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Outdoor Living Space & Creative Landscape Design

Creating Spaces Made for Hosting & Gathering

The Comfort of Inside, Outside

Outdoor Innovations Landscaping designs outdoor living rooms as part of complete backyard transformations throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. These aren’t just lounge sets placed on a patio — they’re fully planned environments that feel connected to your home and natural in your landscape. Every line, material, and sightline works together so the space feels seamless from the moment you step outside.

Each design responds to the rhythms of our region. Shade, sun, wind, and weather shape how the room is positioned and how the structure is built. The result is a space made for relaxing, entertaining, and enjoying your backyard long after summer ends.

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Outdoor Living Designed for Gathering and Relaxation

Seating Areas & Lounge Zones

Seating zones are arranged for conversation, comfort, and flow, whether that means built-in benches, deep lounge furniture, or a mix of both. Each layout is shaped to feel natural within the landscape and inviting from every angle.

Outdoor Fireplaces & Fire Features

Fireplaces and fire tables create warmth and add a focal point that pulls everyone together. Placement is intentional, giving the living room a sense of structure and calm no matter the weather.

Outdoor Kitchens & Dining Areas

Most outdoor living rooms are part of a larger entertaining setup. Kitchens, dining areas, and lounge spaces are planned together so cooking, serving, and relaxing all happen within the same cohesive layout. It’s one environment, not scattered stations.

In-Ground Pools & Water Features

Outdoor living rooms often sit alongside the pool deck. This creates a smooth transition between lounging, swimming, and sunning. Slip out of the pool and into lounging without missing a step.

Covered Structures & Shaded Areas

Pergolas, pavilions, and gazebos provide protection from the elements while also adding major visual appeal. They shape how the room feels throughout the day, adding shade where you need it and creating a sense of enclosure without closing you off from the rest of the yard.

Entertainment & Lighting Features

Accent lighting, outdoor-rated audio systems, and integrated TVs create a comfortable environment for watching the big game or just enjoying a quiet evening. Smart controls make it easy to adjust the mood with a tap. Stay safe at night with integrated lighting that makes it easy to see the pool and surrounding areas.

What You Build Today Becomes Tomorrow’s Favorite Story

An outdoor living room is where time slows down. It’s where cool evenings stretch a little longer and the lights from the house spill softly into the yard. Years from now, you’ll remember the way it felt to sit outside with people you love, wrapped in the quiet glow of a place built just for you.

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Why Homeowners Choose Outdoor Innovations Landscaping

catherine-jons
Asher Judd with Outdoor Innovations created an exceptional landscape design of the pool placement and subsequent hardscape that organically flowed with our home, deck, and yard. Whether it was pavers, coping, or boulders, Asher’s teams thoughtfully, artistically, and precisely placed each piece with great care. We are thrilled with the result, a perfectly sized pool deck that is beautiful and meets all our entertaining needs.
Catherine Jons
outdoor kitchen with grill
We just finished a backyard pool project with Outdoor Innovations and it turned out absolutely beautiful! We highly recommend Craig Palmer and his crew. The process was smooth and moved efficiently. We appreciate Craig’s attention to detail and responsiveness. Thank you!!
Catherine Robinson
a pergola in a backyard
Craig and his team did an outstanding job creating a backyard oasis for us. From the initial design to completion, the professionalism and expertise were evident every step of the way. The attention to detail and commitment to our vision truly set them apart. We highly recommend Craig and Outdoor Innovations for your landscape and backyard remodel needs.
Karen Montour
a cabana covering an outdoor living room

We worked with Outdoor Innovations adding a pool to our sloped yard last spring.  I can't say enough about what a great experience this was,  Asher helped us translate our vague idea into a vision and a plan.    

The project moved along smoothly and on schedule.  Asher worked with us where we wanted changes and  did a great job communicating.  All of the people we dealt with on their crews were very professional and friendly.  

Barry Wallen

Inspiration Gallery

indoor/outdoor area with large folding doors. the interior dining area leads out into an outdoor gathering area with a modern fire pit.
an outdoor fireplace with gorgeous brick pattern and flush LED lights. nearby is a seating area with couches, end tables, and a sun umbrella. in the foreground we see an in-ground pool.
close up of hardscaped pavers surrounding an outdoor seating area
an outdoor cooking and dining area with a large grill, fire table, and ample seating.
side view of a outdoor patio and living area
two white wicker hanging chairs around a fire pit
a controllable modern fire pit
a pool at night surrounded by torches.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an outdoor living room project take?

Timelines vary depending on the size of the project and the features included. Design and planning usually take a few weeks, followed by construction that can span several more. If the living room is part of a larger backyard transformation with structures, kitchens, or a pool, the schedule may be longer. You’ll receive a clear, detailed timeline once your design is finalized.

Yes. With thoughtful placement, wind protection, and features like fireplaces or overhead coverage, outdoor living rooms stay comfortable well beyond summer. Many homeowners enjoy their spaces in spring and fall, especially when heating elements or cozy seating zones are built into the design.

Connections depend on your current layout and architecture. Outdoor Innovations Landscaping plans sightlines, elevations, and pathways so the living room feels like a natural extension of your home or deck. This may involve aligning materials, adjusting steps or grading, or integrating covered structures that blend with your roofline.

Yes. Outdoor living rooms are usually part of a complete landscape design, and Outdoor Innovations Landscaping handles all of it. Our landscaping services typically include hardscaping pavers, placing retaining walls, installing fire and water features, and setting up water management, as well as plantings and grass. We don’t provide ongoing landscaping maintenance services, but we can connect you with local landscapers who do.

Most outdoor living rooms do. Covered structures, electrical work, gas lines, and significant hardscaping often require permits, especially in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Outdoor Innovations Landscaping handles all necessary permits and inspections as part of the design-build process.

Size, materials, and features influence cost the most. In-ground pools, fireplaces, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, and integrated lighting or entertainment systems add to the investment. Because outdoor living rooms are often part of full backyard transformations, surrounding structures and hardscapes also play a role. You’ll have clear pricing throughout the design process.

Winter care is simple once the living room is built correctly. Furniture can be covered or moved into weather-safe storage, surfaces should be cleaned before freezing temperatures set in, and fireplaces or heating elements may need seasonal checks. Covered structures and durable materials help the space reopen easily in spring. We also have a maintenance checklist you can use: Getting Your Backyard Ready for the Winter

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Our Service Areas

Dellwood
North Oaks
Grant
Eagan
Hudson, WI
Orono
Lake Elmo
Saint Paul
Stillwater
Mendota Heights
Minnetonka
Woodbury

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