If you don't have room for a backyard firepit then you're going to love this alternative. This budget-friendly DIY Adirondack fire bowl coffee table is perfect for a patio or deck on those cool summer evenings.

It's on casters making it portable to move around and built pallet style with a unique hexagon shape. When not in use, it makes a great footstool or build a cover for the opening to use as a coffee table.

How To Build A Budget-Friendly Patio Fire Bowl Table

The inspiration for the outdoor fire coffee table came when I unearthed our metal fire bowl from the side of the house. Even though we have a backyard fire pit, we bought it for portable heating when entertaining or relaxing on our deck in the evening.

The problem was, it didn't look so pretty and we found ourselves hiding it when not in use. Considering it spent more time at the side of the house than on our deck, we figured maybe we should look into purchasing a fire table instead.

Well, that idea quickly ended when we discovered how much those pretty tables cost. So we came up with a much cheaper alternative by building our own, integrating the ugly metal fire bowl we already had.

Today is our Power Tool Challenge and the theme this month Anything Goes. Considering it's too gorgeous outside to work indoors, I decided a DIY outdoor furniture project would be perfect.

If you haven't heard of the Power Tool Challenge, we are a group of tool-savvy, skill-sharing bloggers who want to encourage and empower our female readers to step out of their comfort zone and try simple do-it-yourself projects with power tools.

Let's Talk Safety

Speaking of power tools let's talk about safety. Be sure to follow the tool manufacturer's operating instructions and wear proper eye and ear protection.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to build the fire bowl coffee table, I should mention that we are self-taught DIYers and not trained professionals. This step-by-step tutorial is based on our building knowledge only. However, if you are a do-it-yourselfer like us, you'll find these steps helpful if you plan on making a version of our table.

Almost all of the DIY projects shared here at Interior Frugalista have step-by-step tutorials so why not get your budget DIY on and subscribe. You can also follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

What You'll Need To Make It

This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Supply List

• Metal Fire Bowl 
• High Heat BBQ Spray Paint in flat black.
• 2" x 2" lumber
• 1" x 6" fence boards
• Galvanized Wood Screws
• Wood Glue
• Level

Tool List

• Table Saw
• Jigsaw
• Compound Miter Saw
• Power Drill
• Palm Sander

Important Fire Safety Tip

Because our Adirondack fire bowl table is of wood construction it is NOT meant to burn firewood. Instead, use small eco logs or gel fuel cans ONLY. Alternatively, you could use an outdoor portable propane fire bowl.

Pictured below are a couple of heat sources you can use. With either of these, you do not get a big flame or hot sparks flying out of the bowl, creating a fire hazard.

We prefer the eco logs cut in half with a chop saw. They provide just enough heat to keep you toasty warm. The added bonus is that being Citronella, they help keep mosquitoes away too!

Here's How We Made It

Step 1 - Refresh Metal Fire Bowl

The metal fire bowl was pretty rusty from sitting unused so long at the side of our house. After a good scrubbing with a wire brush, it got several coats of high heat BBQ spray paint in flat black.

Step 2 - Rip The Fence Boards

Rip the fence boards in half on the table saw.

Step 3 - Build The Adirondack Frame

Please note we don't provide cut measurements because they will be determined by the dimension of your specific fire bowl. Use the instructions provided in the steps below but modify the cuts to fit your fire bowl.

To create the hexagon shape, cut each 2 x 2 at a 30-degree angle with a compound miter saw. Attach each joint with wood glue and galvanized wood screws. You will need to build two identical hexagons, one for the base and one for the top.

Step 4 - Table Assembly

1. Measure the 2" x 2" uprights so they are the height of the top rim of your fire bowl plus an additional two inches to bring it off the ground with feet.
2. Cut five pieces that measurement.
3. Starting with the bottom hexagon, attach an upright with galvanized wood screws two inches above the ground on the outside of the hex.
4. Attach the top hexagon level with the top of the upright.
5. Repeat this step in the center of each hex, ensuring they sit level with the top.
6. Use a level to make sure the top is perfectly level (pictured below).

Step 5 - Wood Slat Top

Attach the ripped fence boards on the underside of the top hexagon frame to eliminate exposed screws on the top. Use a shim or a paint stir stick as a gauge for leaving a small gap between each board.

Supports For Fire Bowl Opening

After you've attached the wood slats on the top, place the fire bowl upside down on top of the table. Make sure it is centered first then draw the circle shape on the top with a pencil.

Before cutting the opening, supports need to be added under the wood slats. On the underside of the top, follow the hexagon shape two inches from the outer measurement of the fire bowl (pictured above).

What We Would Have Done Differently

Instead of creating an inner hex to support the opening, two supports running directly across all seven boards, a few inches out from the opening would have been sufficient.

Step 6 - Wood Slat Base

Repeat the instructions in the previous step for the bottom shelf, minus the underside supports. For added interest, run the slats in the opposite direction from the top (pictured below).

Step 7 - Cutting The Opening

Cut the opening with a jigsaw. Set the fire bowl inside and it should fit snug as a bug. If not, enlarge the opening. 

Step 8 - Staining The Adirondack Fire Table

Sand the entire table with a palm sander to smooth the edges. Wipe any dust with a lint-free rag. Now you're ready to stain your pallet-style fire bowl table. We used two coats of Behr Wood Stain in the color sagebrush green (SC-138) to match our Adirondack chairs.

Enjoy your new fire bowl table! I love how good it looks with our Adirondack furniture and makes for a cozy conversation area on our small deck.

Many of you have asked about the water feature on our deck. You can find that project in our DIY Outdoor Water Wall post. We've since added a repurposed louvered door privacy screen as well.

Thanks for stopping by the Interior Frugalista today! I hope you were inspired by this cheap fire bowl table idea. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below or the Contact Me tab at the top to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!

If you enjoyed this portable outdoor fire bowl table idea, I'd be so thankful if you shared it with a friend and pinned it to your Fire Pit Ideas or DIY Patio Furniture board on Pinterest.

Click each link below to see what my talented friends in the Power Tool Challenge Group made for their Anything Goes project.

DIY Family Sign | My Love To Create

DIY Adirondack Fire Bowl Table | Interior Frugalista

DIY Headboard Bench | Domestically Speaking

DIY Wall Sign | Designs By Studio C

Easy Bird Feeder | Virginia Sweet Pea

Repurposed Headboard French Bench | Designed Decor

DIY Small Pet Bed | H2OBungalow

How To Use A Kreg Jig | My Repurposed Life

I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.