How to Design the Perfect Outdoor Living Space (That You’ll Actually Use All Summer)

A beautifully designed backyard makes outdoor living appealing in every season—but summer often reveals just how practical and enjoyable your space truly is. Thoughtful outdoor design should naturally welcome you outdoors all year, offering comfort, convenience, and lasting appeal—whether you’re relaxing, hosting, or just spending casual time with family.  

At Degree Lawn & Landscape, our approach prioritizes practical use alongside beauty, ensuring your landscape enhances your daily life rather than complicating it. This guide highlights essential considerations—like smart material selections, layout decisions, shade strategies, and comfortable gathering areas—to help you create an outdoor space you’ll genuinely enjoy, particularly through the active summer months and beyond. 

Design for Everyday Comfort and Practicality 

Designing an outdoor space you’ll actually use means thinking through how it will function day to day. It’s not just about how it looks when it’s finished—it’s about how it feels to walk across, how easy it is to keep cool, and how naturally it fits into your routine. At Degree Lawn & Landscape, we help homeowners make choices that support comfort, usability, and long-term satisfaction.  

Choose Materials That Support Regular Use 

Some materials hold up better under heat and foot traffic than others. Light-colored stone or specialty pavers can stay cooler underfoot and are more pleasant to use during warmer weather. We help you choose surfaces that balance appearance with performance, so you don’t end up avoiding your patio when the sun’s out.  

Use Natural Shade Instead of Temporary Fixtures 

Natural shade offers comfort without the maintenance and limitations of temporary solutions. Trees, tall shrubs, and climbing vines can create shaded zones that grow more effective over time. These plantings also add privacy, soften the look of hardscaping, and can even boost property value—healthy trees have been shown to raise property values by 3 to 15%. 

Think About Flow and Movement 

When walkways are awkward, or seating areas feel out of reach, people tend to stay inside. A well-designed layout makes it easy to move between your home and your outdoor spaces. We place gathering zones, paths, and planted borders in ways that feel natural and convenient—so your yard gets used more often, with less effort. 

Build Gathering Spaces That Invite People to Stay a While 

When your outdoor space includes areas where people naturally want to linger, it gets used more often—whether you’re hosting neighbors, having a weeknight dinner outside, or just reading a book in the shade. We design gathering zones that are built for comfort, connection, and convenience, using materials and layouts that support how you actually live.  

Add Built-In Seating That Feels Like Part of the Landscape 

Instead of relying on patio furniture that needs to be stored, cleaned, or rearranged, built-in seating becomes part of your landscape. A patio seating wall offers a permanent, low-maintenance option that’s always ready for guests. It also creates a clean, finished look and helps reduce clutter—especially in tighter spaces where traditional furniture might feel bulky.  

Keep Gathering Zones Comfortable and Well-Placed 

It’s not just what’s in your gathering area—it’s where it’s located. Seating that’s placed in full sun or up against a hot wall can feel uncomfortable quickly. We help homeowners think through things like natural shade, breeze direction, and how close a gathering space is to the kitchen or interior living areas. That way, your patio with fire pit, dining area, or conversation nook gets used when you want it—not just when the weather is perfect.  

Make the Most of Your Yard After Sunset 

Evenings are some of the best times to enjoy the outdoors—especially when your space is designed to support it. Whether you're grilling dinner, relaxing after work, or hosting friends, outdoor areas should transition easily into the evening. 

Include Lighting That Works for Looks and Safety 

Thoughtfully placed lighting can make your yard feel comfortable and usable without being too bright or harsh. We often install a mix of path lights, uplights on trees, and low-glow features around seating areas or steps. These not only make it easier to move around at night but also highlight the best parts of your landscape.  

Add Privacy Where It Matters 

Tall plantings, layered hedges, and raised beds can help create a more secluded feel in yards that are close to neighbors or busy roads. These natural buffers don’t just provide screening—they also help block noise and wind, making the space more relaxing overall. We regularly incorporate privacy features that blend with the rest of the landscape instead of calling attention to themselves.