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9 outdoor living renovations to splurge on this summer

U.S. News & World Report

June 4, 2017, 6:02 AM

Outdoor wooden gazebo with roses and summer landscape background(Getty Images/iStockphoto/alga38)

Soak up the sun with a little luxury.

There are few things you want to do more during the summer than lounge in the beautiful weather — and it would be all the better if you could do so in your own backyard. Forty-one percent of homeowners who plan on making home improvements in 2017 intend to invest in outdoor projects, according to a survey of nearly 2,100 homeowners from LightStream, a division of SunTrust Banks Inc. And upgrades for comfort or simply to outdo the neighbors are getting more intense, as backyards are becoming as luxurious as home interiors. Swimming pools excluded, here are nine outdoor living renovations to splurge on this summer.

Carpenter bees attacking your wooden deck or porch? Mike McGrath suggests homeowners try building the bees an alternative habitat, almond oil can also help. But applying a paint or wood stain will be the only long-term solution to stop those pollinators in their tracks. (Thinkstock)
Patio or deck Many backyard aficionados will point to a patio or deck as a must for comfortable outdoor living. National stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s offer deck materials and installation services, although many homeowners hire local construction companies to design and build. Most homeowners will spend between $4,075 and $9,997 on a new deck, according to HomeAdvisor. You can stick to a tighter budget by designing a smaller space or opting for a material that may not be as weather-resistant, like wood you would stain or seal yourself. Smaller scale: $9.86 for 1.25-inch x 6-inch x 16-foot board, Severe Weather Max, Lowe’s (price may vary by location)
Go big: $27.36 for 1-inch x 5.4-inch x 16-foot board, ChoiceDek Foundations, Lowe’s (price may vary by location) (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Fire pit Whether you want to extend your time outdoors into fall or you’re simply a fan of s’mores, a fire pit is considered a key piece in many modern outdoor living setups. “What’s becoming the norm now is not necessarily building [fire pits] in, but building a space for them, and that way that space can be opened up for entertaining when the fire pit’s not being used,” says Nick Hanna, owner of NRC Landscape Construction in Vienna, Virginia. Smaller scale: $84.98, Fire Sense, Hayneedle Inc.
Go big: $1,179.99, Real Flame, Home Depot (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Outdoor fireplace For an alternative to a fire pit, take another step toward a true outdoor living room with a fireplace. In addition to the fireplace itself, factor in the cost of installation and, if it’s a gas or electric fireplace, keep room in your budget for the appropriate hookup away from the house. Of course, you can always really break the bank with a custom build from a local company. Hanna says a homeowner can spend as much as $20,000 on an outdoor fireplace if you really “go to town with the whole thing.” Smaller scale: $2,942.55, Cal Flame, Home Depot
Go big: $9,625, American Fyre Designs, Woodland Direct (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Couches and chairs Make your backyard feel just as comfortable as the inside of your home by leaving those lawn chairs at the curb and opting for outdoor couches and chairs worthy of applause. Your seating choices can transform your outdoor space into an area where everyone will want to spend as much time as possible. Especially when the furniture is situated around a fire pit or outdoor fireplace, your family will see little reason to stay inside when the weather’s nice. Smaller scale: $680 for sofa and two one-seat sections, IKEA
Go big: $6,495, for sofa and two lounge chairs, Restoration Hardware (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Summer is here, and that means it's time to fire up the grill. An expert butcher offer his best tips on selecting, and cooking, meat this summer. (Thinkstock)
Master grilling station Everyone loves a barbecue, so if you’re really looking to impress your guests, why not show off a built-in grill in your outdoor kitchen? “Spending $70,000 on an interior renovation for your kitchen inside is a no-brainer now, and spending $20,000 on an outdoor kitchen is almost the norm now,” Hanna says. An outdoor kitchen budget can easily get out of hand with trash compactors, plumbing connections and the like, but you can manage costs based on how crazy you want to get. Smaller scale: $1,687.49, Blaze Outdoor Products, BBQ Guys
Go big: $4,747.26, Cal Flame, Amazon (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Barbecue spread on picnic table
Table for entertaining An evening or weekend afternoon with perfect weather will make just about anyone take their meal outdoors, whether that means dragging out kitchen tables or laying down blankets to eat picnic-style. While an outdoor dining set is common in many a backyard, take it up a notch with enough seating around the table to host an entire dinner party. Outdoor tables can be purchased to match most outdoor living setups, made with wood, wicker or glass and metal. You can even invest in an outdoor table that extends to fit the party size. Smaller scale: $589, IKEA
Go big: $3,247, Pottery Barn (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Outdoor sound system Hanna says an upgraded outdoor sound system, complete with buried subwoofers and speakers installed in trees, is seen as a logical next step for many homeowners who’ve already got the pool, deck, outdoor kitchen and fire pit. But an elaborate sound system isn’t just for those who have a lot of parties in their backyard. Hanna says these kinds of upgrades often come from homeowners who like to impress the occasional guest, too. “It’s pretty crazy how keeping up with the Joneses is getting very expensive,” he says. Smaller scale: $1,699, Origin Acoustics, World Wide Stereo
Go big: $11,500, Sonance (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Gazebo or pergola You’ve got the deck and comfortable seating, now why not add a little shade? A gazebo or pergola make an ideal addition to many outdoor living spaces for both a cool spot to get away from the sun as well as a more finished look. The solid roof on a gazebo can make it possible to enjoy your outdoor living space even when it’s raining, and many brands that make manufactured gazebos, pergolas or cabanas offer covers to block the sun or mosquito netting to keep out bugs. Smaller scale: $271.99, Threshold, Target
Go big: $3,769.99, Best Redwood, Wayfair (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Water feature A backyard swimming pool is a different beast, but if you’re simply looking to enhance an outdoor living space, consider a calming water feature. The relaxing sound of flowing water can help drown out traffic noise, create a great atmosphere for meditating or simply help spice up an otherwise boring space. Just make sure the water continues to flow to avoid inviting more mosquitoes to your backyard. Smaller scale: $255, Sunnydaze Decor, Wal-Mart
Go big: $1,039.99, Henri Studio, Hayneedle Inc. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
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Carpenter bees attacking your wooden deck or porch? Mike McGrath suggests homeowners try building the bees an alternative habitat, almond oil can also help. But applying a paint or wood stain will be the only long-term solution to stop those pollinators in their tracks. (Thinkstock)
Summer is here, and that means it's time to fire up the grill. An expert butcher offer his best tips on selecting, and cooking, meat this summer. (Thinkstock)
Barbecue spread on picnic table

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9 Outdoor Living Renovations to Splurge on This Summer originally appeared on usnews.com

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