Highlights
Fire pits offer several benefits besides heat.
Fire pits extend outdoor entertaining into evenings and cold seasons.
You can choose between a portable or built-in fire pit.
It typically costs between $300 and $1,400 to install one.
Fire pits have benefits beyond just warming you up. Whether you’re looking to curl up and listen to a relaxing crackle under the evening stars, or roast marshmallows with your nearest and dearest, one thing’s for sure—a fire pit is a welcome addition to any backyard. Read on for six reasons to buy or build a fire pit to elevate your outdoor space.
1. It Will Heat Up Your Gatherings
We can’t neglect the obvious—fire pits provide warmth. So not only can you build a fire when you host your summer BBQs, you can invite your friends and family over for an outdoor gathering in the fall and winter months, too. A fire pit is particularly pleasant if it’s built next to a lake, hot tub, or pool. Picture emerging from a late-summer swim and drying off in front of a toasty fire.
2. It Will Light Up Your Space
There’s no need to wire your entire backyard for lighting. Save money by installing fixtures on your deck and illuminating another section of your backyard with a fire pit. If you get a roaring fire going, it should light up the area to provide just the right amount of functionality and ambiance.
3. It Could Add Value to Your Home
To make your property attractive to potential buyers, install a fire pit, as it’s a hardscape feature that adds value to your home. As with hot tubs and pools, it’ll up the enticement factor of your home. If you’re looking to install one to entice buyers, budget for between $300 and $1,400, which is the typical cost to install an outdoor fire pit.
4. It Can Replace a Grill
Other than toasting s’mores, you can also use your wood-burning fire pit to cook hot dogs, kebabs, or foil-wrapped packages of meat or vegetables. Just place a removable grill rack over the top.
5. It Will Provide Entertainment
Between stoking a fire and watching the flames, fire pits offer a low-key entertainment source. Whether you stare at the fire while you chat with your loved ones or just meditate solo, your fire pit will add interest to the time you spend outdoors. Why speak when you can just watch the flames dance?
6. It Can Serve as a Focal Point
A fire pit surrounded by benches or Adirondack chairs offers a focal point for your backyard. Especially if your lot is flat and uninteresting, this seating area will draw the eye. Since fire pits come in a variety of designs—from circular to rectangular and sleek to adorned with glass crystals, red rocks, or pebbles—they can deliver serious style to your space. For help deciding on the right look, ask a local landscape designer.
