Outdoor Living Space Design in Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky

Your backyard has more potential than you might think. Schmidt Services specializes in outdoor living space design across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, turning underused yards into functional extensions of your home. Whether you want a dedicated spot for entertaining, a quiet corner for unwinding, or a full backyard living area design that brings everything together, we ask the right questions first so every decision fits your lifestyle, your property, and your budget.

Backyard Living in Greater Cincinnati

More Than a Yard: A Complete Outdoor Living Transformation

Most backyards in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area are used for a fraction of what they could be. A complete outdoor living transformation starts by looking at your space as a set of rooms, each with a purpose. Dining zones, lounging areas, cooking stations, and shade structures all work together when they are planned as a cohesive layout rather than added one piece at a time. Schmidt Services has been building these kinds of spaces since 2006, and the approach has always been the same: understand how you actually live before drawing a single line.
What We Build

Features That Make a Backyard Work Harder

A well-designed outdoor entertainment space pulls together several elements that each serve a specific role. Our outdoor living projects can include pergola installation with retractable shade screens that block up to 95% of UV rays, keeping your space comfortable well into the afternoon. We also install deck and landscape lighting, including post cap lights, step lighting, and under-deck systems, so the space stays usable after dark. Built-in features like seat walls, storage benches, and fire pits give your backyard the kind of permanence and polish that freestanding furniture simply cannot match. Every element is chosen to fit the way you plan to use the space, not just to fill square footage.

Residential Outdoor Space Planning

A Process Built Around Your Vision

Residential outdoor space planning works best when it starts with a conversation, not a catalog. At Schmidt Services, owner Justin Schmidt brings over 20 years of hands-on experience and a background in public service to every project. That background shapes how he works: straightforward communication, no construction jargon, and a genuine commitment to following through. You will not be handed a generic quote and left to figure out the details. Instead, the process is guided by questions about how your family spends time outside, what the space needs to do, and which materials will hold up best against Cincinnati's freeze-thaw climate. From there, the design comes together around your answers.

Why Schmidt Services

The Outdoor Entertainment Space Contractor Greater Cincinnati Homeowners Trust

Choosing an outdoor entertainment space contractor is one of the more stressful decisions a homeowner can make. Unreturned calls, vague timelines, and projects that do not hold up after the first winter are common complaints in this industry. Schmidt Services was built specifically to address those concerns. Justin Schmidt started the company while working full-time at the Kenton County jail and has served as a police officer since 2009. That commitment to accountability is not a marketing angle; it is the reason the business operates the way it does. Every project uses Number 1 Grade materials, ProWood KDAT lumber for structural framing, and premium composite options like the Deckorators Voyage Series when the design calls for it. The result is an outdoor living space that performs as well five years from now as it does on the day it is finished.

Common Questions

Outdoor Living Space FAQs

  • What types of features are typically included in an outdoor living space project?

    Outdoor living space projects from Schmidt Services can include pergola installation with retractable shade screens that block up to 95% of UV rays, deck and landscape lighting such as post cap lights, step lights, and under-deck systems, and built-in elements like seat walls, storage benches, and fire pits. These features are selected based on how you plan to use the space, whether that is hosting gatherings, relaxing in the evenings, or both. The goal is to create defined zones for dining, lounging, and cooking that function as a cohesive backyard layout rather than a collection of add-ons.

  • How does Schmidt Services decide which materials to use for an outdoor living space?

    Material selection is guided by the specific demands of your project and the Greater Cincinnati climate. For structural framing, Schmidt Services uses ProWood KDAT lumber, which is kiln dried after treatment to reduce shrinking and warping and improve dimensional stability. For decking surfaces, the Deckorators Voyage Series is the top recommendation because it is a mineral-based composite that is 35% lighter than traditional composite, offers 34% greater surface traction, and is warranted for ground and water contact. The Fiberon Good Life line is also available as a strong alternative. Number 1 Grade materials are used throughout all structural components.

  • What does the planning process look like before construction begins?

    The process starts with a consultation focused on how your household actually uses outdoor space. Owner Justin Schmidt asks questions about your lifestyle, how you entertain, what the yard needs to accommodate, and what your budget looks like. This consultative approach replaces the standard bid-and-build model with a design-led conversation. The goal is to make sure the layout, materials, and features all align with your vision before any work begins. There is no high-pressure sales process, and the language stays plain and straightforward throughout, so you always understand what is being proposed and why.

  • Do outdoor living spaces hold up well against Cincinnati winters?

    Yes, and material selection is specifically guided by the local freeze-thaw climate. KDAT lumber is chosen for its dimensional stability, which reduces the shrinking and warping that standard treated lumber experiences with seasonal moisture changes. Composite decking options like the Deckorators Voyage Series are mineral-based and designed with virtually zero thermal expansion or contraction, which makes them particularly well-suited to the Ohio Valley's temperature swings. Concrete elements such as stamped patios and seat walls are also designed and finished with local climate conditions in mind to minimize cracking and surface wear over time.

  • What is the starting budget for an outdoor living space project?

    Projects at Schmidt Services start at around $4,000. The final cost depends on the scope of the design, the materials selected, and the specific features included, such as pergolas, lighting systems, built-in seating, or fire pits. Schmidt Services positions itself as a premium but accessible contractor, meaning the focus is on durable, high-quality outcomes rather than the lowest possible bid. During the initial consultation, the design is shaped around both your vision and your budget so the two stay in alignment throughout the planning process.

  • Can outdoor living features be added to an existing deck or patio?

    Yes. Schmidt Services handles additions and upgrades to existing outdoor structures as well as full backyard transformations. If you already have a deck or patio and want to add shade coverage, lighting, built-in seating, or a fire pit, those elements can be incorporated into the existing layout. The consultation process helps determine what the current space can support and what changes would deliver the most functional improvement. Deck additions and replacements are also a core part of the service offering, so the scope can range from a targeted upgrade to a complete redesign depending on your goals.

  • What sets Schmidt Services apart from other outdoor contractors in the Cincinnati area?

    Schmidt Services has specialized in outdoor living since 2006, so the material knowledge, design experience, and construction methods are all focused on this one category rather than spread across general home improvement. Owner Justin Schmidt's background as a law enforcement officer shapes the business's approach to communication and accountability, two areas where many contractors fall short. The explicit commitment to returning calls and following through on timelines is a direct response to the most common frustrations homeowners have with contractors. Combined with the use of premium materials and a consultative design process, that accountability is what separates Schmidt Services from lower-bid alternatives.
What Homeowners Are Saying

Real Results from Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky

Choosing the right contractor starts with hearing from people who have already worked with the team. Read what customers have to say about Schmidt Services LLC, then, after your project is complete, we'd love for you to share your experience. Your review helps future homeowners make informed decisions and lets us know how we're doing.