Backyard Fire Pit and Stone Patio Ideas for New England Living

If you’ve ever dreamed of creating a cozy outdoor space with mountain views, this one’s for you.

Today, I’m sharing how we brought our backyard fire pit and stone patio to life — from seating and layout to styling and seasonal touches.

It’s the perfect spot for relaxing in the Green Mountains of Vermont, and I hope it gives you a few ideas for your own outdoor retreat.

The Backyard Fire Pit Design That Started It All

Before this cozy space came to life, it all began with a vision: a stone patio and fire pit design that would make the most of our Vermont mountain views.

We spent time planning, choosing materials, and creating a layout that would feel open, welcoming, and easy to maintain throughout the seasons. From selecting the fire pit itself to the shape of the patio and stone placement, the design phase was the foundation of everything you’ll see here today.

If you missed the first part of this project, catch up here: Outdoor Living: Patio and Fire Pit Design.

The key to creating a backyard living space is to make it functional, comfortable, and reflective of your personal style.

Consider your lifestyle, needs, and preferences when designing your outdoor oasis. With the right elements, your backyard can become a true extension of your living area, where you can relax, entertain, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Creating a Cozy Backyard Living Area for Three-Season Enjoyment

Our backyard living space was truly a long time in the making — and with a view like this, it was well worth the wait. Nestled in the Green Mountains of Vermont, our goal was to design a cozy and functional outdoor area that we could enjoy for three seasons of the year.

We envisioned a space that felt like an extension of our home: a spot for gathering with friends, hosting family, casual outdoor dining, and soaking in the beauty of nature right from our patio.

Whether we’re sipping coffee by the fire pit in the early mornings or sharing stories under the stars, this backyard retreat has become one of our favorite places to spend time—and it all started with a good design plan and a love for the outdoors.

Why We Chose a Gas Fire Pit for Our Backyard Patio

The first step in bringing a cozy ambiance to our backyard patio was choosing the right fire feature. Because of the wide-open layout and frequent winds at the front of our Vermont home, a traditional wood-burning fire pit just didn’t work for us — it was far too smoky, and we rarely used it.

So, instead, we opted for the Outdoor Greatroom Vintage Square Gas Fire Pit Table, which runs off a concealed propane tank. It’s clean, convenient, and perfect for quick evenings outside — no hauling wood, no smoky clothes, and no battling the wind. We can simply turn it on, enjoy the glow, and turn it off when we’re done. Honestly, it’s one of our favorite upgrades yet.

Gas Fire Pit vs. Wood-Burning: What Worked Best for Us

As much as we love the charm of a crackling wood fire (we even built a stone one at our home in Maine!), it just didn’t suit the landscape or lifestyle here in Vermont.

The natural fire pit was too smoky for our open space, and unpredictable wind made it difficult to enjoy. Choosing a gas fire pit gave us all the ambiance with none of the hassle — especially when entertaining or just stepping outside for a quiet evening. If your space is wide open or windy, a gas fire pit might be a better fit than you’d think.

Choosing Comfortable and Durable Outdoor Furniture for Our Fire Pit Patio

When it came time to furnish our backyard fire pit area, I knew I wanted something more than just functional — it had to be comfortable, cozy, and built to last. After lots of searching, we chose the Frontgate Pasadena Conversation Set in a bold, beautiful blue. It’s been about five years since we brought it home, and honestly, it still looks brand new. The cushions haven’t faded, the frame is solid, and it’s just as inviting as day one.

We purchased three modular sections and two matching inset tables, which means we can arrange the seating any way we like. Whether it’s a full semi-circle for a big group, a split layout for smaller gatherings, or pulled apart for more open lounging — it’s incredibly versatile and perfect for adapting to different occasions.

We also added a coordinating storage bench from the same collection, which is ideal for stashing throws, lanterns, and outdoor accessories.

This curved sectional fits perfectly around our gas fire pit, creating a true gathering space for friends and family. And those deep blue cushions? They’re a showstopper against the backdrop of Vermont’s Green Mountains and blue skies. It’s one of the best outdoor investments we’ve ever made.

We do take care to cover the furniture when it rains or snows (more on that next), but this set’s durability and flexibility have completely exceeded our expectations.

How We Protect Our Outdoor Furniture Year-Round

One of the questions I get asked most often is, “How do you keep your outdoor furniture looking so new?” Well, here’s the secret — we cover it every time we’re not using it. Our Frontgate Pasadena Conversation Set is now five years old, and thanks to universal outdoor furniture covers, it still looks like it just arrived.

We use the Universal Furniture Covers from Frontgate, and they’ve been absolutely worth the investment. They’re durable, easy to pull on and off, and protect the cushions and frame from Vermont’s ever-changing weather. You could also bring the cushions indoors and leave the frames outside if you prefer — but the covers have been the perfect low-maintenance solution for us.

Backyard Living From Design to Reality

A Functional Backyard Patio with Fire Pit, Seating, & Style

Today, our backyard living space is everything we hoped it would be — a comfortable, stylish, and functional retreat. We now enjoy a beautiful blend of cozy seating, outdoor dining, layered landscaping, and of course, our smokeless gas fire pit. The curved sectional encourages conversation, and additional storage and accessories help make this a three-season destination for gathering, relaxing, and enjoying our Green Mountain views.

Cozy Touches for Relaxation Outdoors

This space isn’t just practical — it’s deeply personal, too. I’ve layered in elements of comfort and charm, including one of my favorite details: my mother’s handmade quilt, which matches the blue cushions perfectly. Whether we’re curled up around the fire or enjoying a quiet morning with coffee, this space is made to be lived in and loved.

Outdoor Entertaining with MacKenzie-Childs Style

Sterling Check Enamelware Adds a Charming Touch

In partnership with MacKenzie-Childs, I styled our fire pit area with their beautiful Sterling Check Outdoor Enamelware for an elevated take on outdoor entertaining.

From cake and champagne to cozy quilts and vintage touches, this little fire pit corner has become a favorite for summer desserts, casual drinks, and late-night conversations. You can see more of this look in my Summer Desserts with MacKenzie-Childs Check Designs post.

Backyard Living that Brings People Together

When you create a backyard space like this, it naturally becomes a place to gather. Whether it’s an impromptu chat with neighbors passing by or a full-on celebration, this fire pit patio has become the heart of our little Vermont neighborhood. It’s a space that’s just as welcoming for quiet evenings as it is for entertaining a crowd.

You can style it for a cozy, romantic night under the stars or turn it into a festive setting by adding a few outdoor tables and lanterns. One of our favorite things to do is invite the neighborhood over for sushi around the fire—it’s easy to serve, fun for all ages, and the perfect casual meal for an outdoor setting like this.

Backyard Landscaping Ideas to Frame a Fire Pit Patio

Now that our fire pit, stone patio, and furniture were in place, it was time to add the finishing touch—landscaping. With the front of our home now wide open (after removing the diseased trees we discussed in the Part 1 blog post), we had a blank canvas to work with.

Our goal? To choose plants that could withstand Vermont’s wild weather while adding color, softness, and seasonal beauty to this cozy outdoor space.

Planting for Four Seasons of Color and Charm

We chose a small but impactful mix of plants to frame the fire pit patio and blend with the surrounding Green Mountain backdrop. In December — yes, even in the snow — we planted a semi-mature lilac tree, a hydrangea tree, and two winterberry bushes around the space. These flowering plants offer seasonal interest and year-round charm, from fragrant spring lilacs to snowy white hydrangea blooms and the red berries of the winterberry that pop beautifully against a blanket of snow.

Fun fact: Landscapers in Vermont often plant well into December, even during snowfall — and I have a video to prove it!

These hardy plants not only add visual texture and color but also allow me to clip fresh blooms to bring indoors for floral arrangements that match the soft blue and green tones of the sky and the mountains just beyond.

Seasonal Flower Mound Landscaping Beside the Fire Pit Patio

Just off to the right of our stone patio and fire pit, we created a seasonal flower mound that adds color and texture throughout the year. In the warmer months, it’s bursting with vibrant blooms and rich greenery that soften the hardscape and add cheerful pops of color to our backyard living area.

As fall arrives, the tones shift to deep golds and rusts, creating the perfect autumn backdrop. And in winter, the tall ornamental grasses and a few strategically placed boulders bring natural movement and interest to the snowy landscape — even when everything else is covered in white.

This little mound has become one of my favorite features—it is ever-changing, easy to maintain, and always adds that extra touch of charm to our backyard retreat.

Stone Steps to Connect Our Home to the Backyard Patio

To make our backyard living space feel like a true extension of our home, we added a set of natural stone steps leading from the house down to the fire pit patio. We brought back the same talented local stonemason who crafted our patio, and he carefully built the steps into the slope of our little hill. They look like they’ve always been there — timeless, rustic, and perfectly suited to the Vermont landscape.

In the summer, each giant stone step is flanked by blue and white chinoiserie pots overflowing with crisp white geraniums for a fresh pop of seasonal charm. The result feels both elegant and welcoming—a natural flow from the house into our outdoor retreat.

Have you created a backyard living space or dreaming of one? I’d love to hear what’s on your wishlist — drop a comment and let’s chat outdoor living!

Investing in a Backyard Living Space That Lasts

Creating a space like this isn’t a quick weekend project — it’s an intentional investment in your home, lifestyle, and how you spend your time outdoors. For us, the process unfolded over a couple of years, largely due to the pandemic and our desire to approach each piece thoughtfully — from the fire pit to the patio to the finishing touches in landscaping and furniture.

It’s true that building a backyard living area involves planning, patience, and a bit of budget — but the return? Completely worth it. This space has added so much value to our home, not just in property but in how we live day-to-day, gather with friends, and enjoy the Vermont views right from our own yard.

If you’re starting to dream about your own fire pit patio, be sure to check out part one of this two-part series here → Outdoor Living: Patio and Fire Pit Design where I share the beginning stages of this project.

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*If you want to purchase the gas fire pit, it has been out of stock for some time. Therefore, I have provided you with three purchasing options.