Your Trilogy Home: Outdoor Entertaining

Hello, sunshine! If you already have plans to entertain, why not make it an alfresco affair and take the party outside? Any gathering becomes a bit more magical when you add a blue-sky backdrop or cool breezes when the sun sets. This is what memories are made of. So take that book club gathering to the backyard, plan a progressive supper under the stars, or celebrate the season with your Trilogy neighbors by firing up the grill for a classic cookout.

If you’ve been daydreaming about the perfect home for alfresco entertaining, take a look at a few of the fabulous floorplans currently selling at Trilogy communities across the country. These homes feature stunning social spaces that are likely to inspire some epic outdoor parties.

The Radiant Plan from The Luxe Collection at Trilogy in Summerlin makes the most of the warm Las Vegas climate with dual courtyards and a loft deck. Enjoy a morning brunch in the front courtyard off the kitchen, plan a backyard bash in the rear courtyard, or enjoy cocktails under the stars on the second floor loft deck. Optional bi-fold doors at the Great Room and Dining Area open to create a spectacular indoor/outdoor entertaining space.

Summer is sweet at Trilogy Lake Frederick, and there’s no better place to soak it in than on the rear covered patio of the Evoke Plan from The Piedmont Collection. This awesome outdoor living area extends across the back of the home, providing plenty of room for guests to mix and mingle during alfresco happy hour. Optional multi-slide stacking doors connect the Great Room and Lounge to this beautiful outdoor living space.

Outdoor entertainers will love the Cannes Plan from the Francia Collection at Encanterra, a Trilogy Resort Community. Here, a wide-open main living area leads out to a corner covered patio that’s perfectly sized for an intimate outdoor dinner or evening cocktails with the neighbors. Opt for an outdoor fireplace on the patio to up the cozy factor on cool evenings.

With the Refresh Plan from the Shea3D Collection at Trilogy Tehaleh, you can opt for an outdoor-centric floorplan that combines the Dining Room and Great Room, offering open views and easy access to the great outdoors. Add a rolling wall of glass to the rear of the home and the party can naturally flow inside and out—along with the summer breezes!

An outdoor-centric lifestyle is also available on the Imagine Plan from the Reflect Collection at Trilogy Ocala Preserve. This fabulous floorplan includes an inviting front courtyard as well as a wrap-around covered lanai that’s spacious enough to host a crowd. Opt for a screen enclosure on the lanai to keep the bugs out and the breezes in, or convert some of the outdoor living space to a bright and beautiful sunroom.

The Barrique Plan from the III Collection of Trilogy at The Vineyards features three distinct outdoor living areas. The welcoming front porch makes guests want to sit and stay a while, and the outdoor living area adjacent to the kitchen is a lovely spot for intimate outdoor dining. In the rear of the home is a spacious covered patio with an optional fireplace, making this outdoor room appealing all year round.

Ready to Create Your Outdoor Entertaining Oasis?
If you’ve found the floorplan of your dreams at a Trilogy by Shea Homes community and are ready to start planning your parties, read on for seven tips to keep in mind as you map out your outdoor living space.

Space It Out.
Whether you have an expansive lanai or a small covered patio overlooking your backyard, you can make the most of your outdoor living area by defining distinctive social spaces. This gives guests room to spread out and have separate conversations, even within an intimate outdoor area. A table with chairs creates an outdoor dining space, a pair of chaise lounges defines the laid-back lounging zone, and outdoor ottomans by a firepit let guests know where to go when the sun goes down and the s’mores come out.   

Get Comfortable.
If you want your guests to linger a little longer, comfortable seating is key. It’s worth taking the time to sit down and try out several chair, outdoor sofa, and reclining lounger options before investing in your all-weather furniture. If your outdoor space is limited, consider multi-tasking furniture. A sturdy storage chest on the deck doubles as a side table for setting evening cocktails down—and becomes a cozy bench when a comfortable outdoor cushion is placed on top. Just store the cushion in the chest when it’s not needed.

Show Your Style.
Just as the interior of your home reflects your style, your outdoor living area should give your guests a taste of your design personality. Your furniture may be neutral, but outdoor throw pillows and all-weather rugs can provide pops of your favorite colors. Outdoor décor items such as vases and pots should be heavy enough to stay put when the wind picks up—and ideally unbreakable if they do get swept away. Lighting is a great way to add ambience and express your design style, from string lights and lanterns, to hanging pendants, to outdoor chandeliers. Just make sure that all of your design elements are rated for outdoor use if they’ll be exposed to the elements. 

Fire It Up.
There’s nothing quite like a cool night, a starry sky, and a cozy fire. It doesn’t just keep you warm. It adds ambience, keeps the bugs away, and gets those marshmallows perfectly brown and toasty. A well placed firepit can make your outdoor living space enjoyable all year round. Several Trilogy floorplans feature optional outdoor fireplaces, so be sure to ask your New Home Advisor about this cozy add-on when you’re exploring floorplans.

Cool It Down.
Cozy is great…sweaty, not so much. An overhead ceiling fan is a smart addition to a covered patio, as it keeps the air circulating and creates a cool breeze even in the dog days of summer. If you live in a dry climate, an outdoor misting system can provide relief on the hottest of days. (Just note that these may be less effective in humid climates.) Probably the most important cooling element to consider when designing your outdoor living area is shade. Umbrellas, shade sails, awnings, and/or strategically planted trees can play a big part in cooling down your outdoor entertaining scene.

Get Cooking.
With open-concept main living areas and optional sliding glass walls on several Trilogy floorplans, it’s easy for the chef to cook for a crowd while keeping an eye on the action outside. But if you don’t want to miss a minute of the alfresco party, an outdoor kitchen may be just what you need. This could include a grilling station, a low-and-slow smoker, and/or a more specialized piece, like a pizza oven. Good counter space makes prep work a breeze and weather-tight cabinets/drawers are useful for storing your outdoor kitchen supplies. Small refrigerators are convenient for keeping drinks cool, and a sink is comes in handy for easy clean up. If your budget doesn’t allow for an outdoor dream kitchen, just remember that even a simple grill on the patio can lead to countless nights of memorable meals under the stars.

Don’t Forget the Fun Factor!
When you’re planning your outdoor entertaining space, don’t forget about the entertainment! Music is an easy way to set the tone of your gathering, so speakers are key—whether installed or portable. Outdoor games, from cornhole, to ringer, to bocce and more, are a fun way to bring guests together. You could even consider a weatherproof television if you want to host viewing parties or outdoor movie nights. The outdoor entertaining options are endless!

It’s time to make your dream outdoor living space a reality and enjoy a social space under the sun and stars! Call your New Home Advisor today at 800.685.6494 to schedule a tour of the Model Homes at any of our Trilogy communities and see for yourself how an outdoor room can maximize the livable space of your floorplan and become a natural extension of your home.