A fire pit surrounded by built-in masonry seating walls is the single most-used outdoor feature we build in Broken Arrow. The combination solves the problem that every fire pit creates: where do people sit? Built-in CMU seating walls at bench height with natural stone or concrete caps provide permanent, comfortable seating for 6–12 people without furniture that has to be moved, stored for the winter, or replaced every few years. VistaScapes designs and builds fire pit and seating wall combinations throughout Broken Arrow as fully integrated outdoor living elements.
Fire Pit and Seating Wall Design
We design fire pit and seating wall configurations based on your yard dimensions, how many people you typically entertain, and the patio layout. The most popular configurations in Broken Arrow:
- Round fire pit, curved seating walls on two sides — curved seating walls mirror the round fire pit; social, symmetrical configuration; 6–10 people
- Round fire pit, horseshoe seating wall — three-sided continuous seating wall curves around the back and sides of the fire pit with an open front; fully enclosed feel; seats 10–14
- Square fire pit, straight seating walls — square fire pit with two straight seating walls on adjacent sides; cleaner, more geometric aesthetic; integrates well with rectilinear patio layouts
- Fire pit at center, seating walls defining the patio perimeter — seating walls at the patio edge create the outdoor room boundary while providing seating that faces inward toward the fire pit
Seating Wall Construction Details
Every seating wall we build in Broken Arrow is constructed on a poured concrete footing (poured simultaneously with the fire pit footing), with CMU block cores to bench height (17–19″), and finished with a natural stone slab, concrete cap, or brick cap. We waterproof the top of the CMU before setting the cap to prevent moisture from infiltrating the block wall through the horizontal joint. The exterior face is finished in stone veneer, natural stone, or brick to match the fire pit surround.
Adding Cushions to Built-In Seating Walls
Many Broken Arrow homeowners add outdoor cushions to their seating wall caps for additional comfort, especially for extended evening use around the fire. We design the cap width (typically 12–16 inches) to accommodate standard outdoor bench cushion sizes. Stone and concrete caps are weather-resistant and can be left uncovered during rain; cushions are stored inside when not in use. The combination of a permanent stone cap with removable cushions gives you the best of both — permanent structure and comfortable seating.
Call VistaScapes at 918-779-1317 to design your fire pit with built-in seating in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. We serve Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Jenks, Bixby, Owasso, and the entire northeast Oklahoma metro.
