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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Greg was very patient with our many questions and ideas for our front walkway landscaping. The workers were polite, prompt, and accomplished the work in the time stated. We have received many compliments from our neighbors!
Julia RomingerWilmington, DE -
We used Arborvine for a design/installation of front and side landscaping beds including new bed shape, sod, lighting and all new shrubs and perennials. 4 full day project. Excellent workmanship and punctual, pleasant and DETAILED landscaping workers. We will use for all future needs!
Kathleen LWilmington, DE -
Punctual, professional, quick and thorough. Greg was great to work with and Angel and crew did a fantastic job. Would recommend Arborvine for any landscaping project!
Abby HughesWilmington, DE -
If I could give more than 5 stars I would! Greg was great to work with – he came out within a day or so of my inquiry to discuss my project and provide an estimate. He listened to what I was looking to do and wrote up a detailed estimate outlining the scope of the project perfectly; offering to schedule the work to be done much sooner than I expected. His estimate was right within our budget and communication was great (can’t say that about many other contractors!).
The day the work began, his crew arrived early and began right on time. I left a few things in the area where the work was to be done – they cleared the area with care and neatly stacked the things I left behind my shed. Everything they did was meticulous and professional. His crew followed the scope of work to a T.
Greg made sure to ask me ahead of time which path I’d prefer them to use to haul the heavy equipment to the project area. His crew stayed perfectly within the area/path specified to minimize damage to my grass… and they of-course repaired all areas as needed afterwards. Very happy with the results! Can’t beat fair pricing AND professionalism!
Jon CombsWilmington, DE -
A truly beautiful job!! We will be using Arborvine for our next project!
Susan MurrayWilmington, DE -
We moved into a home that had not been upgraded outside and was in need of new landscaping. We
wanted to add an outdoor kitchen as well for our anniversary. The work in the front of the house and also the outdoor patio and kitchen were higher than our expectations. Arborvine has turned our backyard into an Oasis! Love the work that was done. We are keeping them for our maintenance. People are stopping us and praising the front of the house upgrade. Highly Recommend.Laura KellerWilmington, 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 -
Arborvine designed and constructed a new front stoop with two steps and a walkway from the driveway. They gave excellent advice and helped us select materials that would look nice and function well. They have a good aesthetic sense — the new hardscaping is pleasing to the eye. They were careful with existing plantings and repaired or replaced them as needed. They are very friendly and professional.
Steven ZimmermanWilmington, DE -
Greg and his team worked closely with us on a major transformation for our front yard. When we moved into a new property, the steep hill was a huge concern from a safety and aesthetic perspective, not to mention a nuisance to upkeep regularly. Arborvine provided initial design concepts and partnered with us to refine our selection, from materials to plants, and led a beautiful improvement to our property that raised curb appeal, made our front entrance much more accessible, and changed the entire vibe of our yard for the better.
We have now worked with Arborvine for two major transformations across our property, and I will continue to partner with them as other projects come up. If you’re looking for a team who knows hardscaping / landscaping, is easy to work with, transparent, and agile – look no further. This is your crew.
Greg D’AntonioNewark, DE -
Greg and his team were a pleasure to work with. They were always extremely responsive and though weather and supply issues prolonged the overall project timeline, there was constant communication and they were committed to ensuring everything was installed properly and efficiently.
Nathan & Kelly BachmanNewark, DE