Outdoor Living Spaces | Design & Build in Minnetonka MN
Complete outdoor rooms designed and built as one cohesive project. Patios, kitchens, fire features, pergolas, lighting, and softscape, all from a single team that has been transforming Lake Minnetonka properties since 2009.
More Than a Patio. An Extension of Your Home.
The outdoor living idea has really developed over the years, and so has our ability to construct just about anything you can imagine in your spaces. From pergolas, decks, and raised gardens to privacy screen walls and outdoor kitchens, your imagination is free to dream, and we can help bring it to life.
The most successful outdoor living projects are not a collection of individual features. They are designed as complete rooms: a cooking zone flows into a dining terrace, which opens to a fire feature lounge, all connected by lighting that makes the space as beautiful at 10 PM as it is at noon. This is the design-build approach that has defined Landscape Charlie's work across the western suburbs since Charlie Kraemer founded the company in 2009, drawing on experience in the industry since 1995.
As one of only 12 contractors nationally serving on the Belgard Advisory Council, we have access to the newest products, installation techniques, and design resources before they reach the general market. Combined with ICPI, NCMA, and MNLA certifications, this means your project is built to standards that exceed what most contractors are even aware of.
Everything Your Outdoor Space Needs
Each service is a specialty. Together, they create something greater than the sum of their parts.
Patios & Walkways
Belgard pavers and natural stone. The foundation of every great outdoor space, designed for Minnesota's freeze-thaw cycles.
Retaining Walls
Boulders, decorative block, and natural stone. Turning slopes into usable, beautiful terraces.
Fire Features
Fire pits, fireplaces, and fire tables that anchor your patio and extend the season into Minnesota's fall.
Landscape Lighting
LED path, accent, and security lighting. Double your outdoor hours and add year-round curb appeal.
Pergolas & Structures
Shade, definition, and architectural presence. Wood, vinyl, and aluminum options engineered for MN snow loads.
Decks
New builds, renovations, and deck-to-patio transitions. Composite and wood options for year-round outdoor living.
Steps & Stairs
Functional transitions that become design statements. Integrated with walls, patios, and plantings.
Planting & Softscape
Privacy screens, foundation plantings, native MN species, and ornamental beds that complete the picture.
Front Entrance Renovation
Curb appeal transformations: walkways, entry patios, stone veneer, planting, and lighting that welcome.
What Does an Outdoor Living Project Cost?
Outdoor living projects range widely based on scope, materials, and site conditions. Here is a realistic overview of what Lake Minnetonka area homeowners invest.
Focused Enhancement
- Paver patio (200-400 sq ft)
- Simple retaining wall or steps
- Foundation plantings
- Path lighting (6-10 fixtures)
Complete Outdoor Room
- Multi-level patio (500-800 sq ft)
- Retaining walls with terracing
- Fire pit or fireplace
- Pergola or shade structure
- Full landscape lighting package
- Privacy screening and plantings
Total Transformation
- Complete property reimagining
- Outdoor kitchen with full amenities
- Outdoor fireplace
- Multi-level terracing with walls
- Pool integration
- Premium landscape lighting throughout
- Full softscape and privacy plantings
Every project is custom. These ranges reflect typical investments by Lake Minnetonka homeowners. View our full Investment Guide for detailed cost breakdowns by service type.
Before & After
See how we transform underused yards into outdoor living destinations across the Lake Minnetonka area.
Eden Prairie — Patio & Fire Feature
Deephaven — Complete Outdoor Oasis
Minneapolis — Backyard Transformation
Wayzata — Backyard Retreat
Outdoor Living Spaces We Have Built
3D Design Brings Your Vision to Life
Every outdoor living project begins with a detailed 3D rendering. You will see your exact property with the proposed hardscape, plantings, lighting, and structures in place before any construction begins. This eliminates guesswork and ensures you are confident in every decision, from material colors to the placement of each fire feature and seating area.
Our design process includes multiple revision rounds. We adjust layouts, swap materials, and refine details until the design feels right. Many clients tell us this is the most exciting part of the project because it is where ideas become tangible plans. When you see your backyard transformed in 3D, you know exactly what you are getting and exactly what it will cost.
Industry Certifications & Partnerships
Outdoor Living FAQ
From initial consultation to final walkthrough, most outdoor living projects take 6-12 weeks. The design phase typically takes 2-4 weeks, and construction runs 3-6 weeks depending on project scope. Larger Legacy-tier projects involving extensive grading, engineered walls, and multiple features can take 8-12 weeks of construction. Minnesota's building season runs April through November, and we recommend scheduling your consultation in winter or early spring to secure a spot in our summer build schedule.
Yes, and we often recommend it for larger projects. The key is designing the complete vision upfront so each phase integrates seamlessly with the next. A common approach: Phase 1 covers retaining walls and patio (the structural foundation), Phase 2 adds the fire feature and pergola, and Phase 3 completes the lighting and softscape. We design all phases in the initial 3D rendering so utility conduits, drainage, and structural provisions are built into Phase 1 even if those features are not installed until Phase 2 or 3.
When design and construction are handled by the same team, designs are inherently buildable and budgets are realistic from the start. There is no gap between what is drawn and what is possible. Changes during construction are handled immediately without back-and-forth between separate companies. You have one point of contact, one contract, and one team accountable for the result. In our experience, design-build projects also complete faster and encounter fewer surprises because the people designing the project are the same people who will be on site building it.
Let's Build Something Worth Coming Home To
Schedule a consultation with Charlie Kraemer. We will visit your property, listen to your ideas, and show you what is possible with a detailed 3D design.