Landscape Design
8 Ideas From Pros to Elevate Your Outdoor Entertaining Spaces
Give your yard a boost for hosting with outdoor cooking and eating areas, fire pits, soft lights and cozy cushions
With the summer entertaining season upon us, you might be wondering how to make your yard more suitable for outdoor gatherings. Or maybe you would just like to add some pizazz and comfort to your patio or deck. We spoke with landscape design and building pros on Houzz about their ideas for elevating outdoor entertaining spaces. Here are eight ideas small and large to boost your yard for the season.
Pair your outdoor cooking spot with a comfortable dining area that invites lingering. “It fosters togetherness,” Algozzini says. A standard table for six is usually ideal for family or small gatherings. If you like to host larger parties and don’t want a bigger table permanently, look for tables that expand or furniture you can easily add to the space when needed.
Shop for outdoor dining furniture on Houzz
Shop for outdoor dining furniture on Houzz
2. Add a Fire Pit
“Fire pits create an inviting ambiance where people love to gather, share stories and enjoy each other’s company,” says outdoor design-build specialist Daren Langhorne of Core Outdoor Living. A fire pit becomes a focal point without dominating the space, allowing guests to gather around. It also can double as a place for grilling, roasting hot dogs and toasting marshmallows.
The type of fire pit to bring in depends on your space, budget, and fuel preference, as well as local burning restrictions and whether you want something permanent or portable.
Hire a landscape contractor near you
“Fire pits create an inviting ambiance where people love to gather, share stories and enjoy each other’s company,” says outdoor design-build specialist Daren Langhorne of Core Outdoor Living. A fire pit becomes a focal point without dominating the space, allowing guests to gather around. It also can double as a place for grilling, roasting hot dogs and toasting marshmallows.
The type of fire pit to bring in depends on your space, budget, and fuel preference, as well as local burning restrictions and whether you want something permanent or portable.
Hire a landscape contractor near you
“A wood-burning fire pit is the old-school way to go, with crackling wood, the hypnotic smell of smoke and as much heat as you can handle,” Langhorne says. Gas fire pits offer the convenience of just turning a knob to start or adjust the flame and create no ashes, soot or smoke, he says. Unlike wood fire pits, however, they require a gas line or fuel tank.
Portable fire pits can be easily added to most outdoor spaces, coming in many sizes and costing less than a permanent installation. “They’re relatively inexpensive, easy to relocate, require minimal cleanup and have little or no smoke to deal with,” Langhorne says.
Portable fire pits can be easily added to most outdoor spaces, coming in many sizes and costing less than a permanent installation. “They’re relatively inexpensive, easy to relocate, require minimal cleanup and have little or no smoke to deal with,” Langhorne says.
Langhorne and Algozzini note that tabletop gas fire pits and smaller stove-like options are gaining popularity and are great solutions for smaller outdoor spaces.
10 Things to Know About Buying a Fire Pit for Your Yard
10 Things to Know About Buying a Fire Pit for Your Yard
3. Change Out Your Planters
Algozzini is a fan of swapping out potted plants and containers as a quick way to brighten an outdoor space and create a more welcoming environment. “We’ve come a long way from clay pots,” he says. To get started, Algozzini recommends filling planters with annuals and herbs that will provide immediate color and texture. “It’s relatively inexpensive but adds a lot of impact,” he says.
See more container garden inspiration
Algozzini is a fan of swapping out potted plants and containers as a quick way to brighten an outdoor space and create a more welcoming environment. “We’ve come a long way from clay pots,” he says. To get started, Algozzini recommends filling planters with annuals and herbs that will provide immediate color and texture. “It’s relatively inexpensive but adds a lot of impact,” he says.
See more container garden inspiration
4. Scatter Small Lights
Hayman recommends adding a variety of lighting features that will provide illumination while allowing you to appreciate the night skies and ambiance. They don’t have to be expensive. “Portable lights, little lights, mini lamps, globes and candles are all low-cost but effective,” she says.
Hayman recommends adding a variety of lighting features that will provide illumination while allowing you to appreciate the night skies and ambiance. They don’t have to be expensive. “Portable lights, little lights, mini lamps, globes and candles are all low-cost but effective,” she says.
5. Bring In Fans and Heaters
Fans and heaters can go a long way toward making an outdoor space more comfortable when the weather isn’t ideal. “Heaters can be used on chillier days and nights,” says outdoor design-build specialist Katherine Douglass of TCP Custom Outdoor Living. On hot days, fans provide a cooling breeze and help keep bugs away by moving the air.
Fans and heaters can go a long way toward making an outdoor space more comfortable when the weather isn’t ideal. “Heaters can be used on chillier days and nights,” says outdoor design-build specialist Katherine Douglass of TCP Custom Outdoor Living. On hot days, fans provide a cooling breeze and help keep bugs away by moving the air.
6. Incorporate Entertainment
“A sound system — Bluetooth, of course — lets you set the mood for each outdoor gathering,” Douglass says. She says speakers can be connected to an outdoor TV, allowing everyone to hear while watching sports and shows outside.
Note: Be aware of how your speakers and screens might affect your neighbors, and design and use your space accordingly.
“A sound system — Bluetooth, of course — lets you set the mood for each outdoor gathering,” Douglass says. She says speakers can be connected to an outdoor TV, allowing everyone to hear while watching sports and shows outside.
Note: Be aware of how your speakers and screens might affect your neighbors, and design and use your space accordingly.
7. Provide Cover
Outdoor shade and roof structures, ranging from covered decks and patios to patio umbrellas and shade sails, add to the comfort of an outdoor entertaining spot and help define the space.
“The best thing a homeowner should invest in for outdoor living would be to build a covered patio that is either attached or freestanding, and that looks original to the home, matching the roof material and pitch plus other exterior finishes,” Douglass says. The structure will protect guests from the elements and can be extremely long-lasting.
Outdoor shade and roof structures, ranging from covered decks and patios to patio umbrellas and shade sails, add to the comfort of an outdoor entertaining spot and help define the space.
“The best thing a homeowner should invest in for outdoor living would be to build a covered patio that is either attached or freestanding, and that looks original to the home, matching the roof material and pitch plus other exterior finishes,” Douglass says. The structure will protect guests from the elements and can be extremely long-lasting.
You might also consider adding a pergola with a solid or partially enclosed top. ”A pergola can provide needed shade and protection from the elements,” Hayman says. Algozzini recommends wood structures such as pergolas and pavilions as well. “They also bring people together and highlight the space,” he says.
If you’re not ready to build, Hayman suggests looking at umbrellas, especially those with newer features. “They swivel and pivot, and some are on wheels, which makes moving them easy,” she says.
If you’re not ready to build, Hayman suggests looking at umbrellas, especially those with newer features. “They swivel and pivot, and some are on wheels, which makes moving them easy,” she says.
8. Make It Cozy
A final touch, Hayman says, is to add softness. “Bring in cushions and throws so people want to stay outside,” she says.
The pros we spoke with also recommend adding retractable shades, curtains and screens for privacy. “They can enhance the space, create a sound barrier or just keep nosy neighbors from observing everything that is happening in the outdoor living room,” Douglass says. They also give a space a cozy feel.
Browse outdoor pillows and cushions
More on Houzz
Read more landscape design stories
Get landscape design ideas
Find a landscape designer or architect
Shop for outdoor products
A final touch, Hayman says, is to add softness. “Bring in cushions and throws so people want to stay outside,” she says.
The pros we spoke with also recommend adding retractable shades, curtains and screens for privacy. “They can enhance the space, create a sound barrier or just keep nosy neighbors from observing everything that is happening in the outdoor living room,” Douglass says. They also give a space a cozy feel.
Browse outdoor pillows and cushions
More on Houzz
Read more landscape design stories
Get landscape design ideas
Find a landscape designer or architect
Shop for outdoor products
An outdoor space for cooking and dining continues to be a popular feature. “More people are into doing anything culinary outside,” says landscape designer John Algozzini of Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors.
Your setup can be as simple as a grill, a counter and a nearby bistro table or as elaborate as a full outdoor kitchen with a refrigerator, an ice maker, a sink and storage — or anything in between. “Think of adding a pizza oven or a smoker,” landscape designer Jennifer Hayman says.
What to Know About Adding an Outdoor Kitchen