Firepit Seating Ideas: How to Create a Cosy Garden Gathering Spot
- Dominik Ag
- Jul 17
- 3 min read
Once the firepit’s going, no one’s in a hurry to head inside.
It draws people in — but it’s the seating that makes them stay. Whether you're building a dedicated firepit area or integrating one into a larger design, how you shape the space around it makes all the difference.
Let’s explore some smart, comfortable and design-forward ways to create the perfect seating setup around your firepit — the kind you’ll actually want to use on a regular evening, not just when guests are over.
🔗 Want to design the firepit itself?
Start with our full guide: How to Use a Firepit in Your Garden
🔘 1. The Timeless Circle
There’s something instinctive about sitting in a circle around a fire. It feels relaxed, open, and invites conversation without trying too hard.
Best for:
Portable or freestanding firepits
Gravel or stone areas
Naturalistic or informal gardens
Simple setups that work:
Four armchairs with cushions around a central pit
A mix of timber stools and low benches
Woven lounge chairs with throws in cooler months
🧱 2. Built-In Benches
Want something more permanent? Built-in seating around your firepit can completely transform the space — giving it structure, style, and purpose.
How to do it well:
Use rendered blockwork or stone for the base
Finish with hardwood or composite slats
Add outdoor cushions or pads for comfort
Integrate LED strip lighting under the bench edge for evening glow
This style works especially well in modern garden layouts — especially when paired with architectural planting and hard landscaping.
🛋 3. Freestanding Outdoor Furniture
Sometimes the best option is one that offers flexibility. Freestanding outdoor furniture lets you move, adjust, and reconfigure depending on the moment.
Ideas to try:
Modular corner sofa with a firepit coffee table in the centre
Club-style chairs with side tables and a rug underneath
Folding timber chairs with padded cushions for casual seating
Just make sure your firepit is gas or smokeless wood — no one wants cushions full of smoke.
🕳 4. The Sunken Lounge
If you want to go bold, a sunken firepit area adds visual impact and intimacy. It separates the space from the rest of the garden and makes it feel like its own little retreat.
Key elements:
A few steps down to create a change in level
Built-in seating framing a central firepit
Decorative gravel or porcelain underfoot
Raised planters or screens around the outside to create shelter
It’s a striking design move that can elevate a larger garden with dedicated zones.
🌿 5. Natural Seating Styles
Not every firepit area needs to be polished. In more relaxed or countryside settings, a softer approach works beautifully.
Simple materials:
Tree trunk stools or timber cubes
Curved stone benches
Adirondack chairs facing out across planting
Low decking platforms around a fire bowl
Pair it with ornamental grasses, wildflower-style borders or corten planters for a garden that feels grounded and calm.
💡 Firepit Seating Tips That Make a Difference
Comfort matters: Even the best-designed seating won’t get used without cushions, throws or padded support
Keep it low-light: Use warm LED lighting, step lights or lanterns to soften the mood
Space it right: Give yourself at least 1.5m of clearance between firepit and seating edge
Use materials with intent: Choose finishes that echo the rest of your garden — timber, render, stone, steel
🔗 Related Reading for a Complete Setup:
🔥 Final Thought
A firepit on its own is nice. But a firepit with thoughtful, comfortable, well-placed seating? That’s what turns it into a space people actually use — whether it’s family night, solo downtime or entertaining friends.
Make it comfortable. Make it yours. That’s what makes it work.
📞 Want to Get This Right From the Start?
Book Your Private Video Consultation We’ll help you plan your garden with zones that flow, features that work — and yes, firepit seating that’s made to be lived in.
If you feel like you'd like our team to take the stress out of designing and building your garden for you, click below and book a free design consultation. Make your dreams a reality.
Don't forget to download our '9 Common Mistakes To Avoid For Homeowners' guide!
