5 Best Ways to Improve Your Outdoor Living Space This Summer

No matter if it’s a bar cart, console table, or even just an outdoor display space – having a designated serving zone can make all the difference when entertaining guests and maintaining drinks and food delivery while eliminating trips back and forth to the kitchen.

A pergola provides an attractive way to define and shade outdoor living areas during the heat of the day, making the space even cozier for relaxing. Hanging a hammock here further adds coziness.

1. Add a Plunge Pool

Are you searching for an unforgettable summer retreat that offers both comfort and rejuvenation? A plunge pool provides just that with its shorter form of a swimming pool, offering an economical way to cool off. Not only that but its installation and upkeep costs will be significantly less than those associated with full-sized inground or above-ground pools.

To create an authentic outdoor escape, adorn a plunge pool with native plants and boulders for an organic aesthetic. Or create a cascading waterfall as an ambient soundscape; illuminate this space with soft lighting in the evening; add lounge chairs and a cozy fire pit – these will all help set an intimate yet serene mood that you can use to unwind or host friends at your leisure!

If your backyard is small, a plunge pool might be the best way to add summer retreat amenities. Consider including one into a deck to make the most of a small space – Dazey Den has great examples. And choose colors that compliment the rest of the space so it looks cohesive.

Designing year-round outdoor living spaces in humid climates may seem like an impossible feat, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Brian Patrick Flynn demonstrated this with his design of Anastasia Island for HGTV Dream Home 2024 that can increase usability and comfort through simple fixes.

Shade and privacy are essential components of enjoying the outdoors during summer, so consider adding shade-giving structures such as pergolas or covered dining rooms with pergolas that encase your patio. This will shield from afternoon showers while helping moderate sun heat. Furthermore, add solar-powered pendant lights such as these woven pendant lights that provide a warm glow after dark for extra flair on your patio!

2. Add Screening

Addition of a screened room to your patio can transform both its form and function. These spaces offer poolside lounging spots or shaded reading nooks – great for poolside lounging or reading – constructed using screens, glass or both materials – they’re even great additions for multi-story homes with balconies that provide private areas for relaxation and entertaining!

A screened porch, pool deck or balcony makes an excellent spot for summer get-togethers with friends and family. Fill it with lounge chairs and dining tables for casual poolside gatherings; decorate it with vibrant pool-friendly decor to set a lively tone; add a bar area equipped with drinks station for an engaging gathering; or consider installing a drinks station to kickstart a fun-filled evening of celebration!

To add visual interest and shade from the heat on a neutral screened porch, consider installing an overhead structure like a pergola. It will define the dining area while offering welcome relief from direct sunlight. As an extra touch, adding a woven pendant above your table adds extra charm while giving you somewhere to display cute outdoor serveware. And to extend usable time of your space further still, opt for solar lighting solutions.

Flower beds and borders are an effective way to add color and vibrance to any outdoor living space, but for an added visual dimension try planting a mix of blooms with various colors, textures, heights and fragrances – these layered blooms draw the eye in creating an eye-catching focal point that draws visitors in for outdoor relaxation.

3. Add Shelter

An iconic feature in the South, plunge pools provide visual interest while offering the ideal spot to cool off during hot Southern summer days. An inviting hammock, suspended between two perfectly spaced trees or attached directly to a pergola as this homeowner did, makes relaxation in the sunshine easier while adding colorful throw pillows with unique patterns add coziness to any outdoor living area.

Add a covered deck or porch to your backyard in order to shield you and your guests from afternoon rain showers, which are commonplace in humid climates, while also increasing usability of patio, deck and backyard spaces as well as protecting furniture and decor from weather elements. It will save time, money and effort!

Pergolas make an ideal solution for shade on patios and decks, providing shade without blocking your view of the outdoors. In addition, pergolas add style to your space while adding light after dark for extended outdoor living experiences.

Rather than invest in an expensive pergola, why not plant vines instead? They grow quickly, covering your patio quickly while adding interest and texture by hanging flower baskets or other containers from them?

Native plant gardens are both environmentally and socially-friendly. Not only are the native species naturally adapted to your climate conditions, making care simpler, but they’re also more resistant against insects and diseases than exotic varieties.

4. Add a Kitchen

An outdoor living space extends the walls of your home and offers a space to both entertain and relax in. Furthermore, it can add significant value to your property – so give your patio an updated look this summer with these simple remodeling ideas!

Create a focal point by including decorative items, like mirrors or trellises, in your space such as mirrors. This makes a small room seem bigger while adding light into dark corners.

Add an outdoor kitchen to turn your backyard into a gourmet destination! These can range from something as basic as a grilling area to more elaborate setups with stove, fridge and seating – ideal for hosting events or just relaxing with a glass of wine!

Planting native plants in your yard will help your garden flourish. They’re tailored to suit the climate in which they’re planted, require less upkeep, and attract butterflies, bees, and birds – adding color and interest while drawing pollinators into your space. Mix them with other blooms for added visual interest or create an eye-catching border to frame an impressive landscape feature.

An outdoor water feature can transform your backyard into an idyllic retreat. A fountain creates soothing sounds while serving as a focal point and habitat for animals in your yard. But for added drama, consider adding a pond or waterfall which create an elegant backdrop while simultaneously soothing sounds to complete the picture.

Lighting sets the ambience in any outdoor room and makes it feel like a natural extension of your home. Opting for high-style fixtures like pendants or lanterns over builder-grade fixtures creates a stylish statement while providing enough illumination. For something subtle yet atmospheric after dusk, consider “nightscaping,” which adds ambient illumination after dark.

5. Add Shade

No matter if it’s hosting a backyard barbeque or lounging on your balcony, having an area to unwind and entertain can be one of the best ways to enjoy summer. One effective way of creating such an area is with shade structures from natural trees to modern sails that make the space more relaxing in hotter parts of the day.

A pergola or gazebo makes an attractive statement in any outdoor living space, providing shade ideas to define an area for relaxing or dining while matching the dimensions of your space. Alternatively, install a retractable awning as an effective shade solution that can easily adapt based on sun and weather conditions.

Are You on a Limited Budget? Consider Installing Outdoor Umbrellas or Shade Tents

Planting new trees is another simple way to add shade. A properly selected species will not only offer cool relief during the heat of the day, but will also increase privacy and improve your garden’s aesthetics.

Lighting can transform your outdoor living space into an inviting and romantic environment come nightfall. Lighting sources such as wall mount down lighting, candles, or chandeliers not only set the atmosphere but can also draw the eye toward specific features like water features or walkways.