Summer Ambiance- Creating a charming backyard fire pit area

There is nothing like those warm summer evenings under star filled skies.

We start the day out on the back patio sipping coffee & spend the evenings outdoors relaxing and enjoying the fresh air too. So, I guess you might say- we are outdoor sitting kind of folks- we love being outdoors as much as possible.

And when it comes to summer entertaining with friends and family- or just my husband and myself- you know me- I am all about that ambiance. The twinkle lights. The dancing flames in the fire pit. The magical touches that make the setting come alive. And today- I am sharing this little fire pit are in the back 40- and how easy (and inexpensive) it was to set up & enjoy in just a few minutes. I shared this fire pit area last summer- and this year am updating this look with a couple inexpensive ideas for even more ambiance.

#1. Start with a fire pit

Small on size- big on charm. It seems strange to talk about a fire pit having personality- but this one definitely has it.

What I love: The deep fire pit bowl with a mesh grate all around that lets the flames shine through and create so much ambiance.

I am in love with the side view of the flames and coals – so much charm ( and personality!) And double duty is perfect too- if you choose a fire pit that also has a grill you can attach for making veggie burgers or grilling veggies (or whatever you want to grill) it becomes a backyard barbecue spot also. Click to shop this one below.

Click photos to Shop the Look

#2. Bring on the Twinkle Ambiance

Oh you know how much I love those twinkle lights! I am kind of obsessed with them. And you know my neighbors would back me up on that obsession statement. We actually have the twinkle lights mostly near the house- but when setting up a fire pit area or a table setting in the back 40 of the property-there are no outlets. And a question I get all the time about those far away areas – How do you get power there for the lights?

Well, you can either run extension cords (cords because it would be several of them to reach this area) or you can use battery operated and solar powered lights.

Cafe Lights– The cafe lights are always a favorite look. These are a tad smaller than the usual and good news- unbreakable. Why? Because when you are stringing them through trees or the wind kicks up- they might fall and break and you don’t want any glass anywhere anyone or any animals might step on it. They are also powered by the sun- simply place that solar panel where the sun can charge it up during the day- and enjoy at night. If you have dark woods and not enough sun to charge- choose battery operated. Shop Solar Powered Lights HERE and Battery powered lights HERE. or click the photos below.

Shop the Look

Fairy Lights– Because as mentioned- I am obsessed with that twinkling ambiance- fairy lights in addition. Those tiny little sprinkles of magic in the tree here- those are the fairy lights. I added a few strands of fairy lights in the branches to layer the lighting for just a little more magic. Shop these battery operated fairy lights HERE.

Shop the Look

#3. Flickering Campfire Warmth

For an extra bit of ambiance and campfire feeling- I used flickering lanterns and I LOVE these lanterns.

What I love- The flame dances just like the real thing- and they can also be used with full light as an actual lantern should you need some light to see what animal is walking through the woods behind you or you need to head back to the house and don’t want to trip the whole way.

We have several sets of these- and love them. You can see them in action in the video & Shop the lanterns

Shop the Look

#4. Comfortable seating

You can use any kind of chair at your fire pit. Adirondack, camping stools, wood chairs, rattan chairs- even just wood stumps. Create a cozy area with what you have and enjoy. If you are looking for some charming rattan chairs- you can shop the look of these here (not the exact)

The wood table is such a charmer- and I use them indoors and outdoors. These are made from logs and slices of logs and they are easy to move. You can also use a regular old log if it is flat enough and wide enough or a simple ‘log’ table like this one that is not real wood.

Shop the Look

#5. The Nibbles

A wood slice serving platter, smore’s making supplies & copper tumblers for cocoa or a beverage of choice complete the look and set up for the evening.

Smore’s is one of those things that you made as a kid and even if you don’t eat them now (like me) you can enjoy roasting a marshmallow for one of the kids. Roasting forks are simple and easy and perfect for roasting smore’s or veggies – and are easy to clean. Ready to go box of smore’s making supplies so you are ready when the big kids come by.

Shop the Look

I love the copper tumblers for warm or cold beverages- and they just look so lovely as well. And for a serving platter- why not keep the wood and nature theme going and use a wood slice? You could grab a slice from the wood pile- but I don’t recommend it. This wood slice is actually made for serving- is clean and sealed and ready to go. Perfect for cheese and crackers too.

Shop the look

A tartan throw for a layer of campfire cozy. There is just something about tartan and these aren’t that same scratchy wool I remember as a kid.

Shop the look

#6. A little Something Extra

Add a little extra ambiance with a little something extra. Like twinkling trees grouped in the background, a dining table with a lovely buffalo check cloth and wicker chairs. Side note- this is a screen shot from a video I took- my card reader for my big camera has got awol so while I wait for the replacement to arrive- I am using just footage from my phone that syncs- so pardon the low quality of that.

Also- don’t forget things like citronella candles and natural mosquito repellent to keep guests comfortable.

Shop the look

Fire pit & dining areas are such fun spots to create in your backyard – and they easily can fit into smaller yards by choosing smaller sized elements. They are perfect for summer gatherings out under the stars with friends and family and making summer vacation memories.

* contains affiliate links