Outdoor fire pits are a beautiful and functional addition to any backyard — particularly as the temperatures begin to drop and the leaves begin to change. Whether you are gathering with friends and family, or simply just want to relax, a fire pit is a wonderful project to have finished for the fall season.

Pinterest is packed with elaborate designs that look imposing, but if you stick to the basics, you can do it yourself. Just follow these easy steps for the perfect fire pit.

6-Step Fire Pit

Before beginning these steps, make sure to research the code regarding fire pit guidelines in your area as they differ from place to place

1. Choose the desired location for your pit and hammer a stake into the center of the ground where the fire pit will soon be.
2. Next, mark-off the desired size of the pit. A simple way to do this is with the help of some string and spray paint. For example, if you want a pit with a diameter of 5’, tie the string to the stake and measure 2-1/2’ outward. Tie the other end of the string to your can of paint. Walk around your pit with the string pulled tight and mark off the circumference by spraying the spray paint continuously.
3. You will now need to dig the inside of your circle to a depth of at least 6 inches.
4. Pour sand into the bottom of the hole and pat it level and flat.
5. Next, begin to layer your stones around the outside (still within the 6+-inch deep hole) of the pit until it is at least 12 inches above the ground surrounding the pit.
6. After layering your desired stones, add another layer of sand around 4 inches deep to finish off your fire pit.

These steps are a simple way to add a fire pit to your backyard. Now all you need is some marshmallows and graham crackers for the perfect fall evening!

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