Florida living happens as much outside as it does inside, and that is especially true on the Space Coast. From Cocoa Beach through Indialantic, and from Titusville to Grant, homeowners choose this stretch of coastline in large part because of the lifestyle it makes possible outside the walls of the house itself. As such, every DiPrima plan includes a covered patio as a standard feature, giving homeowners a shaded, livable space that extends the home well beyond its interior walls. From there, buyers have real decisions to make about how they want to use that space, and two of the most popular additions are a summer kitchen and a pool.
Building a Summer Kitchen, Now or Later
We give our buyers two options when it comes to their summer kitchen. Some choose to build it out fully during construction, finished and ready to use the day they move in. Others prefer to pre-plumb the patio for water, gas, and electricity, leaving the summer kitchen itself for a future project once they’ve settled into the home and have a clearer sense of how they want to use the space.
For homeowners who build during construction, there are two common approaches. The first is block and stucco, often referred to as a block bar. A block bar is built on a concrete pad that is poured with the rest of the house, with pavers installed up against it. The second approach uses composite cabinetry, which sits on top of the finished flooring rather than being built on the pad itself. Composite cabinets generally work best installed over tile rather than pavers, since it provides a more stable and level surface.
Design complexity varies widely. A block bar can be as simple as painted stucco with a clean, understated look, or it can be finished with detailed cabinetry, waterfall countertops, and an ornate backsplash for a more upscale feel. Either way, the countertop should be outdoor rated to hold up to Florida’s elements.
Appliance packages typically include a gas grill, sink, side burners, and sometimes a mini fridge or pizza oven. For patios set deep into the home’s footprint where airflow is limited, an exhaust hood is worth the investment, since smoke and heat have fewer ways to escape without one. Homeowners should expect to invest at least $10,000 into a summer kitchen, with the final cost depending largely on size, equipment, and whether they choose block or composite construction.
Pools: The Centerpiece of Space Coast Outdoor Living
If a summer kitchen extends the living space, a pool often becomes the centerpiece of it, and most homeowners spend considerably more time planning this feature than any other part of their outdoor design. Pools generally start around $75,000, not including a screen enclosure or spa, though the final price depends heavily on size, shape, and the features selected. This holds true across our communities, whether the lot sits in a beachside neighborhood in Satellite Beach or Indian Harbour Beach, or further west in Melbourne.
Pool contractors typically begin with the property survey, which shows the house footprint already drawn over the lot. That survey determines the maximum pool size available on a given property, and from there, homeowners can work with their contractor to explore different shapes and configurations that fit within that space.
A spa is one of the most requested additions, often built directly into the pool design rather than as a separate structure. Sun shelves, which are shallow, flat areas near the pool’s edge meant for lounging in a few inches of water, have also become a popular request. Many homeowners choose to add a pool heater as well, whether gas or electric, which allows the pool to be used comfortably even during Florida’s cooler winter months.
Beyond the basic structure, homeowners can select their own coping and the tile that lines the pool’s perimeter, giving them control over the finished look. For those wanting something more elaborate, options include water features like jets that shoot streams into the pool, and color changing LED lighting that transforms the pool after dark. Most pool contractors also offer a screen enclosure, commonly called a bird cage, which is a popular add on for keeping bugs and debris out of the pool area.
Our homeowners are free to select their own pool contractor and are encouraged to speak with more than one before deciding, since pools represent a significant investment. DiPrima can package the pool into the home’s construction contract, or homeowners can choose to contract directly with a pool builder of their choice. Pools are typically excavated once the home’s framing is largely complete and the roof is on, timing the work so it doesn’t interfere with construction access.
Building Outdoor Spaces That Fit How You Live
Whether it’s a simple covered patio, a fully built summer kitchen, or a custom pool designed around your property’s exact dimensions, outdoor living is one of the areas where a custom home builder can make the biggest difference. DiPrima works with homeowners throughout the design process, throughout Brevard County, to build outdoor spaces suited to how they plan to use them, not just how they look on paper.