Ideal for entertaining with friends and family, fire pits deserve a spot in your outdoor area. Why? Bruce Fox sums it up nicely: “Just as people are always drawn to the kitchen at a party, conversations and cocktails center around the fire pit on evenings and weekends.”
If you’re not sure about the right style for you, don’t worry. We asked experienced designers to share some of their favorite projects and explain how to make the right choice.
“The fireplace is the focal point, and from there, I created balance with symmetrical light fixtures and wooden accents,” says Ginger Barber, explaining her design for this Austin patio. She kept the colors and textures neutral, with wicker furniture, pale green cushions and creamy plaster walls. Photo by Michael Hunter
In the outdoor patio of an Italian-villa-style California compound, Michael S. Smith added a pergola and cozy seating surrounding a marble fireplace. Photo by Scott Frances
The sharp lines and abundance of white lacquer imbue this home a quintessentially SoCal vibe, which RCH Studios picked up on with white furniture and a subtle fireplace. “The home’s seamless and structural skin give it an abstract, sculptural appearance, making it feel object-like and a part of the collection of sculptures on the site,” says the firm’s creative director, Sebastian Salvado. Photo by Jim Simmons
“The iron fire pit was actually the first item we purchased for our weekend home,” says New York City–based designer Kevin Dumais, describing the Litchfield, Connecticut, haven he shares with his husband, Charlie. “It found itself ideally situated at the base of a fern-covered hill behind our house, and it quickly became the focal point of our backyard.” Photo by Eric Piasecki
The ski-in, ski-out getaway of Boston-based clients got a cozy update courtesy of Alan Tanksley. “The goal,” says Tanksley, “was to create a rustic retreat for the active young family.” With the exception of the antique butcher’s table, all the furniture is from Sutherland and covered with Holly Hunt fabrics. Photo by William Abranowicz
Tara Shaw gave the front porch of a home in a converted elementary school a contemporary look. It proved a hit. “I have seen the family sitting in their outdoor living room,” says Shaw, “enjoying the New Orleans breeze.” Photo courtesy of Tara Shaw
“We love the skillful way the architect Janet Jarvis carved the mantel into wall and created the shallow niche above,” says Jeffry Weisman, of Fisher Weisman Brugioni, describing this outdoor living room of a West Coast home. Aiming for a modern-ranch-style feel, the designers outfitted the space with crisp.rustic elements, like Philippe Starck’s Bubble lounge furniture. Photo by Thomas Loof
“My client wanted me to create an enlarged patio space for entertaining,” says Becky Jarold, founder of B. Jarold and Company. “The source for inspiration was the beautiful view. It led to this structure, which also contains a pizza oven. The fire pit is actually a recessed fire bar built into the structure. The fire provides warmth for the elongated seating in front of it and the framed view of lush green hills beyond.”
“We wanted to create a warm and intimate outdoor area where the owners could enjoy the panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay,” says Nicole Hollis, founder of the eponymous design studio. “The clients requested minimal furniture on the patio, so we selected these mirror-image James Perse sofas and designed a built-in concrete fireplace that was fabricated by Concreteworks.”
“This is the choicest spot inside or out of the house. Look at that view!” says Julie Stryker, partner at Corley Design Associates. “The house is in Wyoming, so a little heat is always necessary, and a fire is a must. This fire pit is reminiscent of an infinity pool’s edge. We kept the furnishings very simple and neutral to let the backdrop be the focus.”
“This is an intimate spot in a large yard at the end of an olive allée,” says interior designer Taylor Borsari. “The back wall and fountain were designed as grounding elements at the end of the view. To activate the space and add function, we installed the fire pit and seating. It is now a small retreat in the yard that offers a place for casual conversation and late night s’mores. The Russell Woodard furniture, vintage pots and fountain basin were the perfect complements to the contemporary but textural home.”
“I wanted the outdoor fire pit to be cozy and inviting — truly an outdoor living experience,” says Ohara Davies-Gaetano. “The views are spectacular, and you feel as if you were floating above the clouds and the ocean. It is the perfect spot to watch the sun setting over the Pacific.”
“The classic boulder-ring fire pit is reminiscent of a WPA park campground,” says Tim Pfeiffer, partner at Hoedemaker Pfeiffer. “A crushed-bluestone surround creates a solid, dry and fire-safe arena for gathering. Adirondack chairs and vintage Pendleton blankets invite coming together on cool nights for s’mores making and storytelling around the fire.” Photo by Lisa Romerein
“We built this custom fire pit to turn a typical outdoor pool space into something more usable for evening entertaining,” says Susana Simonpietri, creative director at Chango & Co. “The property is located next to Main Beach in East Hampton, and the sky is the most beautiful color at the end of the day. We wanted to capture that color with our fire pit.” Photo Ray Olivares
“The house was designed with this sunken terrace, but it was unfinished,” says Allison Babcock, of Babcock Peffer Design. “We immediately saw that the large concrete wall was the perfect surface for projecting movies. We designed an oversize U-shaped sectional to allow maximum lounging for movie watching and cozying up next to the fire pit on cool summer and autumn evenings.” Photo by Tria Giovan
“When asked by a Los Angeles developer to reimagine a Beverly Hills backyard, we started with the pool deck,” says Stephen Stone. “It was clad in Carrara marble and black-slate porcelain cut on a diagonal to anchor modern chaises and seating. The fire-trough area was designed as a long linear space to accommodate groups sitting around while enjoying drinks from the outdoor bar.” Photo by Jim Bartsch
“This project is all about providing spaces throughout the property where the lake and view can be enjoyed year-round,” says Kylee Shintaffer. “At the beach, the outdoor fire pit is fashioned from a vintage rock-crushing cone and surrounded by teak Adirondack chairs, making it the perfect spot for leisurely summer evenings.” Photo by Eric Piasecki
“We used a simple rectilinear fire pit with a contemporary style that suited the style of the owners,” says Jay Jeffers. “We wanted to put it in a location where they could unwind and take advantage of the Silicon Valley views. The main goal was to create a simple setting in the expansive outdoor space for friends and family to gather, without adding too much.” Photo Matthew Millman
“We worked closely with the landscape architect to create a cozy yet functional space for this family,” says Amber Lewis, founder of Amber Interiors. “We wanted plenty of grassy area for the kids to play in and a comfortable place with a fire pit where the rest of the family could relax.” Photo Tessa Neustadt
“Our clients were moving from their suburban home — where they had lots of outdoor space and loved to entertain — into the city of Chicago,” says Bruce Fox. “When this apartment became available, with a huge amount of outdoor space sixteen stories above Chicago’s historic and green Lincoln Park, they knew they had found their new home. This entire area was raised to take full advantage of the city, park and lake views, which would not be obstructed by architecture. The new rounded platform, with its magical panorama, became the perfect place for an outdoor fire pit.” Photo by Nathan Kirkman
“The elements earth, air, fire and water have defined our connection to nature for millennia,” says Thomas A. Kligerman, partner at Ike Kligerman Barkley. “We brought two together on this Mexican beach: fire, for warmth in the cool azure evenings, and cool water, for the hot, sunny days.” Photo by Peter Aeron
“This roof deck of a Hell’s Kitchen development is a study in contrasts,” says Pamela Katch, cofounder of Katch I.D. “The reductive geometry of the strong furniture is rendered inviting and luxurious by the French mattress detailing of the canvas upholstery. The warmth of the fire pit was the perfect way to create both a cozy environment and a feeling of hospitable largesse.” Rendering by Volley Studio
“I love how simple and elegant this fire pit is,” says interior designer Martin Horner, cofounder of Soucie Horner. “It’s got clean lines that don’t compete with the architecture of the house or the furniture. It doesn’t fight with the view, either. To be able to gather outside around a fire in the middle of the city, with skyscrapers looming above you, that’s an urban experience you just can’t beat.” Photo by Dustin Halleck
