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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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 -
Arborvine Landscaping is the premier choice for landscaping services in North Wilmington and the surrounding areas. Their commitment to quality is evident in their meticulous attention to detail, and their highly trained, professional crew consistently delivers top-notch results. Whether for residential or commercial needs, Arborvine Landscaping is highly recommended for anyone seeking reliable, expert service.
Steven YohayWilmington, DE -
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 RossettiWilmington, 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 RadinMiddletown, DE -
Greg is a great communicator and makes sure everything you ask for is done. His team were perfectionists, and super efficient. Our yard looks beautiful. Definitely using them again in the future.
Phillip MarinelliNewark, DE -
We had a great experience with Arborvine. From the detailed suggestions we got from Kathy on what solutions would work best for what we needed, to Angel who worked so hard in our yard, to Erica in the office who made our project plan invoice quickly & easy to review, sign off on and pay. It was convenient, detailed & professional. Exactly what we had hoped for. Our yard is now well on its way to looking the way we’d like. I would highly recommend Arborvine if you want a personalized & professional landscaping job done. Big or small, they will be able to take care of what you need. We’ll be back for sure for the next phase!
Robyn PooreWilmington, 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 -
We called Arborvine to help us with a drainage issue in our yard. The entire experience from beginning to end was reat. We received, in my opinion, a fair estimate. From there, the project went smoothly. Greg and Peter were great and his team was outstanding. They arrived on time, focused on the project, worked all day, and paid attention to detail. The crew was friendly, courteous, and professional. Our yard looks great, even better than before, and the water problem seems to have been resolved. The cleanup was outstanding. They will be our first choice when we need landscaping in the future.
M. Jean ChamishWilmington, DE -
Everything was done quickly and efficiently. They make sure that you are kept aware throughout the process.
Quideya ColemanBoothwyn PA -
Greg and the Arborvine crew did an excellent job on a design-build project for us late last year. We had steps added from our raised patio to our backyard. They added a planting area near the driveway, bluestone steps, boulders, shrubs on the side, river rock borders, smaller river rock under the patio (which looks great now instead of a mud hole), and made it all look perfect. What really impressed me was the response time on questions and changes before any money changed hands, AND the ease at which changes were accommodated during and near the end of the project. I’ve seen some contractors take a week or more to return email/calls, but Greg was nearly immediate! Highly recommended and I’d use Arborvine again in a heartbeat – without getting other quotes!
Dave TealWest Chester PA