Garden Furniture with a Fire Pit: A Buyer's Guide
Looking for garden furniture with a fire pit? The short answer: pick a fire pit table that fits your patio, choose gas for ease or wood for atmosphere, then build your seating around it. Get those right and nobody will want to go indoors.
Why Add a Fire Pit to Your Garden Furniture?
We all know the British summer evening. The sun dips, someone says "it's turned a bit chilly", and within ten minutes everyone has drifted indoors to watch telly.
A fire pit changes that. It gives people a reason to stay out, a place to gather and something to stare at that is far more relaxing than a phone.
Fire Pit Table, Bowl or Built In?
A fire pit table puts the flames in the middle of a table, with a ledge for drinks, snacks and the inevitable bag of marshmallows. Our fire pit tables are the easiest way to add one to an existing patio.
A freestanding fire pit or fire pit BBQ gives you a more rustic, campfire feel and often doubles as a grill.
A built in fire pit is part of a patio or seating wall. If you are planning one, the Happy Cocooning built in gas burner kit lets you add gas flames to your own design.
| Type | Best for | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Gas fire pit table | Patios, lounge seating, instant flames | Needs a gas bottle nearby |
| Wood burning fire pit | Campfire feel, cooking | Smoke, ash and logs to store |
| Fire pit BBQ | Families who love to cook outside | Takes up more space |
| Built in burner | Bespoke patios and seating walls | Needs planning and fitting |
Choosing the Right Fire Pit Table
Size and Shape
Measure your patio before you fall in love with anything. A good rule is to leave enough room for chairs to slide back and for people to walk behind them without singeing anyone.
Smaller round tables, such as the Lagune Round 60 or Estate Round 76, suit bistro sets and compact patios. Larger tables like the Estate Round 105 or the Riviera 140 Oval work with big corner sofas and bigger groups.
| Table | Shape | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Lagune Round 60 | Round, teak | Small patios and balconies |
| Estate Round 76 | Round | Two to four chairs |
| Riviera 80 | Round | Lounge chairs and compact sofas |
| Estate Square 88 and Horizon 95 | Square | Square seating layouts |
| Estate Round 105 | Round | Larger groups |
| Riviera 140 | Oval | Long sofas and big gatherings |
Coffee Table or Dining Height?
Most fire pit tables sit at coffee table height, which is perfect for lounging. They pair nicely with garden sofas and deep armchairs.
If you mostly eat outside, think about where the plates go. A low fire pit table is lovely for nibbles and drinks, but a three course dinner balanced on your knees is a different story.
Materials for British Weather
Whatever you choose has to survive rain, frost and the occasional surprise hailstorm in June.
Our gas fire pit tables come in finishes including stone effect, aluminium and teak. Stone effect tops look smart and wipe clean easily, aluminium is light and will not rust, and teak brings natural warmth that weathers to a soft silver if left untreated.
Covers Are Your Friend
A cover keeps rain and leaves off the burner and the top. It is the cheapest way to make your fire pit last longer, and it saves a lot of wiping down on Saturday morning.
Gas or Wood Burning?
This is the big decision, and it usually comes down to how much effort you fancy on a Friday night.
Gas Fire Pit Tables
Turn a dial and you have flames. No smoke in your eyes, no ash to clear and no smelling like a bonfire at work on Monday. Browse our gas fire pits to see the range.
The gas bottle sits next to the table. A gas bottle cover and side table hides it neatly and gives you somewhere to put your drink, which is a winning combination.
Wood Burning Fire Pits
Nothing beats the crackle and smell of a real wood fire. Many wood burning fire pits also cook. The HEAT 3 in 1 Fire Pit, BBQ and Side Table works as a fire pit, a grill and a table, which is impressive multitasking for one piece of garden furniture.
Our full guide to gas vs wood burning fire pits goes into running costs, smoke and upkeep.
Making the Seating Area Comfortable
- Choose deep seats with proper back support, so an hour by the fire does not feel like a church pew.
- Pick cushions with weather resistant, removable covers. Marshmallow incidents will happen.
- Add side tables for drinks so nobody has to lean over the flames.
- Keep a couple of blankets in a waterproof storage box nearby for when the temperature drops.
- Leave a clear path around the seating for people carrying trays and small children carrying chaos.
Fire Pit Safety for Families
Where to Put It
- On a level, stable, non combustible surface such as paving or stone.
- Well away from fences, sheds, hedges and overhanging branches.
- Out in the open, never under a low canopy or in a garage or conservatory.
- If you have timber or composite decking, read our guide: can you put a fire pit on decking?
Children and Pets
Set a simple house rule, such as no running within a big step of the fire. Use a spark guard on wood burners, keep an adult on fire duty and never leave a lit fire unattended, not even to fetch more sausages.
After the Fire
Turn gas off at the bottle when you are finished. Let a wood fire burn down and check it is fully out and cold before you go to bed. Store gas bottles upright, outside and away from heat.
This is general guidance only. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your fire pit, chiminea or BBQ, and check any local rules before you light up.
Conclusion
The best garden furniture with a fire pit fits your patio, suits how you like to spend your evenings and stands up to British weather. Choose gas for instant, tidy flames or wood for a proper campfire feel, then build comfortable seating around it.
Browse our garden furniture with fire pit range and fire pit tables, or call Warren or Leanne on 01249 588853 for friendly, honest advice.
Have you checked out our other posts?
Can You Put a Fire Pit on Decking?
Gas vs Wood Burning Fire Pits: Which Is Best for Your Garden?
Chiminea vs Fire Pit: Which Should You Choose?
Outdoor Kitchens with a BBQ: A UK Planning Guide
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