Outdoor Living Spaces: Tips for a Comfortable and Chic Setup

You know that feeling when you step out your back door with a cup of coffee, and the morning air is just right? In Gilbert, we’re lucky enough to have weather that begs for outdoor living for a huge chunk of the year, provided you set it up right. It’s not just about having a patio; it’s about creating a space that actually pulls you outside.

Let’s Talk About What’s Under Your Feet

Here’s the thing—most people start worrying about the furniture before they even think about the floor. But in Arizona, the ground material matters more than almost anything else. Why? Because of the heat. If you’ve ever tried to walk barefoot on standard gray concrete in July, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s brutal.

This is where Paver Installation really saves the day. Unlike a solid slab of concrete that absorbs heat and eventually cracks when the ground shifts (and the ground always shifts eventually), pavers have flexible joints. They move with the earth.

If you want that “chic” resort look that keeps your feet from sizzling, you really should look at Travertine pavers. They are a natural stone, meaning they don’t retain heat the way man-made brick or concrete does. Plus, they bring that elevated, luxurious texture that instantly makes a backyard look finished.

But if you prefer a more modern, industrial vibe, concrete pavers come in about a million shapes and colors now. You can mix sizes to create patterns—like a French pattern or a running bond—that make the space feel wider or longer.

Creating Zones: The “Room” Concept

Don’t look at your backyard as one big square. That’s overwhelming. Instead, think of it like the inside of your house. You wouldn’t put your dining table next to the toilet, right? (Okay, weird example, but you get what I mean). You need distinct zones.

When we design outdoor living spaces, we usually try to break it down into three main areas:

• The Dining Zone: This needs to be near the back door or the outdoor kitchen. Nobody wants to carry a tray of burgers forty feet across the yard.
• The Chill Zone: This is where the deep seating goes. Ideally, this is centered around a focal point, like a Fire Pit or a TV wall.
• The Activity Zone: This could be the pool, a cornhole stretch on the turf, or just open space for the dog to run in circles.

By breaking it up, you create flow. People naturally gravitate toward “destinations” in the yard rather than just wandering aimlessly.

Shade Is Not Optional in Gilbert

Let’s be real for a second. You can have the most beautiful paver patio in the world, but if it’s 105 degrees and there’s no shade, you aren’t using it. You just aren’t.

Integrating shade structures is the difference between a yard you look at and a yard you live in. You have a few choices here, and it usually comes down to budget and aesthetic.

Pergolas are fantastic for defining a space. They give you that vertical element that makes an outdoor room feel cozy. However, standard open-slat pergolas only block about 40% of the sun. If you want full protection, you might want a solid roof extension or a pergola with a retractable canopy.

Another quick tip? large cantilever umbrellas. They look high-end and can be tilted as the sun moves. Just remember to close them when those monsoon winds kick up, or your umbrella might end up in your neighbor’s pool three doors down.

Softening the Edges with Greenery

I love hardscaping. Obviously—it’s what we do. But a yard full of stone and nothing else feels a bit like a parking lot. You need to soften those hard edges.

You don’t need a jungle, especially if you want to keep water bills low. But placing large, glazed pots with sculptural desert plants (like Agave or Yucca) on the corners of your patio creates a nice transition between the pavers and the rest of the yard.

Also, think about synthetic turf. It provides that lush, green pop of color that contrasts beautifully with the creamy tones of Travertine or the grey tones of pavers, but you never have to mow it. It cools down the visual temperature of the yard immediately.

Furniture: Comfort vs. Maintenance

I’ve seen so many homeowners buy cheap wicker furniture online, and within two Arizona summers, it’s turning into dust. The sun here is relentless. It eats cheap plastic for breakfast.

When you are shopping for furniture to match your new hardscape design, look for materials that can actually handle the desert climate.

Honestly? Invest in good cushions with Sunbrella fabric (or something similar). They resist fading and are easy to clean when the dust storms roll through.

Lighting: Setting the Mood

Lighting is the jewelry of the backyard. During the day, nobody notices it. At night? It changes everything.

You don’t want floodlights. You aren’t trying to land a plane; you’re trying to relax with a glass of wine. The goal is soft, ambient lighting.

• Bistro Lights: Stringing these across your patio or from the pergola is an instant mood booster. It feels festive but relaxed.
• Path Lights: These are practical for safety, sure, but they also guide the eye through the garden.
• Uplighting: If you have a nice tree or a textured wall, shine a light up the trunk or surface. It creates drama and depth.

A lot of our landscape design projects incorporate lighting directly into the paver steps or sitting walls. It looks incredibly sleek and custom.

Fire and Water: The Elemental Balance

There is something primal about sitting around a fire. It extends your outdoor season significantly. In Gilbert, our winters are mild, but the nights get chilly. A gas fire pit or a custom outdoor fireplace becomes the natural gathering spot from October through April.

Gas is usually the way to go here. I know, I know—wood smells great. But smoke blowing in your face is annoying, and nobody likes cleaning up ash. Plus, with gas, you flip a switch and you’re done.

On the flip side, adding a small water feature—even just a bubbling urn—can mask traffic noise. If you live near a busy road, the sound of trickling water tricks your brain into thinking the environment is cooler and quieter than it actually is.

Keep the Flow Open

One mistake I see a lot is clutter. People try to jam a dining set, a sectional, a grill, and a fire pit into a 10×10 space. It ends up feeling cramped.

Leave space to walk. You should be able to walk around your furniture without shimmying sideways. If your patio is small, choose smaller scale furniture. Or, extend the patio.

Widening your paver patio is often more affordable than people think, and it adds usable square footage to your home. It connects the indoors to the outdoors, making your whole house feel bigger.

Adding Personal Touches

Finally, don’t forget the decor. This is the “Chic” part of the equation. Outdoor rugs are fantastic for anchoring a seating area and adding color. Throw pillows, lanterns, and even outdoor-safe artwork can make the space feel finished.

And hey, keep it simple. The beauty of the Arizona landscape is its openness. You don’t need to clutter it up to make it beautiful. A clean patio, comfortable seating, and a bit of shade are usually all you need to enjoy the sunset.

Ready to Upgrade Your Backyard?

Look, you live in Gilbert for a reason. The lifestyle here is all about enjoying the outdoors. If your current backyard setup is just a slab of concrete and a folding chair, you are missing out on half the square footage of your property.

At Gilbert Paver Company, we specialize in turning boring dirt lots and cracked concrete into resort-style retreats. Whether you need a simple paver extension or a full redesign with fire pits and retaining walls, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s make your backyard the one everyone wants to hang out in.

Contact Us today to get started:

→ Call us at 480-534-9680
→ or Request a Free Quote