An open flame draws people near and keeps them cozy after the sun goes down. If you've got the space and budget for more than a fire pit, consider putting in a freestanding prefab fireplace and surrounding it with a hearth that doubles as a low sitting wall. For a DIY version of this wall with foot-traffic-friendly contours, construct a winding base of cinder block, face it with ledgestone veneer, and top it with custom-cut flagstone.
Similar to shown:
San Juan prefab gas or propane fireplace with masonry surround, about $3,600; woodlanddirect.com
AirStone veneer, about $50 per carton (about 8 square feet); lowes.com