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Burning Beauties 101: A Guide to the Different Types of Fire Pits

  • Writer: Living Water Team
    Living Water Team
  • Sep 25, 2025
  • 3 min read

At Living Water Landscaping, we believe your backyard should be as warm and welcoming as it is beautiful. Adding a fire feature is one of the most effective ways to create a cozy focal point, and with so many options, it’s important to know which type fits your lifestyle. Below, we’ve outlined the most popular fire pit styles—our “burning beauties”—so you can choose the one that best elevates your outdoor living space.


Wood-Burning Fire Pits


A luxurious backyard retreat featuring a beautifully crafted wood-burning fire pit, surrounded by elegant seating, and enhanced by the warm glow of the setting sun.
A luxurious backyard retreat featuring a beautifully crafted wood-burning fire pit, surrounded by elegant seating, and enhanced by the warm glow of the setting sun.

There’s nothing more classic than the crackle of a wood fire. Wood-burning fire pits bring the authentic campfire feel right into your backyard. Perfect for roasting marshmallows, cooking over open flames, or simply enjoying glowing embers, they set the stage for timeless gatherings.


Benefits:

  • Authentic campfire experience

  • Wide variety of shapes and styles

  • Ideal for cooking and warmth


Considerations: Smoke, ash cleanup, and fire management require a little extra attention.



Propane Fire Pits


Outdoor seating area featuring a sleek glass bead fire pit, discreetly fueled by a hidden propane tank, set against a scenic backdrop.
Outdoor seating area featuring a sleek glass bead fire pit, discreetly fueled by a hidden propane tank, set against a scenic backdrop.

If you prefer convenience over cleanup, propane fire pits are a perfect choice. With just the turn of a knob, you get instant flames—no wood chopping or messy ashes.


Benefits:

  • Quick and easy to use

  • Portable, safe, and spark-free

  • Great for patios and smaller spaces


Considerations: Propane tanks need regular refills, and long-term costs can add up.



Gel Fuel Fire Pits


A tranquil evening setting with a modern gel fuel fire pit flickering warmly on a stylish patio, overlooking a scenic neighborhood and distant mountains.
A tranquil evening setting with a modern gel fuel fire pit flickering warmly on a stylish patio, overlooking a scenic neighborhood and distant mountains.

Compact and versatile, gel fuel fire pits are designed for ambiance. They produce clean flames without smoke, making them a favorite for intimate outdoor spaces or events.


Benefits:

  • Smoke-free and clean-burning

  • Lightweight and portable

  • Easy to light


Considerations: Lower heat output makes them better for atmosphere than warmth.



Natural Gas Fire Pits


A modern natural gas fire pit flickers warmly against the backdrop of a serene poolside setting, creating a cozy and inviting outdoor atmosphere.
A modern natural gas fire pit flickers warmly against the backdrop of a serene poolside setting, creating a cozy and inviting outdoor atmosphere.

For homeowners who want a permanent, low-maintenance feature, natural gas fire pits are the ultimate solution. Connected directly to your home’s gas line, they provide endless flames with no refueling.


Benefits:

  • Continuous fuel supply

  • No ash or wood storage

  • Enhances property value


Considerations: Requires professional installation and compliance with local codes.



Gas Fire Tables


Cozy outdoor seating area featuring a chic gas fire table, perfect for gatherings and relaxing evenings.
Cozy outdoor seating area featuring a chic gas fire table, perfect for gatherings and relaxing evenings.

Part fire pit, part modern design piece, gas fire tables combine elegance with functionality. They provide warmth and ambiance while doubling as a stylish centerpiece for outdoor dining or lounge areas.


Benefits:

  • Sleek and modern

  • Continuous fuel from natural gas

  • Great for year-round gatherings



Fire Urns and Fire Pillars


Glowing fire urns add warmth and ambiance to a stylish outdoor patio with a mountain backdrop.
Glowing fire urns add warmth and ambiance to a stylish outdoor patio with a mountain backdrop.

For those who want fire features that double as art, fire urns and fire pillars bring dramatic flair to patios, poolsides, and garden paths. Their sculptural designs add both warmth and elegance.


Benefits:

  • Stylish and decorative

  • Easy to use with propane or gas

  • Adds height and glow to your landscape



Conclusion


A sleek, ultra-modern ground-level fire pit featuring stacked dark ceramic spheres, creating a striking focal point in a contemporary outdoor setting by the pool.
A sleek, ultra-modern ground-level fire pit featuring stacked dark ceramic spheres, creating a striking focal point in a contemporary outdoor setting by the pool.

Choosing the right fire feature is about balancing ambiance, convenience, and design. Whether you love the rustic charm of wood-burning flames or the sleek sophistication of a gas fire table, Living Water Landscaping can help bring your vision to life.


Ready to add one of these burning beauties to your outdoor living space? Explore more on our Fire Features page, and discover how our team’s creativity and craftsmanship—built on a foundation of passion and excellence—can transform your backyard into the ultimate gathering place. Learn more About Us.



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