3 Landscape Design Ideas for Maximizing Your Time Outdoors in Madison and Summit, NJ

Although fall is on the way, spending time outdoors in your Madison and Summit, NJ, landscape shouldn’t have to come to an end just because the warmest part of the summer is ending. These landscape design ideas can maximize your outdoor time through most of the year.

Related: 3 Ways to Make Sure Backyard Landscaping Leads to More Time Outside in Summit and Chatham, NJ

Covered Patio

A gracious, covered patio area can be the ideal spot for spending time outdoors even when the sun begins to go down earlier. By situating the patio fairly close to the back door, a few adjustments can turn it into an outdoor “room” that provides an ease of transition from the indoors.

A pavilion, for example, could allow for ceiling fans to keep a breeze going when it is warm and dimmable light fixtures to change the ambient mood. When choosing the flooring surface, consider classic flagstone in wide rectangular shapes. Flagstone goes with any style home and retains its appealing appearance for many years—it will not go out of style.

Other options to consider can include a pergola, for dappled shade. With a fire pit nearby, your time outside relaxing on the patio can be maximized on cooler summer evenings and fall afternoons.

Multi-Level Patio

One way to designate different uses in a landscape involves using divergent paver patterns or a change in elevation for your patio/outdoor living spaces. When one level is significantly lower than another, and perhaps with a retaining wall helping to delineate the spaces, the change of function is apparent.

Wide, deep steps can bridge the transition of spaces. The lower space can be where your landscapers build a full-size, wide outdoor fireplace. Wide square columns can sit on brick bases for support of the roof. When you add interior rods to the roof, this could make a perfect space for hanging curtains that add privacy.

An Outdoor Fireplace

A gorgeous stone or brick fireplace can bring the warmth on a cool afternoon, especially when graced with cozy furniture that beckons you to sit for a while. You can choose to have a wide, deep hearth that provides seating directly in front of the fire if you wish.

If you opt to situate a TV above the fireplace mantle, this can create the outdoor area where you like to enjoy a favorite show or root for your favorite team. If you opt for a wood-burning outdoor fireplace, a built-in nook can provide reliable dry firewood storage. If you prefer gas, natural gas or a gas tank connected to the fireplace can provide easy on/off options. Technology can allow you to operate the gas fireplace with the touch of a smartphone.

Spending time outdoors doesn’t have to be dependent on the weather when you have an accommodating patio and outdoor living area that entices you to go outside instead of staying indoors. Your landscapers have the ideas and plans to flesh out your vision into a reality that you will love for a long time.

Staying outside as the weather cools will not be a problem when you have a cozy patio area with all the conveniences.

Related: Multipurpose Landscape Design Ideas in Bernardsville and Summit, NJ, Areas