Most backyards in Upper Macungie Township, PA, get heavy use for about four months. Maybe five, if the fall stays mild. The rest of the year, that space sits empty. The patio furniture gets covered. The grill goes cold. And the backyard becomes something you look at through the window rather than something you actually live in.
It does not have to work that way.
A custom pavilion paired with a thoughtful outdoor lighting design can completely change when and how you use your outdoor space. Together, these two elements turn a seasonal backyard into an all-season living area, one that works just as well on a cool October evening as it does on a warm afternoon in July.
At Nature's Accents, we have been designing and building outdoor living spaces across Eastern Pennsylvania since 2002. And one of the most common things we hear from homeowners after we complete a pavilion and lighting project is this: we had no idea we would use the space this much.
Here is why that combination works so well, and what to think about if you are considering one for your property.
Related: How a Landscape Contractor and Pavilion in Emmaus, PA, Add Usable Living Space Outdoors
Why a Pavilion Changes Everything
A patio without a roof is weather-dependent. If the sun is too strong, you move inside. If it starts to rain, the evening is over. If the temperature drops and the wind picks up, the space becomes uncomfortable.
A pavilion solves all of that.
Unlike a pergola, which provides partial shade through an open beam structure, a pavilion has a full, solid roof. That means complete protection from the sun, rain, and even light snow. It creates a defined, sheltered space within your landscape that feels like an outdoor room, because it functions like one.
Here is what that changes in practice:
Rain no longer ends the evening. A summer storm rolls in and instead of scrambling to get everything inside, you stay put. The sound of rain on the roof becomes part of the experience.
Direct sun is no longer a factor. Full overhead coverage means you can eat lunch outside in August without baking in the heat. Guests are comfortable, food stays fresh, and the space stays usable all afternoon.
The shoulder seasons open up. With protection from wind and moisture overhead, a pavilion extends your outdoor season deep into fall and pulls it forward into early spring. Add a fire feature or a radiant heater, and you are comfortable well past the first frost.
The space becomes a destination. When your outdoor area is sheltered and furnished, people gravitate toward it. It stops being an afterthought and starts becoming where your family actually spends time.
A well-designed pavilion also adds architectural presence to your landscape. It creates a visual anchor, a structure that ties together the surrounding hardscape, plantings, and lighting into something cohesive and intentional.
What Makes a Pavilion Work in Upper Macungie Township
Upper Macungie Township sits in Lehigh County, where the climate delivers the full range of what Eastern Pennsylvania has to offer. Hot, humid summers. Cold, snowy winters. And shoulder seasons that can swing between mild and harsh in the same week.
That climate demands specific considerations when designing a pavilion:
Structural integrity for snow loads. A pavilion roof needs to handle the weight of heavy, wet snow. That means proper engineering, quality lumber or composite materials, and a roof pitch that allows snow to shed naturally rather than accumulate.
Material selection for moisture and temperature swings. Wood, composite, and vinyl all perform differently across seasons. Hardwood structures offer a timeless, natural look but require maintenance. Composite and vinyl options provide long term durability with less upkeep. The right choice depends on your aesthetic preferences and how much ongoing care you want to invest.
Orientation and wind exposure. The direction your pavilion faces affects everything from afternoon sun angles to prevailing wind patterns. A pavilion positioned to block the northwest wind can make a fall evening feel ten degrees warmer than one that is fully exposed.
Integration with the surrounding grade. Upper Macungie properties vary widely in topography. Some sit on flat, open lots. Others have natural slopes and grade changes. A pavilion needs to work with the existing terrain, not fight against it. That often means incorporating retaining walls, multi-level patios, or stepped walkways into the design.
These are the kinds of details that separate a pavilion that looks nice from one that actually performs across every season.
The Role of Outdoor Lighting in Extending Your Hours
A pavilion gives you protection from the elements. Outdoor lighting gives you the evening.
Without lighting, your outdoor space has a hard cutoff. Once the sun goes down, the backyard gets dark and people move inside. That is a significant loss, especially during the warmer months when the most comfortable hours are often after sunset.
A well-designed outdoor lighting plan changes that entirely. It makes the space feel safe, inviting, and usable well into the night. And when it is designed alongside the pavilion rather than added later, the result is seamless.
Here is how we approach lighting for a pavilion project:
Ceiling mounted or recessed fixtures inside the pavilion provide ambient light for dining, conversation, or relaxing. These should be warm in tone and dimmable so you can adjust the atmosphere depending on the occasion.
Step and riser lighting along any transitions between the pavilion, patio, and surrounding landscape ensure safe movement without harsh overhead fixtures.
Accent lighting in the surrounding landscape extends the visual experience beyond the pavilion itself. Uplights on mature trees, wash lighting on stone walls, or subtle path lighting through adjacent plantings create depth and dimension that make the entire backyard feel alive after dark.
Task lighting near cooking or prep areas provides focused illumination where you need it most. If your pavilion includes an outdoor kitchen or bar area, proper task lighting ensures the space is functional, not just atmospheric.
Perimeter lighting along walkways and driveways ties the pavilion into the larger property and improves both curb appeal and security.
All of our outdoor lighting systems use low-voltage LED technology. LED fixtures are energy efficient, long-lasting, and produce a warm, natural quality of light that enhances the space without overpowering it. They also generate very little heat, which matters when fixtures are mounted inside a covered structure.
Related: The Best Pavilion and Backyard Design Ideas for Every Season in Berks County, PA
Why Pavilion and Lighting Should Be One Project
One of the most important things we tell homeowners is that the pavilion and the lighting should be designed and installed at the same time. Here is why.
When lighting is treated as an afterthought, the wiring has to be run after the structure is already built. That means visible conduit, surface mounted junction boxes, and fixtures that sit on top of the architecture rather than within it. The result is functional, but it never looks as clean or as intentional as an integrated design.
When we plan both elements together from the start, we can:
Conceal all wiring inside the structure before the roof and ceiling go up, keeping the finished pavilion clean and uncluttered
Position fixtures based on the actual furniture layout and use zones rather than guessing at placement after the fact
Coordinate the pavilion lighting with the surrounding landscape lighting so the entire outdoor environment feels like one cohesive design
Install transformers and controls in accessible but hidden locations so the technology is easy to manage without being visible
Design for future additions by running extra wiring capacity during construction, making it simple to add ceiling fans, heaters, or audio later
This integrated approach also tends to be more cost effective. Running electrical during construction avoids the need to open up finished surfaces later, which saves time, labor, and money.
What You Can Do Under a Pavilion
One of the reasons pavilions are so popular in the Lehigh County area is their versatility. A well-designed pavilion is not limited to a single function. It can serve as:
An outdoor dining room with a full table, seating for eight or more, and lighting that creates the right atmosphere for both casual weeknight meals and holiday gatherings
An outdoor kitchen and entertaining area with built in grills, countertops, sinks, and even refrigeration, all under a roof that keeps the cook comfortable and the guests close
A lounge and relaxation space with comfortable seating, a fireplace or fire pit nearby, and ambient lighting that invites you to stay outside long after the last plate is cleared
A year-round gathering spot with the addition of ceiling fans for summer airflow, retractable screens for bug protection, and radiant heaters or infrared heating for cooler months
The key is designing the pavilion around how you actually want to use it, not just what it looks like in a photo. That is where the design conversation matters most.
Choosing the Right Materials
Nature's Accents works with a range of materials for pavilion construction, each with distinct advantages:
Hardwood timber frame structures offer a classic, substantial look. Custom stacked stone pillars paired with towering hardwood beams create a pavilion with real architectural weight and character. These structures age beautifully and develop a warmth over time that many homeowners love.
Composite lumber provides the look of natural wood with enhanced resistance to moisture, warping, and insect damage. It requires significantly less maintenance and holds its appearance well across seasons, making it a smart choice for homeowners who want beauty without the upkeep.
Vinyl structures offer the lowest maintenance option. They are resistant to rot, insects, and fading, and they clean easily. For homeowners who want a clean, bright aesthetic that stays consistent year after year, vinyl is an excellent choice.
We also build pool cabanas, arbors, and trellises using these same materials, so if your project extends beyond a standalone pavilion, we can ensure everything matches in style and quality.
What Working With Nature's Accents Looks Like
Since Travis Breininger and Justin Bentz founded Nature's Accents in 2002, the company has built a reputation for combining creative design with technical precision. Our team includes Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturists, Certified Landscape Technicians, and contractors certified by both Techo-Bloc and Unilock. That depth of expertise means every project is built to last, not just built to look good on installation day.
We have earned multiple Awards for Landscape Excellence from the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association, along with recognition from industry partners and the communities we serve.
Every pavilion and outdoor lighting project begins with understanding your property, your goals, and how you want to experience your outdoor space. We handle design, material selection, construction, and lighting installation as one coordinated process, so you get a finished result that feels intentional from every angle.
Ready to extend your outdoor season? Let us show you what is possible.
Related: 5 Outdoor Lighting Ideas to Enhance Your Schnecksville, PA Landscape
