As temperatures fluctuate from wintry mix to summer breeze, area landscape architects, interior designers and deck builders brace for the annual onslaught of clients who want to transform their outdoor space into a seasonal family room.

“What I’ve noticed is everyone wants a patio or outdoor living space, like a barbecue, outdoor kitchen or chimney, as opposed to plantings,” said Robert Groff of Groff Landscape Design in Fairfax County. “A lot of people are doing the planting on their own or they come back for it later.”