Lanai and outdoor living design in Tampa
In Tampa Bay the lanai is used more months of the year than the formal living room. Designing it as a real room, with zones, shade, lighting and materials that survive the weather, is what makes it one.
Outdoor projects we design
- A screened lanai with a table and nothing else
- A pool deck that gets too hot to use in summer
- An outdoor kitchen or bar that needs a layout
- A covered patio you want to use after dark
- Furniture that's rusted, faded or mildewed after a year
- A new build where the lanai finishes are still open
What's included
Zoning and layout
Dining, lounging, cooking and pool areas placed so they work together under one roof line.
Outdoor furniture
Aluminum, teak and all-weather wicker with performance cushions, sized for the space.
Shade and fans
Ceiling fans, retractable screens, umbrellas and pergola options for the afternoon sun.
Lighting
Layered outdoor lighting for evenings, specified for a licensed electrician to install.
Outdoor kitchens
Layout, appliance placement, counters and finishes, with drawings for the contractor.
Surfaces and finishes
Pavers, decking, tile and wall finishes chosen for heat, slip resistance and salt air.
What affects the price
- Square footage under roof and in the open.
- Furniture only, or furniture plus construction elements like kitchens, screens and lighting.
- Material tier for furniture and surfaces.
- Whether purchasing and install are included.
You get a written scope and design fee before any design work starts.
Outdoor rooms in the Tampa climate
Ten months of usable weather, afternoon storms from June to September and sun strong enough to fade cushions in a season set the rules here. Covered areas see the most use, so that's where the money goes first. Dark pavers and dark cushions get too hot to touch in July; lighter surfaces and solution-dyed fabrics stay usable. Near the bay and the Gulf, salt air corrodes steel fasteners and cheap aluminum, so hardware and frames are specified for coastal use.
Screen enclosures are the norm on Tampa Bay lanais, which changes the light and keeps mosquitoes out but also means furniture and finishes live in the shade and the humidity. Mildew-resistant fabrics and sealed stone matter more under a screen than on an open deck.
Common questions
What outdoor furniture lasts in Florida?
Powder-coated aluminum, quality teak and synthetic wicker over aluminum frames, with solution-dyed acrylic cushions. Steel and untreated wood don't last.
Can you design an outdoor kitchen?
Yes. Layout, appliances, counters and finishes are designed and drawn; construction, gas and electrical are performed by licensed Florida contractors.
Does the lanai need a permit?
Furniture and lighting fixtures don't. Structures, electrical circuits, gas lines and outdoor kitchens generally do in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas, and the contractor handles it.
How do I keep the pool deck from getting so hot?
Lighter pavers or a cool-deck coating, shade over the seating areas, and furniture frames that don't hold heat.
Related services
Areas we serve
Lanai and outdoor living across Tampa and these nearby communities: