Whether you have vacation time still to come or you squeeze in fun on the weekends, these four backyard makeovers — including one where the homeowners found their pro on Houzz — offer plenty of inspiration for making the most of your outdoor space on lingering warm days. Pools feature strongly, of course, but you’ll also find ideas for adding shade, areas for sports, crowd-pleasing cooking setups and more. Have a look, then let us know in the Comments how you’re savoring the last days of summer in your own yard.
1. New Pool in New England
Yard at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two teenagers and two dogs
Location: Needham, Massachusetts
Size: About one-quarter acre
Landscape designer and builder: Stucchi Landscape & Design
Before: Covered in snow when the homeowners first visited it, this Boston-area home required more than a little imagination. Would the couple, who had two teens, be able to fit in the must-have pool and other outdoor elements they were envisioning? Wisely, they brought along landscape designer Jim Stucchi to see the property before putting in an offer, and he came up with a plan to fit in everything.