How to Make the Most Out of Your Outdoor Spaces

With cooler temperatures right around the corner, now is the perfect time to make some quick additions to your outdoor spaces to maximize time outside. Many Shea Homes® offer fantastic backyards for you to put your personal touch on. We’ve listed a few of our favorite options to enjoy the mild Arizona winter weather.

Fire pits – While you can still go with an outdoor fireplace, the good option for Arizonans are gas firepits, since there are many restrictions on burning wood in Arizona. With modern options that will fit right in with your backyard landscaping, they add a new hangout spot on cool nights. You can also gather the family for the age-old tradition of making s’mores for dessert.

Mister Systems – Adding in a mister or two in your backyard can make watching early fall football games outside much more bearable. When the weather is still warm midday, a mister helps cool you off so the only sweat you’ll break on gameday is from the stress of a close game. Misters have also become more versatile and much cheaper, with some that can mount on your umbrellas for maximum cooling. If you don’t want to add them to an umbrella, consider installing them on one of Shea’s many covered patio areas.

Electronic Entertainment – Speaking of gameday, a great game can be enhanced by a great entertainment setup. With TVs that are specifically designed for outdoor use, you can watch your favorite game or show without the worry of outdoor weather and temperatures affecting your TV. Add in some speakers for surround-sound, and you’ll feel like you’re out at the stadium.

Artificial Turf – One of the more popular options in Arizona, artificial turf gives the green space that many desire, without skyrocketing your water bill to maintain real grass. If you’re an avid golfer, you can consider adding a putting green to practice your game at your leisure. It also makes a great space for your pets since there may not be much grass around some neighborhoods.

New Lighting – With the sun setting earlier and earlier, having great outdoor lighting becomes more and more important. Consider adding lights to any cacti or trees you have to give your backyard a bright southwest flair. You could also toss on some rustic style lanterns to your outdoor tables to make for some great dinner mood lighting. With new energy-efficient LED lights, you don’t have to worry about any extra energy costs when lighting the yard.

A Variety of Cooking Options – With cooler weather comes more cooking outside on the grill, so having an array of grills and burners makes the experience all the better. Adding a smoker or a Kamado-style cooker allows for new flavors for your family and friends to enjoy. Another great option is to add a pizza oven attachment to your grill for a smokey flavor on your favorite pizzas. With additional burners and grills, you can cook all your side dishes at the same time, so there is no delay of digging into your delicious dish.

As we enter into Arizona’s peak season for weather, Shea’s expansive outdoor spaces become even more useful for entertaining, or just kicking back and enjoying a night with the family. To learn more about all of Shea’s communities, head over to  our website at sheahomes.com/arizona.