Upgrading Your Outdoor Space for Optimal Comfort

The classic poolside summer can be upgraded for optimal comfort through the use of remote temperature control. It may be hard to think about now, in the thick of the summer heat, but some of a homeowner’s prime entertaining space is located outdoors. Invite friends to cool down in your swimming pool—which you can keep cool using a smartphone-controlled chiller—and serve drinks and snacks from your summer kitchen, outfitted with brands as nice as the ones you have inside.

The Evolution of Outdoor Living Spaces

Outdoor living spaces are the place where you do what you used to do inside: cooking, dining, living, says Houston-based interior designer Pamela O’Brien of Pamela Hope Designs. You can get your favorite shows on an outdoor TV. The summer kitchen is getting more interesting, with people installing multiple cooking surfaces, smokers, pizza ovens, and even special equipment for big gumbo pots. Nikole Starr, founder of Nikole Starr Interiors, has also felt that shift in the last few years, seeing manufacturers debut new outdoor furniture lines at the semi-annual furniture market events in High Point, North Carolina.

Designing Your Outdoor Space

While there are still plenty of cheap, easily replaced lawn chairs on the market, outdoor furniture can look just as good as what’s in your living or dining room. Technology has improved every part of these pieces, including fabric for cushions, pillows, and rugs. Top brands to look for include Universal Furniture, Four Hands, Bernhardt, and even Palecek, whose California cool aesthetic is a natural fit for things we want to use outdoors. The fabrics look like they can be used inside, but you can hose them down if you need to. Some have slipcovers you can remove and throw in the washing machine, says Starr.

Modern Pool Designs

Today’s planned patios aren’t just for a couple of chairs and a side table. They’re designed with permanent structures overhead, so ceiling fans can be installed to keep a breeze going. Under the one room, you’ll find fully outfitted summer kitchens, dining areas, and lounging areas. There might be an outdoor fireplace, or at least a fire table or firepit, and don’t be surprised if you find more than one TV, even though there’s no real long-term option for outdoor TVs yet. Steve Maddox, of Richmond-based Maddox Custom Pools and Landscaping, says that the transitional and contemporary styles in architecture and design have spread to backyard pools, too.

Pool Technology and Maintenance

Gone are the lagoon-style pools with curvy shapes and rocks mounded to form grottos. Most people today want modern pools in a rectangular or rectilinear shape, with cleaner lines and less fuss, both hallmarks of transitional and contemporary styles. Porcelain tile is replacing travertine pavers for decking, and bigger is better when you’re looking for fewer grout lines and less maintenance. Technology is also at play in better pool use and care, Maddox says, with smart equipment that can be turned on remotely with an iPhone so your hot tub is hot enough or your pool is cool enough when you get home from work.

Protecting Your Outdoor Investment

A covered patio or pavilion will help keep furniture looking nice, but if you can’t afford to build a structure, consider a large patio umbrella. Starr installed a 10-foot, marine-grade Shadowspec umbrella at a client’s home in Tomball. The $7,500 price tag may not be for everyone, but there are decent umbrellas on the market for a lot less. They just might not last as long. In Houston, no matter what else happens, the sun is harsh. Buying new pillows because your old ones faded won’t break the bank, says Starr. But I bought some more affordable furniture, and it crumbled under the elements rather quickly.

Conclusion

No matter your budget or style, there are plenty of ways to entertain guests in your backyard this summer. With the right furniture, technology, and design, you can create an outdoor space that is both comfortable and stylish. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your pool, patio, or summer kitchen, there are many options available to suit your needs. By investing in high-quality outdoor furniture and technology, you can create a space that is perfect for relaxing and entertaining, and that will last for years to come.