Summer has a way of pulling us outside. Morning coffee tastes better on the porch, dinner somehow feels more fun on the deck, and a backyard fire pit can turn an ordinary evening into the kind of night people remember.
At Schloegel, we love outdoor spaces that make home feel bigger, easier, and a little more special. From lakefront decks to garden patios and cozy screened porches, these five projects each bring something different to the table. Literally, in a few cases.
Here are five outdoor spaces we love for summer.
Table of Contents
1. Where Porch Season Lasts a Little Longer
2. A Lake Deck Made for the View
3. A Backyard Retreat Built Around the Fire Pit
1. Where Porch Season Lasts a Little Longer
This Prairie Village screened porch has the magic of a favorite room, just with better views. What started as a simple concrete patio became a cozy indoor-outdoor retreat with a vaulted wood ceiling, warm stained French doors, wide screened openings, and a fireplace made for chilly Kansas City evenings.
What makes this space so inviting is how much it can do without feeling crowded. There’s room to relax, watch the game, enjoy coffee, host friends, or listen to the rain without giving up the comforts of inside. The fireplace, TV, ceiling fan, recessed lighting, and generous seating all work together to make it feel finished and lived-in.
It’s polished, practical, and a little bit season-proof, which is exactly why it earned a spot on our list. See more of this awesome porch!
2. A Lake Deck Made for the View
Some outdoor spaces are all about the extras. This one is about knowing when to let the view do the talking.
Set along Sunrise Beach at Lake of the Ozarks, this refreshed deck gives the homeowners a front-row seat to the water, trees, boats, and slow mornings that turn into easy afternoons. The new decking and reinstalled railing keep the space clean and open.
What earns this deck a spot on our list is how simple and hardworking it is. It doesn’t compete with the lake. It frames it. And after replacing rotted areas, rebuilding the stairs and landing, updating electrical, repairing pavers, and addressing wood rot near the sliding door, it’s as ready for lake life as the people who get to enjoy it. See more of this deck with amazing views.
3. A Backyard Retreat Built Around the Fire Pit
This backyard turns a sloped yard into a series of outdoor moments. The lower deck creates a natural extension of the home with room for the hot tub, grill, and dining area, while the steps and landscape lighting draw you down into the yard like a little invitation.
The fire pit area is the real cozy factor. Surrounded by Adirondack chairs, natural stone, gravel, boulders, and low-maintenance greenery, it feels relaxed and tucked into the landscape instead of overly designed. It’s the kind of backyard that works hard without looking like it’s trying too hard, ready for dinner on the deck, a soak in the hot tub, or a night gathered around the fire. See more of this amazing outdoor space.
4. Outdoor Kitchen Charm in a Lush Garden Patio
We love how this outdoor space feels tucked away, almost like a secret garden right off the back of the home. The brick patio, mature trees, layered greenery, and warm wood fencing already give it so much charm, but the custom outdoor kitchen makes it even more livable.
The arched stone bar adds a beautiful focal point without blocking the garden views, while the tiered countertop creates plenty of room for cooking, serving, and pulling up a seat. The mix of natural stone, brick, concrete countertops, and woven furniture gives the space texture without feeling overdone. Add in the shaded seating, fireplace, planters, and garden details, and it’s the kind of backyard that makes staying home feel like the best plan. See more outdoor kitchen details.
5. A Backyard Oasis with Fireplace Energy
This backyard has layers in all the right places. The soaring brick fireplace gives the patio a true focal point, while the curved hearth, herringbone brick detail, and built-in wood storage make it feel custom from every angle.
The pergola adds structure without closing in the space, creating a shaded sitting area that still feels open to the yard. Just beyond it, there’s room for dining, grilling, and gathering, all tied together with brick, precast concrete caps, stained concrete, lantern-style sconces, and lush greenery.
What makes this outdoor space so easy to love is that it feels both impressive and approachable. It’s polished enough for a party, comfortable enough for a quiet evening by the fire, and smart enough to solve the water issues that started the project in the first place. Check out more of this amazing patio!
Whether it’s a quiet porch, a lakeside deck, a backyard made for gathering, or an outdoor kitchen ready for dinner with friends, these spaces all have one thing in common: they make it easier to love where you live.
Ready to create an outdoor space you’ll enjoy all summer and beyond? Contact us to start planning.