Installing a fireplace or fire pit will not only add warmth and light to your patio during the evenings, but create a focal point in your design. A fire feature is the perfect centerpiece to gather with friends and family, whether it be a quaint social event or to roast marshmallows over an open fire. Choose from pre-built elements, or have a professional contractor custom build one with our unique wall products.
Outdoor Living Space Ideas & Design Inspiration
Add a fire feature for cozy gatherings
Cook outdoors with an Outdoor Kitchen
Cooking outdoors is not just for the grill masters. If cooking outdoors is your passion, consider spicing up your backyard space with an outdoor kitchen. BBQ grill islands, pizza ovens, designated eating areas and amenities such as an outdoor fridge are all great options that transform your patio into the ultimate outdoor living room.
Incorporate a Water Feature
Your backyard is a place to unwind and relax after a long day. The soothing sound of falling water from an outdoor water feature can provide ultimate relaxation to your backyard oasis, and also serve as a great focal point in your design. If you have a preexisting fire feature, consider pairing with a water feature to create eye-popping visual interest.
Customize your backyard floor
When deciding how to arrange your outdoor space, outdoor laying patterns come in handy. Choose from an array of laying patterns or use paver borders to create the look of an area rug for furniture groupings. In cooking areas, consider using pavers that benefit from the strength of EasyClean™ technology, to prevent stains and to make clean up easy as pie.
Create ambiance in your outdoor living space with paver lighting
Landscape lighting is a wonderful way to add ambiance to any outdoor design. When planning your outdoor living space, pay attention to dark areas or key pathways that need illumination. Adding landscape lighting along pathways or around the perimeter of a pool not only creates a dynamic effect but also enhances safety by providing guests with a clear path. You can also incorporate landscape lighting into seat walls, pillars, steps, and paver borders to cast charming silhouettes at night.
Bring shade and privacy to your outdoor living space with an overhead pergola
A pergola may not fully protect against rain, but it does preserve the open, al fresco feel of the outdoors while providing shade to your outdoor living space. Mount a pergola on Unilock pillar columns to cover cozy seating areas, outdoor kitchens, grill islands, and more, creating an inviting space for entertaining.
Designing Your Front Courtyard as a Unique Outdoor Living Space
The front of your home is the first thing people see when they approach or pass by, so you’ll want to design it to leave a lasting impression. Between your driveway and front steps, you have the chance to create a unique gathering space that feels like an extension of your backyard patio. When designing your courtyard area, take visual cues from your home’s existing architecture, and choose products, colors, and textures that complement those features. Create a comfortable seating area with couches and chairs, or incorporate a seat wall and outdoor coffee table for a cozy spot to watch the morning sun.
Embracing Biophilic Design Principles in Outdoor Living Spaces
The concept of biophilic design, which emphasizes connecting people with nature within built environments to enhance overall health and well-being, has gained popularity in both commercial and residential spaces. Incorporating simple elements like garden walls, fire and water features, and natural patterns and textures can enhance your outdoor living spaces while bringing you closer to the natural world. If you want to integrate biophilic design elements, consult with your Unilock Authorized Contractor (UAC) during the planning stage. They can recommend products and features that will help bring your vision to life.
Sink into a Cozy Retreat with a Sunken Seating Area
A sunken outdoor seating area creates a sense of comfort and intimacy in outdoor living spaces. This concept can be further enhanced with the addition of an eye-catching focal point, like a fire pit or fire table, to create a unique gathering space that can be enjoyed day or night. Sunken seating areas can be created by assessing the slope in your yard and integrating surrounding retaining or garden walls to hold back the native soil. Remember, any walls exceeding 3 feet in height must be properly engineered by a civil engineer.
Enjoy a Backyard Movie Theater Under the Stars
For an avid backyard entertainer, a backyard movie theater is an essential space for enjoying movies under the stars or catching the game while flipping burgers. U-Cara® has become a popular option for homeowners looking for a versatile centerpiece that can double as a TV wall in your outdoor living space’s design. If your backyard movie theater is situated under a canopy or pergola, consider stringing up fairy lights or integrating paver lighting into pillar columns to help illuminate the space at night and elevate the natural ambiance.
Bringing Summer Cookouts Poolside in Your Outdoor Living Space
With an outdoor kitchen, you can look forward to summer cookouts and BBQs, and what better way to combine these two pleasures of the season than by keeping your outdoor kitchen close to your pool? A poolside outdoor kitchen allows the chef to enjoy being a part of the poolside fun while ensuring that adult supervision is always available for younger kids. To protect your poolside kitchen against splashing, consider building a low wall or backsplash, kept a suitable distance away from the pool edge, or placed at a higher level than the rest of the pool deck.
The Benefits of Contrasting Colors in Outdoor Living Space Designs
Black and white are contrasting colors that, when paired, can transform traditional outdoor living spaces into stunning modern retreats. The striking yin-yang color combination can be used to create eye-catching hardscape features like expansive driveways, exquisite fire features, or sleek outdoor grill islands. But contrasting colors aren't limited to just black and white. Combining warm and cool tones can highlight key elements or introduce stunning accents and patterns into your design.
Our Most Popular Outdoor Living Products
![](https://unilock.com/storage/2019/11/richcliff_302x528x60_dawnmist-90x90.png)
DAWN MIST, PEBBLE TAUPE, SMOKE SHALE, PEBBLE TAUPE / DAWN MIST (BLENDED ON SITE), PEBBLE TAUPE / DAWN MIST (BLENDED ON SITE)
Learn More![](https://unilock.com/storage/2021/03/beaconhillsmooth_380x570x60_fossil-90x90.png)
FOSSIL, ALMOND GROVE, GRANITE MIST, DARK CHARCOAL, OPAL BLEND, DARK BROWN
Learn More![](https://unilock.com/storage/2021/08/cornerinsert_200_orange-90x90.png)
NON COLOR, INDIANA BUFF, STERLING, ALMOND GROVE, GRANITE MIST, BLACK GRANITE, DARK CHARCOAL, FOSSIL, OPAL BLEND, GRENADA WHITE, MIDNIGHT SKY, SUMMER WHEAT, WINTER MARVEL, FRENCH GREY, LINEN BUFF, LINEN GREY
Learn MoreKnowledge Center
We’re Here
To Help
![](https://unilock.com/storage/2023/04/cta1-600x600.jpg)
Find a Contractor you can trust
Working with a Unilock Authorized Contractor is working with the best of the best. Our UACs possess the knowledge and expertise to bring your dream project to life, and deliver stunning results that will exceed your expectations.
![](https://unilock.com/storage/2023/04/cta2-600x600.jpg)
Browse our Design Idea Catalog
Explore endless design possibilities through our Design Idea Catalog. Browse our extensive portfolio of paver and wall products, and get inspired by our outstanding design projects that will fuel your creative expression.
![](https://unilock.com/storage/2023/04/cta3-600x600.jpg)
Visit an Outdoor Idea Center
Experience the beauty and quality of Unilock paver and wall products in a life-sized setting by visiting a local Outdoor Idea Center. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff are on hand to answer any questions and offer free product samples.