Treated Pine, concrete, and recycled bricks and rocks were used to help create an outdoor entertaining area with fire pit.
The project
What was once bare grass is now a warm and inviting outdoor space featuring a South American charcoal BBQ, a stone fire pit, and a thriving herb and vegetable garden. Most of the materials used were recycled, including the fencing, bricks, and stone, giving the project a sustainable edge while keeping costs low. Designed for connection and outdoor living, this space brings together culture, sustainability, and creativity, turning an unused front yard into a functional, eco-friendly retreat, perfect for cooking, relaxing, and gathering with family and friends.
Steps
Step 1
The first step was to do the formwork out of the sleepers, to pour the concrete for the BBQ's base, and also to make the garden beds on either side, out of the same sleepers. We also lined the garden beds with black plastic to stop too much moisture getting to the timber, or the timber treatment to seep into the soil.
Step 2
The second step was to create a base with the double bricks for the concrete benchtop.
Step 3
The third step was to create the formwork for the benchtop, beam, the roof and the chimney top; then pour the concrete mix and let it set for a couple of days. The benchtop (approx 60mm high), was poured in situ, while the chimney, beam and roof were poured on the ground. A hole was left on the roof slab for the chimney.
Step 4
The fourth step after removing the formwork - once the concrete was dry - was to add the next level of bricks, making the walls of the charcoal bbq, leaving a section to the side for the prep bench.
Step 5
Then the beam is added to support the opening of the BBQ, and the rest of the bricks are added following the angle to achieve the desired height of the BBQ (the angle can range from 20-30 degrees).
Step 6
The concrete top is then lifted into place on a bed of mortar.
Step 7
Then the rest of the bricks are put into place for the chimney, leaving a gap on the left and right hand sides for the smoke to come out. Next the concrete lid is added on a bed of mortar. And a little celebration dance is done!
Step 8
Then planter boxes are filled with soil, plants added and mulched. Everything is then painted with an exterior semi gloss paint in white on white.
Step 9
To create the fire pit, dig the circumference of the fire pit down, then add cobblestone tiles and secure with some concrete along the edges. Sprinkle concrete mix and add water to form a thin barrier to stop weeds.
Step 10
Add the sandstone rocks to form a circle in the middle and then add the small white rocks around it. Add the logs around the fire pit and some stepping tiles between the BBQ and the fire pit. That's it! Time to enjoy a charcoal feast and some marshmallows by the fire...
Tools and materials
Materials used in the project:
Tools used in the project:
More inspiration for your fire pit project
Bunnings Workshop member lcooksey88 used Merbau when creating a fire pit entertaining area with custom bench seats and screening.
Community member leeboi33 created this D.I.Y fire pit bench seat and raised garden bed as one of their first major DIY projects.
Here are our members Top 10 most popular fre pit projects, 12 ways to build a fire pit entertaining area, and 15 fire pit outdoor entertaining areas.
