How to Build a DIY Patio and Fire Pit Seating Area

In this video I’ll show you how to build a DIY gravel patio and create a gas fire pit seating are with POLYWOOD chairs. I’ll also show how I created a D.G. (decomposed granite) and gravel pathway with steel landscape edging. Well at this is how I built mine and it’s working great! In addition to the video I’ve outlined the entire process below and will keep it updated with answers and explanations to frequently asked questions.

PATIO
1. Excavate down 6 inches.
2. Add rich soil to the boarder for planting later.
3. Cover patio area with landscaping fabric.
4. Add steel edging or plastic bender board to the patio boarder. A taut string tied to two stakes helps to mark any strait lines. I used this for the pathway edge.
5. Add 4 inches of road base (crushed rock) to the entire patio are, then level and compact it.
6. Next I added one inch of decomposed granite and compacted that. This could be the final step if you want want a D.G. patio, but I used this layer as a base for the final layer.
7. Finish the patio with a 1” layer of gravel for which I used my personal favorite - Sonoma Gold Pathfines. Pathfines hold in place
better than pea gravel, but they don’t get muddy like D.G. Does. This stuff is awesome.

CHAIRS
These POLYWOOD Adirondack chairs might just be my favorite part of this patio. POLYWOOD makes amazing outdoor furniture out of landfill-bound, and ocean-bound plastics! Not only are they comfortable and beautiful, but they are also extremely durable and come with a 20 year warranty, yes 20 YEARS! Oh, and free delivery in the U.S.! I highly recommend these chairs.

FIRE PIT
You’re probably wondering where I got this fire pit - I was fortunate to find it as a damaged item on Overstock a got it for a major discount. I wish you luck in your search.
I knew I wanted a gas fire pit, but it was way to expensive to plumb gas all the way to this spot, so I opted for the propane fire bowl which is a delicious I am very pleased with, especially after concealing the gas line in PVC pipe that I painted with Gorilla glue then covered with gravel. I concealed the tank under a hollow plastic rock that I found in the irrigation section of my local nursery.

FIRE PIT LINKS: These are NOT the fire pit that I used, but they look similar:

Plants
-Cousin It plant
-Coffeeberry
-Western Sward Fern

Fertilizer
E.B. Stone Organics Sure Start

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Irrigation Video

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FAQs:
Ask and you shall receive

Q: Why all of the layers? Are they really necessary?

A: For my space and vision these layers were the best way to achieve my goals. The base rock layer is important for stability and drainage. As for the layers above that - I I stated in the video you could finish with the DG layer if you want a DG patio, but in that case I would apply a 2” layer of DG. You could also skip the DG and just do a 2” layer of pathfines, but they cost twice as much as the DG which was the main reason I did 1” DG first.

Music
Golden Crates Adobe Stock licensed Dusty Decks/Epidemic Sound
Lo-fi-hip-hop Adobe Stock licensed Flashinmusic/Hamendo
Willow-Trees Adobe Stock licensed Guustavv/Epidemic Sound

[melvinsperez]

You literally just proved how Egyptians moved stones. Great job by the way. But seriously, you moved this all by your self. You stayed true DIY.

[TheLxl]

Pea gravel, concrete fire bowl, string lights and orange trees, hmm what a nice combination ^o^

[BigAndraze]

The glueing the pvc pipe with the gravel was genius. Simple but awesome detail i will use... came out amazing thank for sharing i learned a couple ideas

[emv]

Love the way that you are hiding your propane tank, genious ! I couldn't tell, actually thought it was gas lol
Great job!

[MarieLagu]

The area looks so neat and peaceful. Amazing job!

[sugarray]

Damn! I wish you were my friend! You’re awesome! This would be me in my yard but unfortunately I’m disabled with mobility issues. It drives me nuts because I loved gardening. Watching people like you building, designing and creating keeps me going. Glad I stumbled across this.

[dominiquebihan]

very nicely done! i would plant a climbing rose-tree on the wall to add a colorful and perfumed element to this peaceful area🤗🌹🌹

[RumbaFlamenca]

This is exactly what I wanted between my two Chritmas Trees that I have in my garden. Thanks for sharing.

[suebasko]

This is fantastic. This is my dream patio. I especially like the fire pit with propane tank hidden in a fake rock.

[the-handy-fixer]

Looks like an amazing place to rest at the end of the day!

[farm]

I love the way you move the super haevy fire place.

[mapstx]

That’s genius putting the burlap down for your dog! I don’t even want to upgrade my backyard seeing as our dog gets EVERYWHERE!

[Nootnoot]

1:58 Made me smile so much! Very important to make sure the good woofer is straight :D

[robertturner]

Well done! I am so impressed you did all that on your own.

[littlequickfire]

I like the PVC pipe trick for even layering! Thanks for the helpful video. :) Your patio looks great.

[nAnotherCastle]

Really beatiful!! I've been prepping the yard at our new house for summer and this is perfect inspiration!

[segifredoinguanzo]

Just bought a home in Sacramento, love this idea...firepit area is definitely on my to do list

[Chercher]

Holy crap Kyle! Everything you do is beyond amazing. Your videos explain ev step & I especially love how neat & tidy you are with all your projects. 👍

[oliveacres]

Just finished a fire pit. Good to see how others like you build it. Ya learn from seeing others. We still have to do something on a back porch here on Olive Acres. Thanks for the video.

[bonnieb]

What a beautiful space you created. Love it.