DIY Fire Pit Tutorial: Create a Cozy Outdoor Gathering Spot
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Fall has officially arrived, bringing with it cooler temps, golden leaves, and the perfect excuse to gather outdoors!
There’s something magical about crisp autumn evenings spent under the stars, wrapped in a blanket, and the glow of a backyard fire pit beside you. A cozy outdoor fire is one of the best ways to enjoy the season, and one of our favorite ways to make memories at home.
In our house, we’ve always loved relaxing around a fire, no matter the season, but over time, our backyard fire pit had become more of an eyesore than a cozy retreat.
Before and After ↓
The base became uneven, weeds kept popping up every summer, and without good drainage, the whole area just turned into a messy spot we didn’t really want to use.
Plus, without an actual stone pit, there was nothing to contain the fire or the ash and debris it left behind. It was clear this space needed a fresh start, so we decided to take on a new DIY project and transform this neglected corner into a beautiful, functional outdoor fire pit we’d actually enjoy using.
Zero Experience. Lots of Determination.
This was my very first attempt at a landscaping project like this—and I’ve got to say, I’m pretty proud to have tackled it on my own!
That said, as a total beginner, I definitely made a few miscalculations along the way. I’ve included them in this post so you can learn from my experience and (hopefully) avoid the same hiccups on your own DIY journey.
And if you’re wondering whether this DIY was really worth the effort, I’m sharing my honest take at the end of the post.
Materials Needed.
36 Stone wall blocks (12 stones are needed to complete the circle of 1 layer; I used 3 stacked layers total)
Tools Used.
shovel
rubber mallet
level
caulk gun
gardening gloves
2x4 board (cut to width of firepit)
1" broom handle / pipe
garden hose
gravel/rock
Preparing The Ground For The DIY Fire Pit.
Remove Old Pavers and Clear the Area.
To kick things off, I removed the old pavers and started digging out the entire 5 ft. x 5ft. section where the new fire pit and pavers would go. I dug down about 7-9 inches total—far enough to make room for the layers I had planned:
about 4-6 inches for the paver base
about 1 inch for leveling sand
about 2 inches for the paver height
Once I reached the right depth, I also dug a small drainage hole in the center that was about 1 foot wide and 1 foot deep and filled it with rock. Ideally, you'd use gravel, but I used leftover chip rock I already had. I wasn’t sure if this step was completely necessary, but since we’d had drainage issues before, I figured it was worth the extra effort.
Build a Solid Paver Base for Stability.
A solid foundation is essential for a long-lasting fire pit and since I was also adding pavers to fill in the area around the pit, I wanted to ensure it wouldn’t settle over time.
Here’s the process I followed:
Spread 2–3 bags of paver base at a time
Use a hand tamper to compact each layer completely
Continue until I built up a total of 4 to 6 inches of compacted base
One thing I didn’t anticipate: how much the base would compress once tamped down. I also originally estimated the base layer at 4 inches, but the area was closer to 6 inches due to uneven digging on my part. That miscalculation added some extra trips and effort, so measure carefully!
Level the Surface with Sand for a Smooth Finish.
To create a smooth surface for the pavers, I added 1 inch of leveling sand. To get this measurement right, I laid a 1-inch broom handle across the center of the fire pit area before pouring any sand. I then poured sand around the broom handle until it was level with the top.
Then, I used a 2x4 board to screed the sand, pulling it across the surface to level everything out and remove any excess sand. After that, I removed the broom handle, filled in the small gap, and lightly tamped the sand to keep it in place.
Building the Fire Pit and Laying Accent Pavers.
Set the First Layer of Fire Pit Stones.
With the base prepped, it was time to start building. I found the center of the 5 ft. x 5 ft. area and marked it with a stake, then laid 12 stone wall blocks in a circle around the stake to complete the circle. I adjusted them slightly until I was happy with the shape and location.
I checked each block with a level and made small adjustments using a rubber mallet and extra sand to get them perfectly even.
Install Surrounding Pavers for a Custom Look.
Next, I filled in the remaining area around the outside of the firepit using the charcoal boulevard pavers. Again, this section had already been cut out as part of our patio, so it was just a matter of filling the space.
This is where my second miscalculation came, because I forgot to subtract the fire pit’s footprint when determining how many pavers to purchase. As a result, I ended up with twice as many pavers as I needed. Not a total loss, though because I know I’ll use the extras for another project.
I laid the pavers in a tight, interlocking pattern, alternating directions until they fit together like a puzzle. I used a small amount of sand (as needed) and a rubber mallet to adjust and level each one.
Apply Locking Sand to Secure Pavers in Place.
To secure the pavers, I used locking sand, but made the beginner mistake of pouring the sand too fast in one section. The pressure of the sand shifted one of the pavers, and I couldn’t quite get it back into place. Zach assures me it just adds a bit of “character!”
→ Pro tip: pour the locking sand slowly unless you want a rogue paver!
After pouring the sand, I used a broom to gently sweep the sand over the surface, working it into all the cracks, then carefully brushed away any extra locking sand from the paver surface and surrounding concrete.
Once that was done, I gently misted the area with water using a low setting on the garden hose, just enough to activate the locking sand without disturbing it. I let it dry for about 10 minutes.
Stack and Glue Layers 2 and 3 of the Stone Pit.
With the base layer set, I moved on to stacking the second and third layers of the stone fire pit blocks. I stacked the second row completely, shifted blocks around as needed, then applied the landscaping adhesive to secure the stones in place.
I repeated the same process for the third layer, then let the entire structure dry overnight so the glue could fully cure.
Final Details That Complete the Look.
Drop in the Fire Ring for Safety and Structure.
To finish the look, I dropped in the 30” fire pit ring, which fit perfectly inside the stacked stone circle. It gives the fire pit a clean, polished look while also protecting the stone from direct heat.
Add Lava Rock for a Clean, Polished Finish
Finally, I added the lava rock to the center of the fire pit to complete the build and give it a clean, finished look.
Project Summary: Time, Cost, and What to Expect.
This fire pit was definitely a labor-intensive DIY, but so worth it in the end. The project took me about 7 hours of hands-on work spread over 3 days (with a few weather delays), and most of the challenges came from underestimating how many bags of materials I needed. That led to multiple trips to the hardware store, which let’s be honest, is basically a rite of passage for any DIYer!
Also worth noting: those bags and blocks are seriously heavy. I definitely needed Zach’s help hauling all of it, especially the pavers and base material—so keep that in mind when planning your project.
Total cost came in around $475, which included purchasing some of the tools I didn’t already own. However, if you skip the charcoal boulevard pavers and just build the fire pit itself, you could likely cut the cost in half. Again, I used the pavers to fill in a cutout section of our patio that was already there.
All in all, a lot of effort, but a project I’m proud of and one we’ll enjoy for years to come.
Is This DIY Worth It? My Honest Take.
This project delivers a huge visual upgrade for a relatively reasonable price—especially compared to hiring it out to a landscaper. For this reason, it gets my full endorsement.
That said, here’s a quick disclaimer: be extra careful when calculating your materials. I recommend using the built-in calculator on the product or hardware store’s website, but double-check your numbers and subtract areas like the fire pit ring that won’t need coverage (learned that the hard way!). Also, make sure you have a helping hand nearby—the bags, blocks, and pushing a fully loaded garden cart are no joke. You’ll be glad for the extra muscle.
Finish the Space with Classic Outdoor Furniture ↓
Take your patio space to the next level with a few thoughtful accents. This rotating collection features curated outdoor furniture from some of our favorite brands, perfect for creating a space that feels inviting, comfortable, and beautifully styled.
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Hi, I’m Casey, founder of Refuge Interiors, where I combine my lifelong love of decorating and design with a passion for sourcing vintage and antique treasures to create classic, collected interiors that feel warm, inviting, and beautifully lived in.
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