Avoid These 5 Mistakes When Planning a Fire Pit in Shelby Township and Macomb Township, MI

A fire pit in Shelby Township and Macomb Township, MI, is one of the fastest ways to turn a “nice backyard” into the place everyone naturally gravitates toward. But getting it right takes more than picking a style and calling it a day. In Southeast Michigan’s freeze-thaw climate, a fire pit has to be designed for comfort, safety, and longevity, and it needs to fit your outdoor living space like it was always meant to be there. 

Related: Steps to Creating a Cozy Fire Pit Area With a Paver Patio for Relaxing Evenings in Troy, MI

5 Mistakes When Planning a Fire Pit

A fire pit is a simple concept with a surprisingly high number of ways to get it wrong. The good news? When it’s designed and built correctly, it becomes the centerpiece that makes your outdoor space feel finished. Here are the five most common planning mistakes we help homeowners avoid so your fire pit looks incredible, feels intentional, and performs beautifully year after year.

Mistake 1: Treating the Fire Pit Like an Afterthought Instead of a Destination

A fire pit should never feel like it was squeezed into whatever space was left over. The best fire features are designed as a destination — a place with flow, purpose, and the kind of comfort that keeps people outside longer than they planned.

When the design isn’t intentional, you end up with:

• A fire pit that feels too close to the patio edge

• Seating that’s awkwardly spaced

• No clear pathway to the space

• A layout that doesn’t work with how you actually entertain

At Legacy Landscapes, we design fire pits as part of the full outdoor experience — often paired with a paver patio, seating walls, and landscape lighting so the space feels cohesive and welcoming from every angle.

In Shelby Township and Macomb Township, we also pay special attention to yard grading and drainage. Snow melt and spring rains can create soggy zones fast, and if the fire pit area sits too low or lacks proper drainage, your “cozy” hangout becomes a muddy mess for weeks at a time. Our team often incorporates drainage solutions when needed to protect the investment and keep the space functional.

Mistake 2: Choosing Materials That Don’t Belong in Michigan Weather

Southeast Michigan’s freeze-thaw cycles are no joke. Temperatures swing, moisture gets trapped, and the wrong materials will crack, flake, or shift sooner than you’d ever expect — especially if the installation isn’t engineered for movement.

This is where high-quality products and proper construction matter. We build fire pits and surrounding patios using durable, proven materials — often incorporating Unilock pavers as part of the overall design because they’re built to perform in our climate and deliver a refined, high-end look.

We also design for heat tolerance, using fire-resistant materials and selecting heat-tolerant, low-maintenance plantings so landscaping around the fire pit stays healthy, safe, and attractive.

The truth is: your fire pit isn’t just a fire pit. It’s a structural feature. And in Michigan, structural features need materials that can handle real-world conditions — not just look pretty in a showroom.

Mistake 3: Getting the Scale Wrong (The “Too Small” and “Too Massive” Problem)

Fire pits have a sneaky way of looking perfect online… and completely off in real life.

Common scale mistakes include:

• A fire pit that’s too small for the size of the patio

• A fire pit that’s oversized and dominates the entire space

• Seating that’s crammed too close (too hot) or too far away (too cold)

• A circular fire pit shoved into a rectangular patio without enough room to breathe

The goal is proportion — the fire pit should feel like it belongs to the architecture of your home and the layout of your yard.

We plan fire pits with real-life use in mind:

• How many people will typically gather there?

• Are you hosting large groups or keeping it intimate?

• Is the fire pit meant to anchor an entertaining space or a quiet retreat?

• Do you want it to feel modern and sleek or more natural and rustic?

If your space is already designed around outdoor living, we make sure the fire feature flows naturally with paver patios, walkways, and other enhancements — so the whole backyard feels unified, not pieced together.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Wind, Smoke, and Airflow (Until It’s Too Late)

A fire pit can be stunning — but if smoke constantly blows toward your seating area, it becomes the backyard feature nobody wants to use.

Shelby Township and Macomb Township yards can be open, especially in newer neighborhoods or areas without mature tree cover. Wind can move unpredictably, and if the fire pit placement doesn’t account for airflow, smoke becomes the uninvited guest that never leaves.

This is one reason some homeowners choose an outdoor fireplace instead of a fire pit. A fireplace includes a chimney that helps control smoke and can allow placement closer to patios, pergolas, or dining areas. Fire pits don’t offer that advantage — so location matters even more.

When we plan fire pits, we assess:

• Prevailing wind direction and openness of the yard

• Nearby structures that can trap smoke

• Patio orientation and common seating layouts

• Whether a gas-fueled option makes more sense for cleaner burning and convenience

This is one of those “you can’t unsee it once it’s wrong” issues. Good planning prevents the constant shuffle of chairs and the classic “musical smoke” game.

Mistake 5: Forgetting the Extras That Make It Feel Luxury

A fire pit by itself can be great. A fire pit designed as a complete outdoor living environment? That’s where the magic happens.

Luxury is never just one feature — it’s the experience. We often enhance fire pit spaces with:

• Paver patios that create a strong, elegant foundation

• Seating walls that provide built-in comfort and structure (and reduce the clutter of extra furniture)

• Outdoor lighting that keeps the space usable after sunset and adds ambiance

• Strategic plantings that soften the hard lines and add color and texture through the season

In Michigan, where summer evenings are golden and fall nights arrive fast, lighting is a game-changer. We design and install outdoor lighting to highlight key features, improve usability, and create that high-end glow that makes a backyard feel like a private resort.

Do's And Don'ts Of Fire Pit?

Let’s keep this simple and practical — the kind of guidance you can actually use when planning with a designer.

Do

• Do plan the fire pit as part of a larger outdoor living layout, not as a single standalone feature.

• Do choose materials made for Michigan’s freeze-thaw cycles, especially for patios and surrounding structures.

• Do think about comfort: seating distance, traffic flow, and how the space will be used.

• Do consider lighting as part of the design so the space feels finished and functional after dark.

• Do plan for drainage and grading if needed — especially with spring thaw and heavy rain seasons.

Don’t

• Don’t pick fire pit materials that aren’t rated for high heat or outdoor exposure.

• Don’t place it in a low spot where water collects or where snow melt turns into a seasonal swamp.

• Don’t ignore wind and smoke direction.

• Don’t overcrowd the area — fire features need space, and luxury spaces need breathing room.

• Don’t treat it like a “Phase 3 add-on” unless you’ve planned for it from the beginning (or you’ll pay more to redo work later).

Related: Create Warmth and Beauty With a Fire Pit and Plantings in Royal Oak, MI

What Do You Put In The Bottom Of A Firepit?

This depends on the fire pit type — and it’s one of the most misunderstood aspects of fire feature performance.

For Gas-Fueled Fire Pits

Gas fire pits are typically built with a burner system designed for proper airflow and drainage. The base is constructed to support the system and allow moisture to move through without damaging components. In many designs, this includes layers that support:

• Ventilation

• Drainage

• Heat resistance

• Stability through freeze-thaw cycles

The visible top layer is usually fire media — such as lava rock or fire glass — chosen for heat tolerance and aesthetic. (And yes, fire glass can look absolutely incredible against pavers and modern stonework.)

For Wood-Burning Fire Pits

Wood-burning fire pits are typically built with proper base construction to manage heat, protect surrounding materials, and allow for safe long-term use. Depending on the design, the bottom may include materials that support heat control and durability — and the interior liner is critical.

At Legacy Landscapes, we build fire pits with the full system in mind — not just the visible outer ring — because the inside is what determines how it performs over time.

How Far Away Should A Fire Pit Be From A House?

This is one of those questions where the safest answer is: it depends on the design, fuel type, and the layout of your property — and it must be evaluated specifically for your space.

Here’s the practical guidance we consider when designing:

• Fire pits should be positioned so heat and smoke don’t impact siding, windows, or soffits.

• Placement must allow comfortable circulation around the fire pit and safe clearance from structures.

• If the layout requires a fire feature closer to the home, an outdoor fireplace may be a better option because the chimney directs smoke upward, giving more flexibility near patios and structures.

We plan fire pits with the full outdoor environment in mind — not just the fire pit itself. That includes patio layout, seating placement, and how your home’s architecture interacts with wind and airflow.

What Stones Should You Not Use In A Fire Pit?

Not all stone belongs near high heat — and using the wrong one is one of the quickest ways to create cracking, spalling, or safety concerns.

In general, you want to avoid stones that can trap moisture and expand rapidly under intense heat, which can cause them to fracture. This is especially important in Michigan, where stones may already hold moisture from rain, humidity, or snow melt.

Instead, we use fire-resistant, heat-tolerant materials and construction methods designed specifically for fire features — and we incorporate fire-resistant elements into surrounding structures and planting selections as well.

Bottom line: the “pretty rock” isn’t always the “right rock.” Our job is to ensure every material works together safely and lasts.

What Is The Best Material To Put Around A Fire Pit?

If you want a luxury fire pit space that feels refined and stays strong through Michigan seasons, the material around it matters as much as the fire feature itself.

Top Surrounding Materials We Use At Legacy Landscapes

• Paver patios (often Unilock) for durability, clean design, and low maintenance

• Stone or brick elements that bring structure and classic character

• Seating walls that match the patio and create built-in comfort

• Outdoor lighting for ambiance, visibility, and a finished look after dark

Why We Love Pavers Around Fire Pits In Shelby Township And Macomb Township

Pavers create a stable, attractive surface that handles freeze-thaw movement far better than many alternatives — especially when installed correctly with proper base preparation. And visually? They give the whole space a tailored, intentional look that fits high-end homes beautifully.

Timing Your Installation In Shelby Township And Macomb Township: What The Seasons Mean For Fire Pit Construction

If you’re planning a fire pit in Macomb County, timing matters more than most people realize. Michigan weather isn’t just a background detail — it affects excavation, base preparation, drainage work, and finishing.

Here’s what we consider when planning your project timeline:

Spring

Spring is popular — and for good reason. But it’s also the season of thaw, saturated soil, and heavy rain. If your yard holds water, spring may require drainage planning before fire pit construction and patio installation.

Summer

Summer is prime installation season. Soil conditions are more stable, schedules are packed, and outdoor living projects are in high demand. If you want summer completion, planning early is key.

Fall

Fall is one of the best seasons for fire pit installs — cooler working temps, more predictable soil conditions, and you get immediate payoff with crisp evenings and football weather. It’s also ideal for pairing a fire pit with landscape lighting so your backyard stays inviting even as the days get shorter.

Winter

We do offer commercial snow and ice management, but outdoor construction projects are typically weather-dependent. Planning during winter can be smart, though — it puts you in a strong position to schedule as soon as conditions allow.

The Legacy Landscapes Approach: Fire Pits That Feel Like They Belong There

At Legacy Landscapes, we don’t build fire pits as isolated features. We design and build them as part of a complete outdoor living space — tailored to the architecture of your home, the way you entertain, and the realities of Michigan weather.

Our fire pit projects often include:

• Custom fire pits and outdoor fireplaces (gas-fueled or wood-burning options)

• Paver patios and walkways (including Unilock options)

• Landscape design and construction that integrates the entire yard

• Plantings that complement the structure and thrive in local conditions

• Outdoor lighting that brings the space to life after dark

• Drainage solutions when yard conditions demand it

If you’re investing in a luxury fire pit space, you deserve something that feels effortless — the kind of space where guests naturally gather, conversations linger, and your backyard suddenly feels like the best place in the house.

Related: Chilly Nights Are Here! Spend Them Around an Outdoor Fireplace in the West Bloomfield and Macomb Township, MI, Areas