Outdoor Living & Kitchens
Turn your backyard into an extension of your home with an outdoor living space or kitchen!
Make the most of your property with a landscape design and outdoor furniture that creates an inviting space for your family and friends to relax. A covered outdoor kitchen is the perfect addition to enjoy our Pacific Northwest weather year round so everyone can stay connected.
Our designers are experienced in creating outdoor living spaces and kitchens that match the needs of homeowners in terms of entertainment styles, typical number of guests, the unique aspects of the property, and design aesthetics. Outdoor living spaces often include seating areas, cozy lighting, shade and rain structures, a fire pit, and outdoor cooking area or kitchen. Many clients prefer to add a water feature or outdoor sound system to complete their transformed space. Whatever you choose for your new landscape, we’ll create a living space that is functional, attractive, and feels like a dream come true!
Get Your Landscaping Quote
Why Turn Your Backyard Into an Outdoor Living Space?
If you’re excited about creating an outdoor living space or kitchen in your landscape but need convincing or help persuading other decision makers, here are some of our favorite reasons to transform your yard:
- Open the space up to your friends and family for outdoor entertaining, and make it year-round with certain features!
- Create a socially-distanced area to gather.
- Embrace the power of natural environments for your physical and mental health. Read more about how nature-inspired spaces benefit our body and mind with the principle of biophilia.
- Create a new “room” to use if your family keeps spilling out of the house—perfect as a place to read, enjoy morning coffee or evening cocktails, and play fun games.
- Improve curb appeal to boost the attractiveness of your home, as well as your neighborhood.
- Increase property value—depending on your additions, outdoor living spaces and kitchens can add significant value to a home and almost always allows for a solid return on your investment.
Outdoor Living Landscape Design Ideas
The main features that can turn a backyard into an outdoor living room can be mixed and matched according to your needs. Here are some of our favorite outdoor living features:
Seating Area – Comfortable seating including sofa and table sets, chairs, or loungers with weatherproof upholstery are the key features of many outdoor living areas.
Fireplace or Fire Pit – Create a focal point around which people will gather and stay warm on cooler nights. Fire pits can be portable or built-in features, while fireplaces are typically standalone structures with chimneys much like their indoor counterparts.
Landscape Lighting – Cheery shatterproof string lights instantly make a space feel more welcoming, while landscape lighting that illuminates important features like trees and steps open the landscape to exploration and enjoyment in the evening. Without lighting, outdoor living areas easily become too dark at night to enjoy.
Outdoor Kitchen – Save on the back and forth, in and out of your house, and create a partial or full kitchen outside! This feels more engaging for guests and makes a dinner party flow much more smoothly than when the chef is running around unnecessarily. Moreover, some things just taste better cooked on the grill or in a pizza oven!
Privacy Screens – Enjoy enhanced privacy in your outdoor living room with trees, fencing, or curtains that block neighboring windows and passersby. Some trees are particularly suited to this function—ask one of our landscape designers what would work best in your landscape.
Entertainment Options – Like to play music during dinner or watch movies with the family? Consider installing outdoor speakers and a TV or projection screen away from the elements. Cozy up on summer evenings in your own outdoor home theater!
Outdoor Décor – Just like a room in your house, your outdoor living areas benefit from your special touch of personality and style. Area rugs immediately make a space feel more complete, while artwork, statuary, and potted plants add flavor.
Other Elements of an Outdoor Living Space
Patio – Flat outdoor space often made of concrete or pavers that can be used for seating, dining, or entertaining. Patio designs may also include fire pits, pergolas, and outdoor lighting.
Deck – Raised outdoor platform often made of wood or composite materials that can be used for seating, dining, or entertaining. Deck designs may also include built-in seating, planters, and railings.
Pergolas and Trellises – These structures can provide shade, coverage, and a decorative element to outdoor living spaces.
Outdoor Kitchen Elements
Outdoor kitchens can include a few traditional features or the whole ensemble, depending on your needs. We recommend writing down the features that you “must have” versus what “would be nice to have” to help you plan your outdoor space. Here are some outdoor kitchen ideas to consider:
Grill – An outdoor kitchen is often centered around a grill, which can be gas-powered or charcoal-powered.
Counter Space – Outdoor kitchens typically have ample counter space for food preparation, cooking, and serving.
Bar – Outdoor kitchens can be designed with a bar for serving drinks and socializing. Some homeowners who entertain often may only opt for an outside bar rather than a full kitchen.
Outdoor Sink – A sink is usually included for cleaning up and washing dishes.
Refrigerator – A small refrigerator or cooler can be included for keeping drinks and food cold.
Kitchen Storage – Storage space can be added in the form of cabinets or drawers for utensils, plates, and cookware.
Seating – Outdoor kitchens can have seating options such as bar stools or dining chairs.
Lighting – Task lighting can aid in cooking while ambient lighting helps to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Pizza Oven – For those who love pizza, a pizza oven can be included in the design of an outdoor kitchen.
Outdoor Appliances – Outdoor kitchens can have other appliances like wine coolers, ice makers, and warming drawers.
Smoker – A smoker can be used for slow-cooking meat or fish, giving them a rich and smoky flavor.
Griddle – A griddle can be used for cooking breakfast foods, such as pancakes and eggs, or for stir-fries and other dishes.
Outdoor Fryer – A fryer can be used for cooking deep-fried foods such as French fries and chicken wings.
Outdoor Rotisserie – A rotisserie can be used for slow-cooking large cuts of meat such as whole chickens or roasts.
Ready to transform your landscape into a beautiful, usable outdoor living space? Contact our experienced and award-winning landscape designers today for a free consultation and quote!