Your Backyard Is the Best Room You Are Not Using
Colorado Springs homeowners have a built-in advantage that most of the country does not — 247 sunny days per year, low humidity, and mild evenings from spring through fall. An outdoor living space transforms your backyard from unused grass into a functional extension of your home where you cook, entertain, relax, and gather around a fire under Pikes Peak views.
CN Landscaping designs and builds complete outdoor living spaces throughout Colorado Springs, Monument, Falcon, Black Forest, and the Pikes Peak region. From simple fire pit patios to full outdoor rooms with kitchens, fireplaces, pergolas, and landscape lighting, we handle every phase — from initial design through final walkthrough.
Every outdoor living project we build accounts for Colorado's unique conditions: intense UV exposure at altitude, rapid temperature swings, afternoon thunderstorms, and HOA requirements that govern many Front Range communities. The result is an outdoor space that looks exceptional and performs for decades.
Outdoor Living Features We Design and Install
Each feature can stand alone or combine into a complete outdoor room. We design everything to work together aesthetically and functionally.
Fire Pits and Fireplaces
Built-in fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are the centerpiece of most Colorado outdoor living spaces. We build gas-fueled and wood-burning options using natural stone, concrete block, or custom masonry. Gas fire features operate during burn bans — a significant advantage in fire-conscious Colorado. Options range from simple ring fire pits to full outdoor fireplaces with mantels and seating walls.
Outdoor Kitchens
From simple grill islands to full cooking stations with refrigerators, sinks, side burners, and storage, we build outdoor kitchens rated for Colorado weather. Steel stud framing, cement board, and stone veneer create a durable structure. Granite or quartzite countertops handle temperature extremes. We coordinate gas line installation, electrical, and plumbing with licensed subcontractors.
Pergolas and Shade Structures
Pergolas define your outdoor room, provide filtered shade during Colorado's intense afternoon sun, and create a framework for lighting and climbing plants. We build in cedar, composite, and aluminum — each with different maintenance profiles and lifespans. Freestanding or attached-to-home designs available. Pergola permits are required in Colorado Springs when attached to a structure.
Seating Walls and Retaining Features
Built-in seating walls provide permanent, low-maintenance seating around fire features, patios, and garden areas. Constructed from the same materials as your patio or walls for a cohesive look. Standard height is 18 to 20 inches with a 12-inch flat cap — comfortable for sitting without taking up the floor space that outdoor furniture requires. Double as retaining features on sloped lots.
247 Sunny Days — More Than Miami, San Diego, or Phoenix
Colorado Springs ranks among the sunniest cities in the United States with an average of 247 sunny days per year. That is more annual sunshine than Miami (248 partly cloudy days), San Diego (146 clear days), or most cities people associate with outdoor living. The difference is that Colorado homeowners often underutilize this advantage because they lack the outdoor infrastructure to enjoy it.
A well-designed outdoor living space changes that calculus. With a gas fire feature for cool evenings, a pergola for afternoon shade, and a kitchen that eliminates trips inside, your outdoor room becomes usable from early March through late November — roughly nine months of the year.
Even during winter, Colorado Springs sees regular 50 and 60-degree days in December and January. A fire pit or fireplace makes those days perfectly comfortable for outdoor entertaining. Our designs account for Colorado's quick weather changes with covered areas, windbreaks, and drainage that handles afternoon thunderstorms without flooding your living space.
- 247 sunny days per year — more usable outdoor time than most U.S. cities
- Low humidity keeps evenings comfortable for dining and entertaining
- Gas fire features extend outdoor season into winter months
- Covered structures protect against afternoon pop-up storms
- Pikes Peak and mountain views create a natural backdrop most regions cannot match
How We Design Your Outdoor Living Space
From first consultation to final walkthrough, our process ensures your outdoor room fits your lifestyle, property, and Colorado's conditions.
1. Discovery Consultation
We visit your property and spend time understanding how you want to use your outdoor space. Do you entertain large groups? Cook outdoors regularly? Need a quiet retreat? We assess your property's grade, sun exposure, wind patterns, views, and existing features. You share your wish list and budget range. This consultation is free with no obligation.
2. Custom Design and Proposal
Based on the consultation, we create a custom design with plan views, material selections, and feature placement. You receive a detailed proposal with line-item pricing — materials, labor, subcontractors, and permits are all itemized. We walk through the design together and refine until you are fully satisfied before any work begins.
3. Permits and Preparation
We handle all permitting through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department — including building permits for structures, gas line permits, and electrical permits. We coordinate with your HOA if applicable. Utility locates are completed before any excavation begins. Materials are ordered and staged for efficient construction.
4. Construction and Walkthrough
Our crew builds your outdoor living space according to the approved design. You receive regular progress updates and are welcome on site anytime. Upon completion, we do a detailed walkthrough together — demonstrating every feature, providing maintenance instructions, and confirming everything meets your expectations before final payment.
What Outdoor Living Spaces Cost in Colorado Springs
Outdoor living projects range widely based on scope and features. Here are typical investment ranges for Colorado Springs projects.
Fire pit patio ($5,000 to $15,000): A paver or flagstone patio with a built-in fire pit and seating wall. The most popular entry point for outdoor living in Colorado Springs.
Outdoor room ($15,000 to $35,000): A larger patio with fire feature, pergola, landscape lighting, and integrated plantings. This is the sweet spot for most homeowners who want a functional, attractive outdoor space.
Full outdoor living suite ($35,000 to $75,000+): Complete outdoor kitchen, fireplace or fire pit, pergola, seating walls, lighting, sound, and full landscaping. These projects create a true second living area that rivals the indoor experience.
According to the National Association of Realtors, outdoor living spaces return 60% to 80% of their investment at resale — and that return is higher in Colorado markets where outdoor lifestyle is a primary home-buying factor.
Outdoor Living FAQs
Outdoor living spaces in Colorado Springs range from $5,000 for a simple fire pit and patio area to $75,000 or more for a complete outdoor room with kitchen, fireplace, pergola, and seating walls. A mid-range project with a paver patio, built-in fire pit, and seating wall typically falls between $15,000 and $35,000. CN Landscaping provides free design consultations and detailed estimates.
Yes. Colorado Springs averages 247 sunny days per year, making outdoor kitchens usable most of the calendar. With the right design — including a pergola or roof cover for weather protection, a built-in heater or fire feature for cold evenings, and proper gas line winterization — many homeowners use their outdoor kitchen from March through November. We design kitchens with Colorado's weather patterns in mind.
Permanent, gas-fueled fire pits and fireplaces require a building permit from the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department and a gas line permit. Portable, wood-burning fire pits generally do not need permits but must follow Colorado Springs Fire Department regulations — including being placed at least 15 feet from structures. During high fire danger periods, the fire department may issue burn bans that restrict wood-burning fire pits. Gas fire features are not affected by burn bans.
Stainless steel (304 grade) appliances and natural stone or concrete block frames perform best in Colorado's climate. Avoid wood framing for outdoor kitchen structures — Colorado's intense UV radiation and extreme temperature swings degrade wood quickly. We use steel stud framing with cement board and stone veneer for durability. Granite and quartzite countertops handle freeze-thaw and UV better than marble or tile.
Timeline depends on project scope. A patio with a built-in fire pit takes 1 to 2 weeks. A complete outdoor room with kitchen, fireplace, pergola, and landscaping typically requires 3 to 6 weeks. Design and permitting add 2 to 4 weeks before construction starts. We provide a detailed timeline during your free consultation.
Ready to Build Your Outdoor Living Space?
Get a free design consultation for your outdoor living project. Serving Colorado Springs, Monument, Fountain, Falcon, Black Forest, Larkspur, and Perry Park.