Custom Outdoor Living Spaces Philadelphia

Outdoor Living Spaces that Work for the Way You Live

A well designed patio does more than offer a place to sit. It sets the stage. A custom outdoor layout pulls from the shape of the home, the flow of the yard, and the way you want to live. One design might guide guests from a granite-topped outdoor kitchen to a shaded deck with sculpted seating walls and flush-mount sound systems. Another might use elevation changes to frame a dining area or draw the fire pit and spa into a single visual line. These outdoor living spaces aren’t templates, they’re transformations. By the time we’re done planning, most clients already see the version they want built.

• Outdoor Kitchens

  Hosting doesn’t end at the dining room. For the family that gathers often and entertains well, a custom outdoor kitchen turns the backyard into a seasonal social hub. Full cooking and dining setups with premium materials, gas hookups, integrated storage, and high-end appliances bring restaurant-level function outdoors. Layout matters here: grill placement, bar seating, and prep zones should flow as well as the conversation. We design custom outdoor kitchens that handle summer cookouts with ease and deliver dinner-party elegance under the open sky.

• Patio Installation & Design

  Your patio shouldn’t echo your neighbor’s. Whether it’s concrete with clean lines or natural pavers with old-world charm, a stylish patio reflects taste and sets tone. We build with layout in mind, using elevation, lighting, and material contrast to shape the space. A perfect patio connects indoor and outdoor areas seamlessly, framing furniture, water features, and even new landscaping. Every patio installation begins with a design that suits the home’s architectural style and ends with a space that feels completely your own.

• Fire Pits & Outdoor Fireplaces

  After the last glass is poured and the guests are gone, fire holds the night together. For homeowners who linger late and live slowly, fire pits and outdoor fireplaces offer warmth and atmosphere without needing an occasion. Custom seating walls define conversation zones. Gas or wood-burning options match your lifestyle and maintenance goals. We build fire features that work with existing hard scapes, lighting schemes, and furniture placement, turning an outdoor area into a four-season retreat.

• Pergolas, Pavilions & Shade Structures

  Some spaces are designed to impress. Others are designed to protect. For young families and homeowners who live outdoors in daylight hours, shade is non-negotiable. We design pergolas and pavilions that provide functional relief without sacrificing aesthetic impact. Structural additions can include LED lights, sound systems, or fabric screens, blending tech with tradition. These custom outdoor features shape air flow, block harsh sun, and define where fresh air meets family time.

Custom Outdoor Spaces Built for Lifestyle

Custom means possibility, not preset. Some clients start with a simple patio design and end up with a tiered living space framed by natural surroundings, a fully wired pergola, and a water feature that softens the edge of the yard. Others want a new patio that mirrors their interior stonework or wraps around the home to create zones for entertainment, dining, and quiet relaxation. Creating outdoor living spaces like this requires more than taste, it takes strategic planning, expert construction, and a team that specializes in turning strong ideas into finished outdoor environments.

APS works with homeowners who want more than a checklist. We explore zoning laws, plan around existing weather conditions, and build for durability that lasts beyond trends. Every project is a collaboration. We bring design insight, material knowledge, and deep experience to make sure your outdoor area transforms how you live, not just how your yard looks. Custom outdoor spaces deliver real benefits: more room to relax, a better setting to host, and a space that enhances daily life. We’ve built for families, for entertainers, and for clients who just want the process to feel like a stress free experience from start to finish.

FAQs for Outdoor Living Space Contractors in Philadelphia

• What’s a good custom idea for a small backyard on the Main Line?

  A small space doesn’t limit creativity, it sharpens it. On Main Line properties with limited square footage, we often design raised seating platforms with LED lights, stone benches that double as planter walls, or slim-profile fire features built into retaining structures. These elements transform the space without overwhelming it and help create outdoor space that’s as functional as it is elegant.

• Can you include shade without building a full pavilion?

  Yes. Custom shade structures, partial pergolas, and screened porches offer sun protection without enclosing the space. These designs allow fresh air to flow and can integrate lighting or drapery for added control. It’s a solution that works well for homeowners with children, active backyards, or anyone who wants to relax outside without sacrificing comfort or style.

• How do you keep the design in step with classic Philadelphia homes?

  We don’t imitate, we complement. Our team understands the design trends that matter and filters them through the lens of the home’s architecture. That might mean pairing a slate patio with steel and cedar elements, or using soft lighting and subtle texture to bring out the best in traditional facades. Every outdoor project is an extension of the home, not a departure from it.

• What does maintenance look like for outdoor living features?

  We build for real life. That means selecting finishes based on exposure, usage, and durability, not just aesthetics. Screened porches, outdoor kitchens, and landscaping elements are all planned for efficient maintenance and long-term performance. Our expert team helps clients make informed decisions that enhance the space without increasing the workload.

• What can I expect during the first consultation?

  You’ll walk the backyard with a lead designer, discuss ideas, and explore what’s possible. We talk about relaxation, entertainment, family time and how to create something that matches both your goals and your property. The consultation is free, detailed, and built around you. APS works with intention and purpose from the very first meeting.