55 Best Backyard Retreats with Fire Pits, Chimineas, Fire Pots & Fire Bowls
A Western Timber Frame™ dovetailed timber frame pavilion kit installed over an outdoor kitchen with a fire pit on the side. Above photo courtesy of Alderwood Landscape Spokane Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers.
Anciently fire was classified with air, earth, and water as one of the four elements. Lightning and thunderbolts were said to be fire from heaven. Fire has also been related to ardor of passion, a consuming love or hate, a spirit or temperament, courage, zeal, enthusiasm and a liveliness of imagination, genius or inspiration. Today the expression that someone is “on fire” usually means they are full of life, "on a roll" or having success. People have a natural fascination with fire and all its enticing, illuminating glow. Lighting a fire in a backyard retreat creates a warm welcoming atmosphere that just seems to beckon to you to come and sit down, relax and stay awhile.
Fire pits have been a central part of life throughout history. The only requirement to essentially contain and make a safe fire pit is to dig a hole in the ground, or in some cases two holes such as the Dakota fire pit. The Dakota Fire pit or sometimes called the Dakota fire hole works upon the same principles as a Rocket Stove works, creating a smokeless fire. For survivalists, the Dakota fire pit is a valuable aid in survival because you only need the ground you stand on to make it. Dakota fire pits are efficient for cooking meals and warming your body as they burn much hotter using less firewood. Add a little brick, stone, rock, metal or clay and a simple fire pit, fire bowl, chiminea or fire pot can add to ambient beauty for a more convenient and comfortable resort styled backyard retreat.
The conventional fire pit or fire bowl is pre-made and purchased from a store, warehouse or online dealer. A fire pit/fire bowl that is assembled encompasses a greater variety of styles, purposes and functions. Stone or concrete fire pits are much heavier and are essentially more permanent in their placement and with many more options than just wood as a fuel source. Contemporary fire pit tables can use liquid propane with ceramic log kits or are set with natural gas burning charcoal or wood, but unlike traditional fire pits, many today are portable. Also in place of wood, gas fire pits can use river stones, rocks, gas logs, fire glass and such to hide internal plumbing fixtures of the fire pit for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance and retain more heat.
A chiminea is a bulbous shaped free-standing fire pot with a vertical chimney. The chiminea fire pot originated from Mexico and were originally made from clay. Chimineas are available in metal today. Chimineas were at one time a daily part of life, used for cooking and heating inside the center of a home with an opening in the roof for the smoke to escape. Chimineas are now used mainly in a backyard setting for outdoor entertainment. The popularity of a chiminea today reflects the fire pit in drawing people to sit around the campfire.
Step inside the wide-open doors of 55 fantastic backyard retreats with the friendly-fire of chimineas, fire pits & fire bowls!
Some of the best summer living is eating in the outdoors and many five-star rated restaurants are in outdoor atmospheres where you can take in the amazing sights all around you while savoring a wonderful meal. One of the main purposes for a backyard retreat is a place to gather with the family and eat. With an outdoor fire pit or chiminea it adds to the resort like feel at home and also offers a place to cook if you desire.
A custom 20' x 20' timber frame pergola with marble like pillar posts for an elegant outdoor dining experience. The homeowners of this backyard outdoor dining retreat wanted their own unique roof top design. It is a delightfully pleasing unique look that tied in beautifully with the surrounding landscape. The bricked fire pit was installed to match the visual landscape divide of a small brick wall.
This rough-sawn DIY timber frame pergola kit was installed using the unique snap together The Dovetail Difference™ design from Western Timber Frame™ for shade over the backyard patio. The furniture really gives an invitation to come and sit together in the shade. The colorful brick wall matches the brick fire pit and adds a lovely visual giving a parameter for this backyard retreat.
Chiminea fire pot sits on patio next to timber frame pavilion for shade.
This solid wood timber frame pergola fits so nicely against the house that it almost appears as though it is an attached pergola. The firepit is cemented into the concrete patio with a wonderful clean atmosphere.
White marble like pillars support a timber frame arbor with a swing next to a concrete stone covered fire pit. The night outdoor lighting on the arbor really add to the luminous inviting feel to gather around the hearth.
A clay chiminea sits on a patio next to a swimming pool where a dovetail timber frame 12′ x 14′ full size pergola kit was installed for shade. The pergola is finished with a high grade premium Rich Cordoba stain.
Backyard patio with a dovetailed 12' x 18' rough-sawn, solid wood timber frame pergola for shade over outdoor furniture around a coffee table fire pit or sometimes referred to as a chat table. Ceramic tile top coffee table fire pit made with Galvanized steel with a removable center insert is one of the best for being very versatile. You can eat off it, set drinks on it and cook on it. Some similar models can also be filled with ice and double as a cooler.
A rough-sawn 15' x 32' dovetail timber frame pergola over backyard patio with a built in brick fire pit. In all of Western Timber Frame™ backyard retreat outdoor shade structure designs, there is no visible hardware, bolts, screws, hangers or other mechanical fasteners, unless they are decorative in nature. All exposed edges on the heavy timbers are smoothed with a ¼” round. This allows the timbers to retain their rough appearance, with a touch of refinement. They really pay attention to even the smallest of details.
Beautiful solid brick fire pit with an attached dovetail timber frame pavilion for shade over patio with outdoor TimberVolt® lighting. Western Timber Frame™ offers a patent-pending self-contained power post option, termed the TimberVolt® series. The TimberVolt® power post integrates electrical receptacles and USB ports directly into the Pergola, Pavilion or Gazebo posts for easy setup of fans, lighting, televisions, charging of phones, tablets, etc. This system can also include a male plug so that a generator can be attached for easy power in a remote location via our recommended Goal Zero battery operated generators.
Fire pit on patio with a 18' x 20' timber frame pergola for shade. Lava rock, stones, glass fire beads/gems are all fireproof gas or propane fire pit toppings somewhat homogeneous in size and aesthetically pleasing in appearances. It is essential to use a fireproof topping to visually dress up the fire. This backyard retreat was a fun project with a few changes for a gorgeous backyard makeover. The steps were widened out with brick. The patio was laid with brick and a few low rise brick retaining walls were set with a built in barbecue grill and DIY fire pit to match. The installed DIY timber frame pergola kit has an extended radius roof for extra shade.
A rough-sawn 20' x 20' dovetail timber frame DIY pavilion kit installed for shade over backyard patio. An arched solid wood bridge spans across the family swimming pool to an island for lounging. A chiminea fire pot with wire mesh screen adds heat and a place to warm up on cooler evenings.
The curved patio design is perfect with the straight rough-sawn 12' x 15' timber frame pergola kit installed for shade. Pergolas also give the added bonus of helping to reduce utility bills. The bricked fire pit is tied in beautifully with the matching curved retaining wall.
A 16' x 24' timber frame DIY timber frame pergola kit installed over patio with fire pit. Western Timber Frame™ uses rough-sawn timber as opposed to smooth or S4S (smooth 4 sides) timber. The rough-sawn is more difficult to work with, but its’ natural wood grains is far more aesthetically pleasing. All of their outdoor shade structure kits come pre-finished and stained. Clients, DIY homeowners and contractors who assemble their own kits rave about how smoothly the installation process went and how beautiful and majestically exquisite they are.
A solid wood 13' x 23' timber frame DIY attached pergola kit installed for shade over patio with a clay chiminea.
A solid wood 24 ft timber frame DIY gazebo kit installed for shade over patio with an outdoor fire pit.
A solid wood DIY 14' x 14' timber frame pergola kit installed over patio with outdoor furniture and DIY brick fire pit.
Beautiful backyard retreat with a rough-sawn DIY timber frame pergola kit installed for shade over patio with outdoor furniture and a fire pit.
A 14' 11" x 26' 8" timber frame pergola kit installed for shade over a built-in fire pit. Western Timber Frame™ spaces all of their top “shade planks” spaced closer together as compared to other pergolas giving not only a unique look but offering additional shade as well. They use true to size rough-sawn timber for all components rather than standard smaller “dimensional’ lumber. They also use taller and wider rafters on all double tiered roofs as compared to what you will find elsewhere.
A rough-sawn 16' x 16' timber frame pergola kit installed for a shaded backyard retreat with a fire pit. The brick fire pit is lined with aluminum which makes a nice hot fire.
A rough-sawn 12' x 16' over sized Rich Cordoba, timber frame pergola kit installed over backyard patio for shade next to an outdoor fire pit. The pergola is dovetailed with The Dovetail Difference™ mortise and tenon joint system.
The best feature of a fire pit is how it draws people together to come sit and visit and renew friendships.
Fire pit with grass is a nice clean feel for a campfire. The dovetail timber frame pergola gives comfortable shade to this backyard retreat.
A rough-sawn 12' x 12' timber frame pergola kit installed with a Rich Cordoba stain for outdoor shade. A brick lined fire pit and outdoor furniture. Pickles
A rough-sawn 21'x 22' timber frame DIY pavilion kit installed over an outdoor kitchen for shade with a fire pit on the side.
A rough-sawn 14' x 17' solid wood dovetail timber frame DIY pergola kit installed for shade over patio with fire pit.
A simple backyard patio was turned into a great DIY backyard retreat. These massive timber frame DIY pergola kits are easy and fast to install, in most cases in as little as one afternoon. This 20' x 23' custom dovetailed timber frame pergola has the 10 inch oversize posts. The shade from natural wood is more humanly comfortable than man-made materials. A chiminea fire pot sits on the patio as well. Chimineas can be customized to hook up to a liquid propane tank or tie directly into a natural gas line for wonderful dancing flames. If you are looking for a more traditional fire the gas conversion on a chiminea can also be removed. Chimineas are very clean and economical.
A wonderful backyard retreat with a rough-sawn, 16' x 22', solid wood, DIY timber frame pergola kit installed for shade with a built in kitchen, fire pit and a Chiminea fire pot. Chimineas fire pots can be extremely large or compact and many manufacturers offer several features. Some key features to consider is whether or not it is washable, waterproof and UV coated? Does it hold up in sub zero temperatures? Rain lids are a great feature to keep the rain out when it is not in use. Some models offer grilling inserts for barbecues. Some also offer adjustable heat and safety mesh screens and doors. Chimineas fire pots really have come a long way.
Yes, let's face it, there is just something incredibly romantic about firelight! The open air of a backyard retreat with a fire feature is a great way to spend time with family, or a perfect setting for a marriage proposal. :)
Outdoor swimming pool with timber frame pergola and chiminea fire pot. Aluminum retains heat and an aluminum pergola is a poor choice of material for any shade structure. However, when it comes to a Chiminea fire pot, aluminum is fantastic for putting out the heat. An aluminum Chiminea is also rust resistance and corrosion free.
A rough-sawn 24 ft solid wood timber frame gazebo installed for shade over patio with an outdoor fire pit.
Outdoor lighting on a rough-sawn, timber frame DIY pergola kit installed over back yard patio with fire burning in fire pits for a wonderful warm glow.
A rough-sawn 16' x 23' dovetailed timber frame DIY pergola kit installed for shade over back patio with an outdoor fire pit.
A rough-sawn 12' x 32' attached DIY timber frame pergola kit installed over backyard patio for shade featuring a chiminea fire pot.
To the left is a great welcoming fire pit to indulge in s’mores anytime you like.
A rough-sawn, dovetailed, timber frame pergola kit installed for shade over patio. This DIY pergola kit is over sized with massive ten inch posts and sits next to a swimming pool complete with outdoor furniture and chiminea fire pot for hours of family entertaining.
A rough sawn timber frame pergola shades back patio with furniture and a chiminea fire pot.
A 14' x 16' full size dovetailed pergola finished in a Rich Cordoba premium high grade stain over backyard patio with a fire pit.
A 14' x 14' solid wood pergola for shade over backyard patio with furniture and fire pit.
A family backyard retreat with a rough sawn timber frame DIY pergola kit installed for shade over patio and fire pit for a central gathering area.
Christmas lights are strung for decoration across a rough sawn, solid wood timber frame DIY trellis kit as a backdrop for an outdoor fire pit. Nothing like a warm fire on a snowy winter night.
Timber frame pavilion for shade over an outdoor kitchen by pool and fire pit.
An outdoor kitchen with a rough-sawn timber frame pavilion kit installed for shade.
Outdoor lighting with fan on a rough-sawn timber frame pavilion roof.
A rough-sawn timber frame DIY pavilion kit installed over an outdoor kitchen for shade.
Swing hangs from pergola over back patio with furniture and fire pit.
Chiminea fire pot next to a solid wood pergola for shade over backyard patio.
A fire bowl sits under a timber frame pergola for shade over backyard patio with wire metal outdoor furniture.
An over sized timber frame 15' x 27' dovetail pergola for shade over patio with a built in fire-pit.
A solid wood timber frame pergola and arbor accent the home with a fire pit and hot tub.
A solid wood 16' x 16' timber frame dovetail pergola for shade over patio with outdoor furniture and fire pit.
A 12' x 16' black timber frame solid wood pergola for a backyard retreat with patio furniture and grill pit. A grill pit is a handy version of a fire pit. The grill pit is portable and so easy to lay on a few hamburgers or Shish kabobs for a afternoon of family fun! Be sure to oil the grates and pre-heat the grill. And for more perfect tasting and safely cooked Shish kabobs, spread the vegetables and meat out a little separating the meat from the vegetables on difference skewers.
Some fire pit tables use liquid propane with ceramic log kits or are set with natural gas burning charcoal or wood.
Dovetailed timber frame DIY pergola kit installed over back patio for shade.
A 14' x 20' timber frame pavilion for shade with outdoor furniture and fire.
A 20' x 20' timber frame pergola over back patio with a wonderful coffee table fire-pit on the side. Fire pit coffee tables are a charming way to add to a backyard retreat. They are usually portable and some are styled with a mesh spark arrestor and wrought iron stand holds. A fire pit dining table combo is very much like a fire pit coffee table but on a larger scale and are often finished with a marble or slate top that can burns both wood and charcoal.
A beautiful timber frame pergola with outdoor furniture, fire pits and rock sculpture.
Interesting Trivia: In old England, a hearth constituted a stone or brick structure which would include some fire pit structures. On the 19th of May, 1662, England introduced a tax on hearths. Every household was required to pay two shillings per annum for each individual hearth. This was not the first time taxation of hearths was enforced. During the Byzatine Empire hearths were called a kapnikon and taxes were raised with no exceptions to the poor. England did however, give relief to the poor, and to those household whose homes were under 20 shillings a year. In 1664 a revision to the hearth tax act made the tax only for those who had more than one chimney. A revision of the Act in 1664 made the tax payable by all who had more than two chimneys.
A hammock hangs from a solid wood timber frame pergola with shade over patio and fire pit. Fire pits made from 99% pure copper can do well with extremely high heat. Copper fire pits are can withstand temperatures up 1700 degrees Fahrenheit. A copper alloy melts at 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, so the purer the copper the higher heat the fire pit can burn. Copper is beautiful and if you are looking for a more aged, rustic appearance then it needs very little maintenance. If you prefer the brick look as in this DIY fire pit, you can also add a copper lining to the fire pit letting you burn at higher temperatures.
An timber frame pergola gives more days to enjoy the outdoors with your own back yard retreat. A fire pit adds a cozy warmth on a winter day. In higher elevated regions winter snows are one of the primary reasons fireplaces, fire pits & chimineas are installed in an outdoor retreat. For an backyard retreat, there is not a better designed, more durable timber frame outdoor shade structures than you can get from Western Timber Frame™.
Wind speeds differ for all topographical regions as do the building codes for every public and private building. For example, in Southern Florida, in 2012, after Hurricane Andrew an immediate change was made in the building code standards by adopting the American Society of Civil Engineers’ standards with a Product Evaluation Approval Program of architectural, structural and mechanical engineers. Because of its high velocity hurricane zones it eliminates all construction of stud framed houses in that region.
Western Timber Frame™ outdoor timber frame pavilions and pergolas have 120 mph wind rating exceeding the highest building code standards in the Nation and installs timber frame pavilion and/or pergola kits in the regions of Southern Florida.
An outdoor kitchen with a 21' x 22' timber frame DIY pavilion kit installed for shade over patio with a pathway to an outdoor DIY fire pit filled with lava rock. Lava rock is used as a foundation for fire glass and fillers or is used alone. Lava rock can give more than a robust, decorative look to a fire pit, it increases the efficiency and combustion of your hearth.
The Inferno model features integrated USB outlets; charge your smartphones, tablets, and other USB devices, while you watch movies on your outdoor TV that is plugged into one of the main electrical receptacles up top.
This last outdoor kitchen with a timber frame pavilion is featured with the TimberVolt® power access and lighting. Western Timber Frame's unique TimberVolt® Series™ has many features and benefits for a more convenient and comfortable backyard retreat:
• Eliminates conduit, and/or nails
• Eliminates unsightly and unsafe exposed wire
• Eliminates the need to trench over power
• Reduces the cost of, or even eliminates the need to hire an electrician
• Aesthetically pleasing
• Eliminates the chance of damaging a post trying to add electrical wiring to a post after it’s installed.
• Your structure is ready to use the moment it installed no need to wait for someone to wire it up.
An outdoor kitchen with a built in barbecue grill under a DIY timber frame pavilion kit.
A before and after backyard makeover with a DIY timber frame pavilion kit. A privacy trellis is added to the upper side of the pavilion for more privacy.
From the moment someone contacts Western Timber Frame™, they are given a Design Manager. A Design Manager is an expert in the backyard planning and design process. Over the phone, in person, or through email, these Design Managers help them to determine what their needs are for their unique situation. Here in Utah, they will often visit them personally in their backyard for a Backyard Living Design Consultation™ and analyze their issues, desires, and dreams for their own backyard retreat.
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