A fire pit is the quickest way to turn “we’ll pop out for five minutes” into an entire evening. It brings warmth, glow, and a bit of theatre to the garden, without you needing to plan anything fancy. When you’re choosing one, the basics matter most: a solid build that feels stable, enough space for a proper fire, and sensible extras like a cover or lid to keep it protected when the weather does what it always does. If you’re after a cheap fire pit, those practical details are what keep it feeling like a good buy, not a one weekend wonder. Then make the setup irresistible. Add outdoor scatter cushions, keep smaller patios neat with a bistro set, or go all in on comfort with a corner garden sofa.