Make the most of summer in Lehigh Valley at your J.T. Maloney Signature home. Have fun, relax and entertain with accents and elements the entire family can enjoy. From gardens to gazebos, outdoor kitchen space and built-in fire pit seating, check out some of our favorite outdoor ideas homeowners are incorporating when updating Signature backyard space.
Connect the Indoors to Outdoor Space 
Create a connection to nature and extend living space into the open air by linking indoor and outdoor areas together. Add a covered patio or outdoor kitchen to the back of the home, or create a pathway from your backdoor to a private gazebo or pergola sitting area. Large windows, french patio and glass sliding doors create continuous flow. Real Homes offers 11 clever ways to link your indoor and outdoor rooms to increase living space.
Dine Alfresco
Outside space is as equally important as inside space, and there’s good reason to get outdoors and enjoy a meal this summer. A covered open air outdoor kitchen with suspended ceiling fan will make alfresco dining delectable. Build a sheltered area over the outdoor kitchen for extended dining opportunities, choose appliances rated for the outdoors and weatherproof building materials for changing seasons. When planning an outdoor kitchen, consider how the space will be used and what is most commonly on the menu. A large dining table surrounded by built-in storage benches can save space for seating and conceal clutter for quaint dinners or family feasts, while a wall-mounted television is sure to entertain during big games and between burger flips. Built-in bar level dining counters with seating stools, prep sink, extra electrical outlets and an under the counter ice maker and refrigerator make appliances handy for grabbing a cool beverage, storing food prep items and creating icy concoctions. An outdoor pizza oven and barbecue island or grilling station with stainless pull-out trash bins will help you create mouthwatering meals and minimize back and forth trips to the kitchen inside. Need inspiration? Check out the spruce for 50 Outdoor Dream Kitchens for Every Style and Space.
Design a Backyard Paradise
Step outside and into your very own backyard paradise. Relax in a soothing sitting area surrounded by a tranquil environment complete with rock gardens, vertical greenery, bubbling fountain and koi pond with your own edible garden and natural ecosystem. Elevate backyard gathering space and escape to your own oasis any day of the week, squishing your toes in a sand garden, taking a refreshing pool dip and sunbathing on a chaise lounge, while the kids enjoy fun backyard features. HGTV offers plenty of inspirational ideas to consider, including a climbing wall clubhouse for children to encourage physical play and a sense of adventure, a splash pad with water spray features or turfed lawn space for fun and games like bocce ball, mini-golf or soccer.
Liven Up the Outdoor Lounge
Create a space for comfort, curl up and get cozy. Warm up outdoor living space with a pillow-topped pergola, hanging daybed, gazebo or mesh hammock piled high with colorful weather-resistant cushions and pillows. Position a patio firepit as the focal point. This fiery backyard feature provides a calming centerpiece for cooking s’mores and warming cold hands when surrounded by a built-in seating wall or seating nooks. Take your Signature yard to the next level and focus on safety when designing and selecting building materials for the fire pit. Create a comforting, ambient glow with lighting installations to surround the patio. There are several options to consider including garden lighting, lanterns and stairway lighting on dimmer switches to set a relaxing tone and help guests easily navigate textured stone or brick walkways to and from your Signature home.
At J.T. Maloney Signature Homes, we create thoughtfully designed custom built homes. Enjoy a Signature summer at home with spectacular spaces for entertainment and intimate gatherings. Contact us today to build the home of your dreams.
