Building a fire pit yourself is a low-cost way to carve out a place for family and friends to gather. DIY-ing the job shouldn't take more than a day.

DIY fire pits can be made for under a hundred bucks with similarly easy-to-follow steps, although you’ll need a little muscle to stack the cement or bricks yourself.

You’ll need enough fire brick to make a pit that’s 36 to 44 inches across and about 12 to 24 inches tall. This will give you a good place to prop your feet up and be a barrier against some sparks.

Designing your own fire pit is a fun outdoor project, but it's also important to protect it properly. Find out how to prevent the stones from falling apart.

“If you are concerned about (the) safety of whatever material you choose, use a row of fire-resistant bricks to line the inside of the fire-pit wall,” suggests DIY blogger, Kathy Bates.

Gorgeous fire pit ideas will come in handy all year round. Choose to DIY yours, opt for a classic wood burning or gas fueled options for a modern, cozy setup in all seasons.

Fire pit kit For a foolproof fire pit build, consider a fire pit kit. You still need to prepare the site, but these kits take the guesswork out of shopping for stones.

Fire bricks are best added after building the outer walls, using mortar to adhere them along the inner circle of the pit. A six-pack of fire bricks costs $30 at Lowe’s.