circular setup is always a good choice. Lauren Lerner comments, “Arrange furniture in a circular or semicircular layout around the fireplace to encourage conversation and ensure even heat distribution.” She says to leave plenty of room for safety and movement, usually about three to six feet.”
And LH. Designs’ Linda Hayslett suggests treating the fireplace as if it were a coffee table and placing your furniture accordingly. “Depending on how the fire pit is designed, think of it as a coffee table—it’s the center of conversation for your outdoor living space,” she says.
She adds: “Whether it’s square, rectangular or circular, it’s the layout of your furniture that helps the conversation flow better when you’re outside. Sitting around a fire pit is the main event, as opposed to a living room indoors , which many people make style to revolve around a TV.”
Linda says it’s important to place furniture to include conversation around the fire pit, “because we use this outdoor area as a gathering place to talk and roast smores, so we make sure there’s enough comfortable seating and less side tables for drinks and food. will really make this area a great outdoor experience.”