The Best Outdoor Living Features for Your Kansas City, MO or Kansas City, KS Home
Your backyard can be so much more than a patch of grass with a few shrubs. It has the potential to become a place where summer evenings stretch out lazily, where the grill sizzles in perfect harmony with laughter, and where you rediscover the simple joy of sitting under the open sky. For folks in Kansas City, MO, and Kansas City, KS, the idea of creating an outdoor haven isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about making the outdoors part of your everyday life.
What Features Should a Patio Have?
A patio is far more than a simple slab of stone or concrete. It’s the centerpiece of outdoor living, offering a space to relax, entertain, and connect with nature. In Kansas City, where the seasons range from sizzling summers to crisp autumn evenings, certain features can turn an ordinary patio into an extraordinary outdoor space.
Fire Pit
A fire pit is the ultimate gathering spot, providing warmth and ambiance for evenings outdoors. It’s perfect for roasting marshmallows, staying cozy on chilly nights, or creating a focal point for conversation.
Outdoor Kitchen
An outdoor kitchen elevates your patio’s functionality by making it a hub for cooking and entertaining. Features like a built-in grill, counter space, and even a small refrigerator turn your backyard into a chef’s playground.
Retaining or Seating Walls
Retaining walls double as both structural elements and practical seating options. They define the space, create levels in your yard, and offer extra spots to sit during gatherings.
Plantings
Incorporating greenery around the patio softens the space and ties it into your yard. Native plants, flowering shrubs, and ornamental grasses thrive in Kansas City’s climate and add seasonal interest.
Integrated Landscape Lighting
Landscape lighting turns your patio into a usable and welcoming space after dark. String lights, recessed fixtures, or uplighting on nearby trees and structures add ambiance while improving visibility.
Pergola or Shade Structure
A pergola adds architectural interest and creates shade, making your patio more comfortable on sunny days. It can also serve as a framework for climbing plants, adding a touch of greenery overhead.
Built-In Features
Built-in seating, planters, or even a water feature can add personality and function to your patio. These elements create a cohesive look while making the space more versatile and enjoyable.
A patio with these features becomes more than an outdoor area—it’s a destination for relaxation and entertainment. With the right design, it’s a space that brings comfort, style, and practicality to your home year-round.
Is a Fire Pit Worth Adding to Your Backyard?
A fire pit is one of those curious things that seems both entirely simple and wonderfully profound. You light a fire, you gather around it, and suddenly, an ordinary backyard becomes a place of warmth, connection, and conversation. It’s as if humans are wired to be soothed by flames, harking back to some primal part of us that associates fire with safety and community. In Kansas City, where evenings often have a chill just sharp enough to make you grab a sweater, a fire pit is less an extravagance and more a practical touch of magic.
Warmth and Atmosphere
Kansas City’s seasons like to keep things interesting, swinging from toasty summers to nippy autumns with an occasional tornado thrown in for good measure. Amid this meteorological potluck, a fire pit steps in as the perfect companion for cooler evenings. It’s the difference between retiring indoors too soon and savoring hours under the stars, wrapped in warmth. There’s a particular kind of joy that comes from watching flames flicker against the backdrop of night—simple, calming, and somehow endlessly fascinating.
Design Options That Fit Your Space
Now, when it comes to design, the possibilities for fire pits are so varied that it feels a bit like choosing paint colors—intimidating at first, but delightful once you dive in (metaphorically, of course). Perhaps a classic circular fire pit surrounded by built-in seating appeals to you, or maybe you’re drawn to a rectangular, more modern option. Stone and concrete are popular choices, not just because they look good, but because they hold up well to Kansas City’s sometimes cantankerous weather.
The beauty of working with professionals is that they help tailor the design to your yard, blending it into the larger outdoor picture while still giving it a character all its own. Whether you envision an intimate nook or a grand centerpiece for gatherings, a fire pit can be the anchor that ties your patio together.
Functionality Meets Relaxation
And then, of course, there’s the fun. A fire pit isn’t merely ornamental; it’s interactive. It’s where marshmallows meet their gooey destiny, where skewers hold sausages over a flickering flame, and where laughter bounces off the soft glow of firelight. Even on quieter nights, it offers a sort of meditative charm—a place to sit, think, and maybe poke at the embers with a stick just because you can.
It’s a spot for memories, warmth, and those unplanned moments that somehow become your favorites. In short, it’s not just a feature; it’s an invitation to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasure of a good fire.
What Landscaping Features Should I Include in My Yard?
Landscaping, as it turns out, is far more than a bit of pruning and planting. Done well, it’s the difference between a yard that simply exists and one that feels alive and brimming with purpose. In Kansas City, where the seasons switch between unrelenting heat and snow-dusted charm, landscaping can create a sense of continuity amidst the chaos. The right choices bring your outdoor space together in a way that feels effortlessly delightful, even when nature throws in a curveball.
Plantings That Thrive in Kansas City
Choosing plants in Kansas City is a bit like picking friends for a party: you want those who’ll stay, mingle, and not wilt at the first sign of discomfort. Native plants are the dependable guests of the landscaping world—they’re accustomed to the region’s quirks, including its blazing summers and occasionally frosty winters. Think ornamental grasses that sway like they belong in a prairie painting, flowering shrubs that refuse to fade, and perennials that come back to greet you year after year.
Landscaping professionals often suggest grouping plants with similar water and sunlight needs, a bit like creating themed rooms at a party. This strategy not only keeps the plants happier but also spares you the headache of trying to remember who needs what. Adding a mix of evergreen and deciduous plants ensures that your yard doesn’t fall into a dreary slump come winter.
Landscaping for Functionality
Imagine a shady tree strategically placed to offer relief on a sweltering Kansas City day. Or a line of shrubs that politely block your neighbor’s curious stares without being too imposing. Even windbreaks, thoughtfully crafted with trees, can make winter winds a bit less biting.
Pathways are another clever touch, giving structure to your yard while inviting people to wander through it. Stone or concrete walkways can connect a patio to a fire pit, or lead to a quiet nook tucked away with a bench and a book’s worth of solitude.
Adding Character With Local Touches
Incorporating a bit of Kansas City itself into your landscaping can make your yard feel like it belongs to the area. Natural stones, rock features, or even a small water fountain bring a dash of personality without overwhelming the space. It’s these little extras—a sculpture here, a flowering bed there—that add character without being fussy.
Landscaping brings it all together, offering a mix of practicality and charm. It shapes your yard into something that works as hard as it looks, turning an ordinary plot into a space where function and beauty meet under the Kansas City sun.
What Are the Best Outdoor Lighting Ideas?
Outdoor lighting is one of those marvelously understated additions that you don’t realize you need until it’s there—and then you wonder how you ever did without it. It’s the humble hero of the backyard, transforming your outdoor space from an unseeable expanse into a welcoming retreat as soon as the sun ducks below the horizon. In Kansas City, where evenings are often made for lingering, the right lighting can make your backyard feel just as inviting after dark as it does in daylight.
Creating a Warm and Inviting Atmosphere
Outdoor lighting is as much about mood as it is about function. A patio lit with the soft glow of string lights feels instantly cozier, while uplighting on a few trees can add a touch of drama that’s hard to achieve any other way. In the chillier months, that same lighting lends a sense of warmth, making even frosty evenings feel a bit more hospitable.
It’s the kind of thing that transforms your backyard into a place where you actually want to linger—a setting that’s equal parts inviting and practical.
Highlighting Landscaping Features
If you’ve gone through the effort of landscaping your yard, it makes sense to show it off. Lighting can turn trees into silhouettes, shrubs into sculptures, and flower beds into glowing patches of color. Even the simplest garden feature takes on a new character at night when lit from just the right angle.
Landscape Lighting That Works for You
When done well, outdoor lighting doesn’t shout for attention—it quietly complements your space. Professionals can tailor a plan to fit your yard’s layout and your needs, offering options that work with the space rather than overwhelming it.
Outdoor lighting doesn’t just brighten the night; it adds dimension, warmth, and usability to your yard. In short, it lets you keep enjoying your space long after the sun has clocked out for the day.
How to Pick the Best Landscape Features for Your Yard
Designing your yard is all about creating a space that fits your needs, lifestyle, and the unique characteristics of your property. The right features transform an outdoor area into a place that feels functional and personal. Here’s how to decide what to include:
Assessing Your Yard’s Layout and Conditions
Start by consulting with a landscape professional who will evaluate the size, shape, and terrain of your backyard. A flat, open space may be perfect for a large patio, while sloped areas might benefit from retaining walls or tiered landscaping. They will consider the sun and shade patterns throughout the day, as well as any drainage concerns or problem areas that need addressing.
Defining How You’ll Use the Space
Think about what you want your yard to do. Are you envisioning family gatherings around a fire pit? A quiet retreat with a seating area and lush plantings? Or maybe a space to entertain with an outdoor kitchen and dining area? Defining your goals will guide your decisions.
Prioritizing Essential Features
Once you’ve identified how you’ll use the space, focus on features that support those activities. Some popular options include:
Patios for dining and gathering.
Fire pits for warmth and ambiance.
Outdoor kitchens for cooking and entertaining.
Pathways for easy navigation.
Plantings to add color and structure.
Consult With Professionals
Professional landscape contractors and designers bring expertise to the table, helping you choose features that complement your yard and work well together. They can also recommend materials suited to Kansas City’s climate and ensure everything is installed properly for long-term enjoyment.
By thoughtfully selecting features, you can create a front or backyard that works for you, whether you’re hosting lively barbecues or enjoying quiet evenings outdoors. It’s all about tailoring the space to fit your needs and making it a place you’ll love to spend time in.
Ready to Transform Your Kansas City Backyard?
Turning your backyard into a functional and inviting space doesn’t happen by accident. It’s about making thoughtful choices—whether it’s a well-designed patio, a cozy fire pit, or landscaping that brings your yard to life. In Kansas City, where weather can swing wildly, it takes expertise to create outdoor features that look great and hold up year-round.
Professional contractors take the guesswork out of the process, offering designs tailored to your space and needs. From selecting materials suited to Kansas City’s climate to integrating thoughtful details like lighting or seating, they help create a backyard that’s as practical as it is enjoyable.
Your outdoor space can be more than an afterthought—it can be the heart of your home’s connection to nature. Whether you’re hosting friends or savoring a quiet evening, the right features make your yard a place worth spending time.
Related: Cultivate a Tranquil Oasis: Retaining Walls for Peaceful Meditation Landscapes in Kansas City, KS
ABOUT THE COMPANY
John T. Hermes, our founder, was a man with a dream and a remarkable blend of business acumen and agricultural passion. After graduating from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Agriculture, he spent a decade in agriculture chemical sales and the military before founding Country Fair Lawns in 1965, which later became Hermes Landscaping. Despite his passing, his vision and passion continue to drive the Hermes team, inspiring them to uphold his legacy and commitment to excellence in the company's endeavors.
