Fire Pit Design & Landscape Ideas for a Cozy Outdoor Oasis

Nothing brings character and a little heat to your backyard quite like a fire pit. 

Whether you have your eye on a traditional stone pit or a more extensive outdoor fireplace, design features like string lights, throw pillows and potted plants can help you create a true backyard oasis to enjoy. 

We’ve rounded up our top fire pit design ideas, centered around our exclusive Unilock fire pits. Whether you’re thinking rustic, natural, or classic design, we have the inspiration you’re looking for. 

Bring the heat to your backyard with Unilock. Explore our fire pits and fireplaces.

6 Fire Pit Design & Landscape Ideas You’ll Love 

Whether it’s adding a pop of color or mixing and matching different textures, there are no limits to what you can dream up to make your outdoor fire pit a space you can call your own. 

Explore our top six design tips for fire pits: 

1. Consider a Sunken Fire Pit

Paying homage to the 1970s conversation pit, a sunken fire pit invites guests to gather around and relax in a unique environment. 

A fire pit with a wide lip — about 8 inches — is ideal for resting a drink. To add a cozy glow when the night starts setting in, consider installing patio lighting underneath your outdoor seating to enhance the mood. 

2. Display Your Style With Outdoor Pillow Cushions and Blankets

To make your seating area extra cozy and inviting, add outdoor pillow cushions and blankets. 

Be sure to choose pillows and blankets that are made to withstand outdoor elements, so you can utilize them all year round. Choose a fabric that is waterproof, UV resistant, and easy to clean, like acrylic or polyester. 

Experiment with different colors, patterns, and textures until you find a combination that matches your style.

3. Position Your Fire Pit Near the Pool 

Enjoy the heat after a cool afternoon dip with a poolside fire pit. 

After hosting a pool party, your guests can move to the fire pit area to enjoy more intimate conversations as the night sets in. 

The combination of fire and water is visually stunning — the dancing flames reflecting off the water can create a mesmerizing effect, making poolside evenings that much more enjoyable. 

4. Section Off Your Outdoor Space 

Creating a sectioned-off fire pit “room” in your backyard is a great way to expand your living space and create an indoor-outdoor feel. 

Delineate the area to make it feel more like a separate room by setting up bamboo partitions, adding tall planters around the perimeter, installing a pergola, or build a garden wall.

5. Utilize Outdoor Lighting 

Brighten up your outdoor space at night with outdoor landscape lighting. 

Lighting fixtures can enhance the ambiance of your outdoor space, while offering functional benefits for safety. Outdoor lighting options include string lights, tiki torches, patio lighting, lanterns, spotlights, and more. 

While step lights can create a warm and inviting path that guides your guests at night, you can use spotlights to highlight key features of your outdoor space, or string lights to create an intimate and romantic look and feel.

6. Turn Your Fire Pit Into an Outdoor Grill 

Why limit your fire pit to just a source of warmth? Whether it’s a weekend barbeque party with family or a relaxing s’mores dessert night, a fire pit is a versatile outdoor piece that can double as a grill. 

To transform your fire pit into an outdoor grill: 

1. Select a grill grate that fits your fire pit’s dimensions. The grill grate must be made of a sturdy, heat-resistant material, such as stainless steel. 
2. Place the grill grate on top of your fire pit. Make sure it fits securely and doesn’t wobble. Consider using grill clips or hooks to keep the grate in place. 
3. Light a small fire in the pit to ensure that the heat distribution is even and ensure that the grill grate is stable. 

Unilock tip: Unilock pre-built fire pit kits come with a metal insert and grill, providing the convenience of an all-in-one package for enhanced ease and efficiency.

Rustic Fire Pit Design & Landscape Ideas 

Rustic landscaping is all about embracing a natural, country-inspired aesthetic that feels casual yet welcoming. 

Here are some of our recommendations for rustic fire pit design and landscape ideas: 

• Use weathered wood accents in the landscape design to add a relaxed and lived-in feel. 
• Add wooden Adirondack chairs around the fire pit to simulate the feeling of cottage-style living. 
• Set up string lights or rustic candle lanterns to help create an intimate feel. 
• Add planters, or flower pots for splashes of color in your design. 
• Use irregular stones to create natural flooring around your fire pit. 
• Install birdhouses, birdbaths, or butterfly gardens to attract wildlife, adding to the natural appeal of your outdoor space. 
• Use barrels, wooden crates, or galvanized metal buckets as planters to add a touch of rustic charm. 
• Use old tree stumps or logs as natural planters, seating, or side tables. 
• Utilize a rustic color palette that includes warm earth tones, deep reds, burgundies, muted grays, and faded whites throughout your outdoor space. 

Contemporary Fire Pit Design & Landscape Ideas 

 Do you prefer sleek lines or geometric patterns? Here are our recommendations for contemporary fire pit design and landscape: 

• Add bright-colored chairs for a pop of color. 
• Use colored paving stones for your nearby walkways, patio, or retaining walls. 
• Install a modern water feature such as a reflecting pool, a geometrically shaped pond, or a wall fountain for an added contemporary look and feel. 
• Use outdoor lighting, such as LED strip lights or angular light fixtures to highlight architectural features in your landscape. 
• Incorporate modern sculptures into your landscape that can serve as stunning visual focal points. 
• Utilize a contemporary color palette that includes shades of gray, white, and black. If you prefer a bolder atmosphere, use bright colors like electric blue or vibrant orange as accent colors against a neutral backdrop.

Fire Pit Seating Design Ideas 

The right seating around a fire pit can help you create a cozy and inviting outdoor gathering space. Ideas for fire pit seating include: 

• Adirondack chairs 
• Built-in seat walls 
• Circular bench seating 
• Swing seating 
• Tree stump seats 
• A sunken seating area 
• Hammocks 
• Reclining lounge chairs 
• Picnic benches 
• Outdoor bean bags

Request our Design Catalog for more fire pit design ideas!

Find Your Ideal Fire Pit or Fireplace Design at Unilock 

Whether you want to set a cozy and intimate scene on a chilly spring afternoon or bring back the nostalgia of roasting s’mores on a hot summer night, an outdoor fire pit is the perfect spot for your loved ones to gather around. 

At Unilock, we offer a variety of wall products in a number of different sizes and styles that you can use to build all kinds of fire pits.

If you prefer to purchase a prebuilt kit, Unilock offers several prebuilt fire pit kits and fireplaces, including: 

• Sunset® — The Sunset Firepit effortlessly enhances any outdoor space with its authentic stone-like appearance. 
• Barcelona™ — The Barcelona Fireplace, exuding a classic patina similar to the distinguished Brussels Block® paver, serves as a timeless piece to any outdoor space. 
• Tuscany™ — Mimicking the appearance of quarried stone and the look of the enchanting Tuscan countryside, the Tuscany Fireplace adds a rustic, laid-back charm to any outdoor setting. 
• Moda™ — Adorned with the sleek, modern aesthetics of Lineo™ Dimensional Stone, the Moda Prebuilt Fireplace adds contemporary elegance to any outdoor living area. 

Find a Unilock Authorized Contractor to install your fire pit project