Fire Pits vs Fire Tables: The Ultimate Guide to Garden Entertaining This Summer (UK 2026)

There's nothing that turns a British garden into a proper outdoor room quite like real flame. As the evenings stay warmer for longer, more UK homeowners are asking the same question: fire pit or fire table — which one actually suits my garden? Below, we break down the difference, show you our favourite options for 2026, and share styling tips so your summer entertaining space looks (and feels) effortless.

Fire Pit or Fire Table: What's the Difference?

A gas fire pit is typically low, round, and designed purely for warmth and ambience — gather chairs around it and you've got an instant focal point. A gas fire table does double duty: it's a working table surface (coffee height or dining height) with a flame feature built into the centre, so you get the fire and the furniture in one piece. Both run on clean-burning gas, ignite at the push of a button, and come with a protective cover for when the British weather turns.

Our Favourite Outdoor Gas Fire Pits

If your priority is a classic seating circle, start here:

• Planika Square Fire Pit with Cover — a contemporary, clean-lined design that suits modern patios, from £470.
• Planika Rio Fire Pit with Cover — compact and stylish, ideal for smaller gardens or balconies, from £500.

Our Favourite Outdoor Gas Fire Tables

Want somewhere to rest your drink as well as warm your hands? A fire table earns its keep:

• Planika Dot Fire Table — a versatile all-rounder for everyday garden dining, from £500.
• Planika Moon Fire Table — sculptural, rounded styling that works as a genuine centrepiece, from £600.
• Planika Square Table with Cover — coffee-table height, perfect for lounge-style seating, from £650.
• Planika Rio Table with Cover — a compact coffee table with built-in flame, from £865.
• Planika Square Table High with Cover — full dining height, so it can genuinely replace your garden dining table, from £945.

Prefer Warmth Without the Table?

If you already have garden furniture you love and just want to extend the season, a freestanding patio heater is the simpler option. The Planika Pyramid Grey Patio Heater with Cover throws heat in every direction and tucks neatly into a corner of the patio when not needed, from £405.

Styling Tips for Garden Entertaining

• Zone around the flame. Whichever piece you choose, arrange seating in a loose circle roughly a metre back for comfortable warmth without crowding.
• Layer your lighting. Pair the fire's glow with warm-white festoon lights or lanterns for a cohesive evening look.
• Think about wind. Position fire pits and tables away from strong prevailing wind where possible, and always use the included cover overnight and in wet weather.
• Mix heights. A dining-height fire table plus a couple of low fire pits elsewhere in the garden creates distinct entertaining zones for larger gatherings.

Gas, Safety and Maintenance Basics

All of our outdoor fire pits and tables run on propane gas via a concealed cylinder, giving you an instant, adjustable flame with none of the smoke or ash of a traditional log fire pit. Always use them on a stable, level, non-combustible surface, in a well-ventilated outdoor area, and keep the cover on whenever the unit isn't in use to protect it from rain.

Ready to Choose Yours?

Whether you're after a dedicated fire pit, a fire table that replaces your patio furniture, or a simple patio heater, browse the full range of outdoor fires and heaters at Emberly Home and get your garden ready for summer entertaining.