Nothing adds character to your garden—at least in a caveman-like, primordial sense—than an outdoor fire pit.

A backyard fire pit is a great spot to huddle around when the sun goes down and the temperature drops, or when you’re having a killer outdoor party and grilling up a bunch of meat and vegetables for your friends. Fire draws us in like flies (although we don’t want you to get burnt like a fly), gives us emotional comfort, cooks our food and is just plain cool to look at.

For do-it-yourself fans out there, you’ll be happy to know that you can find plenty of how-to websites with easy and creative ideas about how to build the best, and most extreme, fire pit your property can handle.

Of course, you don’t have to go extreme, but for some folks, bigger is always better. If you plan on roasting something rather large, like an entire pig, we suggest you go for a massive hole in the ground, lined with rocks, which can handle the heat you’re going to need to get the job done. Other people, perhaps with more refined tastes, might want to opt for an elegant, laid-back design, sculpted out of concrete, firebricks and stone. The options available to you are seemingly endless.

YouTube/Lowe's
YouTube/Lowe's
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When building your own fire pit, you have to make sure you have enough room on your land for your grand ideas. Then you’ll have to figure out where the pit is going to go, prepare the footing or dig your hole, lay the brick, set the capstones and install some type of base for the grill. It can be a lot of work, but if you plan ahead, the result will be fantastic and will surely impress your friends.

Diynetwork.com
Diynetwork.com
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For those of you who are short on time, or basic construction skills, don’t worry. There are plenty of prefabricated, commercially available fire pits that will do the trick and turn your backyard, garden or patio into a sweltering oasis. Regardless of the route you choose when building or setting up your fire pit, once you’ve got your pit up and running, it just might become your new favorite place to hang out.

Of course, it should go without saying that when working with and around fire, always exercise caution. Stay safe, and you’ll be able to enjoy many fires to come.

He Who Laughs Last, Wiki Commons
He Who Laughs Last, Wiki Commons
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