Long Island offers the perfect backdrop for outdoor living from sweeping coastal views to charming suburban gardens. At Louis Contino Landscaping, we believe your backyard should feel like a natural extension of your home: beautiful, functional, and enduring throughout every season. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know to plan, design, build, and maintain an outstanding outdoor living space on Long Island.

1. Why an Outdoor Living Space Matters (Especially on Long Island)

 Enhancing Daily Life & Property Value

A well-designed outdoor living area becomes extra “rooms” under the sky: places to lounge, dine, entertain, or refresh. On Long Island, where homeowners treasure both indoor and outdoor comfort, these spaces not only enrich daily life but can also boost curb appeal and resale value.

 Responding to Long Island’s Unique Conditions

Designing outdoors here means respecting the climate, soil, coastal influences, and local building norms. At Louis Contino Landscaping, with decades of experience, we know which materials and strategies hold up best to salt air, freeze-thaw cycles, coastal winds, and Long Island’s mix of sun and storms.

2. Introducing Louis Contino Landscaping

Before diving into design tips, here’s a snapshot of who we are:

Louis Contino Landscaping, Inc. is a full-service landscape design and build firm based in Huntington, Long Island. 

Better Business Bureau

We offer services including design, masonry, outdoor kitchens, patios, pavilions, water features, lighting, permitting, plantings, irrigation, and more. 

Louis Contino Landscaping

We hold an A+ accreditation with the BBB and maintain a strong reputation across Nassau and Suffolk counties. 

Better Business Bureau

Our priority is a custom, client-centered design process with practical, durable solutions — and we often back our work with strong warranties and attention to long-term care. 

Throughout this guide, I’ll include tips and best practices drawn from our firsthand experience on Long Island.

3. Setting Your Foundations: Planning & Visioning

 Clarify Your Outdoor Lifestyle Goals

Before drawing lines and choosing stone, ask:

What do you want to do outdoors? Dining, cooking, lounging, entertaining, play, quiet garden retreat?

When will you use it? (Spring through fall, or year-round?)

How many people will regularly use it?

What style or aesthetic do you love? (Coastal, classic, modern, cottage)

How much maintenance are you comfortable with?

Document your “must-have zones” (for example, dining, fire pit, outdoor kitchen, lounge area) before choosing layout or materials.

Site Survey & Constraints

At Louis Contino Landscaping, we always begin with a site assessment, noting:

Sun paths & seasonal shade  where is sun in summer vs winter

Wind direction / exposure, especially for coastal or exposed lots

Existing vegetation, trees, and views

Topography, slope, drainage, soil conditions

Utility locations (gas, water, electrical)

Access points & flow from the house to yard

Neighboring sightlines and privacy concerns

Understanding these constraints early prevents costly redesigns mid-build.

Permitting & Local Regulations

In Long Island’s many municipalities, permits are often required for patios, decks, structures, pools, utility work, and retaining walls. Setbacks, height limits, and allowable impermeable surface area can vary. Louis Contino Landscaping handles permitting as part of our full-service process, ensuring compliance from the start.

Concept Layout & Flow

Use a “zoning” approach:

Transition zones (pathways, buffers) guide movement

Place your dining/entertainment area closest to the house for convenience

Outdoor kitchens should be adjacent to the indoor kitchen if possible

Lounge / fire areas may be more tucked or scenic

Allow flexible circulation walkways wide enough for two people, avoiding bottlenecks

In smaller yards, layer vertically (pergola over dining, climbing vines)

Leave room for future additions (e.g. fire features or pergolas)

At Louis Contino Landscaping, we frequently create multiple layout options in 3D renderings, allowing clients to visualize flow and make informed tweaks before construction.

4. Core Structural Elements & Outdoor Features

Below is a breakdown of the elements you might incorporate, with particular emphasis on what works well here on Long Island.

Patios, Hardscaping & Circulation

Materials: Use freeze-thaw rated stone, pavers, or porcelain surfaces. Avoid materials prone to cracking under Long Island’s winter cycles.

Proper base & drainage: A well-compacted base and drainage grading are essential to avoid settling or water pooling.

Transitions: Use flush transitions between materials (e.g. stone to pavers) and gentle curves or stepping-stones to soften edges.

Terraces & retaining walls: Many lots have slopes; terracing helps manage elevation and create distinct zones, using stone or masonry walls.

Shade & Structures

Pergolas: Excellent for filtered shade. You can support vines, shade cloths, or retractable fabric.

Pavilions / Gazebos: More substantial and weather resistant; may incorporate lighting, fans, or screens.

Retractable awnings / shade sails: Offer flexibility—cover when needed, open to sky when desired.

Screen walls or louvered panels: Useful for privacy and wind control, especially in exposed coastal areas.

Loggias / covered patios: Create an indoor-outdoor transitional “room” that is more sheltered from the elements.

Outdoor Kitchens & Cooking Zones

Given the Long Island lifestyle, outdoor kitchens are a frequent client request. Here are best practices:

Include grill, prep area, sink, counter space, storage, and sometimes a refrigerator / ice bin

Design venting and orientation so smoke doesn’t blow toward seating or the house

Use durable finishes such as stone, stainless steel, or masonry

Plan for gas, water, drainage, and electrical wiring in advance

Incorporate overhead cover or pergola to protect cook zone

At Louis Contino Landscaping, our kitchen builds include everything from rough-ins to finishing, and we coordinate with subcontractors to ensure seamless integration.

Fire Features & Ambiance

Fire features extend the use of your outdoor space into cooler evenings and seasons.

Options: fire pits (wood or gas), fireplaces, linear fire tables

Place centrally (conversation zone) but with safe clearances

Respect local fire codes, venting, and chimney design

Use materials consistent with overall palette (stone, masonry)

Water Features & Pools

Small fountains, bubbling rocks, or ponds add auditory and visual ambiance

Pools or spas often coordinate with surrounding patios, structures, and plantings

Pay attention to plumbing, electrical, filtration, and safety fencing

Choose materials that integrate seamlessly with hardscape surroundings

Lighting, Electrical & Tech

A well-lit, well-powered landscape increases safety and usability.

Use layered lighting:

Ambient (string lights, overhead)

Task (over grill, counters)

Accent (uplights on trees, spotlights on walls)

Install GFCI outlets, weatherproof boxes, and plan for power to appliances or heaters

Consider smart controls (dimming, timers, zones)

Plan for audio, speakers, or media wiring if you wish

Seating, Furniture & Built-ins

Use weather-rated furniture with marine fabrics, powder-coat metal, or durable synthetic woods

Modular or movable pieces let you reconfigure for gatherings

Built-in benches (such as on retaining walls or around fire pits) integrate seamlessly

Use accessories rugs, planters, shade umbrellas—to define and soften zones

 Privacy, Screening & Wind Control

Use evergreen hedges, tall shrubs, ornamental grasses

Trellises with vines provide vertical screening

Decorative aluminum or glass panels can act as artful screens

In coastal or wind-exposed areas, windbreak planting or low walls can reduce gusts

 Planting & Softscape Strategy

You can have the most elegant hardscape, but smart planting brings life, softness, color, and ecological balance.

Plant Selection for Long Island

Favor salt-tolerant, hardy species near coastal areas

Use native and pollinator-friendly plants to reduce maintenance

Include evergreens and structural plants to maintain interest in winter

Consider soil type (often sandy) and drainage when selecting

In windy zones, choose lower-growing masses or wind-tolerant species

Garden Beds & Layouts

Place garden beds along property edges or as borders between zones

Use mulches or gravel for weed suppression

Cluster plants by water and soil needs (hydrozoning)

Use containers near seating for visual impact and seasonal flexibility

 Seasonal Interest & Succession

Combine bulbs (spring), perennials (summer), fall foliage, winter textures

Use climbers or trained vines on pergolas and trellises

Use accent plantings in pots for color refresh each season

 Irrigation, Maintenance & Care

Install drip irrigation or automated sprinklers with timers

Choose low-maintenance species where possible

Plan for pruning, weeding, mulching, fertilization

In winter, ensure drainage and protect vulnerable species

6. Longevity, Maintenance & Evolving Over Time

An outdoor living space is a long-term investment. The way it's maintained and evolved determines how it ages.

Material Maintenance & Repair

Seal stone, pavers, and masonry as needed to prevent staining and freeze damage

Address cracks or shifting early

Re-stain or repaint wood or composite structures periodically

Clear drainage lines and debris to avoid water damage

Protecting Furniture & Appliances

Use covers or move cushions indoors in winter

Clean per manufacturer instructions

Inspect and maintain grill and kitchen hardware

Seasonal Transitions

Winterize plumbing and irrigation systems (blow-outs, shutoffs)

Secure or store light items in storms

Use heat sources (infrared lamps) under pavilions or pergolas if desired

If budget allows, consider snow-melt wiring in selected paths

 Expansion & Phasing

You don’t need to build everything all at once. At Louis Contino Landscaping, many clients phase:

Hardscape & base layout

Rough-in utilities (gas, plumbing, wiring)

Core features (kitchen shell, seating zones)

Fire feature, lighting, shade structures

Plantings, furniture, finishing touches

This helps spread cost and allows adjustments as you see the space over time.

7. Budgeting & ROI Cost Drivers

Major factors include:

Scale and complexity of hardscape

Structural elements (pavilions, kitchens, pergolas)

Quality of materials

Utility work (gas, plumbing, electrical)

Landscaping, lighting, drainage

Labor, permits, and specialized trades

High-end masonry, custom work, and water/kitchen features naturally increase cost.

Phasing to Manage Expense

Phased building lets you enjoy parts of the yard while postponing more ambitious elements.

Return on Investment & Value

Well-designed outdoor spaces can significantly increase property value in Long Island markets. Buyers here expect quality outdoor amenities, especially in higher-end communities.

8. Sample Layouts & Design Concepts

To help you visualize how these pieces can come together, here are a few sample concepts adapted to common Long Island lot types — and how Louis Contino Landscaping might approach them.

 Typical Suburban Lot

Covered dining area (pergola or pavilion) just off back door

Adjacent outdoor kitchen with grill, sink, prep space

Mid-yard: fire pit seating zone

Perimeter planting for privacy, wind buffer

Soft lighting, ambient string lighting, path lighting

 Waterfront or Coastal Lot

Patio oriented toward water views

Pergola offset to break wind, while preserving view corridors

Kitchen tucked into side, oriented so cooking smoke doesn’t interfere

Fire feature in sheltered zone

Native salt-tolerant plantings (e.g. bayberry, beach plum, grasses)

Decorative dunes, sand-finished walkways

 Luxury Estate Layout

Expansive terraces cascading in levels

Outdoor kitchen shell, bar, dining, lounge under a pavilion

Pool / spa integration, waterfall or water features

Multiple fire features (fireplace, linear fire table)

Dramatic lighting, plantings, focal walls, and statuary

Fine materials: premium stone, custom ironwork, integrated heating

9. Do’s & Don’ts — From Louis Contino Landscaping Wisdom

 Design Best Practices

Do

Start big (layout, flow, structure), then refine

Design drainage, utilities, and load bearing early

Plan for wind, sun, and seasonal variation

Integrate lighting early

Leave access and maintenance gaps

Don’t

Retrofit utilities after the fact

Overbuild shade in already shaded yards

Skimp on proper base preparation

Neglect local codes and permits

Forget to reserve space for equipment access

Material & Construction Tips

Use freeze-thaw rated stone and materials

Include expansion joints, control joints

Compact subgrade thoroughly

Use corrosion-resistant fasteners and hardware

Ensure proper drainage slopes

Working with Contractors

Choose design-build firms familiar with Long Island (like us!)

Ask for detailed scope, schedule, and material specs

Ask to see past projects and warranties

Ensure timely communication and oversight

Coordinate subcontractors landscape, masonry, plumbing, lighting

10. Bringing It All Together & Next Steps

By now, you should have a solid understanding of how to conceive, plan, design, build, and maintain an outstanding outdoor living space tailored for Long Island conditions. But the real magic comes when you adapt these principles to your unique site and vision.

If you’d like, I’m happy to help create a custom concept plan for your property—incorporating your lot shape, preferred style, views, and budget. We can sketch layouts, present 3D renderings, and walk you step-by-step through a phasing plan.

To get started or to schedule a free consultation call Louis Contino Landscaping at 

631-51-5409

louiscontinolandscaping.com 

 We’re proud to turn your outdoor dreams into reality.