Fire Pit Ideas

A fire pit gives people a reason to stay outside after the sun goes down. In Sacramento, where evenings cool off after hot days, it gets use for much of the year. A good fire pit is safe, sized right for the space, and looks like part of the landscape. This guide covers fire pit ideas, glass and stone choices, planning basics, and what to bring when you visit.

Fire pit design ideas

Place the fire pit where people already gather, but away from the house, overhangs and trees. A round pit feels casual. A square or long pit suits a modern patio.

• A stone ring around a stainless steel fire ring
• A gas fire pit topped with colored fire pit glass
• A curved stone seat wall around the fire
• A flagstone patio or gravel pad under the seating area

Which stone works and why

We sell stainless steel fire rings for outdoor use in sizes from 12 to 36 inches across. Fire pit glass comes in 50 pound bags. The seven stocked colors or mixes are Blue, Caribbean Mix, Crystal Amber, Crystal Clear, Crystal Turquoise, River Mix and Sunshine Mix, and many other colors can be custom ordered. See fire pit glass.

For the surround and the patio, dense stones like Storm Mountain and Mt. Moriah quartzite are popular. Bluestone Rustic Rock has irregular edges that suit a rustic look. Tell staff the stone will sit near heat so they can suggest a suitable choice. Call to check what is in the yard today.

Planning and installing basics

Check the rules for fire pits where you live before you build. Pick the ring size first, then build the surround to fit it. Block such as Terrace or Estate can form the core, faced with natural stone and mortar. Leave room for chairs, usually a few feet of clear space all around.

A flagstone patio or a gravel pad around the pit gives a firm, non-flammable surface.

Plan how smoke will drift on a typical evening breeze, and keep the pit a safe distance from fences, plants and furniture. A gas pit needs a gas line run by a qualified installer. A wood-burning pit needs room for ash to be cleaned out.

What to bring when you visit

Bring the size of the area, a photo of the yard, and whether the fire pit is gas or wood-burning. Note the ring size you want. Staff can help you choose a ring, glass color, stone and the block, mortar and tools to build it.