Outdoor Living Space & Kitchen | Carmel, Indiana
Outdoor Living Design Goals
This project was designed for homeowners in Carmel who wanted an expansive outdoor living space that could support entertaining, cooking, and relaxing with family and friends. Their vision included a fully functional outdoor kitchen and improved flow between existing features, including the pool, hot tub, and covered patio.
Patio Removal & Site Preparation
Our team began by removing the existing paver patio to make room for a cohesive new layout. One of the primary design challenges was seamlessly connecting the pool deck to the covered patio while working around the existing hot tub. Careful planning ensured the new paver patio unified these spaces without disrupting the home’s established elements.
Custom Outdoor Kitchen Installation
The outdoor kitchen was constructed using the Unilock U-Cara cabinet system, allowing us to fully customize the layout to match how the homeowners planned to cook and entertain. The kitchen includes a bar-top surface that doubles as a serving area and casual dining space, creating a natural gathering spot during parties and family events.
The homeowners had already selected their appliances prior to construction, which included a flat-top hibachi-style griddle and a traditional gas grill. We integrated these appliances seamlessly into the design, along with storage doors and drawers to keep cooking tools and supplies organized and easily accessible.
Paver Materials & Finishes
The patio surface was built using Unilock Beacon Hill Smooth slabs in the Granite Fusion color, paired with a 4×8 Holland Premier accent border in Dark Charcoal. This combination adds subtle contrast while maintaining a clean, modern aesthetic that complements the home and pool area.
The outdoor kitchen features Unilock U-Cara pitched-face panels in Granite Fusion, accented with Onyx Black Series panels beneath an Indiana limestone countertop. These material choices provide both visual depth and long-term durability.
Fire Pit & Seating Area Addition
As construction progressed and the space began to take shape, the homeowners decided to move forward with a fire pit area that was originally planned as a future phase. Located off the far corner of the pool deck, this addition truly completed the outdoor living space.
The fire pit and seat wall were constructed using Unilock Lineo wall in the Granite Blend color, accented with the same Onyx Black Series detail used in the kitchen. Indiana limestone was selected for the seat wall coping, tying the entire project together with consistent, high-end finishes.
A Complete Entertaining Destination
By combining a spacious paver patio, custom outdoor kitchen, and fire pit seating area, this Carmel outdoor living project delivers a versatile environment designed for connection and enjoyment. The thoughtful layout and cohesive materials create a seamless extension of the home, perfect for everything from casual evenings by the pool to large-scale entertaining.
