Summer invites us to slow down, savor the outdoors, and enjoy life a little more fully. Itโs the season of long evenings, weekend gatherings, and quiet morning coffee on the porch. For many homeowners, itโs also a time to reimagine the way their home interacts with the outdoors.
From elevated entertaining spaces to quiet backyard retreats, here are five distinctive ways to remodel your summer spacesโeach one designed to make your home feel more expansive, connected, and inspiring.
1. Outdoor Fireplaces & Firepits
Thereโs a reason weโre drawn to the glow of a fireโit creates connection, warmth, and a natural gathering place. A well-designed outdoor fireplace or fire pit extends your use of the outdoors into the cooler evenings and becomes a focal point of your summer living space.
Take our Artful Addition project, for example. We designed an indoor-outdoor fireplace that anchors both the homeโs interior and exterior. From the living room to the patio, the fire becomes a shared element, enhancing comfort and creating seamless transitions between spaces.
Design Tip: Choose materials that complement your homeโs architectureโstone, brick, or corten steel are timeless options. Consider built-in seating, subtle lighting, and low-maintenance pavers to elevate the experience.
2. Swimming Pools
A pool isnโt just a place to cool offโitโs a statement. Whether itโs a sleek lap pool, a compact plunge pool, or a natural pool that flows with the landscape, the right design can turn a backyard into a private resort.
For our East Harriet Expansion, the swimming pool was the central design inspiration. Every element of the additionโfrom indoor entertaining areas to outdoor diningโwas planned around the pool, creating a space designed for connection, celebration, and relaxation.
Design Tip: Donโt forget the details around the pool. Thoughtful landscaping, shaded lounge zones, and stylish pool houses or outdoor showers enhance the sense of retreat and luxury.
3. Pergolas
A pergola adds instant structure and shade while creating an architectural frame for outdoor living. Whether used as a lounge area, dining space, or garden feature, pergolas offer flexible function with style.
In our Californian Coastal project, we designed a pergola that frames a hot tub lounge space on a raised deck. Integrated into the surrounding landscaping, the structure creates a cozy, semi-enclosed zone that feels serene and tucked awayโperfect for evening relaxation or weekend gatherings.
Design Tip: Use a pergola to define zonesโwhether thatโs a quiet corner to read or an outdoor kitchen for entertaining. Add greenery, lighting, or retractable shade panels to increase comfort and ambiance.
4. Sunrooms
When you want the feel of the outdoors with the comfort of the indoors, a sunroom delivers. With ample natural light and year-round usability, sunrooms offer a peaceful connection to the surrounding landscapeโwithout the bugs, heat, or unpredictable weather.
In a Cedar Lake Tudor, we helped the homeowners feel more connected to the outdoors by designing a modern sunroom with floor-to-ceiling windows, clean architectural lines, and a minimalist palette. The result is a striking contrast to the original home that feels contemporary and groundedโan architectural โglass boxโ that becomes a sanctuary in every season.
Design Tip: Tailor your sunroom to how youโll use it. Whether itโs a plant-filled conservatory, a cozy reading room, or a bright family hangout, consider the orientation, materials, and furnishings to support your daily rhythm.
5. Front Porches
More than just an entryway, the front porch is a place of welcome, rest, and connection with your neighborhood. Thoughtful design here can add character, charm, and new ways to enjoy the outdoorsโespecially during the summer months.
One of our favorite examples is this Cape Cod-inspired home nestled along the Mississippi River. The homeowners loved their views and wanted to maintain the generational family swing that had become a beloved fixture. As part of a larger dormer addition, we reimagined the front porch to maximize the views, celebrate family history, and create a treehouse-like feel from the upstairs suite.
Design Tip: Porches can be both functional and sentimental. Think about how you want to use the spaceโmorning coffee spot, reading nook, or place to chat with neighborsโand incorporate heirlooms or personal touches that tell your familyโs story.
Remodeling your outdoor spaces is more than an aesthetic decisionโitโs a way to expand how you live, entertain, and connect with your surroundings. At Quartersawn, we specialize in creating designs that are both highly personal and thoughtfully crafted. If you’re dreaming of summer spaces that feel deeply connected to how you live, weโd love to help bring that vision to life. Letโs start the conversation.