21 Cheap DIY Fire Pit Ideas You Can Build in a Weekend

Create a cozy backyard spot with these easy, cheap, and simple-to-build DIY fire pit ideas you can build in your yard this weekend!

What Can You Use for a DIY Fire Pit?

DIY Firepits can be built very simply using pavers, rocks, concrete, plus a fire ring. Most of these materials are pretty inexpensive and can be found in your backyard or at a home improvement store.

I have gathered all types of DIY outdoor Fire pit ideas that come with complete tutorials from around the web – from tabletop to in-ground so you can find the perfect one for your backyard!

Tabletop Fire Pit Ideas

1. DIY Patio Table with Fire Pit from Anika’s DIY Life (Beginner-friendly)

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Materials needed: 2X4s and a tabletop grill (recycle one you already have!)
• Time: 1 weekend

We didn’t have space in our backyard for a traditional fire pit, but I wanted somewhere where we could roast marshmallows and gather with friends and family. The idea for this tabletop fire pit was born. I used 2X4s to build the table and recycled an old grill to save money. We love hanging out around this fire pit, and the kids love making s’mores in their own backyard.

Follow the full tutorial and plans to make it this weekend

2. Tabletop Fire Bowl from In My Own Style (Repurposing project)

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Materials Needed: Concrete planter + river rock

I love a good repurposing project, and this modern fire bowl is a concrete planter repurposed using river rock and a tiki torch in the middle. It’s super easy to put together. You could even use lava rock in this simple fire pit for your porch, patio, or deck.

Learn how to make it yourself.

3. Simple Tabletop Fire Bowl from Today’s Creative Life (Terra Cotta pot repurpose)

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Materials Needed: Terra Cotta pot and a can of clean-burning gel

I love a simple project, and this tabletop fire pit idea is easy to put together and uses a can of clean-burning gel as the fire source. You can use any terra cotta pot to make this homemade fire pit idea. Add colored fire rocks or regular rocks for a custom look.

See how to make your own simple tabletop fire pit

4. Tabletop Fire Pit Bowl from Diva of DIY (Beginner cement project!)

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Materials Needed: Plastic bowl and Quickcrete

I love a good beginner concrete project, and if you want to make your own tabletop fire pit in a certain size, this tutorial will walk you through it. Working with cement is an easy DIY, and you can have your own fire pit done in a weekend!

Make this concrete tabletop fire pit with the tutorial.

5. Tabletop S’mores Fire Pit from The Crafting Chicks (Safe to use anywhere)

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Materials Needed: Metal bucket + can of clean burning gel

Even without a backyard fire pit, you can still roast marshmallows when you make one of these easy little bucket fire pits. Fill your metal bucket with river rock or other stones and add a can of clean burning gel that is food safe and you’re ready for s’mores!

Follow the tutorial to make this bucket fire pit.

6. Mini Fire Pit from Artsy Fartsy Mama (simple and easy)

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Materials Needed: Terra Cotta pot + charcoal

I really like how simple this mini tabletop fire pit idea is. If you don’t have anywhere for a large fire pit, this is the perfect solution for roasting marshmallows or adding a glow to your nighttime gathering. They are easy to make using a small terra cotta pot and some charcoal! Clean-up is easy too when you use aluminum foil.

See how to make your own mini tabletop fire pit

DIY Fire Pit Ideas for the Deck or Patio

7. DIY Adirondack Fire Bowl Table from Interior Frugalista (mobile design)

• Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
• Materials Needed: Freestanding fire pit and common lumber

I love that this customizable fire pit table is on wheels and channels that timeless Adirondack style. Because the plans call for a table saw, I consider this to be an advanced beginner project. You could also use a circular saw if you don’t have a table saw. Because the table is made of wood, you must use a gas insert or fire logs that won’t produce a large flame or sparks. Do not burn real wood in this table.

See how to build you own fire pit table.

8. DIY Wood and Concrete Fire Pit from DIY Huntress (modern style)

• Skill Level: Advanced
• Materials Needed: Cedar and concrete

I love the look of this modern DIY fire pit, which features a concrete top and wood base. I would consider it a more advanced DIY project, but with the instructions, anyone could make this for their patio or deck.

Follow the tutorial to make it yourself.

9. DIY Fire Pit Table from Love Create Celebrate (Easy makeover project)

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Materials Needed: Tile and spray paint (make sure it is heat rated)

I really like the idea of saving money, so don’t throw that old one away! You don’t have to buy a brand new fire pit; take an old one and give it new life. This fire pit tabletop makeover is sleek and modern with new tile. It’s the perfect place to cozy up for an evening with family and friends.

See how to do this fire pit makeover.

DIY Backyard Fire Pit Ideas

10. DIY Fire Pit with Landscape Bricks from Average But Inspired (Easy beginner project)

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Materials Needed: Metal fire ring and landscape bricks

I wish we had a place in our backyard for a fire pit like this. A metal fire ring and landscape bricks make this DIY fire pit easy to set up. Pea gravel inside the ring is the perfect material for burning safely in this backyard space. Be careful where you place it so you have plenty of clearance from trees.

See how to make this backyard fire pit.

11. DIY Fire Pit Kit from Thrift Diving (Everything you need in one kit)

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Materials Needed: Fire pit kit

I like that this idea takes all the planning and guesswork out of setting up a fire pit in the backyard. DIY fire pit kits are a great way to get everything you need to build your own fire pit. They take the guesswork out of sizing and layout with a fire ring and stones included for exactly the size you want.

See how to build your own with a fire pit kit.

12. Stone Firepit from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom (Beginner-friendly)

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Materials Needed: Retaining wall blocks

Although labor intensive, creating a DIY fire pit for your backyard using retaining wall blocks and crushed granite for the seating area is possible. They are easy to build, but prepping the area can take some time. Be sure to check your local codes when it comes to building and having a fire pit in your backyard.

See how to build it here.

13. Stacked Stone Fire Pit from The DIY Village (organic and nature inspired)

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Materials Needed: Stone + gravel

Layers of stone retain their natural shape to make this DIY fire pit idea look like an extension of your backyard. I love the organic look of this outdoor living space that is perfect for entertaining family and friends. This one is labor intensive, so make sure you have help to get it done.

See the full project from start to finish.

14. Large Fire Pit from Ugly Duckling House (large backyard fire pit)

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Materials Needed: Landscape stones and construction adhesive

Landscaping stones and masonry adhesive make this DIY fire pit a beginner-friendly backyard project. You can make it as large or as small as you want, but if you make it larger, you will have more room to burn yard debris when needed. I like how easy this one is, and the construction adhesive will help keep all the stones in place.

See how to build this easy DIY backyard fire pit.

15. DIY Fire Pit with Benches from Houseful of Handmade (simple and easy)

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Materials Needed: Fire ring + gravel

I really like that this in-ground fire pit idea is as easy as putting a fire ring in the ground and surrounding it with gravel. It’s the seating area for this outdoor space that really makes it stand out. Concrete blocks serve as a base for wooden benches, which are an easy DIY woodworking project.

See the full project to add this to your backyard.

16. In-Ground Fire Pit from Pretty Handy Girl (Family gathering spot)

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Materials Needed: Rocks for the fire ring, sand or pea gravel, slate stones

I love how natural this DIY fire pit looks. Instead of a fire ring, large rocks are used, with slate stones and sand around the fire pit for safety and a natural-looking setting. Slate can be expensive, but you could use any kind of stone to keep it budget-friendly.

See this backyard fire pit project from start to finish.

17. DIY Fire Pit with Pavers from Making Manzanita (it all comes in a kit)

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Materials Needed: Fire pit kit

I really like how a DIY paver fire pit kit makes building simple. You get everything you need, and all you have to do is pick the style you want. Build your fire pit first to give it that built-in look, then complete your paver patio for an amazing outdoor living space.

Follow the full tutorial to do it yourself.

18. Smokeless Fire Pit from By Brittany Goldwyn (Smokeless!)

• Skill Level: Advanced
• Materials Needed: Steel outdoor fire ring and supplies to make the blower

This one grabbed my attention with the engineering involved to make it smokeless. Now, no one can guarantee that it will be completely smokeless, but it beats a fire pit without the fancy blower setup. This DIY fire pit is a bit more labor-intensive than other fire pits, but you won’t have to keep moving your chair away from the smoke as the wind changes directions.

Follow the detailed tutorial and make your fire pit smokeless.

19. Modern Fire Pit from Charleston Crafted (matching seating area)

• Skill Level: Advanced
• Materials Needed: Fire pit kit, boards to make the benches

This is another great kit project that uses modern stone planters create bench seating around this DIY fire pit. This fire pit hardscape is the perfect gathering spot for friends and family.

Follow the tutorial to make your own

20. DIY Fire Pit with Grill from Her Toolbelt (Add a grill grate!)

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Materials Needed: Stonewall blocks and caps + grilling grate

This DIY fire pit is really cool! I really like the addition of a grill grate. Stonewall blocks and wall caps are built around the fire ring of this fire pit, then the grilling grate is added to the fire ring.

Learn how to make your own fire pit with a grill grate

21. Built-In Fire Pit with Benches from Pretty Handy Girl (bench seating optional)

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Materials Needed: Large stones, gravel, wood to build benches(optional)

I love this rustic fire pit idea! Made using large natural stones for the fire pit and built-in rustic benches for seating, you’ll be ready for fun family times around the fire.

Create your own with the step-by-step tutorial

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