Insider Tips for Elevating Outdoor Living Spaces at SML

At Smith Mountain Lake, spring is when outdoor spaces become the heart of the home. With a few thoughtful upgrades, docks, decks and patios can turn into inviting places for long afternoons, sunset dinners and easy entertaining.

To help inspire your next refresh, we asked local interior designers, landscapers and dock-building specialists to share their favorite ideas for elevating outdoor spaces. Their expert tips focus on décor and design choices that are practical, long-lasting, and perfectly suited to lake life.

The right outdoor furniture can transform a patio, dock or deck into a personal retreat.

“Your outdoor space should feel like an extension of home—welcoming, comfortable and full of life,” said Olivia Guilliams with Virginia Furniture Market.

Choose outdoor furniture crafted from premium, durable materials such as aluminum, all-weather resin, teak and wrought iron options designed to withstand the elements while maintaining long-lasting beauty.

“You can never have too many flowers,” said Allison Welch of Seven Oaks Landscape and Hardscape, suggesting large, heavy ceramic containers to showcase your blooms.

Welch recommended Mandevilla or Dipladenia as all-in-one “thriller, filler and spiller” plants for large containers. Portulaca is a low-maintenance choice for hot, dry spots. Creeping jenny and sweet potato vine are great spillers and annual euphorbia is a drought-tolerant filler.

A rug adds a finishing touch, defines the space, and anchors furniture.

Mishelle Brosinski of Envisions Flooring and Interiors said the best outdoor rugs are made from synthetic materials like polypropylene, which stand up to moisture, heavy traffic, and sun exposure.

Debi Wyrough of Capps Home Building Center recommends Solstice Comfort Solutions furniture made from recycled poly and marinegrade poly materials designed to withstand sun, water and wind.

To elevate the space, consider additions like fire pits, planters, rugs, and hammocks. Ginnie Vaughan of National Pools of Roanoke also highlighted outdoor fire pit seating as a natural fit for dock and patio spaces during cooler evenings.

Abigail Wilson of Marina 66 recommends cantilever umbrellas for flexibility, with rotating canopies and coverage for large areas.

“They do not require long lead-times or building permits,” Wilson said, noting they can be installed as either a permanent or temporary structure.

Great deck and stair lighting should enhance safety, comfort and ambiance without distracting from the natural waterfront setting.

According to Pete Bryant of Southern Lights Outdoor Lighting and Audio, a layered low-voltage lighting plan can highlight steps, railings, and gathering areas while keeping fixtures discreet.

Another elegant option is downlighting, also known as “moonlighting,” installed in nearby trees or overhead structures to cast a soft, natural wash across the deck.

Outdoor audio should feel immersive, not intrusive. The goal is rich, balanced sound that stays close to where people gather rather than carrying across the water.

“Directional speaker placement is critical on the water,” Bryant said. Landscape speakers installed along the shoreline or bank can create a wider, more balanced soundstage.

Safety matters, especially on docks where people are moving quickly to load boats, jump in the water or cast a fishing line.

Jason Turner of Turner’s Dock Building encouraged homeowners to keep poles up along the walkway to add a barrier, and to use flip-up cleats to help avoid tripping. For a nautical look that lasts, composite rope can be more durable than traditional rope.

Erik Plyler of Plyler Homes and Docks said maintenance-free PVC decking has become a standard choice for docks, with PVC columns used to keep pilings uniform while preserving stability.

For extra storage, Plyler suggested finished ceilings with attic space and pull-down ladders. Remote-controlled boat lift systems and remote-controlled dock lighting are also growing in popularity.