A lot of homeowners start to get cabin fever in the winter in central Iowa. That’s why homeowners are increasingly wanting outdoor living areas such as patios with firepits and screened in porches with electric heaters that they can use 10 to 12 months a year. Multi-season outdoor living design can elevate both the value and usability of your home, transforming outdoor spaces from seasonal luxuries into year-round retreats.
Here's how Des Moines outdoor living builders layer elements to create spaces that work across seasons.
Start with the Foundation: Composite Decking or Paver Patio
Every multi-season space begins with materials that are specifically designed for year-round use. Nowhere is this more important than in Iowa, where the weather can, often with no discernible pattern, swing from hot and humid to freezing cold.
Composite decking resists moisture, won't warp from freeze-thaw cycles, and maintains its appearance over time. All of these factors make it an ideal building material for Central Iowa. For patios, natural stone and quality pavers can handle weather fluctuations better than basic concrete. Their design allows them to shift, expand, and contract as the ground moves and temperatures fluctuate, all without cracking.
The best Des Moines deck companies emphasize quality materials and construction. Because they know that everything else depends on that structural base performing reliably.
Structural Weather Protection
Protection from the elements is one of the biggest factors that can extend your outdoor living season dramatically. Covered patios can give you full protection from rain and sun, while keeping the space open.
Covered decks, aka porches, give you protected spaces attached to your home. With the addition of windows, these spaces can effectively be sealed off from the elements. If you want protection from insects as well, you could opt for a screened porch—this will keep out the bugs while still allowing airflow. Experiences Des Moines porch builders can provide recommendations for whether you should opt for screens or glass windows based on your lifestyle.
Heating & Cooling Solutions
Climate control makes outdoor spaces usable throughout the spring, fall, and winter.
Fireplaces—stone, gas, or linear style—can all create focal points while providing warmth. Fire pits serve similar purposes for open areas, such as covered patios. For warmer days, ceiling fans move air, preventing stifling humidity from affecting your time outside. For further climate control, windows allow you to trap or release heat. Additionally, if you’d like to extend your outdoor living season even further, overhead heaters can make even the coolest evenings comfortable.
Ask any Des Moines porch company, and they’ll tell you that heating and cooling are essential for making spaces usable year-round.
Functional Outdoor Kitchens & Dining Spaces
Outdoor kitchens allow for outdoor entertaining even when the weather starts to cool. Weather-resistant materials in these spaces make a big difference, which is why you’ll often see stainless steel appliances and stone countertops here, as well as covered storage spaces.
You will also need to consider wind patterns and smoke pathways when positioning grills and ovens. You don’t want the prevailing wind to blow smoke in your face or home during the cookout.
Lighting for All Seasons
Proper lighting is a huge part of making spaces usable into evening hours, as well as safe during darker months.
There are a variety of different lighting styles, and each serves a unique purpose.
- Task lighting illuminates cooking and dining areas.
- Ambient lighting creates mood and defines spaces.
- Statement lighting, which includes pendant fixtures and decorative post caps, adds visual interest.
LED and low-voltage systems perform well in all temperatures while requiring minimal energy and maintenance. An added benefit is that smart lighting lets you adjust based on activity or time of year.
Furnishings & Textiles
The right furnishings will help you adapt your outdoor spaces to seasonal changes. Weatherproof cushions that withstand rain and humidity are up to any challenge Mother Nature may send our way. Additionally, outdoor rugs add comfort, texture, and a visual element without having to be stored if it’s going to rain. Finally, light and modular furniture can be rearranged based on use or gathering size, making it easier to cozy up to the glowing fire.
Looking For Des Moines Deck Builders Near You?
Building a multi-season outdoor living space requires a lot of thought and the strategic layering of different elements. Des Moines deck builders and Des Moines patio companies work on projects like these all the time, and are happy to help you work through these layers during the design phase. They know how to help you prioritize elements based on your budget and what questions to ask so the space is built to meet your needs.
If you want to see what multi-season outdoor living could look like for you, check out ourgallery to see layered designs in action, to see what we build, and to understand your options. For even more information, you can also download ourfree design guide for more planning details.
Dreaming about your own year-round retreat? We'd love to help design it. It would be our distinct pleasure to meet with you for a no-obligation, complimentary design consultation. Call (515) 203-8734 or contact us to get started with a complimentary design consultation.
