Build a DIY stone fire pit with classic New England style using found stones from your backyard. A charming and easy outdoor project for any coastal home.
With a little New England ingenuity and some elbow grease, we built this DIY stone fire pit in a single afternoon at our coastal Maine home.
Using stones we gathered right from the woods in our backyard, it became an instant gathering spot—surrounded by classic white Adirondack chairs and cozy summer nights.
It’s a simple, timeless outdoor project that adds instant charm to any backyard.
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From lilacs in spring to ski lodge charm in winter, this year-round guide shares how I decorate our Vermont porch with vintage style through every season. It’s packed with table settings, thrifted finds, cozy layers, and simple decorating ideas to bring timeless charm to your own outdoor space.
How We Built Our DIY Stone Fire Pit (With Just a Wheelbarrow and a Bit of Muscle)
Cool evenings around a backyard fire pit are simply the best, and this DIY stone fire pit was one of the very first projects we tackled during our first summer at our coastal Maine home. With plenty of natural stone lining the edge of the property, we gathered rocks using nothing more than a wheelbarrow, a shovel, and a whole lot of determination (and one crushed finger!).
My goal was to create a tall, round fire pit—just the right height to rest my feet on from the comfort of a white Adirondack chair.
Building it felt like solving a puzzle—we went through three different layouts before landing on the final design. But the process was simple, rewarding, and perfectly imperfect, just the way a backyard DIY should be.
3 Quick Tips for Building a DIY Stone Fire Pit
1. Source Stones from Your Property (If You Can!): Using natural stone from your own land adds local character and saves money. Ours came straight from the wooded edge of our Maine backyard.
2. Think About Height and Comfort: Build your fire pit tall enough to double as a footrest when paired with upright Adirondack chairs—it makes all the difference for cozy evenings.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Rebuild: It took us three tries to get the shape and structure just right. Treat it like a puzzle—simple trial and error is part of the charm!
Styling a Backyard Fire Pit with Classic White Adirondack Chairs
There’s just something timeless about classic white Adirondack chairs gathered around a stone fire pit—don’t you agree?
My favorites are these upright polywood Adirondack chairs by CR Plastics, made from durable recycled materials and designed to last through New England’s harshest seasons. At around 60 pounds each, they stay put, never crack or peel, and require no painting or staining—making them a perfect low-maintenance addition to any backyard.
Layered with vintage touches like a Maine seed pillow, blue glasses, and a cozy blanket (plus Ella, our Bernese Mountain Dog keeping watch), this simple backyard DIY became a space we’ll enjoy for years to come. It’s the kind of setup that proves how a few thoughtful pieces can turn even the simplest project into a gathering spot full of charm.
My favorite are these upright white Adirondack chairs made by C.R. Plastics.
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Fire Pit Safety Tips for Your Backyard
• Choose a safe location: Keep your fire pit at least 10–15 feet away from structures, trees, and overhangs.
• Use non-porous stones: Avoid river rocks, which can explode under heat—use heat-safe materials like granite or concrete.
• Keep water nearby: Have a hose, bucket of water, or fire extinguisher within reach whenever you light a fire.
• Never leave a fire unattended: Stay close, especially if children or pets are nearby.
• Allow ashes to cool completely: Wait at least 24 hours before disposing of ashes, and store them in a metal container.
How We Style Our DIY Fire Pit Throughout the Seasons
Our DIY stone fire pit isn’t just a weekend project—it’s become part of our seasonal outdoor rhythm here at our coastal Maine home. In the summer, we style it simply with blue glassware, vintage throws, and Adirondack chairs for easy evenings by the fire. Come fall, we bring out the plaid blankets, set pumpkins around the base, and sometimes even light a fire in our Vermont mountain fire pit when the leaves start to turn. Whether you’re hosting a cozy gathering or just enjoying a quiet night outdoors, fire pits offer the perfect place to slow down with the seasons.
You can find even more ideas in this post: 17 Fall Fire Pit Ideas for Outdoor Gatherings with Cozy Decor.
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3+1 Ways We Style Our Fire Pit Each Season
Summer by the Fire
• White Adirondack chairs and blue glassware
• Lightweight vintage throws for cool evenings
• Simple s’mores setup with a nostalgic touch
Fall in Maine
• Pumpkins around the base and seasonal mums
• Cozy plaid blankets and lanterns for twilight glow
• Warm cider in thermoses and rustic wooden trays
Vermont Fire Pit Moments
• Surrounded by mountain views and fallen leaves
• Ella by the fire on a chilly afternoon
• Paired with vintage porch decor and misty fall skies
Winter in Maine
• DIY ice lanterns glowing in the snow
• Quiet fireside moments with Ella nearby
• A peaceful contrast to the coastal chill
Recommended Reading
You may also enjoy this Fall in Love with a Vintage Inspired Car Picnic post.
Seasonal Fire Pit Decorating Ideas for Year-Round Outdoor Living
Looking for more ways to style your backyard fire pit or outdoor gathering space? Here are a few of my favorite blog posts filled with cozy setups, vintage charm, and simple ideas for decorating around a fire pit—New England style.
Stone Patio Design Ideas Around a DIY Fire Pit
To elevate our DIY stone fire pit and create a more finished outdoor living space, we later added a simple stone patio design around it—blending function and charm. The stonework ties in beautifully with the rest of our backyard, including the nearby patio table we built for casual outdoor dining. Whether you’re creating a full patio or just expanding the fire pit area, adding stone underfoot helps define the space and makes it feel like a natural extension of your home. Learn more in this How to Build a Pea Gravel Patio: Easy Weekend DIY Project post.
Building this DIY stone fire pit was one of the simplest and most rewarding outdoor projects we’ve tackled at our coastal Maine home. With just found stones, a bit of New England ingenuity, and a few white Adirondack chairs, we created a timeless backyard space we’ll enjoy for years to come.
Want more outdoor styling ideas and vintage decorating tips? Subscribe to the blog so you never miss a post—or check out more of our favorite New England-inspired home projects and thrifted finds.
Frequently Asked Questions About a DIY Stone Fire Pit
A DIY stone fire pit can be built using heat-safe stones, a shovel, and a little patience. Choose a level area, arrange stones in a circle, and stack them securely to your desired height. We used stones from our Maine backyard and completed it in a single afternoon.
Use dry, dense, non-porous stones like granite, slate, or fire-rated bricks to avoid cracking or exploding from heat. Avoid river rocks or any stones that absorb moisture. We used natural fieldstones sourced from our own property in coastal Maine.
Yes! Placing your fire pit on a stone patio creates a safe and stylish outdoor area. We added a stone patio around our DIY fire pit to define the space and complement our backyard design.
Decorate your fire pit area with Adirondack chairs, cozy throws, vintage glassware, and seasonal touches like pumpkins or lanterns. We styled ours with classic white chairs and antique-inspired accents that reflect New England charm.
Yes, with proper care! We enjoy using our fire pit even in the snowy Maine winters, often surrounded by DIY ice lanterns for a magical glow. Just be sure to clear snow, use dry wood, and follow basic fire safety precautions.
More Styling Tips You’ll Love
Looking for more quick decorating ideas, easy DIYs, and vintage-inspired styling tricks? Explore the rest of my Styling Tip series for simple projects that add timeless charm to your home—indoors and out.
Your Guide to Embracing Eclectic Style, Vintage Finds, and Thrifted Home Inspiration~
Love decorating with vintage finds, thrifted treasures, and eclectic charm? I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below, share this post with a vintage-loving friend, or join our Reader’s Showcase Series — where we feature your favorite thrifted and antique finds. Email me at [email protected] to be part of it!
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Ty very much for this post for designing/building my own fire pit. I LOVE reading your blog & going with you on all your thrifting adventures & searches for decorating items & ideas. Nice Adirondack chairs. See you next time.🧺🌾🌱🌾🪨🔥🪵🔥🪨🤗
Thank you so much. That’s so nice of you to say😃