Modern Comfort Meets Outdoor Living

It may be hard to think about in the thick of summer heat, but some of the best spaces for entertaining are outdoors. Invite friends to cool off in the pool—which you can keep refreshingly cool using a smartphone-controlled chiller—and serve drinks and snacks from a fully equipped summer kitchen featuring appliances just as high-end as those inside your home. The outdoor furniture is stylish enough to grace the pages of a magazine, yet built to withstand the intense heat and humidity.

“Outdoor living spaces are where people are now doing what they used to do inside—cooking, dining, relaxing,” says Houston-based interior designer Pamela O’Brien of Pamela Hope Designs. “You can even catch your favorite shows on outdoor TVs. Summer kitchens are becoming more elaborate, with multiple cooking surfaces, smokers, pizza ovens, and even specialized equipment for big gumbo pots.”

Nikole Starr, founder of Nikole Starr Interiors, has also noticed the trend shift in recent years, especially at furniture market events where more brands are launching complete outdoor collections.

“During COVID, everyone stayed home. Now, people are thinking about their outdoor spaces from the beginning—they’re no longer an afterthought,” she says.

While there are still plenty of low-cost lawn chairs available, outdoor furniture now often looks just as good as the pieces in your living room. Advances in materials have improved everything from cushions and pillows to rugs. Top-tier brands like Universal Furniture, Four Hands, Bernhardt, and Palecek are delivering pieces designed to stand up to the elements while maintaining a high design standard.

“The fabrics look like indoor options, but you can hose them down if needed. Some even have slipcovers that are machine washable,” Starr notes, highlighting the ease of care.

^{No matter your budget or style, there are plenty of ways to entertain guests in your backyard this summer.}

Today’s patios are more than a couple of chairs and a side table. Many include permanent overhead structures that allow for ceiling fans and lighting. Underneath, you’ll find full summer kitchens, dining areas, and plush lounge zones. Some have fireplaces, fire tables, or firepits, and it’s not uncommon to find multiple TVs—even though there’s still no truly long-term outdoor TV solution.

Steve Maddox of Maddox Custom Pools and Landscaping in Richmond, Texas, says the clean lines of transitional and contemporary architecture are influencing pool design too. The trend has moved away from curvy, lagoon-style pools toward modern, rectangular shapes that emphasize simplicity and sophistication.

Porcelain tile is increasingly replacing travertine pavers for pool decking, thanks to its durability and low maintenance. Larger tile formats are also preferred for fewer grout lines. Around the pool, you’ll often see concrete stepping pads or tiles interspersed with strips of turf for a stylish, modern effect.

Technology plays a major role in pool functionality. Smart systems let you remotely adjust the temperature of your spa or pool so it's ready when you get home. In extreme summer heat, chillers have become essential to prevent pools from feeling more like bathwater.

Costs have risen across the board. Maddox notes that variable speed pumps that once cost under $1,000 now sell for nearly double. Heaters that were once under $2,000 now run closer to $3,400. What used to be considered a high-end pool at $75,000 to $85,000 now often comes in closer to $150,000.

^{You don’t have to sacrifice style for durability with many of the new patio furniture options on the market today.
Image: Courtesy of Colleen Scott Photography}

Even if building a covered patio or pavilion isn’t feasible, a large umbrella can go a long way in protecting furniture. Starr recently installed a 10-foot, marine-grade umbrella for a client—an investment-level choice, though more affordable options exist. They just may not hold up as well over time.

“In Houston, the sun is intense. Replacing pillows when they fade is one thing, but skimping on furniture can cost more in the long run,” Starr says. “I once bought a cheaper set, and a chair actually collapsed when a guest sat in it. Good outdoor furniture is an investment—especially if your backyard is where you escape.”