Complete Backyard Transformation in Mt. Laurel, NJ: Stamped Concrete Patio, Breeo Fire Pit, Seating Wall & Hardscape Lighting

Every project starts with a vision — and this Mt. Laurel homeowner had a big one. They didn't just want a patio. They wanted a complete outdoor living space: a place to cook, gather around a fire, entertain guests, and enjoy their backyard year-round. Here's how we made it happen.

The Before: A Backyard With Untapped Potential

Like a lot of South Jersey backyards, this one had the space but not the function. The yard was underutilized — no defined areas for entertaining, no connection between the driveway and the back of the house, and no reason to spend time outside after dark.

The homeowners came to us with a clear goal: transform the entire backyard into a connected, functional outdoor living space that flows from the driveway all the way to the back of the property.

The 3D Design: Seeing It Before We Build It

Before we break ground on a project like this, we create a full 3D design so the homeowner can see exactly what they're getting. No surprises, no guesswork — just a clear visual of the finished space.

This design allowed us to dial in every detail: the patio layout, seating wall placement, fire pit positioning, walkway routing, lighting locations, and how everything connects together as one cohesive space.

The Build: What Went Into This Project

This wasn't a one-day patio pour. This was a full outdoor living build with multiple components, all designed to work together seamlessly.

Stamped Concrete Patio — Large Ashlar Slate in Slate Gray

The foundation of the entire space is a stamped concrete patio using our Large Ashlar Slate pattern in Slate Gray — one of the most popular combinations we install across South Jersey. The large-format stone pattern gives the patio a clean, modern feel while still looking natural.

The entire perimeter features a 10-inch border in Medium Gray, which frames the patio and creates a polished, finished look that separates the stamped field from the surrounding landscape. This border detail is something that elevates the entire project — it's the difference between a patio that looks good and one that looks custom.

Breeo Smokeless Fire Pit Insert

The centerpiece of the patio is a Breeo smokeless wood-burning fire pit — the gold standard in outdoor fire pits. Unlike gas fire pits, the Breeo burns real wood but uses a double-wall airflow design that virtually eliminates smoke. No more moving chairs to dodge the smoke. No more smelling like a campfire when you go inside.

We built a custom surround for the Breeo insert that integrates seamlessly with the stamped concrete patio, creating a built-in look that's both functional and stunning.

Seating Wall with Eldorado Stacked Stone Veneer

Behind the fire pit, we built a curved seating wall finished in Eldorado Stacked Stone veneer in "Nantucket" — a blend of cool grays and warm tans that complements the Slate Gray stamped concrete perfectly.

The seating wall serves double duty: it provides built-in seating for gatherings around the fire pit, and it defines the fire pit area as its own zone within the larger patio. At 18 inches tall, it's the ideal height for comfortable seating with or without cushions.

Stamped Concrete Walkways — Driveway to Backyard

One of the most impactful parts of this project was the walkway system connecting the driveway all the way to the backyard. Before we started, there was no defined path from the front of the house to the back. Now, stamped concrete walkways in the same Large Ashlar Slate pattern and Slate Gray color create a seamless flow from the driveway, along the side of the house, and into the patio area.

This is something a lot of homeowners overlook — the walkways tie the entire property together and make the outdoor living space feel intentional and connected, not like an afterthought stuck in the backyard.

TruScape Hardscape Lighting

What good is a beautiful outdoor space if you can't use it after dark? We installed TruScape hardscape lighting integrated directly into the seating wall and steps. These low-voltage LED lights are built into the hardscape itself — no bulky fixtures, no exposed wiring, just a warm ambient glow that makes the space usable and inviting well into the evening.

The lights in the seating wall create a subtle wash of light around the fire pit area, while the step lights add both safety and aesthetics to the walkway transitions.

The After: A Backyard Built for Living

The finished space is everything the homeowners envisioned — and then some.

What was once an empty backyard is now a fully connected outdoor living space with:

• Stamped concrete patio in Large Ashlar Slate / Slate Gray with 10" Medium Gray border

• Custom Breeo smokeless wood-burning fire pit with built-in surround

• Curved seating wall with Eldorado Stacked Stone veneer in Nantucket

• Stamped concrete walkways connecting the driveway to the backyard

• TruScape hardscape lighting in the seating wall and steps

• A space that works day and night, spring through fall — and even on those crisp winter evenings around the fire

Why This Project Works

This Mt. Laurel build is a great example of what happens when every element is planned together from the start rather than pieced together over time.

The pattern and color are consistent everywhere. The same Large Ashlar Slate in Slate Gray runs from the walkways to the patio to the borders. There's no mismatched concrete, no awkward transitions — just one cohesive design from front to back.

The materials complement each other. The cool gray of the stamped concrete, the natural tones of the Eldorado Nantucket stone, the warm glow of the TruScape lights, and the raw wood-burning warmth of the Breeo fire pit — they all work together without competing.

It's built to last. Proper base preparation for Burlington County soil conditions, air-entrained concrete for New Jersey's freeze-thaw cycles, reinforced footings under the seating wall, and commercial-grade lighting rated for outdoor exposure. This space isn't just beautiful — it's engineered.

What a Project Like This Costs in South Jersey

A complete outdoor living transformation like this one — patio, fire pit, seating wall, walkways, veneer, and lighting — typically falls in the $35,000 to $55,000 range depending on the total square footage, material selections, and site conditions.

Here's a rough breakdown of the components:

Component Typical Cost Range Stamped concrete patio (Large Ashlar Slate w/ excavation) $20+ per sq ft Stamped concrete walkways with border $25+ per sq ft Breeo fire pit + custom surround $4,500+ Seating wall with stone veneer & lighting $300+ per linear ft TruScape hardscape lighting $125 per fixture installed (w/ transformer) Eldorado Stacked Stone veneer $30+ per sq ft

Every project is different. The best way to get an accurate number is to request a free estimate and we'll come to your property to discuss your vision.

Thinking About a Project Like This?

Whether you're in Mt. Laurel, Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Marlton, Washington Township, Mullica Hill, or anywhere in South Jersey — we build complete outdoor living spaces like this one every season.

Patrick Breen Masonry & Concrete has been doing this for 43+ years. Three generations. Over 2,167 projects completed. A 4.9-star Google rating. And we're right here in Mullica Hill, 20 minutes from most of South Jersey.

Try Our Interactive Project Builder — Design your project and get a ballpark estimate.

Request a Free On-Site Estimate — We'll come to your property and walk through the possibilities.

Call: (856) 223-1100

Patrick Breen Masonry & Concrete — 114 Bridgeton Pike, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062 — Since 1983 — NJ Lic #13VH00144300