What materials are usually used?
Stone
Most often, the fire pit is framed with natural stone - large cobblestones, slate, flagstone, sandstone. It is appropriate to simply stack them in a slide or fasten them together with a solution.
The good thing about stone is that it fits perfectly into the landscape and is inexpensive. And in mountainous areas the material can be obtained for free.
The stone can also be artificial, such as paving slabs or concrete blocks.
Brick
Brickwork is an excellent alternative to natural stone. Firstly, it is easy to buy (in addition, after construction there are often leftovers that can be used). Secondly, brick is a fire-resistant material, so a fireplace made from it will last for many years.
The photo shows a brick hearth
Metal
Cast iron or steel fire pits are purchased ready-made, so this option is more portable than stationary. In some cases, this is even more convenient, because... When it rains, you can move the fireplace under the roof.
On sale you can find skillfully made bowls with figured cutting in the form of various subjects - from natural motifs to strict geometric ones.
Concrete
An interesting modern option that you can make yourself is a concrete hearth. It is made according to the standard scheme of any concrete structures - the formwork is assembled, a reinforcing mesh is installed, and it is filled with liquid mortar.
The advantage of this method is that you can choose any size, wall thickness, side height.
The photo shows a fire pit made of concrete
Ceramic tile
Tile is essentially a finishing material, so to use it you will need a base - made of concrete, blocks or bricks. But with tiles or porcelain tiles you can beautifully decorate the recreation area, including the hearth itself and the area around it.
Fireplace in the country: what will we sit on?
Place by the fire: what should we sit on?
You have a place for a fire, but what next? Should I stand and watch it burn? No matter how it is, you did it in order to cook barbecue, fry bread, bake potatoes and just relax in the evening, and doing this while sitting is clearly more convenient than standing. How to arrange a place to sit around a fire and what can be used for this?
To begin with, you can take any chairs that can be used outdoors. This can be either simple camp chairs with which you go into the forest, or wooden or metal garden outdoor furniture - the same chairs or large benches on which it is so comfortable to sit together. Rattan seats are also suitable.
Simple chairs to sit near the fire in the area
If you are a fan of the classics, why not build the usual pentagon from logs, as is often done in the forest? But here you can sand the logs and even varnish them and even attach a backrest to make it more comfortable to sit on.
A classic pentagon made of logs around a fireplace in a country house
And a stationary option - you can make seats around the fireplace in your summer cottage with your own hands from stone - from brick or any other stones that you have at your disposal. Tip: lay out the benches not in a square, but in a semicircle, as this looks more aesthetically attractive. And to keep the seat soft and not cold, place the sofa cushions on the seat itself and attach it to the back, if you have one there.
Semicircular stone bench near the fire
How to do it yourself?
By preparing everything you need in advance, you can assemble a fire pit in just a few hours. We suggest considering the option of a simple stone hearth.
Check out our selection of DIY garden decor ideas.
Tools and materials
To work you will need:
- stone blocks;
- crushed stone;
- pebbles;
- shovel;
- slabs for laying out a circle;
- cement mortar or regular sealant.
Step-by-step instruction
First of all, choose a place, decide on the size of the future fire pit, and mark its center.
- Draw a circle of the required diameter.
- Remove 10-15 cm of soil (dig a small hole).
- Fill in 5-10 cm of gravel or crushed stone.
- Lay out the first row of blocks.
- If necessary, using sealant or mortar, lay out the second row, shifting the stones by a third or half relative to the bottom row.
- Lay out a few more rows until the desired result is achieved.
- Place paving slabs around the perimeter and fill the gap between the slabs and the fire pit with small stones.
Important! The sealant must be fireproof.
Do you want to have a recessed fireplace at your dacha? It’s even easier to set this up! For work you only need paving slabs and bricks. Watch the detailed video instructions and try it, everything will definitely work out.
Photo of a successful fire pit design in a summer cottage
Of course, the best fire pit is the one you, family and friends enjoy. As you have seen, the choice of options is huge. The main thing is that a fireplace or outdoor hearth will definitely become a place of attraction and will allow you to spend time at the dacha in comfort, so that both soul and body can rest.
Here are some more photo ideas to inspire you.
We wish you pleasant evenings in good company!
Here are some more ideas for creating beauty in your dacha:
How to properly arrange it?
The first association associated with fire is firewood. It is logical to store them close to the hearth, so the firewood box should be located either next to the site or directly inside it. For convenience, you can provide benches with firewood under the seat or arrange a storage place directly in the structure of the fire pit.
Look at examples of beautiful firewood stacking.
The photo shows an option for storing firewood
The second association is rest. A vacant lot with a fire in the center has zero functionality; the fireplace is primarily a place for communication and relaxation. Therefore, next to it there should be sitting (or even lying!) places - benches, armchairs, chairs, chaise lounges, outdoor sofas or poufs.
For fire pits with cooking grates, it is necessary to provide a common table or individual tables so that there is somewhere to put a plate of food, a glass of wine or a cup of tea. As a common table, you can specifically expand the sides of the fire pit. Ideas for side tables include improvised objects, such as tree stumps or barrels.
To make the space truly cozy, do not forget about decor and lighting. The fire itself will serve as the main source of light; it can be supplemented with low solar-powered lanterns, garlands or candles.
Textiles (pillows, blankets), beautiful dishes (if cooking is provided) and decorative plants will help decorate the recreation area. Do not overdo it with the design; the main role should remain behind the fire.
Safety rules for setting up a fireplace in the country
Since we are talking about an open fire, it is necessary to take into account all safety requirements and rules.
- The fireplace must be at least 3 meters away from all types of buildings. Ideally at 3.5-4 and beyond.
- The place where the fire is made must also be at least 4 meters away from trees and shrubs.
- According to the requirements of supervisory government agencies, a fire cannot be located next to fences, as well as on the border with neighboring areas and the street.
Thus, the most optimal location for a fire pit on a standard plot of 6 acres would be a clearing in the middle of the plot.
Beautiful ideas for inspiration
To fit the fire area into the landscape design of the site, rely on natural elements: stone, wood. In this design, the space will look as natural as possible.
In the previous photo, the area is open, but if you wish, you can make it more intimate, for example, by surrounding it with an original fence in a circle.
The last tip concerns the arrangement itself. Instead of ordinary benches, for example, you can install a swing. And place the fire pit itself near the barbecue area or summer kitchen - this way you will simultaneously unite the spaces and separate the cooking area from the relaxation area.
As you may have noticed, setting up a fire pit is not difficult. But this simple element adds points to the design of any site: be it an ordinary dacha or an elite country house.
Place for a fire in the country house
It is better to place a fire pit on a personal plot or in a country house at a sufficient distance from the house so that the smoke does not reach the house.
If you equip the fire pit with a fire pit and put a couple of benches, you will get a very cozy place
The site must be blown by winds - good draft is needed for normal combustion. The place must be level or some area will have to be leveled - under the hearth itself and under a place to rest, a bench, a bench or an armchair.
Simple options
It is possible to make a fire pit much faster. Firstly, there are a lot of country or backyard fireplaces made of metal. All you need is a platform on which you will place a metal fire pit.
A metal bowl is a quick way to decorate a fire pit
The advantage of this solution is its not too high price and the simplicity of setting up a place to make a fire. The advantages include low weight, which allows the installation to be carried under the roof for the winter or in bad weather.
A very similar option is a concrete fire pit. They are cast in different sizes, they can be round or square. You can do exactly the same thing yourself, but you will have to wait at least a month. The finished bowl was placed and you can use it.
Fast and hassle-free
