Creating Year-Round Outdoor Living Spaces

At Fontaine Landscaping, our passion is to craft landscapes that harmonize with the natural surroundings while celebrating each homeowner’s unique style. One of the most exciting trends for 2025 is the evolution of Pacific Northwest outdoor spaces into true extensions of the home, designed for enjoyment throughout all seasons.

Breaking Down Indoor-Outdoor Barriers

BC homeowners are no longer content with outdoor spaces that are only usable during summer months. Today’s landscapes function as true extensions of indoor living areas, with thoughtful design that allows for cooking, dining, lounging, and entertaining regardless of the weather.

This approach gained momentum during the pandemic as people spent more time at home and sought to maximize their living space. Now, outdoor rooms are designed with the same attention to comfort and function as indoor spaces, blurring the traditional boundaries between inside and out.

Popular Outdoor Features

Several key elements define these enhanced outdoor spaces:

• Paver patios remain a cornerstone, offering versatility and customization for both modern and rustic aesthetics
• Outdoor kitchens with built-in grills, prep areas, and refrigeration allow for seamless entertaining without constant trips indoors
• Fire pits and fireplaces extend the usability of outdoor spaces into cooler evenings, creating cozy gathering places that draw family and friends together
• Covered pergolas and patios provide shelter from both sun and rain, making outdoor living possible year-round in our variable climate

Smart pergolas with adjustable louvers offer even greater flexibility, allowing homeowners to control sunlight and weather exposure based on changing conditions. These adaptable structures perfectly suit BC’s often unpredictable weather patterns.

Materials Built for the Local Climate

Our moisture-rich environment demands durable, weather-resistant materials for outdoor features:

• Composite decking offers the warmth of wood with superior resistance to staining, warping, and decay. Many options are made from recycled materials, adding sustainability benefits.
• Porcelain pavers provide exceptional durability for patios and walkways—they’re practically indestructible and clean easily with a simple spray, perfect for our muddy seasons.
• Steel framing for structures like pergolas and decks delivers superior strength and resistance to rust and warping, ensuring longevity even in harsh conditions.
• Weather-resistant outdoor furniture with quick-dry cushions and durable fabrics creates comfortable, long-lasting spaces that don’t require constant maintenance.

Functional Lighting Solutions

Thoughtful lighting extends the usability of outdoor spaces into the evening hours, particularly important in BC where winter days are short. Modern options include:

• Energy-efficient LED path lights that improve safety while adding ambiance
• Strategic uplighting of architectural features and specimen plants
• Warm string lights that create a magical atmosphere for entertaining
• Smart lighting systems that can be programmed for different occasions or controlled remotely

Creating Comfort in All Seasons

Beyond the basic structure, several elements help make outdoor spaces comfortable year-round:

• Outdoor heating options like built-in heaters, fire tables, or standalone patio heaters extend the season for outdoor enjoyment
• Weather-resistant audio systems bring music outside
• Outdoor-rated televisions allow for movie nights or game days in open-air comfort
• Retractable screens provide protection from insects during summer months
• Wind barriers strategically placed to block prevailing winter winds

At Fontaine Landscaping, we specialize in creating these functional, beautiful outdoor living spaces that work with our unique Pacific Northwest climate. We carefully select materials and features that will stand up to our weather while creating spaces that invite you to step outside and enjoy nature’s beauty throughout the year.