What does plumbing have to do with your summertime fun? If you plan it correctly – a lot.  Many people waste their outdoor spaces due to a lack of functionality.  If your family is growing and you are looking for additional space, there are many ways to create it without the need for a full remodel or extension.  As the sun heats up, look outside.  We have several ideas for how you can create fun outdoor spaces. Host Fabulous Dinner Parties Outdoors The area right outside of your back door is the perfect spot to build a patio with an outdoor kitchen.  In many houses, the kitchen is near the back door anyway.  This makes it easier to run plumbing and electrical from the kitchen to your new outdoor patio, grilling space, and an entertaining area.  Some homeowners have even installed glass accordion doors to create an indoor/outdoor space that is modern and convenient. As someone that loves to entertain, having plumbing in an outdoor kitchen can make hosting a party that much easier.  You can have a sink installed for easy prep work and washing up, a refrigerator to keep food the perfect temperature and even a dishwasher.  There is no limit to what can be in your outdoor kitchen.  As long as you have a roof overhead, your outdoor space can be just as functional as your indoor one – only set up to party.  Adding features like a wine cooler or a kegerator can make your space fit for entertaining large crowds and with everything outdoors – you won’t have to go back and forth and risk missing out on the fun. Transform Your Pool Deck If you have a pool, your family is probably looking forward to summer.  With the convenience of hours of outdoor play in your backyard, the family pool can become your summertime living room.  With that in mind, there are things you can do to make the area more functional and better suited to hanging out all day long.  For example, you may want to consider building a pool house.  Even if it is a small structure, we recommend creating a space where people can change and get out of the sun for a few. This is especially important if you have little ones, and if your children range in ages, you can add a napping couch for the toddler so that you can continue to keep an eye on the older kids. Simultaneously, we recommend installing plumbing so that you can have a full restroom near the pool.  This is often necessary if you are watching a larger group of kids.  For example, if one needs to use the restroom, do you make everyone come inside or do you leave some of the kids to play unattended?  This dilemma can be avoided when you have a restroom installed near the pool.  As an added benefit, when we run plumbing to this area, you can have an outdoor shower installed so that by the time the kids come inside they are clean and ready to relax for the evening.