Outdoor Living

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.

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. 

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! 

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! 

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! 

Ready to Start Planning Your Outdoor Living Space?

If you’re considering a design-build outdoor project and want clarity on scope, timeline, budget, and next steps:

Plan Your Outdoor Living Project
(302) 502-5605
Consultations Include:
  • Property evaluation and design possibilities discussion
  • Preliminary budget guidance
  • Timeline and process overview
  • Next steps if we're a mutual fit!

Top 5 Outdoor Living Upgrades to Maximize Value & Enjoyment

If you are looking to enhance your curb appeal or outdoor living space in 2026 without a total revamp, here are the top 5 upgrades that will make a huge impact & change your outdoor space! 

Use this guide & consider which upgrades you would enjoy the most. Each of these simple enhancements will increase the value & enjoyment you receive from your home!

1. Fire Pits

Fire pits create an experience in your outdoor space. They serve as the focal point, the spot where everyone wants to be. Priceless memories are made around the fire! Whether you are roasting marshmallows with your family or exchanging stories with friends, this is the place to be. With countless ways to customize fire features, they are an instant fun & value booster for your home!

We look at inspiration clients may have and collaborate with our expertise and skill to overcome design or terrain challenges and achieve the desired results regardless of the complexity of the property. Steep slopes, tight spaces, or a flat open canvas, we handle it all!

2. Patios

If you have a backyard where there is no place to set a table or even a few chairs, a small patio can totally change the exterior of your home, adding enjoyment & customization. Adding a patio creates a defined space to gather & enjoy the outdoors. Making this simple addition will leave you wondering how you lived without it! Building this space will create an extension of your home where outdoor living can be a dream come true, a simple space where priceless memories will be made & cherished!

3. Walkways

Walkways are great for enhancing your curb appeal or cohesively connecting key areas of your outdoor living space! Whether you need an intentional pathway leading guests to your front door or a discreet, turf-set stepping stone path leading to a secret garden retreat, this upgrade will make a huge difference. Investment levels are customizable with endless options ranging from custom pavers to timeless flagstone!

4. Landscaping

Installing a new landscape at your home is sure to turn heads! From subtle pops of perennial color to elegant evergreens & specimen flowering trees, a professionally designed landscape will create an environment that is warm, inviting, and unique to your style & vision. Incorporating seasonal interest will have guests & neighbors anxiously awaiting the next season to see what colors will pop at your home. Expertly installed landscapes bring your property to life and allow your home to stand out!

5. Landscape Lighting

Lighting is hands down the best way to improve the usability of your home after dark, capture its beauty all night, and even enhance your home’s security. Want to keep that backyard cookout going after the sun sets? Or impress your neighbors as your home glows through the night? Lighting is the answer! With color-changing options, the possibilities are endless with a custom outdoor lighting system!

Ready to Start Planning Your Outdoor Living Space?

If you’re considering a design-build outdoor project and want clarity on scope, timeline, budget, and next steps:

Plan Your Outdoor Living Project
(302) 502-5605
Consultations Include:
  • Property evaluation and design possibilities discussion
  • Preliminary budget guidance
  • Timeline and process overview
  • Next steps if we're a mutual fit!

Trending: The Experience Behind a Luxury Outdoor Living Space

The Process for Your Outdoor Living Space

In 2026 a unique trend is coming to light, this trend affects nearly every industry in the country and is causing shifts in consumer trends. Consumers are looking for experiences over just investing in material objects or services. When you think about experiences, you may think of sporting events, vacations, etc however, these experiences can also come from high quality service providers.

At Arborvine Landscaping, our mission has always been to provide the best experience for homeowners looking to create their dream outdoor spaces. Our clear process & legendary experience is one that has set Arborvine apart and forged our reputation as the most sought after design build firm in New Castle County, DE & Southeastern Chester County, PA.

An outdoor living space can be a big decision & investment, our dedicated team curated a custom process to make this journey effortlessly enjoyable.

A Thoughtful, Client-Centered Design Process

Starting from the initial design meeting, our creative design consultants will listen to our clients lifestyle preferences, visions & goals to create a space that suits their needs while also respecting the site conditions and style of the home.

We look at inspiration clients may have and collaborate with our expertise and skill to overcome design or terrain challenges and achieve the desired results regardless of the complexity of the property. Steep slopes, tight spaces, or a flat open canvas, we handle it all!

Client Mood Board Example

Bringing Your Vision to Life Through Design

From here, our process really comes to life as we create a design that allows our clients to digitally interact with the outdoor space. Our clients will feel like they are living in their space thanks to the quality of our design renderings.

This allows plenty of time to refine details, discuss phasing and select materials. Each design detail is thoughtful & intentional to reflect each client’s unique vision.

We will provide material samples and carefully review each selection to compliment the space with the finest available products to ensure a luxurious & durable outdoor space. Each earth derived natural stone selection is complimented beautifully by luscious plantings & even lighting or sound systems to create vibrant outdoor spaces.

Techo Bloc, Marmiro Stones, Premium Natural Flagstone & Boulders

This period of collaboration ends with a clear & detailed proposal outlining the scope of work, material selection and creating a clear blueprint to turn this vision to reality!

From Planning to Construction Excellence

Each Arborvine backyard is clearly planned before a shovel hits the ground. The Arbovine experience continues to impress as we move from planning to construction.

Our production managers will procure materials, handle permits & align our expert crews perfectly. After careful planning & coordination, a pre construction meeting kicks off the build. This is where our seasoned craftsmen will seamlessly integrate with the design team to fully understand the vision and start to bring it to life.

Each project built by Arbovine comes with a level of quality that is sure to exceed expectations.

Project Planning & Construction

A Stress-Free Build Experience

Construction can be stressful, but not when you choose Arborvine. Clean & safe jobsites, constant communication & attention to detail that is unmatched in our industry.

This stage of the process will leave you relaxed & informed, not worried about managing the project or stressing over the details. This step is where the importance of the design & planning process shine. The time spent with our consultants reviewing the design & carefully selecting the materials all pays off when it’s time to build.

At this point there is nothing left for you to do but enjoy the journey & cherish this design & build experience curated by Arborvine.

Many of our clients are sad to see our crews go. While they are ecstatic about their new personal paradise, they slightly miss the joyful daily bustle and positive vibes of our crew members & project managers. The true pride we take in our craft shows each and every day through our smiles, laughs & productive harmony as we proudly bring these visions to life.

Completion, Care, and Long-Term Confidence

On completion, our experts will proudly walk you through the space answering questions and guiding you through the key steps of care & maintenance. We will customize maintenance plans to suit clients needs and protect their investments.

There is no better feeling than the pride & confidence that comes with an Arborvine built backyard. From reminiscing on an experience that makes you smile, to the peace of mind that comes with our industry leading warranties and most importantly, the memories created in your space that you will cherish for life.

Our clients are forever members of the Arborvine family!

Build With Arborvine

If you are a homeowner who values a high quality experience as much as a high quality & long lasting outdoor space, build with Arborvine.

Our perfectly orchestrated process is the only choice when looking to enhance the enjoyment of your home through a custom outdoor space or landscape. While consumers valuing experiences may be a new trend, Arborvine stayed true to our roots, beat the curve by a decade & has been providing a top notch experience since the very beginning.

Join our rapidly growing family of happy clients who are actively creating memories in their dream backyard, proudly built by Arborvine!

Ready to Start Planning Your Outdoor Living Space?

If you’re considering a design-build outdoor project and want clarity on scope, timeline, budget, and next steps:

Plan Your Outdoor Living Project
(302) 502-5605
Consultations Include:
  • Property evaluation and design possibilities discussion
  • Preliminary budget guidance
  • Timeline and process overview
  • Next steps if we're a mutual fit!
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