Live Outside, Beautifully — St. Louis Outdoor Living by Second Nature
Your outdoor living space should be more than just a yard—it should be an extension of your home. At Second Nature Excavation and Hardscapes, we design and build custom outdoor living spaces in St. Louis that transform ordinary backyards into inviting environments for relaxation, entertainment, and everyday enjoyment.
Our team specializes in creating outdoor spaces that combine comfort, durability, and thoughtful design. From patios and outdoor kitchens to fire features, seating areas, and integrated landscaping, we build outdoor environments in Franklin County and throughout the St. Louis area that feel cohesive, functional, and tailored to your lifestyle.
Whether you want a quiet retreat for relaxing evenings or a fully equipped space for hosting gatherings, Second Nature can help bring your vision to life.
Why Choose Second Nature for Your St. Louis Outdoor Living Spaces?
Our team is committed to creating outdoor environments that enhance both your lifestyle and your home’s value.
Our Franklin County-area customers hire us because we have:
- Over 40 years of landscaping and hardscape experience
- Custom outdoor living designs tailored to each St. Louis-area property
- Skilled craftsmanship and high-quality materials
- Experience integrating landscape and structural design
- Dependable timelines and clear communication

What Is a St. Louis Outdoor Living Space?
Outdoor living refers to the intentional design of exterior spaces that function like additional rooms of your home. These areas allow you to cook, dine, relax, and entertain outdoors while enjoying the beauty of your landscape.
When designed properly, these elements work together to create a cohesive outdoor environment that feels comfortable, welcoming, and easy to use. A well-designed outdoor living area in St. Louis may include:
- Patios and seating areas
- Outdoor kitchens and dining spaces
- Fire pits and fireplaces
- Pergolas or shade structures
- Built-in seating walls
- Landscape lighting
- Walkways and garden integration
Why Invest in an Outdoor Living Space in St. Louis?
Outdoor living spaces have become one of the most popular home improvements because they provide both lifestyle benefits and long-term property value.
Benefits of professionally designed Franklin County outdoor living areas include:
- Expanded living space without adding interior square footage
- Improved curb appeal and property value
- More opportunities for entertaining and gatherings
- Enhanced comfort and relaxation at home
- Better connection between indoor and outdoor environments
By investing in a thoughtfully designed outdoor space, Franklin County and St. Louis homeowners can enjoy their property in entirely new ways.
Outdoor Living Features We Design & Build in St. Louis
Second Nature offers a wide range of outdoor living features that can be combined to create a complete outdoor environment.
Patios & Seating Areas
Patios serve as the foundation for most outdoor living spaces in the St. Louis area. These areas provide a stable, attractive surface for furniture, dining tables, and gatherings.
A well-designed patio in St. Louis creates a natural focal point for outdoor activity. Second Nature patio designs often include:
- Paver patios
- Natural stone patios
- Decorative concrete surfaces
- Built-in seating walls
- Integrated landscape borders
Outdoor Kitchens
Outdoor kitchens allow homeowners to cook and entertain outside without constantly moving between the house and backyard. These installations can be as simple or elaborate as your lifestyle requires. These spaces turn your St. Louis backyard into a true outdoor entertaining destination.
Outdoor kitchen features in the Franklin County area may include:
- Built-in grills or smokers
- Food preparation surfaces
- Refrigeration units
- Storage cabinets
- Bar seating and serving areas
Fireplaces & Fire Pits
Fire features create warmth, ambiance, and a natural gathering point for friends and family. Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits extend the usability of your outdoor living space well into cooler seasons.
These elements add both comfort and visual impact to your Franklin County outdoor space. Options include:
- Gas or wood-burning fire pits
- Custom stone fireplaces
- Built-in seating around fire features
- Integrated fire features within patio designs
Pergolas & Shade Structures
Shade structures make outdoor spaces more comfortable during warm summer months while adding architectural character to your landscape.
These structures define outdoor rooms and make the space feel more complete. Some of our common shade features in St. Louis include:
- Pergolas
- Covered patio structures
- Decorative beams or overhead elements
- Privacy screens
Landscape Integration
A successful outdoor living space in St. Louis blends hardscaping and landscaping elements together. Plants, trees, and garden beds soften structural features while creating visual balance.
This integration ensures the outdoor living area feels like a natural part of the property rather than a separate installation. Second Nature’s landscape integration may include:
- Planting beds around patios
- Privacy plantings
- Accent trees
- Decorative stone or mulch areas
- Landscape lighting

Our Outdoor Living Installation Process in St. Louis
Second Nature follows a structured, detail-oriented process to ensure every outdoor living project is thoughtfully designed and expertly constructed. From the earliest planning stages to the final finishing touches, we focus on creating outdoor spaces in St. Louis that are both beautiful and built for long-term performance.
Step 1: Consultation & Vision Planning
We begin by discussing how you want to use your St. Louis-area outdoor space. Whether you’re envisioning a quiet retreat, an entertainment hub, or a family gathering area, this conversation helps guide the design process. We also review your goals, style preferences, and budget so the final design aligns with both your lifestyle and your property.
Step 2: Site Evaluation
Our team evaluates your property’s slope, soil conditions, drainage patterns, and existing landscaping. This assessment allows us to identify any structural considerations that may affect the design or installation. By understanding the site conditions early, we can ensure the outdoor living space integrates naturally with the surrounding environment.
Step 3: Custom Design Development
We develop a tailored design that incorporates the features you want while ensuring the layout flows naturally with your property. This stage includes selecting materials, defining functional areas, and planning transitions between spaces such as patios, walkways, and gardens. Our goal is to create a cohesive design that balances aesthetics, usability, and long-term durability.
Step 4: Professional Construction
Our experienced team installs each element using professional techniques and high-quality materials. From excavation and base preparation to structural installation and finishing work, every step is completed with precision and attention to detail. This careful construction process ensures your outdoor living space remains stable, safe, and visually appealing for years to come.
Step 5: Final Walkthrough
Before the project is complete, we review the finished space with you to ensure everything meets our standards for quality, function, and visual appeal. We verify proper drainage, structural stability, and finishing details while answering any final questions you may have. This final walkthrough ensures your new outdoor living space is ready to enjoy from day one.
Outdoor Living Spaces Designed for St. Louis Homes
St. Louis weather can vary significantly throughout the year, which is why outdoor living spaces must be designed with durability and seasonal usability in mind.
Our experience working in Franklin County and the St. Louis region allows us to create outdoor living environments that remain functional and beautiful year after year. Second Nature designs outdoor spaces that account for:
- Freeze-thaw cycles
- Soil movement
- Drainage management
- Heat exposure during summer months
- Proper materials for long-term performance
Give Second Nature a Call Right Away to Start Planning Your St. Louis Outdoor Living Space
If you’re ready to transform your backyard into a comfortable and functional retreat, Second Nature is ready to help. Our team designs and builds custom outdoor living spaces in St. Louis that bring beauty, comfort, and long-term enjoyment to your property.
Call (636) 655-3444 or reach out online today to schedule a consultation and start planning an outdoor living space designed around the way you live.