7 Ways to Spruce Up Your Outdoor Living Space This Summer

Beautiful weather is just ahead! So it’s time to get your backyard, deck, or patio ready for stargazing, outdoor movie nights, and barbecues with friends and family members. If you step outside and feel like your yard or patio needs a little more pizzazz, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s break down a few outdoor living space ideas to make your yard better than ever.

Why create an outdoor living space?

As the weather gets warmer, you’ll want to spend more and more time outside. The afternoon is the perfect time to curl up with a good book in the shade, for instance, or you might like to take advantage of cool summer evenings to host an outdoor twilight dinner and drinks with friends. No matter what you plan to use your yard or patio for, it needs the right touches to make it a welcoming spot, whether those touches include décor, special furniture, or something else.

An outdoor living area is a comfortable, inviting environment that inspires you and your guests to head outside, socialize, and relax. By creating an outdoor living area out of your Knoxville home’s yard, you’ll make a great space you can enjoy for this season and in the years to come. With that said, here are a few ideas you can adopt to get the ball rolling on your outdoor living space transformation.

1. Place comfy outdoor furniture (with a cover)

Comfortable, colorful outdoor furniture could be just what you need to refresh your home’s outdoor areas. For example, a new sofa with plenty of cushions and pillows might fit on your patio or near a small water fountain.

Want to invite lots of guests over? Scatter a series of different seats through your yard or deck, like a few outdoor armchairs with throw pillows. To make sure guests can sit comfortably in the shade, think about setting up a cover, like a deployable tent, for the seating area. A pergola is a more permanent backyard addition that’s fantastic for Knoxville homeowners who know they’ll be throwing lots of backyard parties in the future.

2. Install an outdoor fireplace

An outdoor fireplace is a great outdoor living space idea since it’s a natural focal point for conversation. Plus, it’s the perfect addition to any outdoor living space as the weather turns chilly in the fall – that way, you can still spend plenty of time outside after the sun goes down, huddled around a fire with your family members.

3. Stage an outdoor kitchen for hosting

But a fireplace isn't enough to cook a delicious meal for your guests. For that, you'll need a well-equipped, fully stocked kitchen. While you could prep all the food indoors, you could also build and install an outdoor kitchen with a grill if you’re ready for a more in-depth home upgrade.

An outdoor kitchen, complete with stone countertops and an integrated grill or cooktop, is a phenomenal outdoor living space improvement that adds significant property value and enables you to cook and chat with your guests outside all at the same time. For many homeowners, there’s nothing quite as fun as whipping up a tasty meal in the fresh air and sunshine!

4. Hang a hammock or swing

Maybe you’re more in the mood for relaxation in your yard. If you like to listen to music or snooze the afternoon away, hang a hammock or swing in your yard. A thick branch beneath a shady tree is the quintessential spot to hang a hammock, but you can also install a swing on your porch if you like to spend time at the front of your home instead of the back.

5. Choose warm, stylish lighting for your outdoor living space

Every backyard social area can be enhanced with the right lighting. Soft, warm lighting is easy on the eyes and makes your outdoor living space more comfortable.

Add some decorative flare to the outdoor areas of your home by choosing lights with stylish designs. For instance, old-fashioned lanterns can be installed on the walls of your home, or you can hang smaller lightbulbs along the bottom of the pergola or the overhead cover above your outdoor dining area.

6. Set rugs on your backyard deck

Have a deck or patio? If you like to go barefoot on these outdoor surfaces, make them even more livable by laying down a few rugs. Thick, waterproof rugs are your best bet, and you can find rugs in many different styles, colors, and shapes that are all tough enough to withstand the wear and tear of the elements.

7. Pick a new patio door

One of the best ways to make your outdoor area more livable is to make it easier to get to. A new patio door might be just the ticket.

A sliding glass patio door is easy to open and close, and you can install one with energy-efficient glass to keep your home's temperature controlled no matter the season. Or you can opt for stylish French patio doors, which provide even more aesthetic elegance to your Knoxville property.

Have a standard exterior door instead of a double-door to your backyard space? One of the advantages of a new storm door is giving your entry a fresh face and smooth operation as you come and go indoors.

Get contractors to help with bigger projects

Any of these outdoor living space ideas could be just what you’re looking for, but each needs to be completed with the right materials and professional expertise. Even if you have a little home remodeling experience, it could be wise to call on experienced contractors to help take care of the more technical work.

Window World of Knoxville’s showroom is the best place to connect with experts, check out new doors and windows, and hire contractors to assist with your upcoming renovation project. Request a free quote or visit us in person to get started!