How to Transform Your Oakland County Backyard with Outdoor Living Spaces and Hardscaping

Lately, we’ve been getting a ton of calls from homeowners across Oakland County, MI—from Clarkston to Bloomfield Hills—who want to turn their backyards into something more usable and beautiful. Outdoor living spaces are becoming a true extension of the home. Whether it’s a new stone patio, outdoor fireplace, or built-in kitchen, these kinds of projects completely change how you enjoy your space.

If you're thinking about upgrading your backyard, I wanted to share a few ideas, tips, and local trends we’re seeing here at Transcending Gardens.

Backyard fire pits: a must-have in Michigan yards

One of the most popular requests we get is for custom fire pit installation. It’s a great place to relax at the end of the day, entertain friends, or just hang with the kids around the fire. We install both wood-burning and gas fire pits, using durable materials like stone and brick that hold up great in Michigan's climate.

Searches like "backyard fire pit Oakland County" are up—because more people are realizing how much use they get out of this one feature.

Covered patios for Michigan weather

Let’s be honest—Michigan weather can be unpredictable. That’s why more homeowners are investing in covered patios with roofing, lighting, fans, and heaters. It makes your space usable from early spring to late fall. A covered patio build can transform your backyard into a comfortable, shaded space for relaxing or hosting family and friends.

We build these throughout Rochester Hills, Lake Orion, and beyond—and they’re one of the best long-term investments you can make in your outdoor area.

Outdoor kitchens and built-in stone bars

Outdoor kitchens are booming in popularity. We’ve been building a lot of outdoor kitchens in Oakland County, complete with built-in grills, bar seating, refrigerators, sinks, and even pizza ovens. It’s a game-changer if you love to entertain.

These kitchens are usually designed with natural stone or pavers, which blend perfectly into patios or hardscape areas. Just make sure you're thinking about location—wind, drainage, and proximity to your indoor kitchen all matter.

Hardscaping that brings it all together

Your hardscape is what makes your whole outdoor space flow. We design and install paver patios, retaining walls, walkways, outdoor steps, and stone seating areas all throughout Oakland County.

A well-designed hardscape installation makes your yard look polished and purposeful. Right now, large pavers in neutral tones—gray, charcoal, and taupe—are super popular, especially when paired with landscape lighting or turf details.