OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES
RALEIGH, NC

Designed and Built to Become Your Favorite Room—Outside

Your backyard has the potential to be the most-used space on your property—a place to gather, entertain, unwind, and reconnect
with the people who matter most. At Distinctive Remodeling, we design and build outdoor living spaces in Raleigh, NC
that feel like a true extension of your home, not an afterthought bolted onto the back of it.

As an award-winning design-build firm, we bring the same in-house design talent, project management, and craftsmanship to your backyard renovation that we bring to the inside of your home. From sweeping hardscapes and custom pool houses to pergolas, patio covers, and complete landscape transformations, our team guides you from first sketch to final reveal—so the finished space looks intentional, flows beautifully, and lasts for decades.

Why Create an
Outdoor Living Space?

A well-designed outdoor living space does more than add square footage—it changes how you live. Instead of a disconnected patio or an underused yard, a thoughtfully planned backyard renovation creates rooms without walls: a place to cook, dine, lounge, and entertain under the open sky.

Homeowners across the Triangle invest in custom outdoor living spaces when they want to:

  • Expand their usable living area and make the backyard the heart of the home

  • Entertain effortlessly with outdoor kitchens, fire features, and comfortable gathering spaces

  • Create cohesive indoor-outdoor flow that matches the style and quality of their interiors

  • Increase property value with durable, high-end hardscaping and architecture

  • Enjoy North Carolina’s long, mild seasons—spring, summer, and fall—right at home

Because Raleigh’s climate rewards outdoor living for much of the year, the return on a backyard transformation is measured in both lifestyle and resale. Done right, it becomes the space your family gravitates to most.

outdoor living spaces
outdoor living spaces

Two Ways We Bring Your Backyard to Life

Not every outdoor project is the same size—so we’ve built two ways to work with you.
Whether you’re reimagining the entire backyard or adding a single statement feature, you get Distinctive quality either way.

outdoor living spaces
Complete Backyard Transformations
Distinctive Remodeling

When you’re ready to reimagine your entire backyard, our design-build team takes on the full scope as a single, coordinated project. These are comprehensive outdoor living renovations—typically combining several major elements into one cohesive design rather than tackling them piecemeal. Full-scope backyard transformations generally start around $100,000, reflecting the scale, custom architecture, and craftsmanship involved.

Complete backyard projects can include:

  • Hardscapes — patios, walkways, retaining walls, and stonework

  • Landscapes & gardens — grading, planting plans, and finished greenery

  • Pergolas & patio covers — shade structures and covered living areas

  • Pool houses — fully designed and built to match your home

  • Pools & water features

  • Fencing & privacy solutions

Because we’re a true design-build remodeler, one team handles design, architecture, project management, and construction—so the finished space looks unified and purposeful from every angle.

outdoor living spaces
Single Features & Outdoor Products
Distinctive Outdoor

Looking to add one standout element rather than renovate the whole yard? Distinctive Outdoor, our specialty division, focuses on individual outdoor features and premium products—delivering luxury results on a more focused scope.

Distinctive Outdoor specializes in:

  • Outdoor kitchens — grill cabinets, BBQ islands, and luxury appliances

  • Fire pits & outdoor fireplaces

  • Gas lighting

  • Outdoor furniture & amenities

  • And more single-feature upgrades

Our Design-Build Outdoor Process

At Distinctive Remodeling, every outdoor living project is professionally managed from start to finish.
Our design-build process keeps your experience organized, transparent, and—most importantly—enjoyable.

outdoor living spaces

Consultation &
Vision Planning

We start with an on-site consultation to understand how you want to use your backyard, your style, and your budget. We walk the space together, identify opportunities, and align on a vision before any design work begins.

outdoor living spaces

Design & 3D
Visualization

Our in-house design team develops a detailed plan for your outdoor space—complete with layouts, material selections, and renderings. You’ll see how the finished backyard will look and flow before construction starts, so every decision feels confident.

outdoor living spaces

Budget Guidance &
Transparency

We believe in clear communication from day one. We’ll walk you through what drives the investment in your project and help you prioritize the features that matter most. Links to the Remodeling Assessment & Pricing Guide.

outdoor living spaces

Build &
Installation

Once the design is approved, our crews bring it to life. As an experienced outdoor living contractor, we manage every permit, inspection, trade, and schedule—coordinating hardscape, structures, landscaping, and finishes so the project runs smoothly.

outdoor living spaces

Finishing
Touches

From lighting and stonework to the final plantings and furnishings, we focus on the details that make a backyard feel complete. Our goal is a polished, cohesive space that reflects your taste and is ready to enjoy.

What’s Included in an Outdoor Living Project

Every backyard is different, but most complete outdoor living projects combine several of the following into one cohesive design:

outdoor living spaces

Hardscaping — patios,
walkways, retaining walls,
and natural stone features

outdoor living spaces

Pergolas, pavilions &
patio covers for shade and
year-round usability

outdoor living spaces

Pool houses designed
and built to match your
home’s architecture

outdoor living spaces

Pools, spas &
water features

outdoor living spaces

Outdoor kitchens with
grill cabinets, BBQ islands,
and luxury appliances

outdoor living spaces

Fire pits & outdoor fireplaces
for cooler North Carolina
evenings

outdoor living spaces

Landscaping, gardens &
grading for a finished,
intentional look

outdoor living spaces

Fencing, privacy screening
& gas lighting

Our team specializes in blending structure, hardscape, and landscape into a single, unified retreat—
balancing beauty and function while holding to the craftsmanship standard our name is built on.

outdoor living spaces
outdoor living spaces

Why Homeowners Choose Distinctive Remodeling

Based in the Raleigh, NC area, Distinctive Remodeling is an award-winning design-build firm with more than 75 remodeling awards—making us one of the most decorated remodeling teams in North Carolina. We serve Raleigh, Garner, Cary, Apex, Wake County, and surrounding communities.

Unlike many outdoor contractors who handle one trade, we’re a full-service design-build remodeler. That means your backyard isn’t designed in isolation—it’s designed to complement your home, with the same attention to architecture, flow, and finish you’d expect from an interior renovation. One team handles design, project management, and construction, giving you a single point of contact from start to finish.

We also stand behind our work with a 24-month warranty on all remodeling projects—and most of our business comes from repeat clients and referrals. When you hire Distinctive Remodeling, you’re hiring a team of licensed remodeling contractors who care about your home as much as you do.

Explore Our Outdoor Transformations

See how homeowners across the Triangle have reimagined their backyards with Distinctive Remodeling.

Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Living Spaces

Cost depends on the size and scope of the project and the features you choose. Complete backyard transformations—which typically combine several major elements like hardscaping, structures, and landscaping—generally start around $100,000. For single-feature upgrades such as an outdoor kitchen or fire pit, our Distinctive Outdoor division offers a more focused scope. Learn more in our Remodeling Assessment & Pricing Guide.
A full outdoor living project can include hardscapes, landscapes and gardens, pergolas and patio covers, pool houses, pools and water features, outdoor kitchens, fire features, fencing, and gas lighting. Most of our backyard transformations combine several of these elements into one cohesive, professionally designed space.
Distinctive Remodeling is a true design-build firm. Our in-house design team and construction crews work under one roof, so a single team handles design, project management, and the build—from the first sketch to the finishing touches.
Timelines vary with the scope, the structures involved, permitting, and material selections. Larger backyard transformations take longer than single-feature additions. We’ll provide a clear schedule during the design phase and manage every milestone from start to finish.
Yes—this is one of the biggest advantages of working with a full-service remodeler. Because we design both interiors and exteriors, we create outdoor spaces that complement your home’s architecture, materials, and style for a seamless indoor-outdoor look.
We design and build outdoor living spaces across the Triangle, including Raleigh, Garner, Cary, Apex, and Wake County.
Start Your Outdoor Living Project

If you’re ready to turn your backyard into the space you’ve always pictured, our team is ready to bring your vision to life. Whether you’re planning a
complete transformation or adding a single statement feature, Distinctive Remodeling delivers the craftsmanship and design our name is known for.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward your backyard retreat.

More Ways We Help Homeowners Remodel

outdoor living spaces

Whole Home
Remodeling

outdoor living spaces

Kitchen
Remodeling

outdoor living spaces

Bathroom
Remodeling

outdoor living spaces

Home
Additions

outdoor living spaces

Aging in Place
Remodeling

outdoor living spaces

Basement
Remodeling

outdoor living spaces

Attic Remodeling

outdoor living spaces

Custom
Wine Cellars

outdoor living spaces

Custom
Cabinets

Our design-build approach lets us create cohesive spaces throughout your property—ensuring each project complements the next.