Planning

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:

Consultations Include:

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.

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.

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.

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:

Consultations Include:

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Testimonials

A truly beautiful job!! We will be using Arborvine for our next project!

Susan Murray

Wilmington, DE
Greg is very knowledgeable and professional. He cleaned our landscape beds and also added a stone border to a small bed at the back of the house. His crew was efficient and left everything immaculate!

Stephane & David Radin

Middletown, DE
I would like to recommend Pedro and Alex of L-2 for the great work that they did on the projects that I had set up for them to do. They were very professional and knowledgeable about what I wanted done. They finished in a timely manner and were very polite, I would give Arborvine Landscapeing a call for all of your yard work.

Steve Glackin

Wilmington, DE
Arborvine provided professional service and was prompt and courteous. Greg communicated thoughtfully and timely. I recommend Arborvine to all looking for high-quality landscaping.

Aaron and Stephanie Dallaire

Wilmington, DE
We are very pleased with the quality of work that was performed on our drainage problem. They redid our front yard with a stone border and added a lot of new plants. They also take care of our mowing and yard fertilizing. Greg always keeps us informed with the progress of the jobs and responses to our texts and/or phone calls. We highly recommend them for all your landscaping projects!!

Sheila Moran

Wilmington, DE
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 Rominger

Wilmington, 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 L

Wilmington, DE
Dealing with Greg was excellent. The contract was detailed and every detail was fulfilled. I appreciated the communication as every text with a question had a very quick response. As for his crew that did the work, they were such hard workers. They showed up on time for work every day and I’m very pleased with the outcome. I would highly recommend Arborvine Landscaping.

Marene Miasta

Middletown, DE
Greg and crew were great. Very thorough and detail oriented, hard working, efficient, and constant communication. The family is excited to use the new patio for years to come. Highly recommended.

Brad Jones

Wilmington, 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 Hague

Wilmington, DE