Your Outdoor Space Is the Most Underused Room in Your House

In Central Ohio, summer outdoor living lasts about three real months — June, July, and August. Here's how to make the most of every square foot of your porch, deck, or backyard before Ohio's weather has opinions again.

I've noticed something about Ohio homeowners. We spend a lot of time and energy on our living rooms, our kitchens, our basements. And then June arrives, and the porch sits mostly empty while everyone sighs about not getting outside enough.

I understand the instinct. There's always something inside that needs doing. But here's what I've come to believe: in Central Ohio, your outdoor space is one of your most valuable rooms — because you only really get it for three good months. Make it count.

This isn't staging advice. This is life advice. Though the two overlap more than you'd think.

What Makes an Outdoor Space Actually Usable?

This is the question I always start with, because "usable" means different things. A beautiful backyard that requires you to haul cushions in and out every night because you don't have a storage solution is a backyard you'll use twice. An imperfect porch with two good chairs and a table that actually fits is a porch you'll use every evening.

The fundamentals:

Seating you want to sit in. Not just seating that looks good. Comfort first. If you're looking for an upgrade, Home Goods and At Home (the big-format home décor store on Sawmill Road in Columbus) typically carry outdoor furniture through July. IKEA in West Jefferson is worth the drive for solid, inexpensive outdoor basics.

Shade. Ohio summer afternoons are hot. A patio umbrella, pergola, or strategically placed tree makes the difference between a space you use in the morning and a space you use all day. Market umbrellas are widely available and one of the better investments per dollar for outdoor living.

Light for evening. This is the move most people skip and then regret. Solar-powered string lights along a fence line or roofline cost almost nothing and completely change the feel of a backyard after 8 p.m. That's when Ohio summer is at its best, and you want to be out there for it.

What Are Some Easy Curb Appeal Updates for Summer?

Curb appeal in summer is low-effort and high-impact. Ohio's growing season means that a little intention goes a long way.

• Front door refresh. A coat of fresh paint on the front door is one of the highest-return afternoon projects in real estate. Colors that work well on Central Ohio homes this year: deep green, navy, black, and warm reds. If you're not painting, clean the door and update the hardware.
• Container plants by the entry. A pair of matching planters flanking the front door with summer annuals — petunias, zinnias, impatiens — costs under $50 and makes the entry feel intentional. Water them. That's the whole secret.
• Clean the concrete. A pressure-washed driveway and front walk costs a few hours and genuinely transforms a home's first impression. Many home improvement stores rent pressure washers by the day. Menards, Home Depot, and Lowe's all have locations throughout Central Ohio.
• Edging the beds. If you do nothing else outside, clean edge your mulch beds. The line between lawn and bed is what makes a yard look maintained.

What About the Backyard?

Backyards in Central Ohio tend to fall into one of two categories: the ones people use all summer, and the ones that look nice but stay empty.

The difference usually isn't money — it's intention.

A focal point helps. This could be a firepit, a dining table, a raised garden bed, or a hammock. One clear thing to do in the space gives it purpose. Without a focal point, yards feel like they're waiting for something.

Raised garden beds have had a real moment in Central Ohio. If you've been thinking about it, June is not too late to start with fast-growing crops — cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs. Columbus's gardening community is active; check out the Franklin Park Conservatory's programming or local nurseries like Strader's Garden Centers for summer planting advice.

Outdoor rugs define zones. If you have a patio or deck, an outdoor rug under the seating area makes it feel like a room instead of a surface. This is one of those inexpensive moves with outsized visual impact.

The Emotional Payoff

Here's what I actually believe about all of this: a home that's fully used is a home that feels alive. Summers in Central Ohio are specific and temporary. June evenings that stay light until nine. July firepit nights. August mornings on the porch with coffee before the heat sets in.

You can't have those evenings back. But you can set up a space that makes sure you actually have them in the first place.

FAQ: Outdoor Living & Summer Home Tips in Central Ohio

What is the best way to improve my backyard for summer in Columbus, Ohio? Start with seating you'll actually use, shade for afternoon sun, and string lights for evenings. One focal point — a firepit, dining table, or garden bed — gives the space purpose. Container plants and a clean edge on your lawn beds handle curb appeal for under $50. The goal is a space you use, not just one that looks good in photos.

What plants work well for summer container gardening in Columbus, Ohio? Columbus's summer heat and humidity support petunias, zinnias, impatiens, and begonias in containers. For edibles, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs like basil and mint establish quickly even when planted in June. Local nurseries like Strader's Garden Centers carry summer annuals and vegetable starts well into the season.

Does curb appeal matter if I'm not selling my house? Yes — curb appeal affects how you feel arriving home every day, not just how buyers perceive a listing. A freshly painted front door, clean edging, and a pair of container plants by the entry cost little and change the daily experience of your home. The upgrades that have the highest visual impact per dollar are usually the simplest ones.

Where can I find outdoor furniture in Columbus, Ohio? At Home on Sawmill Road, HomeGoods, IKEA in West Jefferson, and the big-format home improvement stores (Home Depot, Menards, Lowe's) all carry outdoor furniture through mid-summer. For quality pieces, local furniture stores and Columbus's antique districts are worth exploring.

Summer in Central Ohio is too short to spend it wishing your outdoor space was better. A few intentional moves now — the chairs, the lights, the plants — and you'll actually use it. That's the whole goal.

And if you ever want to talk through what makes a Central Ohio home feel complete, in summer or any other season, I'm always happy to have that conversation.

This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. All real estate services are provided in compliance with Fair Housing laws, RESPA, TCPA, the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, and Ohio Real Estate Commission advertising regulations. Equal Housing Opportunity. Chrisi Hagan, Collins Lassiter Group, Red 1 Realty.