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:

Testimonials

We are so pleased with the outcome of our project, particularly the hardscaping. It is so much better than I ever envisioned. I let them know what I was thinking and from that, they were able to make this happen. We get compliments all the time from neighbors and people just passing through. I can’t say enough good things about the men who were here doing the work. They were respectful, hard-working & took the time to get the wall just right even though it was during a heat wave. Greg has put together a great team! He was also incredibly kind & patient, more so than we could have hoped for.

Angela Hopkins

Wilmington, 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 Zimmerman

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
Great to work with and really captured the look we wanted. Reliable and always available for questions. Along with landscaping they installed pathway lighting and they did a great job.

Carol Aruffo

Chadds Ford, PA
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Arborvine Landscaping on multiple occasions. Whether it was mulching beds or building a new hardscape, Greg and his team were always professional and respectful of my property. Their attention to detail is superb, as well as their communication. I highly recommend hiring Arborvine Landscaping for your next outdoor living project!

Chris Rossetti

Wilmington, DE
Arborvine just completed a hardscaping project at my home that involved the installation of a new brick walkway and lighted pillars. The owner, Greg, was very responsive and easy to work with. His crew was excellent — hardworking, detailed and collaborative. Everyone at Arborvine wanted to make sure we were happy. We are thrilled with the result and have received so many compliments from our neighbors.

Kate Sullivan

Greenville, 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 Bachman

Newark, DE
Arborvine did a great job for us both with yard grading and installing new shrubbery. When we had a problem with one of the trees, they came back to install stakes to help and when one arbor vitae died, our warranty kicked in and they replaced that tree for us. They are professional, responsive and a pleasure to work with. They also have a great newsletter. I highly recommend!

Wendy Turner,

Wilmington, DE
Greg and his crew did a phenomenal job on our landscaping. The customer service aspect of Greg and his crew were top notch. We had many additions to our plan and they were handled timely and professionally. I highly recommend Arborvine Landscaping for any of your landscaping needs!! Great service at a great value. We are so pleased with the outcome and how it changed the look of our property.

Pat & Dave Pearsall

Middletown, 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 Martin

Wilmington, DE