Why Pergolas and Outdoor Kitchens Are the Heart of Backyard Living in Camp Hill, PA

When it comes to custom outdoor spaces, there’s a reason pergolas and outdoor kitchens consistently rise to the top. In Camp Hill, PA, where outdoor living plays a major role in daily life, these elements bring structure, shade, and year-round purpose. A pergola and outdoor kitchen aren’t add-ons—they're anchor points in a thoughtfully designed landscape that supports how you spend time outside.

Pergolas Offer Shape, Shade, and Definition

A pergola does more than filter sunlight. It sets the tone for the entire backyard. Whether attached to the home or standing on its own, it creates an inviting atmosphere that encourages people to linger, relax, and enjoy the landscape from a protected space. When we build pergolas, we tailor the size, style, and materials to match the surrounding features—from natural stone patios and walkways to the silhouette of the home itself.

Wood and composite options both bring benefits, and each one can be enhanced with details like decorative post bases, integrated lighting, and climbing vines selected for the local hardiness zone. These overhead structures can frame views toward a natural stone fireplace, line up with walkways that connect lounging and dining areas, or serve as a standalone retreat surrounded by seasonal blooms and layered planting beds.

For those who want additional coverage, a roofed pavilion or canopy extension can be incorporated into the design. These structural features help soften open spaces while providing usable shade throughout the day. As the sun shifts, you’ll still have a comfortable and defined space that feels connected to the rest of the backyard layout.

Outdoor Kitchens Make Hosting Easy and Intentional

An outdoor kitchen transforms an outdoor gathering into a complete experience. These spaces go far beyond a grill and table—they function like an open-air hub. We design outdoor kitchens with zones for prepping, serving, and gathering, ensuring everything flows with purpose. Built-in grills, prep stations, and under-counter storage combine into one cohesive feature, framed by natural stone or manufactured veneer finishes that tie into other structural elements like seat walls or steps.

Countertops are carefully chosen for durability and appearance. Concrete, granite, and porcelain are popular because they handle both heat and weather without losing their visual appeal. If you want to include a pizza oven, side burners, or refrigeration, we’ll ensure there’s space for those too—integrated cleanly into the layout with access to utilities routed beneath finished surfaces.

We also include outdoor lighting at critical points—under counter edges, over the grill zone, and in surrounding walkways—to make the kitchen fully usable after sunset. These details elevate functionality and reinforce the gathering feel that brings people together, no matter the time of day.

Connecting Elements: Create a Cohesive Landscape

A pergola or outdoor kitchen works best when it feels like part of a larger environment. That’s why our landscape designs always account for how each feature connects. Walkways built from pavers or natural stone keep the layout intuitive and accessible, leading people from one zone to the next without interruption. The placement of a pergola might help frame an inground pool or direct traffic toward a fire pit flanked by low seating walls.

Surrounding plantings bring softness and rhythm. We use trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, and seasonal blooms that are selected for the Camp Hill region’s hardiness zone to enhance the atmosphere and support biodiversity. These plantings can also buffer structures and draw the eye across the space, encouraging people to move throughout rather than gathering in just one spot.

Structural elements like pergolas and outdoor kitchens become even more effective when they’re integrated with the other hard surface features. Retaining walls, steps, and multi-level patios all work together to build a landscape that flows naturally while offering contrast and interest.

Outdoor Living That Fits Your Lifestyle

A pergola provides a defined space to relax. An outdoor kitchen offers convenience and connection. Together, they support how you want to spend time outside. Whether you host frequently or prefer quiet evenings with family, these features offer structure and versatility that elevate the experience of being outdoors.

As landscape designers, our role is to combine form and function so every feature supports daily use. That includes choosing durable materials, orienting structures for sun exposure, and integrating lighting for full-day comfort. It also means planning every connection point—from the walkways underfoot to the views framed above—to ensure nothing feels accidental or out of place.