Waterloo Landscape & Construction Showcasing an outdoor living space in Austin, TX

Outdoor Living Spaces: End of Summer

In many parts of the country, summer is the season for heading outside – think backyard barbecues, lush summertime gardens, and kids playing into the evening hours. But here in Austin, summer days can be swelteringly hot. It’s once the fall months bring mild weather and cooler temperatures that we can really spend time enjoying our outdoor spaces.

So, when it comes to making the most of your outdoor living spaces, end-of-summer improvements can be the perfect way to enjoy a fabulous fall. From a few thoughtful touches to a complete backyard makeover, now is the time to think about creating an outdoor space you love.

At Waterloo Outdoor Design Build, our Austin landscape design and build firm really picks up the pace as summer begins to wind down. We’re passionate about crafting outdoor living areas that go beyond basic, helping homeowners bring their design dreams to life – no matter what time of year it is. For Austinites that want to upgrade their yard, here are just a few of our favorite ideas for preparing outdoor living spaces for fall and beyond.

Outdoor Living Spaces Design Ideas

Set up an outdoor dining area for meals al fresco.

There are few things more satisfying than a delicious meal enjoyed outdoors. Something about the fresh air just seems to make everything taste better, don’t you agree?

Incorporating a space for dining in an outdoor area makes it easy to enjoy fall dinners (or your morning coffee, breakfast, and even a casual lunch). Depending on your needs, as well as how much space you have available, you can choose from many different set-up options. For example, an extended patio can easily accommodate an oversized outdoor dining table for year-round entertaining. If you’re working with a smaller patio, consider a bar-height table for two for romantic dinners under the stars.

Another option is to add on a new deck or patio area, creating a standalone dining space where there wasn’t one before. Perhaps you design a multi-level deck just outside your home’s kitchen, or maybe you decide to build a pergola under some mature trees – it’s completely up to you!

Get ready for grill season with a BBQ island or outdoor kitchen.

When you think of a backyard barbecue, your mind might immediately go to summer. But here in Austin, grilling season really picks up come fall… mainly because it finally cools off enough to make standing over a hot grill more tolerable!

Outdoor kitchen design in Austin can be customized according to your lifestyle, so you can be confident that you’re creating a space that you’ll actually use. For example, if you’re a gas grill devotee, you might want to design a modern BBQ island with a built-in gas grill for steaks, burgers, and more. Or, if you prefer a Southern-style smoker, you can incorporate a wood-burning smoker into a stylish and functional design.

For the serious home chef (or even just a fun-loving foodie), an outdoor kitchen with all the upgrades can be a game-changer. Features like a built-in grill, beverage fridge, counter space, and even an oven put everything you need within easy reach. Combine that with an outdoor dining or living space, and you have the ultimate kitchen at your convenience.

Create an outdoor oasis.

Have you ever noticed the way that the sound of moving water can instantly relax your mind and body? Bringing a water feature into your backyard not only adds visual interest to the space, but can also turn it into a peaceful sanctuary from the busy routines of everyday life.

Water features can run the gamut from a small, contemporary fountain in an outdoor courtyard to a full-scale waterfall or even a water garden. Because there are so many different options, as well as a wide selection of materials to choose from, you can find one that fits your aesthetic.

When you’re considering water features in Austin, it’s important to think about water-wise features. Not only is conserving water a must for sustainability, but it will also make a big difference in your monthly water bill. Other things to keep in mind include long-term maintenance, as well as how you can integrate the water feature in a way that complements existing plants and design elements.

Plant a fall vegetable garden.

The mild fall and winter weather in Austin makes it an ideal place to garden through the end of the year and into spring. Even if you’re an inexperienced gardener, why not try your hand (or should we say your green thumb) at a fall vegetable garden?

In-ground and raised bed gardening in Austin is a wonderful way to enjoy the literal fruits of your labor, as well as create an attractive feature in your outdoor space. In terms of landscape design, vegetable gardens are a great balance of form and function.

Here are a few tips for gardening in Austin in the fall:

      • Learn what vegetables to plant in Austin in the fall. Even though it’s tempting to just shop the aisles of your favorite plant nursery, take the time to do a little research to learn about what to grow during fall. For example, you can plant broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and potatoes in early September, but you’ll want to wait until October and November for beets, carrots, and spinach.
      • Don’t forget herbs! Maximize even a small garden bed by planting herbs throughout, which you can then continuously harvest for flavorful fall cooking.
      • Partner with a professional for garden planning and set-up. Oftentimes, investing in professional garden design in Austin can be the best value for your money. An expert can help you determine which plants are right for you, how to arrange your garden, and what to do about watering.

An alternative to a vegetable garden is a cut flower garden, featuring beautiful blooms that you can display indoors throughout your home. Late October and early November are a good time frame for planting bulbs for spring, but you can also enjoy fresh flowers in the fall if you get chrysanthemums and fall asters right now.

Outdoor Living Spaces: End of Summer Improvements from Waterloo Outdoor Design Build

Waterloo Outdoor Design Build isn’t like every other Austin landscaping service out there; in fact, we’re dedicated to doing things differently. We’re firm believers in the idea that your outdoor living space should serve as an extension of your home, an area that suits your lifestyle and personal taste.

We specialize in crafting striking outdoor designs for Austin homes, providing a broad range of services including:

Not sure if you need construction and installation services? Our Designed for You services give you easy access to professional landscape designers in Austin, along with the freedom to implement the final design when and how you want to. Maybe you want to take a DIY approach to put a design into action, or maybe you just want to upgrade your space at a slower (or budget-conscious) pace – whatever the reason, Designed for You from Waterloo Outdoor Design Build gives you the best of both worlds.

Summer is quickly coming to a close, making it the perfect time to get your outdoor living space in shape for fall. Get more information about our professional outdoor design services when you contact Waterloo Outdoor Design Build today!

Featured Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock