8 Ideas for Your Outdoor Entertainment Area 

Job Feature: A Rustic Outdoor Getaway Perfect for Entertaining 

The landscape designers at Outdoor Innovations are at it again this summer, creating outdoor entertainment areas that change the way people do entertainment! One recent project that was just completed features 8 great ideas for your outdoor entertainment area, that may serve as inspiration for your backyard. Do you love the idea of settling in to a good movie…but under the stars? Perhaps the idea of enjoying a perfectly prepared meal al fresco makes you smile just thinking about it! Take a look at these amazing features, that make an outdoor entertainment area the ideal place to spend your time with family and friends.


A pavilion will add comfortable surroundings and a space to entertain for your outdoor entertainment area.

Entertain in Comfort: Pavilions 

The pavilion for this project is not only comfortable and rustic with a modern twist, but it is the ideal for entertaining. The A frame 16×20 vinyl pavilion features a Cinder color ceiling stain, a gorgeous ceiling fan, and outdoor heaters. With cozy seating surrounding the TV and gas fireplace, you can settle in with a good movie, or take in sporting events in style! Pavilions make a great addition to your outdoor entertainment area because they offer shelter and a bit of climate control allowing you to have a great time practically all year around! 

Fire features can both warm and add ambience to your outdoor entertainment area.

Set the Mood: Gas Fireplaces

Take your pavilion to the next level with a gas fireplace or fire feature from Outdoor Innovations. Add style and improve the ambience of your outdoor entertainment area, and at the same time, extend the use of your space through the seasons. Gas fireplaces offer simplicity with the ease of turning the fire on and off effortlessly. This project features a natural stone gas fireplace. It is easy to imagine sitting curled up on the outdoor furniture with a plush blanket and hot cocoa in front of this fire in the fall, or ushering in spring with a bit more warmth while waiting for the summer months to arrive! 

Drop in coolers, as pictured here, can keep your beverages cold.

Chill Out: Outdoor Drop in Coolers

Do you hate opening and closing the back door, while letting out the air conditioning every time a guest wants a cold drink? Keep your beverages, condiments, and other food items chilled on ice just steps away for your convenience with drop in coolers! This pavilion has 2 drop in coolers on either side of the fireplace right within easy reach. Easy to keep clean for each use, you can keep the party going with little to no interruption, and never have to let the cool air out of your home from frequent trips inside. 

Be the envy of the neighborhood with an outdoor kitchen or outdoor grilling area.

Envy of the Neighborhood: Grilling Islands 

Who does not love grilling out? Get the ultimate in outdoor cooking and grilling with a grilling station. This project features the works: A 36”gas grill, double burner, flat top grill, and a smoker! Any way you like your barbecue, this grilling island has it covered. Enjoy all your favorites: steak, kebabs, brats & dogs, corn on the cob and more. You will be the envy of the neighborhood with a set up like this. Get set for easy clean-up with hidden trash cans built right into the island too. 

The drinks will flow at your outdoor bar island perfect for entertaining.

The Drinks Will Flow: Bar Islands 

Including a bar island as part of your outdoor entertainment area not only provides additional attractive seating. It provides a place to keep the drinks flowing and the party in full swing. Whether you are having all your friends over for grilling and margaritas, or enjoying a romantic glass of wine while enjoying the soft lighting and fireplace, this entertainment area gives you both. 

A brick patio ads texture and space to your outdoor entertainment area.

Multifunctional & Pretty: Patios

The brick patio for this project offers a multitude of purposes. Extra lounging room, additional dining space, and dare we say, a dance floor? Patios are multifunctional while also adding beauty to your outdoor entertainment area. The brick that makes up this patio brings extra dimension through its contrast with the stone used for the pavilion floor. Plenty of room for your extended family and your friends to enjoy while you take in the outdoors at home. 

Achieve privacy with landscaping add ons such as stone walls and evergreen trees.

Your Own Private Retreat: Privacy Landscaping

The professional landscape designers at Outdoor Innovations created this outdoor entertainment area with privacy in mind. A privacy berm was built into the design that includes both luxurious evergreen bushes as well as a natural stone wall. When you have a gathering, having some privacy to be allowed to enjoy yourself is usually on the top of everyone’s wish list. Aside from privacy these additions help make your space personalized and comfortable, enhancing the overall design. 

Light up the night in your outdoor entertainment area with LED lighting.

Bring the Night to Life: Outdoor LED Lighting 

Entertaining is not just for the day time! Your outdoor entertainment area can transition from day to night with beautiful outdoor LED lighting. While adding security to your home, outdoor LED’s create subtle and comforting lighting all around your space. Energy saving and efficient, they can be set to turn on when you want them to. For this project lighting was placed around the landscaping and as an accent to the pavilion, so that this family can enjoy their new space any time they like!

Are You Ready for a New Outdoor Entertainment Area?

If you have been longing for a special entertaining space to enjoy with your family and friends, now is the time to get started. With a dream team of landscape designers, and installers, Outdoor Innovations can customize your backyard to your exact specifications. We encourage you to learn about our design process with includes consulting with you and producing a 3-D design to give you a full understanding of what your vision will look like. Contact Ken and Barbara today to learn more, and we will get right back to you!

Get more inspiration and ideas by watching videos on our YouTube channel. We think you will find some landscaping artistry that will get your imagination going!

Pergolas Pavilions & Gazebos: What is the Difference? 

If you are looking to enhance your backyard experience this year, you may be considering a popular landscaping design option: a free-standing or attached outdoor structure. Pergolas, pavilions, and gazebos are all popular options. You want to make an informed decision about your outdoor living area, and choose the best option for you. What IS the difference between the three? At Outdoor Innovations, your Quad Cities landscaping designer, we can help you understand one from the other! 

Learn the difference between pergolas pavilions & gazebos in this helpful infographic.

Pergolas, An Eye-Catching Choice 

Pergolas are a truly attractive option to feature in your backyard, for your patio, or as part of your garden. Pergolas consist of support beams that are topped off by a grid pattern made of beams and rafters for a roof. The roof is often left open but can be covered to provide shade and protection for the elements. They can be either attached to your home as an extension of it, or stand alone as a backyard enhancement. You can do so much with Pergolas, they can be surrounded by, or even have garden and landscaping running through, or can be used as a seating area for eating or entertainment. The sky is the limit to this eye-catching option. 

Pavilions, Strong, Sturdy, & Versatile 

Looking for a real statement for your outdoor living adventures with your family? Get the benefits of protection from the elements with a strong and sturdy pavilion. Think of a pavilion like an open building, open on the sides, but with a roof on top. Pavilions invite your friends and family in to stay awhile! They can be used for a beautiful dining area, a walk up bar, an entertainment area with a TV and seating, and so much more! With many styles to choose from, you can find the perfect addition to your backyard landscape. 

Gazebos, Useful & Beautiful 

Gazebos are freestanding structures that are often hexagonal or octagonal in shape that have a roof. Often there is seating inside. They can also have shading such as latticework or can be screened to provide protection from the elements. Gazebos make a beautiful addition to a garden area, or fit in to your custom landscape design. Beautiful and inviting, these outdoor structures make a wonderful gathering space, or a romantic (at home!) getaway for two.  Gazebos, like pergolas and pavilions can be custom designed to match your home’s aesthetic so they fit perfectly into your outdoor living concept.

Trust Outdoor Innovations for your Landscape Design Project 

For your home in the Quad Cities, you can trust a local leader in landscape design, Outdoor Innovations. We have extensive experience in building pergolas, pavilions, and gazebos to incorporate into your backyard’s overall look and feel. We specialize in working closely with you to come up with a plan that you can visualize clearly before your project even begins. We offer many additional services as well such as hardscaping, poolscaping, and fire & water features. We encourage you to browse other projects that we have done, either in our blog, or on our YouTube channel for inspiration! We are also here to answer your landscape design questions. Do not hesitate to contact us regarding your ideas, we are here to help!