How to Build Your Own Backyard Fire Pit

by Ann Hayward 10/03/2021

Evenings in the backyard are always more cozy with a fire pit. If you’ve been wanting to upgrade your yard with a fire pit of your own, the good news is that there are plenty of ways to build one. One of the easiest ways is by building a ring out of retaining wall blocks. We’ll go over the process and materials you’ll need for creating your own backyard fire pit.

What You’ll Need

Here are the tools you’ll need for this project:

Safety glasses or other eye protection
Level
Sledgehammer
Spade
Tape measure
Garden rake
Wheelbarrow

and the materials that can be bought at any home improvement store:

1-1/2 yards worth of sand
24 granite-retaining wall stones (6.5 x 8 x 14 in)
Spray paint (for marking)

The number of blocks and the amount of sand depend on the size of your fire pit. Use the prior suggestions for a circle with a total radius of about 9 feet.

Before You Get Started

Measuring and preparing a spot for your fire pit is crucial. However, before you even get out the measuring tape, call your local utility companies, fire department and/or homeowners’ associations. This will make your project and final product safer as well as help you avoid nasty fees or penalties for unauthorized building or burning on your property.

When choosing the perfect spot for your fire pit, be aware of nearby structures, trees and bushes. Prepare for flying sparks, powerful heat and wood smoke in all directions nearby. Not only is this important for safety but it can also make you and whoever joins you around the fire much more comfortable.

Building the Fire Pit

Once you’ve chosen the location for your fire pit, measure and place a stake at the center of the circle. Tie a 9-ft string or rope around the stake and use it to mark the edge of the circle, rotating around the stake. Use your spray paint to place markers on the ground for where you’ll be placing the blocks.

If you have sod or grass, now’s the time to clear it from the circle. Once it’s gone, fill in the circle with sand, using the level to make sure the surface is completely flat. Once you have the base set, start placing blocks in a circle. Depending on the size and number of blocks you have, there are different ways you can arrange them. However, you’ll want to have as little space between blocks as possible.

Build your second level of blocks on top of the first. Try to minimize gaps for safety and a cleaner aesthetic. You can build your pit walls higher than two rows of blocks if you wish, but consider attaching the blocks together with mortar or another adhesive to prevent them from being easily tipped over.

Using this basic plan, you can create a simple and effective fire pit for your backyard. There are many ways to customize and enhance the look of it once you have the basic formula. For added safety and a mini-patio effect, you can use flagstone or similar to create a ring around the fire pit for seating. No matter the aesthetic details, you’ll be able to enjoy a cozy fire in your own backyard all year long.

About the Author

Ann Hayward

Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Ann Hayward got her Pennsylvania real estate license at age 18 even before going to college. This second-generation real estate professional followed in the footsteps of her father and two uncles, inheriting their passion for the business. Licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Ann is accomplished in her career, with numerous designations including SFR, SRES, PSA, WHC, and multiunit Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council. She specializes in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, all jurisdictions where Ann has lived and knows very well. In addition to her professional expertise, she owns and manages personal investment property, understands and has been involved in the renovation/remodeling process, and has great resources which she shares with clients. When you hire Ann to represent you, she will make your buying or selling experience an enjoyable, rewarding one. Her compassion, sensitivity to her clients’ needs, eye for detail, and ability to see the big picture when guiding you through a purchase or sale are unique assets that will ensure your success. A diverse and relevant background also gives Ann a distinct edge. For 30 years, she worked in fast-paced, high-pressure television and theatrical production, attaining the highest achievement – DGA membership as a Director, and as an award-winning staff and freelance writer. Her keen audio visual skills and design sense benefit sellers in marketing their properties, and are invaluable in helping buyers see the potential of space. A true renaissance woman, Ann was also an income tax professional and office manager for H&R Block, so she thoroughly understands the tax and financial implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Her superior organizational skills are further evidenced as owner of a downsizing/professional organizing business, Managed For You, which allows her to connect with everyone from millennials to boomers and seniors, whether for small space planning or assisting with major decluttering and transitioning. Ann holds an AB in American History from Simmons College, Boston, plus attended Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Administration where she was a candidate for Doctorate. She additionally studied Film Direction at the American Film Institute in LA, and was a Stanford University post-graduate Professional Journalism Fellow. Personally, Ann is an avid if not very good golfer, and the co-founder of a nonprofit 501c3 organization offering educational guidance, tutoring and counseling for youngsters from elementary school through college admission. She sits on the board of trustees of a nonprofit educational film production corporation as well. (202) 494-6252 [email protected]