Of all the additions we build into a backyard, a custom fire pit might be the one that gets used the most. It stretches your outdoor season into fall, gives everyone a reason to gather outside after dinner, and turns a plain patio into a real destination. It’s a small footprint with an outsized impact on how much you actually use your yard.
Wood-Burning or Gas?
This is usually the first decision to make, and there’s no universally right answer — it depends on how you’ll use it. Wood-burning fire pits have that classic campfire feel and crackle, but they take more upkeep and produce smoke and ash. Gas fire pits light instantly, burn clean, and are easier to enjoy on a weeknight without the planning a real fire requires. A lot of our clients land on gas for convenience, but plenty still prefer the real thing — it really comes down to how often you see yourself using it.
Built-In vs. Freestanding
- Built-in fire pits are constructed to match your patio’s materials and are typically set into a paver or stone surround with a seat wall around it — a permanent, custom feature.
- Freestanding fire pits offer more flexibility and a lower cost, and can work well as a standalone feature in a gravel or paver patio seating area.
Either way, placement matters more than most people expect — you want enough clearance from the house, fencing, and any overhead structures like a pergola, along with a surface that can handle the heat.
Designing the Seating Area Around It
A fire pit is really only as good as the space around it. We typically design for a ring of seating with enough room to comfortably pull chairs in and out, and we’ll often build a low seat wall as part of the hardscaping so there’s always a spot to sit even when you have extra guests over. Lighting is worth thinking about too — low, warm landscape lighting around the seating area keeps the fire pit as the visual focal point after dark.
Cedarscape Designs brings a combined expertise of over 25 years to every fire pit and patio we build for homeowners in Nashville, Mt. Juliet, and Lebanon, TN. If you’re picturing a fire pit in your own backyard, reach out for a free consultation or explore our full lineup of hardscaping and landscaping services.
