Creating a Low-Maintenance Outdoor Haven in Winston-Salem, NC

Introduction

Winston-Salem may be famous for its arts scene and leafy neighborhoods, but for the Stewart family the real show happens out back on their deck. They asked me, Logan Stewart, to turn a tree-ringed patio into a year-round gathering spot that feels easy, looks sharp, and stands up to everyday life. With mature oaks overhead, a gray composite deck underfoot, and a busy family schedule, we had to get the design—and the durability—just right. Here’s how we pulled it together for them.

Understanding the Client’s Vision

Space for a Growing Crew

The very first note in my sketchbook reads “6 + seats—minimum”. The Stewarts host everything from Sunday pancakes to birthday cookouts, so elbow room was non-negotiable. They wanted to seat immediate family comfortably and still have space for a couple of neighbors who usually drop by.

Deep Seating Meets Dining

Comfort ranked as high as capacity. The Stewarts craved that sink-in feeling you get at a mountain lodge, yet they also needed a table big enough for dinner plates, homework sheets, and the odd laptop. The goal: merge deep lounging and true dining without cluttering the deck.

Design Strategy

Leaning on the Tahiti Collection

For the lounging zone I chose the Lighthouse Casual Tahiti line. Its sculpted arms and modular layout let us angle the sectional around the deck’s tricky posts, giving everyone a prime view of the yard. The fast-dry sling beneath the cushions adds secret support so the seats stay lofty instead of sagging after a long season.

A Shade Solution That Moves With the Sun

A standard umbrella was never going to cover a deck full of people and furniture, so we stepped up to a 13' AKZ Treasure Garden cantilever. The single side-pole keeps the center clear and the foot pedal lets Dad swing the canopy over whichever chair happens to be occupied—no more musical chairs when the sun shifts.

Dining That Laughs at Spills

For meals (and messy craft projects) we paired the POLYWOOD Farmhouse Trestle Dining Table with La Casa Side Chairs. POLYWOOD’s high-density composite wipes clean with a hose, doesn’t splinter, and refuses to fade—ideal for a family that doesn’t baby its furniture.

A Moody Palette to Match the Deck

The Stewarts loved the deck’s weathered gray planks, so we leaned into contrast: charcoal frames capped with navy cushions. The darker color hides pollen and leaves from overhead trees, yet the blue feels lively against all that neutral wood.

Built-In Low-Maintenance DNA

Every finish we specified is powder-coated or all-weather composite, meaning zero sanding and exactly one chore on the spring checklist: break out the garden hose. Even the umbrella canopy is solution-dyed acrylic; it shrugs off fading and mildew before those issues even start.

The Outcome: A Winston-Salem Backyard Retreat

One Deck, Two Zones, Zero Traffic Jams

Guests can sink into the Tahiti sectional for after-work drinks while the kids tackle tacos at the trestle table—nobody bumps elbows because the furniture footprints were mapped to leave clear walkways between zones.

All-Day Comfort Under a Giant Canopy

That AKZ cantilever became the unsung hero of the space. Morning sun? Angle it east. Afternoon shade? A quick pedal twist pulls it south. Even the family dog figured out the sweet spot and now naps exclusively beneath it.

Style That Lasts Past the Warranty

Six months in, the Stewarts emailed me a photo: cushions still royal-blue, table still bright white, frames showing zero deck-pollen streaks. They’ve hosted movie night, a Halloween chili buffet, and one memorable December brunch without a single touch-up.

Outdoor Living, Simplified

Cleanup usually means folding napkins, stacking the La Casa chairs, and—if the kids remember—putting the umbrella into windlock. No covers, no stain touch-ups, no annual “furniture rescue” weekend. That ease was the whole point.

Conclusion

Designing outdoor spaces for real families is my favorite kind of puzzle, and I love how this Winston-Salem project proves low-maintenance can still look sharp. If you’re picturing an outdoor room of your own—whether it’s deep seats, dining for a crowd, or a hybrid of both—drop by Casual Furniture World or reach out to me directly. Let’s make your backyard the spot everyone wants to visit next weekend.