Luxury in the Outdoors: Designing Patios, Terraces, and Year-Round Outdoor Living

Luxury in the Outdoors: Designing Patios, Terraces, and Year-Round Outdoor Living

When most people think about luxury homes, they picture stunning kitchens, spa-inspired bathrooms, and soaring great rooms. But in the Pacific Northwest, one of the greatest opportunities for luxury living is just outside your back door.

At Homes by Westgate, we believe outdoor living is an essential part of the custom home experience — not just in summer, but year-round. Whether it’s a Whistler mountainside or a North Shore forest lot, we design outdoor spaces that are as thoughtful, beautiful, and functional as the interiors.

Here’s how we help clients blur the line between inside and out.

1. Covered Patios That Feel Like Rooms

A covered patio extends your living space — literally. With overhead heaters, built-in lighting, and flush transitions from inside to out, these spaces work year-round for entertaining or quiet nights in.

Design tip: Add retractable screens or sliding glass panels to protect from weather without sacrificing views.

2. Outdoor Kitchens & Bars

Forget the old barbecue on a concrete slab. Today’s outdoor kitchens can include built-in grills, fridges, sinks, pizza ovens, and even wine storage — with finishes that echo your indoor palette.

Design tip: Use durable stone or tile counters and cabinetry designed to withstand BC’s climate.

3. Fire Features That Anchor the Space

Fire bowls, linear fire pits, and outdoor fireplaces create warmth and intimacy. They become gathering spots year-round — especially when paired with lounge seating or dining spaces.

Design tip: Choose natural gas or bioethanol options for low-maintenance elegance.

4. Integrated Lighting for Ambience & Safety

Outdoor spaces shine after dark — if they’re lit properly. We integrate step lights, uplighting for trees, sconce lighting, and even landscape path lights into the overall design plan.

Design tip: Use dimmers or smart controls to shift from bright task lighting to evening ambiance.

5. Hot Tubs & Saunas, Reimagined

For Whistler homes especially, wellness features like cedar-clad saunas, sunken hot tubs, or cold plunges are becoming staples — designed into the landscape with privacy, views, and ease of use in mind.

Design tip: Connect these areas with natural stone paths or wood decking to blend with the terrain.

6. Landscaping That Completes the Architecture

Your outdoor living space should feel like an intentional extension of the architecture. We work closely with landscape architects to design retaining walls, native planting zones, and natural materials that echo your home’s lines and mood.

Design tip: Frame views with layered planting — and borrow from the landscape rather than overpowering it.

Bring the Inside Out

A luxury home doesn’t end at the walls. When outdoor spaces are designed with care and continuity, they become places of connection, calm, and everyday joy.

Curious how to expand your lifestyle outdoors? We’d love to show you how we design spaces that live beautifully — in every season.