Nothing says summer quite like hanging out in the backyard by the fire pit. Maybe it’s the childhood memories of roasting s’mores, the fact that it’s not totally freezing when the sun goes down or enjoying those late-night sounds of nature.

Fire Pits have come a long way over the years, not just in terms of style but also safety which is pretty cool. They also require a lot less work to use, which gives you extra time to sit back and relax instead of hauling wood, balling up newspaper and testing your campfire skills.

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3 Main Types of Fire Pits

• Wood Fire Pit: Obviously this is the good old bonfire type that you learned how to make in girl or boy scouts. These can easily get out of control and you need to be extra cautious at the end of the night to ensure it is fully out and cannot spread.

• Natural Gas Fire Pit: A bit more of an investment as it is permanent and connected to your gas line. The benefit is that it just turns on and never runs out.

• Propane Fire Pit: Using propane tanks you can easily move this around, turn it on and off and it’s the most flexible. But you do need to keep an eye on supply so you don’t run out when you plan on using it.

Within these 3 groups, there are also tons of different styles at every price range. You can DIY, do a full custom build for an outdoor kitchen and seating area, or buy one off of the shelf.

Here’s some inspiration from my favorite outdoor fire pit seating areas.

DIY Fire Pits

These are great if you have the space, and plenty of clearance around it for safety.

Coffee Table Propane Fire Pits

Perfect for small spaces where you need a table for entertaining during the day, a place for your drink and the flexibility to be able to move it around. PRO TIP. Some store the propane tank in the table but most have a separate side table that stores the tank. Personally, I think that is ridiculous because you will have a hose with propane in it across your seating area that people could trip on (it would also just look stupid.

Built-In Natural Gas Fire Pits

You fancy. If you have space and the budget, a fully custom fire pit will make you feel like you live at a resort.

Wood Burning Fire Pits

If you have a large backyard and plenty of space to keep a fire pit away from your house you can’t go wrong with the classic.

Small Space Fire Pits

Do you want a little extra ambiance or a late-night s’more craving but don’t have the space. Fear not here’s some options for you.

What works best for your space? Are you officially ready for summer yet?