How to Build a Patio and Fire Pit with Easy Instructions and Step-by-Step Images

We will show you how to build a patio with an outdoor fire pit for your backyard. Fire pits are great for entertaining, and quite mesemerising as you gather round in the cold weather to spend time with friends and family. However, there are some houses that are not that well-equipped for entertaining because they neither have a patio or a firepit.

Well, here we will show you how to create that perfect entertaining area where you can gather with your friends and enjoy their company in a hassle-free, cost-effective way. Below are simple DIY Patio and fire pit instructions that will show you just how easy it is to build a patio and a fire pit over a few days, or over one day if you are really energetic!

And don't forget to bring out the marshmellows to toast! If you want to, you can also put a cooking grate over the top and it then your fire pit becomes a BBQ.

An outdoor fire pit is very versatile, and think beyond the fact that firepits are just great for warming your toes during those cool autumn nights. They are also useful in burning up those prunings that you haven't been able to put through a chipper or were too big to put on the compost heap.

Outdoor Fire Pits and Instructions on How to Build a Patio

The first step on how to build a patio is to decide where you want to put your patio in your backyard and then go from the planning to the measuring stage. Take into consideration wind factors. You will want to build your patio and fire pit in a sheltered section of your garden, but away from trees as there is nothing worse having to sweep the patio decks constantly because of falling leaves.

Also, having a roaring fire pit under hanging branches of any tree is a fire hazard.

How to Build a Patio and Removing the Soil

Before digging, determine the amount of soil that has to be removed. We recommend that you remove about 10 - 12 inches of soil. Also, peg a wooden stake to the ground with some string and taking the string around in a circle, spray the grass as you measure out the circumference. Make sure that your paved patio will be wide enough for your furniture that you wish to place on top when you have finished.

After digging out the soil, you will now need to put about 5 inches of crushed stone into the newly dug hole. Spread out the crushed stone with a steel rake to even it out.


After spreading the crushed stone evenly, level the base. Check the levels with a spirit level.

After the crushed stone you will need to add 1 or 2 inches of coarse sand.

Divide the whole area into 2 parts and level them both separately.


Ensure that you get the level of the sand right, as this will determine the final look of your patio.

It’s time to lay the pavers. Pavers come in all sorts of colors and styles, however, make sure that you get pavers that will compliment the color scheme of your house so that it looks as if your patio and outdoor fire pit have always been there, rather than looking as if it has been an after thought.

You will be laying the larger pavers to outline your fire pit. Make sure that you make it big enough to be functional. A good size for an outdoor fire pit is 36-44 inches in diameter.

Around the larger pavers you will now be laying the smaller pavers that will make up your patio area.


Pay attention to the direction in which the pavers are laid. It is better to divide your circle up in equal parts so that you can make sure that you are laying the bricks at equal spacings within each section.

How to Build a Patio and Check the Levels

Make sure to level all circles. You will need a rubber hammer to tap the pavers down and into position at times, as well as a piece of wood like the one below to make sure that the pavers are well spaced.


Lay the last of the remaining patio pavers.

How to Build a Patio and Filling in the Gaps with Sand

Having laid all the stones, you will now need to brush some sand into the cracks to keep the stones in place.

At this stage you can add cement to the sand and then putting a fine water spray onto the pavers. This will set the pavers in place. Don't be too harsh with the water as you don't want to end up washing this bonding material away. Or you can add polymeric sand later on. See instructions below.

Level the fire pit before placing the blocks. Tap them with a rubber mallet to get them level.


Glue the fire pit blocks to each other using landscaping adhesive or cement. This keeps them in place. You can also, at this stage add a steel fire ring to the inside of your fire pits. By doing so you will protect your pavers from breaking down over time from the intense heat. However, the fire ring is optional.


The fire pit is finished. Doesn't it look great?

If you did not use sand and cement to bond your pavers together, at this stage you can remove the sand that was used for holding the pavers and spread some polymeric sand instead. When you do this just make sure that your surfaces are absolutely dry as polymeric sand will stick to any surface that is wet and it is difficult to remove once it sticks.

Sweep polymeric sand over your joints at least twice to ensure that there are no gaps that weeds could grow through. Make sure that there is no surface sand sitting on the top before you wet the area. Use a blower or a soft broom to get any residual sand off the pavers.

Spray the polymeric sand between the patio pavers using a fine mist spray, leave for 15 minutes and then mist again.

Although your sand will harden after 20 minutes in good weather, you will have to wait 24 hours before your sand has set completely.

Finally, you will need to find some lovely patio furniture to complete your outdoor fire pit and patio and there is no better place to find this than at Bridgman in the UK for some lovely rattan outdoor garden furniture.



While choosing outdoor patio furniture for your brand new patio, take into consideration practical aspects such as durability, comfort and style. You can also easily customise your outdoor living area by adding a few stylish accessories.

So you can see, that without spending too much money, and within a day or two, you too could soon have your own backyard patios and outdoor fire pits by following these simple step-by-step instructions.

Now that you know how to build a patio and fire pit we look forward to seeing your own DIY patios here soon!

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