AN outdoorsy couple shared how they built their own fire pit for less than $90.
The DIY home transformation project was quick to make and easy to assemble and they got a useful component for free.
Reddit user BobSacramanto to show off their latest home addition that they constructed by hand and didn’t break the bank.
He shared in a post the step-by-step process behind the fire pit he and his wife built a few months prior.
Bob admitted he was a bit nervous before taking on the project but “everything went better than expected.
“I have never worked with mortar before and only worked with concrete a couple of times,” he explained.
He shared three images of each step and gave detailed instructions.
The initial photo showed the “first course” laid down with rocks molded outside a large metal cylinder.
Although it didn’t take much time, he let it sit and dry overnight before he moved on to the next layer on top of it.
Bob revealed that the rocks came from a dried creek bed, so they were totally free.
“The rocks do get pretty warm but not too hot to touch,” he added.
He repeated the process until all rows were firmly secured with rocks around the metal base.
“The outer doughnut of concrete measures 36″ ID, 44″ OD, 2″ thick roughly I believe. Can’t remember for sure but that sounds right,” he wrote.
Bob revealed in another image the fire pit was “completed with 11 pavers on tops.
It was a budget-friendly task because the pavers cost $1.98 each.
The Redditor said the overall cost for all materials and tools was $82.94.
The total amount of labor devoted to the project was around four to five hours for two people.
He added that it was not counting the “curing time,” which is the amount of time it takes for something to harden.
Bob demonstrated in a third visual the fire pit being put to use for the first time and it looked like it worked well.
Redditors appreciated how transparent he was about each part of the construction process.
“I wish everyone had step-by-step instructions. Well, the smaller projects anyways,” one commented.
How to make your backyard a little paradise
Houna Bech is an interior designer and founder of the style blog With Houna.
She revealed to The U.S. Sun five tips for transforming a drab outdoor space into a “sensory-rich little paradise.”
1. Embrace nature
“Use your landscaping, trees, flowers, and organic environment as your muse,” she said.
2. Bring the inside out
“Repeat color palettes, textures, and materials so the transition between indoors and out is seamless,” she said.
3. Create zones for specific purposes
“I might design a luxurious cabana with plush loungers and vanities for alfresco makeup sessions with my girlfriends,” she said.
4. Prioritize comfort
“I’m talking cloud-like sectionals, upholstered daybeds, and oversized weather-resistant poufs you can really envelop yourself in,” she said.
5. Get creative
“Finally, turn your entire outdoor area into an artistic installation,” Bech said.
“This is exactly what a Reddit DIY post should look like. Great job,” another said.
“So simple and straightforward it got me interested in making one, good job and keep them coming,” a Reddit user said.
Bob also shared some more findings after using the outdoor DIY item a few more times.
“The first fire or two we were careful not to get too close,” he explained.
He learned that the inner ring is galvanized, and when the galvanizing burns off the smoke can cause what welders call “galvanizing sickness.”
“I honestly don’t think it has gotten hot enough to burn off,” he added.
