Must-Haves to Design your Minneapolis Outdoor Space

Date: February 11, 2025

The decision to design the outdoor space at your home is the perfect way to make the most of Minnesota summers! It’s not just about the summers though, with thoughtful planning (and the right materials), you can enjoy a beautiful, functional outdoor area year-round. Whether you’re envisioning a spacious deck, a covered porch, or an outdoor kitchen, we can help! Here’s what you need to know to create a stunning outdoor living space in Minneapolis.

Design Outdoor Spaces for Minnesota’s Climate

Minnesota’s unique climate—with harsh winters, hot summers, and frequent freeze-thaw cycles—requires special care in order to create an adaptable space you can enjoy. First and foremost, it necessitates careful material selection.

Cedarwood provides a warm, natural look suited to both modern and traditional homes. Composite decking offers a low-maintenance option resistant to harsh weather. Durable natural stones like bluestone or flagstone make excellent outdoor patio flooring, while powder-coated steel or aluminum railings withstand rust and snowy winters. For enclosed porches, fiber cement or engineered wood siding handles moisture and temperature extremes far better than traditional wood.

You’ll also want to be picky with your furniture and fabrics for any outdoor furniture. Choose weather-resistant materials like teak, aluminum, or Sunbrella fabrics to prevent fading and moisture damage.

Design Outdoor Space for Weather Protection

Protecting your outdoor space from the elements year-round is a must. There are a few things you can do to help prepare your space for all kinds of weather.

Firstly, you’ll want to invest in sheltered spaces such as pergolas, pavilions, or covered patios. These offer shade during summer and protection from snow or rain. We highly recommend solid roofs on any patios or decks to keep any rain or snow off of you in the colder months and provide needed shade when it’s warm. Retractable awnings are another great option giving you the ability to flex with weather changes!

Don’t forget about heating elements! Fire pits, outdoor fireplaces, and patio heaters keep your outdoor space comfortable even in cooler months. If you want to embrace outdoor dining with an outdoor kitchen (which we recommend!), using weatherproof appliances and insulated designs can help you enjoy year-round cooking and entertaining!

Outdoor curtains and screens add privacy and block wind (and look great too)! If you want to do this naturally, landscape design like planting trees, hedges and even trellises can be a natural, beautiful windbreaker.

Lastly, permeable pavers are a necessity to prevent water pooling and support proper drainage. We recommend French drains and gutters to redirect water, keeping outdoor areas dry and functional.

Ready to bring the outdoor, indoor? Check out this blog on designing the perfect mudroom!

When to Start Your Project

The best time to start your outdoor project is early spring. This allows ample time for design, permitting, and construction so your outdoor entertaining space is ready to enjoy by summer.

Pro tip: starting early also gives you access to the best contractors before schedules fill up!

Let’s Bring It All Together

With decades of experience in crafting beautiful projects including outdoor spaces, Lake Country Builders specializes in creating personalized designs tailored to your lifestyle and Minnesota’s unique climate. We know that durable materials and thoughtful design can transform any backyard into a year-round functional space.