Outdoor Living Design FAQs

Outdoor living design at VizX includes planning and designing functional, beautiful outdoor spaces tailored to your lifestyle. This can include patios, outdoor kitchens, fire features, seating areas, lighting, and more all thoughtfully integrated into one cohesive design.

We offer both. You can work with us for design-only services, or we can guide your project through construction with full management to ensure everything is built exactly as planned.

Yes, in certain situations we can enhance, redesign, or expand your existing patio or deck to improve both functionality and overall aesthetics.

However, most of our projects start from scratch. This allows us to fully align the design with our process, your lifestyle, and the overall vision for the space without being limited by existing layouts or materials.

If you have larger features such as a well built deck or a swimming pool in good condition, we can often design around those elements and integrate them into a cohesive outdoor living plan. During the consultation, we will evaluate what makes sense to keep, modify, or replace so you get the best long term result.

We serve clients throughout the country. If you're unsure whether you're in our service area, feel free to reach out and ask.

Outdoor living design focuses on how you use your space, creating areas for cooking, relaxing, entertaining, and gathering. Landscaping typically focuses more on plants and aesthetics, while outdoor living design blends structure, function, and lifestyle.

Custom designs can include features like outdoor kitchens, fire pits or fireplaces, pergolas or shade structures, lighting, seating areas, water features, and more, fully tailored to your space and preferences.

Yes. We create 3D models for every project as a standard part of our design process.

You will be presented with detailed 3D drawings during your initial design concept meeting, allowing you to clearly visualize the layout, scale, and overall feel of your outdoor living space before any construction begins.

This level of clarity is essential for making confident decisions and ensuring the design is fully aligned before moving forward.

Most outdoor living design projects are completed within 3 to 5 weeks, depending on the size, complexity, and how quickly feedback is provided throughout the process, with larger or more detailed projects occasionally requiring additional time to ensure everything is fully thought through before construction begins.

Build timelines vary based on the scope and complexity of the project, but most outdoor living projects are completed in around 6 weeks, while larger or more detailed projects can take up to 6 months depending on features, permitting, and material lead times.

Costs vary based on size, materials, and features, but most custom outdoor living projects in the Chicagoland area range from moderate investments to high-end builds. We’ve seen 50k projects become 400k projects.

Pricing depends on the size of the space, the materials selected, the features included, and site conditions such as grading or existing structures. Custom elements and higher-end finishes will increase the overall investment.

Before moving into design, we have all clients complete a detailed questionnaire that covers project goals, features, and budget expectations, which allows us to have a focused conversation around realistic investment ranges and overall scope, however accurate pricing is only developed through the design process where all layout, materials, and construction details are clearly defined.

Our design pricing goes far beyond a basic plan and includes a full design process where we create a shared project workspace, perform a detailed site analysis using photos and LIDAR technology, develop the design, provide up to three revisions, and guide you through a comprehensive budget discovery to align scope and investment, while additional costs may include specialized consulting such as arborists, site engineering, or coordination with HOAs and municipalities if required for your project.

Financing options may be available depending on the project, and we can help guide you through available solutions during the planning process.

Design services are typically a separate investment and are non-refundable, though in many cases the design fee may be credited toward construction if you decide to move forward.

We offer an initial consultation to discuss your project that is free, and in addition to that we will need our specialized questionnaire answered to ensure the potential client. 

During the first consultation, we learn about your goals, style preferences, budget, and how you want to use your space. We’ll also review your property and discuss initial ideas to determine the best direction for your project.

We use advanced tools such as precise site measurements, digital modeling, and in some cases LIDAR or drone technology to ensure accuracy and create highly detailed, realistic designs.

We start by clearly understanding your priorities and budget, then design within those parameters while guiding you on where to invest for the best results. Throughout the process, we collaborate with you to keep everything aligned.

Our 5-Step Design Method is a structured process that guides your project from initial consultation through concept development, design refinement, final presentation, and preparation for construction, ensuring a smooth and organized experience.

Yes, you are free to use your design with your own builder or contractor, and we can provide the necessary plans and details to help ensure the project is built as intended.

Revisions are a normal part of the process, and we work with you to refine the design based on your feedback. The number and scope of revisions will be outlined upfront so expectations are clear from the start.

You’ll be involved throughout the process, providing input and feedback at key stages to ensure the final design reflects your vision.

Yes, we offer virtual consultations for convenience, allowing you to get started from anywhere.

The full design timeline typically takes a few weeks, depending on the project scope and how quickly feedback is provided.

Yes, you’ll have a dedicated point of contact to ensure clear communication and a smooth experience from start to finish.

We select materials based on durability, performance, and overall design intent, focusing on products that stand the test of time across a wide range of climates and conditions while still achieving the look you want, with every choice carefully balanced between aesthetics, maintenance, and long term value.

The best layouts create a natural flow between cooking, serving, and gathering areas, often using L-shaped or U-shaped designs that keep the host connected to guests. We focus on making the space functional, social, and easy to move through.

Today’s outdoor living spaces are being transformed by advanced pergola systems, especially motorized louvered roof structures that allow you to open and close the roof, integrate automatic screens, and control sunlight, shade, and airflow at the touch of a button, making them one of the most versatile and functional solutions available, while more traditional pergolas still serve a purpose, these modern systems provide a higher level of comfort, control, and year round usability that aligns with how outdoor spaces are evolving.

We layer lighting throughout the space, combining functional lighting for pathways and steps with softer accent lighting to highlight features and create a warm, inviting atmosphere at night.

We’re seeing a strong shift toward fully integrated outdoor spaces with kitchens, heating elements, and covered structures that extend usability throughout the year, along with a focus on clean, modern designs and low-maintenance materials.

Yes, we design outdoor spaces specifically for year-round use by incorporating features like heating elements, covered areas, wind protection, and durable materials that perform well in colder climates.

Yes, we design outdoor living spaces of all sizes, and small spaces are actually some of our favorite projects because they require thoughtful planning and creativity to maximize every square foot, often allowing areas to serve multiple purposes while still delivering a high impact, functional, and visually cohesive design.

Absolutely, we carefully design each space to complement your home’s architecture so everything feels cohesive and intentional.

We design with both in mind, ensuring your space looks beautiful while also being practical and easy to use every day.

Yes, we incorporate elements like strategic layouts, structures, and landscaping features to create a more private and comfortable environment.

Shade can be created in several ways depending on how you want the space to function, including trees, pergolas, covered structures, umbrellas, and advanced louvered roof systems, but trees are often one of the most valuable and important upgrades you can make to a residential property because they provide natural shade, long term beauty, environmental benefit, and a stronger sense of permanence, while built shade elements can add comfort, flexibility, and architectural definition to the overall design.

We design with a strong focus on spatial separation and movement, creating distinct zones for cooking, dining, gathering, and circulation so people can naturally flow through the space without it ever feeling crowded, while features like outdoor kitchens, fire elements, and layered seating areas anchor each zone and allow the space to function seamlessly whether you are hosting a large group or enjoying a more intimate setting.

Yes, we can design around or fully integrate pools and spas into the overall outdoor living plan, but these features require much deeper consideration than just placement, as improper layout, elevation, or relationship to the home and surrounding spaces can negatively impact both usability and long term property value, which is why we believe pools and spas should always begin with a comprehensive design approach that considers flow, grading, sightlines, and how the entire space functions together before any construction decisions are made.

Seating is thoughtfully integrated into the overall design through a combination of built in elements and planned furniture layouts, including bench seating, seat walls, and planter boxes that double as functional seating, while also designing specific zones around dining tables, lounge areas, and conversation spaces so every seating area feels intentional, comfortable, and fully connected to how the space will be used.

In many cases, permits are often required depending on the scope of the project, especially for structures, electrical, gas, or plumbing work. Requirements can vary by municipality.

Yes, we have a dedicated team that handles the entire permitting process on your behalf, including gathering required information, coordinating with municipalities, pulling quantities, and working directly with contractors to ensure everything is properly prepared and submitted, allowing your project to move forward efficiently without you having to manage the complexity yourself.

We carefully evaluate your property’s grading and drainage to prevent water issues, incorporating solutions like proper sloping, drainage systems, and material selection to protect your space long-term.

Outdoor kitchens and fire features often require gas, electric, or water connections, so we plan for safe and efficient routing while ensuring all work meets local codes and regulations.

Maintenance depends on the materials and features you choose, but most outdoor spaces require routine cleaning, seasonal care, and occasional upkeep to keep everything looking and performing its best.

In many cases, yes. Permits are often required for structures like pergolas, outdoor kitchens, electrical work, and anything attached to your home. Simpler projects like basic patios may not always need one, but it depends on your local municipality. We handle the permitting process for you to make sure everything is up to code.

Building without a required permit can lead to fines, stop work orders, or even having to remove and rebuild the project. It can also create problems when selling your home, since unpermitted work may not pass inspection. It is always safer to do things the right way from the start.

Local building codes vary by city and can be difficult to navigate on your own. Working with a professional ensures your design meets all requirements for safety, setbacks, and structural standards. Most contractors will review plans and handle code compliance as part of the process.

Yes, many permitted projects require inspections at different stages. For example, electrical, gas, or structural elements may need to be reviewed before the project is completed. These inspections ensure everything is safe and built to code before final approval.

Patio design focuses on the surface itself, while outdoor living design creates a complete space built around how you live, including features like kitchens, seating areas, lighting, and structures that work together as one cohesive environment. It is an extension of you home.

Investing in design upfront gives you a clear, well thought out plan that avoids costly mistakes, aligns the entire project before construction begins, and creates a roadmap you can follow over time, allowing you to phase the project based on budget while still working toward a complete vision, and in many cases that plan can even carry forward with the home, giving future owners a clear path to complete the space and adding long term value beyond just the initial build.

Yes, and this is one of the biggest advantages of investing in a complete design upfront, because it gives you a clear roadmap for the entire outdoor living space, allowing you to phase construction over time based on budget while still ensuring each phase connects seamlessly to the overall vision, avoids rework, and maintains long term value, rather than making isolated decisions that can limit future options or create costly adjustments later.

Outdoor living projects cost more than patios alone because they go far beyond a single surface and involve the integration of multiple systems such as structures, utilities, lighting, drainage, and custom built features. All of these elements require detailed planning, coordination, and skilled labor to execute properly. The result is a fully functional environment that extends the living space of the home rather than simply adding a patio, which is why these projects carry more complexity but also deliver significantly more usability, experience, and long term value.

The features that add the most value are those that are part of a comprehensive design that aligns with the home’s architecture, lifestyle use, and long term vision, including elements like outdoor kitchens, fire features, covered structures, and well planned lighting, while also incorporating natural elements such as trees, which are one of the most valuable long term investments you can make in a residential property, because when everything is designed together with the right materials and layout, the result is a cohesive outdoor environment that increases usability, enhances the overall property, and adds lasting value beyond just individual features.

Getting started begins with a 15 minute discovery call where we learn about your project, goals, and overall vision while also walking you through our process and 5 step design approach, and from there we guide you into the next steps of the design process so everything is clearly planned, aligned, and set up for a successful project before any construction begins.

It helps to have a general idea of how you want to use your space, along with any inspiration images or must-have features, but we can guide you even if you're starting from scratch.

We find that the best projects start with clients who have at least a general vision or a strong desire for how they want to use their space, because our process is built around refining and elevating an idea rather than starting from zero, so if you are still exploring and gathering inspiration that is completely fine, but we recommend taking time to define what you are looking for before starting, as this leads to a much more focused, efficient, and successful design experience.

We design solutions that work with your property, using grading, retaining elements, and layout adjustments to create a functional and attractive space.

Yes, we can select materials and design features that minimize upkeep while still delivering a high-end look.

We focus on low-maintenance plant selections and strategic placement to add visual interest without requiring constant care.

We maintain regular updates, clear milestones, and open communication so you always know where your project stands.

We can adjust the design as needed, and any changes will be discussed clearly to ensure expectations, timelines, and costs remain aligned.

Yes, we guide you through material and finish selections and can provide samples when needed to help you make confident decisions.

Absolutely, we can incorporate existing elements into the design to preserve what you love while enhancing the overall space.

We design with safety, durability, and long term flexibility in mind, creating spaces that are enjoyable for both kids and adults while still maintaining a cohesive overall design, often incorporating dedicated areas such as play spaces, tree houses, splash pads, or custom features that allow kids to engage with the environment, all while ensuring the space can evolve over time as the family grows and the way it is used begins to change.

We design with safety, durability, and long term flexibility in mind, creating spaces that work for the entire family including kids and pets while still maintaining a cohesive and elevated design, often incorporating dedicated areas such as play spaces, tree houses, splash pads, and pet friendly zones using materials that are safe, durable, and easy to maintain, and we are continually exploring new innovations such as heated synthetic turf systems that extend usability even into colder seasons.

We use smart layouts, clean lines, and multi-functional spaces to create a sense of openness and maximize usable area.

We create separation through a thoughtful design approach that defines kitchen, dining, and lounge areas using a combination of layout, elevation changes, and material transitions, incorporating elements like plantings, water features, steppers, and changes in paving materials such as concrete pathways or dedicated fire feature zones, while also using structures like decks or landings to anchor transitions from the home, allowing each space to feel like its own destination while still being close enough for conversation and connection, so the entire environment flows together as one cohesive outdoor living experience.

We design outdoor spaces for daytime use by incorporating shade structures such as roof systems, pergolas, and advanced motorized louvered systems that allow you to control sunlight, airflow, and protection throughout the day, often pairing these with elements like integrated lighting, power access, and comfortable seating areas so the space can function as an extension of the home for working, relaxing, or having coffee outside, creating an environment that is both functional and enjoyable from morning through evening.

It’s important to consider placement, fuel type, safety, and how the feature will be used to ensure it enhances both comfort and functionality.

Sustainable luxury means creating a beautiful, high end outdoor space using eco friendly materials and long lasting products. Think recycled or responsibly sourced materials, energy efficient lighting, and designs that reduce maintenance and waste. The goal is to have a space that looks premium but is also smart, efficient, and built to last.

Natural materials instantly make outdoor spaces feel warmer and more connected to nature. Wood decking, stone patios, and natural accents like boulders or planters create a timeless, comfortable look. The key is mixing textures like pairing wood seating with stone walkways to create depth and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

Start by thinking in zones. Create a seating area for conversation, a dining space for meals, and possibly a focal point like a fire pit or outdoor kitchen. Add comfortable seating, good lighting, and maybe music or a TV setup. The best entertaining spaces feel like an extension of your indoor living room, just outside.

You will need a few key elements like an outdoor projector and screen/wall comfortable seating like sectionals, lounge chairs, good audio such as portable speakers, soft lighting to set the mood; it does not have to be complicated. Simple setups can still create a great experience for family and friends.

Yes, outdoor workspaces are becoming very popular. To make it work, you will need reliable Wi Fi, a shaded area, comfortable seating, and a sturdy surface for your laptop. Many homeowners also add outdoor outlets, lighting, and weather resistant furniture to create a productive, comfortable setup.

The easiest way is to carry design elements from inside to outside. Use similar colors, materials, and furniture styles. Large sliding or folding doors, matching flooring, and consistent lighting help create a seamless transition. When done right, your backyard feels like an extra room of your home.

A basic outdoor kitchen usually includes a grill, prep space, and storage. From there, you can upgrade with features like refrigeration, pizza ovens, smokers, built-in seating or bar areasWeather resistant countertops and cabinetry. The goal is to make cooking outside just as easy and enjoyable as cooking indoors.

Smart outdoor features can make your space more convenient and enjoyable. Popular options include app controlled lighting, smart irrigation systems, outdoor speakers and TVs, automated shade systems, etc.