3 Things to Consider When Planning Your New Outdoor Living Space

Posted February 16, 2023 in Attached Roof System, Blog, Covered Patio, Decks, Design/Build, Furniture, General, Hardware, Landscape Maintenance, Outdoor Kitchen, Outdoor Living Room, Outdoor Technology, Patio and Walkway, Pool, Videos, Water Feature

Experts say a well-planned, inviting outdoor space could add value to your home. That’s because, now, more than ever, people would rather host graduation parties, birthday parties, and other events from the comfort of their own homes. This puts outdoor living spaces high on the list of “wants and needs” for potential home buyers.

But, designing and building a new outdoor living space that is functional and comfortable will take more than just a couple of pavers and a few pieces of nice furniture. And, if your new space is properly planned and executed it could become an actual extension of your home.

So, as you dream of busting open your back doors and inviting your friends and family to relax in your brand-new space its important to consider these three things:

  • Understand how you want to use your new custom outdoor living space 

Do you host formal dinner parties or casual BBQs? How many guests do you typically entertain? Are you looking for a quiet space to relax and unwind? Does your custom outdoor living space need to be kid or pet-friendly right now? How about in the future? Can your build be phased over time so you never feel over-extended financially when investing in your home? When designing your new custom outdoor living space, we suggest using the same thoughtfulness as if you were designing new floor plans for your home. Each room of your new space should have a logical and functional connection to the inside of the house.

Start by spatially dividing your outdoor area into separate uses and deciding which specific zone is the most important to you. Then determine how often you plan to use each area, and how many people it will host. Since building a custom outdoor living space is not only an investment of your time and money, it’s an investment in your future, it’s important to thoughtfully plan your current and future lifestyle upfront so your space can grow with you. Using our strategic design-first strategy, we can help ensure that your home evolves with your family and its lifestyle as you grow roots and create lifelong memories in your new custom outdoor living space.

  • Know how to select the best grill 

You may be tempted to roll your existing propane grill under your new covered patio. But, sometimes this won’t look as nice as a built-in grill, and you will probably have to replace your stand-alone grill more frequently since most built-in grills last longer because of the way they are built. However, stand-alone grills are designed for convenience and mobility. So how do you choose the best option for your new custom outdoor living space in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?

Built-in grills rarely require replacement and tend to last as long as the rest of your home’s appliances or even longer. However, stand-alone grills are easy to move around to various locations. Since outdoor kitchens with built-in grills in the Lehigh Valley are popular additions, most experts estimate that homeowners with outdoor kitchens will break even on their investment when selling their homes. Some Lehigh Valley Realtors also noted that homes with outdoor kitchens featuring flexible & functional layouts with built-in grills can potentially see an ROI between 100% and 200%.

  • Consider how much time you’re willing to spend maintaining your new space 

If you feel like you have enough time for all of these things in your life, you probably have a good work-life balance. So it is unlikely that you will want to commit all your time to sanding an old wood deck, or taking care of a high-maintenance garden after you invest in building your custom outdoor living space. This is why it’s important to consider how much time you’re willing to spend maintaining your new space before you commit to any materials and design.

There are a ton of different materials available when it comes to building your new outdoor living space. So don’t get stuck building a dated, high-maintenance wood deck that could require a ton of maintenance. When investing in your new outdoor living space, consider selecting low-maintenance materials like composite decking and deck railings in vinyl or aluminum that will never require the painting or staining that wooden options do.

How to pick the best materials for your outdoor living space →


Whether it’s a simple in-ground pool or an elaborate patio and deck design with multiple water features, we know the right outdoor living space will make your home the perfect place to create lifelong memories.  But, we get that you don’t want to work with a contractor who will waste your money. And you don’t have time to waste managing multiple crews, contracts, permit applications, and other important details.  You are not alone!

So, let us eliminate the stress and hassle when transforming your backyard into an outdoor living space in the Lehigh Valley. We have partnered with hundreds of homeowners – just like you – to make your unique transformation journey stress-free. Our award-winning design/build process will make sure you never need to communicate with your HOA and township or deal with the hassle of obtaining building permits, engineering, scheduling, or inspections. We will handle all the heavy lifting when it comes to designing & building your new outdoor living space so you can enjoy watching it come to life and feel completely confident you will be proud of your investment.

Here’s how to do it:

Call: Schedule your meeting!

Collaborate: Create your perfect plan!

Construction: With an approved design, construction starts!

Celebrate: Raise a toast to your transformed home and the new life that comes from it!

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR DESIGN MEETING!

(610) 628-2480

In the meantime, download your exclusive copy of the Top 5 Design Secrets your Contractor Doesn’t Know. So you can stop fearing that you will make the wrong decisions about your new outdoor living space and instead be confident when selecting the right firm to help transform your backyard into the outdoor living space you always dreamed of!

Join Our Newsletter

Stay up to date with what is happening with MasterPLAN Outdoor Living.

Affiliates & Partners
Lehigh Valley Style
Lehigh Valley Business Association
Pennsylvania Builders Association
Qualified Remodelers
The Designer