Top 5 Upgrades to your Outdoor Living Space for Summer Entertaining
Last month we covered the top 5 outdoor living upgrades to maximize value & enjoyment. Last month’s features build the foundation for your outdoor space. With summer approaching, we are taking this month to highlight more specific features to boost summer entertaining!
1. Outdoor Kitchen
When entertaining, as the host it can be a struggle to relax, enjoy or even stay involved with a conversation if you are constantly running in and out of your kitchen with food, drinks & dishes. It can make you dread using your outdoor space to entertain friends & family, which was likely a core vision when investing in your patio from the start! Don’t let this prohibit you from those summer cookouts! Adding an outdoor kitchen makes entertaining a breeze! Not only can you stay involved in the conversation, but you can have a fully equipped kitchen in your own backyard, that’s right, we are not talking about a grill or a blackstone, a fully custom outdoor kitchen upfitted with all you need to keep the party outdoors!
Most outdoor kitchens will come equipped with a built-in gas grill, some storage & electric for lighting or countertop appliances, such as a slushy machine for the kids! However, outdoor kitchens built by Arborvine are highly customizable. We can incorporate refrigerators, freezers, storage drawers, trash cans, side burners & even a sink! Additionally, adding bar seating is a great way to keep guests close while the food is prepared. Another popular upgrade is to add a pergola or shade structure over the area!
Finish your kitchen with marble, quartzite, granite or concrete countertops & youll be ready for the best cookouts in the neighborhood! Each kitchen is custom built around your unique needs, using pavers or natural stone, this could be the upgrade you are missing to take your outdoor living space to the next level!
2. Outdoor TV
Perhaps you have a few sports fans in your family or a favorite show that premiers on Friday nights in the summer. Sometimes you just want to be outdoors in the summer time enjoying the warm, fresh air! An outdoor TV is a great way to gather friends and family around and enjoy some time together outdoors. A true outdoor TV is rated for the elements and can be left outdoors for all year long. Whether your TV is mounted to a fireplace, inside your shade structure or on a custom built TV wall, it will be a great addition to your outdoor space!
Maybe you’re hosting the annual baseball or softball team party for your kids’ little league or school team. Imagine being able to turn on the highlight reel to recap their season. These TV’s work just like the ones indoors with bluetooth capabilities allowing you to connect your phone or other devices!
3. Outdoor Sound System
No summer get together is complete without some music or your favorite sports teams radio broadcast in the background! Integrating an outdoor sound system is an easy way to set the vibe for your summer gathering. Our professionals install only the best outdoor sound system & can mount speakers in landscape beds, shade structures & even hardscape surfaces. Keeping the system discreet, easy to use and powerful enough to cover your entire outdoor living space! Easily pair your phone to the system & you are set & ready to kickoff your next summer gathering! There is no better way to elevate your summer entertainment events than a custom sound system!
4. Custom Pool
Adding a custom pool is one of the best ways to entertain your guests on even the warmest summer days! Pools serve as a great source of entertainment for adults & childen alike. A serene space custom built for priceless memories to be made. Incorporating custom slides, water falls, tanning ledges or deck jets can make your pool stand out from the rest. Incorporating a spa will also become a favorite for you & your guests!
Maybe you love the idea of a pool, but are concerned about space, maintenance or cost. A plunge or cocktail pool may be your answer. These are smaller pools that allow for a great space to sit, relax & enjoy a cool drink on a hot summer day! Plunge pools are becoming popular for the everyday homeowner who just wants a spot to cool off or wants to keep yard space open for other activities. Plunge pools are also a great fit for homeowners who are constricted by impervious surface requirements!
5. Quality Outdoor Furniture
When investing in a premium outdoor living space, it is important to ensure that your furniture selections are not only high quality and outdoor rated, but also that they complement the design & style of your outdoor space. Arborvine works with multiple outdoor furniture suppliers who can help select the right furniture for your space! Adding a few throw pillows or an area rug can really help soften the space and make it feel like a seamless extension of your home!
Considering these thoughtful upgrades as part of a new outdoor space or as additions to an existing space are sure to make entertaining family & guests a blast. Not only will they want to keep coming back, but with a carefully designed setup, you will want to have them back, time & time again!
After an in depth consultation, our design experts will capture your needs, vision and translate it into a creative design seamlessly integrating all features. Our seasoned craftsmen & project managers ensure flawless execution of even the most complex spaces featuring multiple elements. When it comes to highly customized, complex outdoor spaces Arborvines attention to detail, clear communication & standards of excellence ensure a seamless process from design, planning, construction and enjoyment!
Reach out today to schedule a consultation and get your property ready for the seasons ahead.
Still unsure?
Your questions, answered.
How do I determine which upgrade(s) would benefit my outdoor summer entertainment space the most?
Take a look at your current outdoor space: How do you use it currently, and who spends time there? When do they do it? After reviewing these questions, you may find what your space lacks and how one of these upgrades can transform your outdoor living environment.
How do I budget for an upgrade to my outdoor space?
All of Arborvine's projects start with a detailed consultation where we review your wish list & investment level. Our expert consultants can guide you through the budgeting process by suggesting different materials & phasing options if multiple upgrades or work areas are involved.
Will I be able to visualize the upgrades to my outdoor space?
Yes, Arborvine's consultants provide 3d renderings of each project to help you visualize and live "virtually" in the space before a contract is signed or a shovel hits the ground. We can even make adjustments in real time to review alternate options!
How long will the upgrade to my outdoor space take?
The timeline will vary greatly based on the upgrade: a medium-sized project like an outdoor kitchen, fireplace, or TV wall can take a month. Smaller projects such as a sound system would only take a few days. Custom pools or fully equipped outdoor spaces will take the longest, ranging from 1-6 months. Arborvine's project managers provide great in-depth detail about timelines and phases of projects during the pre-construction phase!
When can my outdoor upgrade begin?
Arbrovine's backlog typically ranges from 1-3 months depending on the time of year. Our projects are scheduled for the next available production slot after a signed contract & deposit are received. We use this backlog time to procure materials & work on permitting. Our production team will keep in touch regularly as we approach the start date for your project!
If you’re considering a design-build outdoor project and want clarity on scope, timeline, budget, and next steps:
- Property evaluation and design possibilities discussion
- Preliminary budget guidance
- Timeline and process overview
- Next steps if we're a mutual fit!
Testimonials
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We contracted with Greg and his team to replace about 200′ of backyard drainage piping. His pricing was competitive and they didn’t try to upsell us, or redesign the project parameters, as some of his competitors did. He installed exactly what we requested and the resultant project was a success. We no longer have a lake in our backyard and water is being diverted away from our foundation. I found Arborvine Landscaping to be very professional in the way they operated and will definitely have no issues working with them in the future. Thanks Greg.
Rick FraatzWilmington, DE -
Love the workmanship, professionalism , design, and outcome of our outdoor project. Always on time, friendly, beautiful workmanship, cleaned up every day and on final day. Would highly recommend Arborvine for anyone. Thank you for an amazing outcome!
Karen RockwellSpringfield, PA -
Everything was done quickly and efficiently. They make sure that you are kept aware throughout the process.
Quideya ColemanBoothwyn PA -
Arborvine Landscaping has done an excellent job each Spring getting our gardens back into shape after the harsh winters. Cleaning the debris, cutting back the plants properly, mulching and cutting the beds — all done well. They have honored their warranty on plants multiple times by replacing a couple of cultivars that did not make it. We have also had Arborvine aerate and seed the lawn — also done well. Greg Chakar has always responded in a timely manner to any question that has been asked.
Jim DavisWilmington, DE -
We have used Arborvine for several years and they have a great team. We have one of the best yards and outdoor spaces in the neighborhood thanks to them. Erica is very responsive and helpful, and Greg, the owner, is attentive and always willing to discuss whatever comes up. Special shout out to Angel and Nathan who put down our mulch and did our landscaping bed clean up recently – they paid much attention to detail and did an amazing job!
Cynthia MarshallWilmington, DE -
My property had a serious drainage problem and Arborvine Landscaping created a beautiful swale that is sure to solve the issue. Additionally they planted some gorgeous native plants in a freshly created bed. The transformation is amazing!! Crew members Alex, Pedro and Angel were very professional and hardworking. I fully recommend Arborvine. Everyone was very easy to work with.
Valerie MartinWilmington, DE -
Greg and his team did a fantastic job on our in-ground pool. We are very pleased with the overall process and end result. I am confident that our new pool will provide years of family fun and add significant value to our home. Thank you Arborvine Landscaping!
Sheri JenkinsGreenville, DE -
Working with Arborvine was great and we really could not be happier. All of the work was completed in the time estimated and the same workers were here each day from morning until evening focused on the job. The work itself exceeded our expectations. We knew we wanted a paved area outside for a patio, but really had no idea beyond that and were expecting something plain. They laid beautiful stone, redid the garden area, and made a retaining wall that is the perfect place for a fire pit. It was all designed by them. We have gotten so many compliments and even other contractors have been impressed. Would definitely work with them again and highly recommend!
Steve HagueWilmington, DE -
Another superb job completed by the Arborvine H1 crew. They shored up our split-rail fence with stronger wiring and it looks fantastic. They are a diligent and hard working crew that pays attention to details! Thank you!
Rob CWilmington, DE -
So very glad that we had the opportunity to work with Greg and his team to upgrade the gardens at our new house in North Wilmington as well as get a VERY thorough Fall clean up. Fabulous design, and redesign too, when our plans needed to change.
His team, headed by Alex who answered all of our questions about maintenance as well as the day to day work, were very responsive as well as conscientious. They were on top of things after they left as well – answering our email questions about watering in a very timely fashion to make sure that our investment was taken care of.
Would highly recommend them to anyone for installing new gardens as well as maintaining and cleaning up what you have.
Cheryl KuchlerWilmington, DE