A cozy outdoor patio features a white cushioned wooden sofa with decorative black and white geometric pillows. In front, a round wooden coffee table with a stone base sits on a brick surface. The background shows a green lawn and wooden fence.
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Backyard DIY Fire Pit Makeover with Wood Cover

ByLisa
6 Comments

Happy Friday!!! We have been super busy this summer tackling lots of outdoor projects and decided to add a diy fire pit makeover to the list. Our old propane fire pit has served us well, but needs a refresh to match our current seating area. If you have been following along, you know we just added a Stock Tank Pool to the outdoor space which comes with good news and bad news. We love the stock tank pool but it now occupies the location our outdoor fire pit area used to be sit in the backyard. First world problems, right? So we decided to move it to the patio between our sofas. In doing so, I realized it was feeling a bit dated and we needed a DIY fire pit makeover with paint, new rocks, and a Wood Cover. Challenge accepted! Shocking, right? 

Outdoor patio scene featuring two images: one showcases a DIY fire pit with a wooden cover on a circular stone design, surrounded by cushioned seating. The other image highlights cozy seating with decorative pillows. Text reads "DIY Wood Fire Pit Cover".

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Outdoor fire pits are a great option for ambiance and warmth on chilly evenings or for roasting s’mores. There are many options from ready-made fire pit tables, propane gas fire pits like ours, built in fire pits running on natural gas, and diy fire pit ideas using stones or pavers. And if you don’t have enough room for a full size rectangular fire pit you can get the fire pit feel with a tabletop fire pit or a solo stove for a cleaner burn. 

We purchased this fire pit about 7 years ago when we added the patio. The backyard was still a massive work in progress and at the time the fire pit fit our needs both functionally and aesthetically. Fast forward to today and things have changed a bit. Not only has the backyard decor become a bit more modern, but so has our house itself. Not to mention, the fire pit was getting a bit worn from years of sitting outside. This is what it looked liked when it sat where the pool is now.

A cozy patio scene features four Adirondack chairs around a stone fire pit on a gravel square. Two side tables hold potted plants and decorative items. A large tree with blooming flowers and a wooden fence provide a charming backdrop, with grass surrounding the backyard area.

Update with Paint & New Rocks

When we moved the fire pit to the patio I knew it needed sprucing up to look like modern fire pits do now and don’t even get me started on those lava rocks! I have hated those from day one! So I decided to paint the bottom of the fire pit with some of the left over house paint. The creamy white felt so clean and fresh next to the black granite.

Stone fire pit with a round, dark stone top filled with red lava rocks. It stands on a patio with gray paving stones, surrounded by green grass. A control panel is visible on the side.

The next step was to address those lava rocks. The 80s called and wanted them back, haha! Seriously, I have always wanted to upgrade the rocks but fire glass is kind of expensive! We spent a fair amount of time searching for the perfect and most affordable glass and ended up going a little unconventional. We stumbled upon these smooth, gray stones and decided to mix them with this smoky fire glass in a layered pattern around the fire rings. They were a good choice to match up with the rest of the patio decor. 

A circular propane fire pit with gray pebbles encircling the edge and a center filled with reflective glass pieces offers a stunning glow for any backyard gathering.

The next issue to address was the cover, or lack there of. Originally the fire pit came with a cover, but hail shredded ours about two or three years in. Since then we have put a tarp over it in the winter, super fancy, I know! This method works fine and we will probably still tarp it this winter, but having the tarp on all the time makes us lazy and not use it as much.

I know you are thinking, why do you need to cover it? One word for you, HAIL! We get a fair amount of hail here so I want to make sure the granite top is protected when not in use. So I decided to make a wood top for it. 

A stone fire pit with a custom DIY wooden cover sits gracefully on a hexagonal-patterned outdoor rug. It's surrounded by a cushioned sectional sofa adorned with black and white geometric patterned pillows, all set on a cozy wooden deck.

Wood Cover

This will keep it protected when not in use and doubles as a table top. I was planning to share a sweet tutorial with you all on how I did it, but let’s just say things did not go according to plan, so I will give you the cliff notes version. I made it from a 4×4 piece of plywood.

A large sheet of plywood stands upright in a dimly lit garage. The wood showcases a wavy grain pattern with dark knotholes. Shelves in the background hold various colorful cans, hinting at the creative projects underway.

I originally planned to make an absolutely perfect circle with this awesome contraption we built for our jigsaw.

A homemade wooden track saw guide rests on a large sheet of plywood. The guide, crafted from two pieces of wood joined at a right angle, ensures straight cuts. The plywood's grain pattern complements the workshop floor.

I am still not entirely sure what went wrong, but from the research I have done, our jigsaws (we have two) may not be powerful enough for this. After breaking multiple blades meant to cut curves, I salvaged my sanity (and the plywood) and used the jig to draw the circle and cut it out freehand with this jigsaw. Is it perfect? No, but it worked.

A piece of plywood with two crescent-shaped cuts partially removed, clamped to a workbench. The wood grain is visible, and some sawdust lies around the cuts.

A large, round piece of plywood leans against a wooden cabinet. A red bucket and various pieces of wood lie in the background.

Then I sanded, stained and sealed it and added a handle to make it easier to move around.

A round outdoor propane fire pit with a wooden cover sits on a patterned rug. Surrounding it are white cushioned seating and a few wooden chairs. The scene is set on a stone patio with a wooden fence in the background.

Now the fire pit not only feels fresh and modern, but it is better protected from our weather and has a great spot on the patio. 

A cozy outdoor seating area with white cushioned sofas and geometric-patterned cushions surrounds a round propane fire pit on a tiled patio. Green grass and ornamental grasses add a touch of nature to the scene.

Another angle of the new seating area with the modern fire pit update.  

Outdoor patio featuring a propane fire pit table surrounded by two white cushioned sofas. The area boasts geometric patterned cushions and a gray rug on stone pavers. Small plants and a lantern adorn the side table.

The fire pit with its new wood cover in place. Perfect for drinks or other items when not in use. 

This cozy outdoor patio features a DIY white brick fire pit with a circular wooden cover. Cushioned seating surrounds it, adorned with geometric-patterned throw pillows. A small blue table holds a potted plant, and the area is bordered by a wooden fence and lush greenery.

A closer look from the side. I love the two tone look of the new rocks and fire glass. 

The outdoor patio features a stone fire pit and round glass table. White cushioned seating boasts a black geometric-patterned pillow. A wooden fence and pergola offer a cozy atmosphere, with an optional wood cover for the fire pit adding versatility.

And the full patio setup. 

A cozy backyard patio features a fire pit with a white stone base, surrounded by wooden seating and plush cushions. String lights twinkle overhead, while a potted plant adorns the side table. A lush green tree provides a serene backdrop within this fenced oasis.

Shop The Look

Sofas | Fire Pit | Fire Rocks | Fire Glass | Handle | Adirondack Chairs | String Lights | Lantern | Side Tables | Pillows

Before and after comparison of a propane fire pit makeover. The top image shows a fire pit with brown stone and red lava rocks. The bottom image reveals the same elegant transformation using sleek white stone and dark gray lava rocks.

How magical is the fire pit at night now? It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine and s’mores! The beauty of having a propane fire pit is, when we are ready to call it a night, we simply turn it off. No waiting required.

A cozy outdoor patio at dusk features an inviting stone fire pit surrounded by plush, cushioned seating and an outdoor sofa. String lights hang above, casting a warm glow that sets the perfect atmosphere for relaxation or social gatherings.

As it gets dark. 

A cozy outdoor patio at night features string lights overhead and a comfortable sofa adorned with black and white patterned cushions on a geometric rug. Nearby trees and a small structure complete the inviting scene.

And once the fire’s going at night. 

Cozy outdoor patio with a stone fire pit and a comfortable seating area featuring an inviting outdoor sofa adorned with cream and patterned pillows. Warm string lights hang overhead, creating a welcoming ambiance. A geometric rug lies beneath the furniture, set against the twilight sky.

If you enjoyed my DIY Fire Pit Makeover with Wood Cover, please share it on Facebook or hover over an image and save to Pinterest! And if you don’t already follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook, I would love for us to be friends!

A cozy outdoor patio features a round propane fire pit with black pebbles, surrounded by white cushioned seating and wooden chairs. A gray patterned rug and potted plants add to the inviting atmosphere, while a DIY wooden cover cleverly conceals the fire pit when not in use.

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Outdoor patio scene with a round fire pit brimming with gray rocks. The area features a cozy white sofa adorned with patterned pillows, side tables, and a wooden privacy fence.

This post, DIY Fire Pit Makeover with Wood Cover, appeared first on Garrison Street Design Studio.

6 Comments

  1. Love the fire pit! We have the same exact one and want to paint it too. How did the paint hold up? How long has it been painted?

    Reply

    1. Thanks Stacey! I painted it last summer and so far so good! We do keep a nylon cover on it during the winter though.

      Reply

  2. This looks fantastic. Great job! We have the same one and you’ve inspired me. I am also going to paint it white and upgrade the dates lava rocks. We got a piece of stainless steel cut round to fit in the very centre to make ours a table top, too. Super handy.

    Reply

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