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Credit: John Edward Linden / Getty Images Skip outdoor kitchens and opt for a simple grill setup to save space, money, and maintenance.Prioritize durable, slip-resistant materials like stone over trendy but impractical options.Focus on flexible, functional upgrades to create a patio that’s stylish, adaptable, and easy to maintain.

Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to give your patio a refresh. However, it's important to know what's actually worth the investment compared to what's not.

To help you create a chic, budget-friendly outdoor space, we tapped Enda Donagher, a seasoned architect and founder of Enda Donagher Architect, to share the patio staples he recommends skipping.

Keep reading to find out how to elevate your patio without the splurge.

Elaborate Outdoor Kitchens Credit: hikesterson / Getty Images

Donagher explains that although a simple built-in grill station is essential, a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen with fridges and sinks can be excessive for many homeowners.

Not only do they take up a large chunk of backyard space but also require extensive maintenance and often go underused. Beyond the occasional rain ruining your BBQ, the long-term effects of climate can present even bigger challenges.

"Outdoor kitchens don’t fare well in high humidity or coastal, saline environments," Donagher says. "A smarter choice is a well-positioned grill with ample prep space and a mobile bar cart."

This setup provides flexibility without the hefty initial cost or ongoing maintenance costs associated with an over-the-top kitchen setup.

Pergolas With No Shade Credit: Johner Images / Getty Images

Pergolas are one of the quickest ways to transform the look of a patio, but without shade they can end up being more style than substance.

Instead, Donagher recommends clients always consider adjustable louvers, shade sails, or retractable awnings for better sun protection.

Without added shade elements like fabric canopies or climbing plants they may not serve their historical purpose, and even then there's a catch: a pergola draped in vines can take years to become lush enough to provide sufficient shade.

Trendy Hardscape Materials Credit: imageBROKER /Perry Mastrovito / Getty Images

Materials like white concrete and glossy tiles might catch your eye, but Donagher encourages clients to consider the actual functionality of such pieces before committing to them long-term.

"Light-colored concrete and polished tiles may look modern, but can lead to excessive glare, become dangerously slippery when wet, and require frequent cleaning to remove unsightly stains," he says.

Instead of going all in on trends, stick with natural stone, pavers, or textured concrete. These classics deliver lasting durability and slip resistance.

Excessive Wood Elements Credit: John Edward Linden / Getty Images

If wood is top of mind for your outdoor space, you're not alone—it's an open air classic. But contrary to its reputation, wood has its downsides when used outdoors

"Wood requires significant upkeep," Donagher says. "Exposure to sun, rain, and snow means frequent sealing, repairs, and eventual replacement."

For a touch of warmth, Donagher advises incorporating wood in small doses, such as modular wood deck tiles in your seating areas.

Elaborate Masonry for Privacy Credit: AzmanJaka / Getty Images

Stone walls can quickly create privacy on your patio, but not only are they costly—they can also make the space feel boxed in and block airflow, resulting in a hot, stagnant patio during the summer.

Donagher suggests looking at a lighter, layered design and bringing down the height. He used a structure like this as perimeter seating and added hedges for a softer, more inviting enclosure at a client's home.

"The extra funds went toward fire features, lighting, and high-quality furniture, making the space more enjoyable and adaptable, unlike permanent stone walls," he says.

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Learn how to set boundaries, boost connection, and foster healthy device habits for your family.

Credit: Kaitlin Green

Given how much time we spend looking at screens all day, many people are beginning to implement screen-free spaces into their homes. While our devices offer lots of benefits—like connecting with loved ones around the world or working from home when needed—they can also be incredibly addictive and distracting.

Designating a space in your home as a screen-free zone can be hugely beneficial. It helps create boundaries, encourages connection and conversation, inspires new hobbies and movement, and can positively impact your sleep quality. If creating a screen-free space in your home sounds impossible, keep reading, and you'll find it's actually not that hard if you start small and help everyone acclimate.

We asked a psychologist and a designer to weigh in on how to create—and enjoy!—screen-free spaces at home, and here's what they have to say.

Dak Kopec is an architectural psychologist with the architecture program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Steph Schlegelmilch is the founder and creative director of Studio Seva in Westport, CT. Why Screen-Free Spaces Matter at Home

Whether you live alone or have small children in the house, there are benefits to incorporating screen-free spaces into your home. According to Dak Kopec, an architectural psychologist with the architecture program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the greatest benefit is boundary setting. "Work or social media can become addictive, and the bonds between people can suffer in the process," Kopec says. He explains that designating certain spaces as screen-free zones helps provide a clear delineation between work or school and family time. "Social media, office or school gossip, and work demands all erode time that could be better spent on personal growth through hobbies or the formation of social bonds," Kopec adds.

Screens that constantly light up or buzz can become a huge distraction. Screen-free spaces can improve focus on the task at hand, foster connection through face-to-face interactions, and encourage more physical movement. They can also help improve sleep quality and prevent interruptions to your circadian rhythm. Screens such as TVs, phones, and tablets emit blue light, and according to the CDC, exposure to it at certain times of day can make it harder to fall or stay asleep.

How to Choose the Best Spot for a Screen-Free Zone

You can go one of two ways when choosing a screen-free zone in your home. The first is to ban screens in spaces that are designed for gathering, such as a dining room. Making it a screen-free zone is a good way to encourage connection, conversation, and interaction during mealtimes.

The second option is to designate spaces meant for rest—such as bedrooms—as screen-free zones. "Areas in the home that are further away from the main living quarters are the best places to create cozy retreats away from screens," says Steph Schlegelmilch, the founder and creative director of Studio Seva in Westport, CT. The designer often finds that smaller spaces feel more intimate and conducive to unplugging. "Consider screen-free spaces in dens, reading nooks, or even simply the landing at the top of a staircase where you can place a comfy chair," Schlegelmilch says.

A cozy bedroom with wooden walls a bed in the foreground and a bathroom visible through an open doorway Expert Tips for Creating and Maintaining Screen-Free Spaces

"Consider rooms with abundant natural light, or even a fireplace, as they naturally draw you in and encourage slowing down," Schlegelmilch suggests. She particularly loves spaces that benefit from morning or evening light, which she says creates an ideal atmosphere for unwinding.

"When designing a screen-free space, I generally lean towards using darker tones," the designer shares. Whether you incorporate deep hues through paint or furnishings, Schlegelmilch says the dark tones feel much quieter and more subdued than bright alternatives. Another must for screen-free spaces? Comfortable furniture. "Extra deep upholstery maximizes comfort and relaxation in a space that's designed to help you recover from sensory overload," Schlegelmilch says.

Getting the Household on Board

To get the rest of your household on board with screen-free zones, communicating their importance and benefits to everyone is key. A benefit-driven change is always easier to get behind and implement than a strict rule nobody understands. To help everyone acclimate, Kopec suggests starting small and building from there. "First, start with place-based boundaries like no phones or computers on the dining or kitchen table," he says.

Then, the expert says you can expand that boundary further and designate the whole dining room as a screen-free zone. If you want to strictly limit screen use to workspaces, you can flip the boundary so screens can be used only at a desk. To help kids adapt to screen-free spaces, make sure you have alternative activities available for them when boredom hits. Starting small, being consistent, and making the screen-free zones into spaces your family actually wants to be in is key to lasting success.

Sticking with It

Sticking with the screen-free rule isn't always easy, but staying consistent is essential. To avoid the temptation of getting back on your devices, keep chargers and the devices themselves out of screen-free zones.

Kopec notes that reality is that deadlines, emergencies, supervisors, and teachers can occupy our headspace, making us feel compelled to reach for our screens. "If this is the case, you can create an alternate space, such as a garage, for the activity," he says. Kopec explains that this is called "behavioral zoning," and is very much akin to the modern-day smoking sections or pet relief areas. "They are never convenient, always either uncomfortable or inconvenient, and in time, we start to weigh the comfort and convenience with the activity," Kopec says.

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FESTIVAL MAP FESTIVAL PROGRAM EVENT PARKING HIGHLAND GAMES SCHEDULE Rockefeller Gardens, 25 Riverside Dr, Ormond Beach, Florida FESTIVAL MAP, FESTIVAL PROGRAM, EVENT PARKING AND HIGHLAND GAMES SCHEDULE COMING SOON!!!! Saturate your senses in the sights, sounds, and tastes of Celtic heritage when the Ormond Beach Celtic Festival returns to Rockefeller Gardens with folk music, food, and fun from the seven Celtic Nations and beyond.

Arriving this year on APRIL 18-19, 2026, this fifteen-year-old festival occupies two downtown parks along the Halifax River and fills them with multiple music stages, a Highland Games, a Clan Village, and Celtic societies from throughout the region, as well as a host of other activities. Voted the Best Local Event in the News-Journal’s Readers Choice poll, and Best Arts, Culture & Heritage event by the Daytona Beach Area Visitors Convention & Bureau, the weekend attracts more than 10,000 locals and visitors each year. Advanced purchase admission is $12 each day for adults. Tickets purchased at the festival gate are $15 per day. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Two-day passes are available for $18 online only. Active duty military can receive a discount admission at the festival gate by presenting identification.

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!! We Need Volunteers! Click Here for Opportunities (And Get in for FREE)

There is plenty of free parking, including free off-site parking at Ormond Beach City Hall, 22 S. Beach St. with free shuttle service to allow everyone access to the Festival activities. Similar to many years past, on the south side of the Granada bridge, Rockefeller Gardens has been transformed into a Celtic Village where festival-goers will find multiple stages of continuous music, a tent featuring jam sessions and master teachers, Celtic food, crafts and jewelry, and, of course, plenty of Guinness.

Visit the Celtic Clan area to learn about Celtic heritage on the North Lawn. Similarly, Fortunato Park, on the north side of the bridge, will be transformed into the Highland Village – home to more music, Highland Games, and a much larger kid’s area that will feature a pop-up petting zoo and pony rides! But, don’t miss the Lowland Village merchants as you make your way from the Celtic Village under the bridge over to the Highland Village to see the games! The Highland Games are sanctioned by the North American Scottish Games Athletics organization so its competitors rack up points toward the ultimate goal of competing in Scotland. The 2025 Ormond Beach Highland Games have been expanded to a two-day event. More than 60 male and female athletes from around the region are expected to attend the Games and demonstrate their strength. Four divisions will compete on Saturday and four on Sunday. All nine events will be contested, including the open stone, Braemar, heavy and light hammer, heavy and light weight for distance, weight over bar, sheaf, and the famous Caber!

The Celtic Festival is a great family outing, with crafts and activities for the young ones on both days. Also on Sunday, is our annual Dog Parade. If your dog is an Irish setter, a Welsh corgi, or a Scottie dog – or you just want to dress your pup in plaid – bring them out for the fun. Dogs can be entered in the parade by bringing a contribution of cash or dog food to the Festival to benefit the Halifax Humane Society. There will even be prizes for the best-dressed dog. Whether you’re celebrating your Celtic heritage or can’t tell haggis from colcannon, the Ormond Beach Celtic Festival has something to love. Visit our Celtic vendors and food stalls in the Celtic Village. Relax with a pint of Guinness along the beautiful Halifax River. Get your own kilt. Play a game. Discover your inner Celt. Take home something beautiful. Experience the Ormond Beach Celtic Festival! This site will be updated with more specific information about the timing of planned activities and music schedules as the event grows closer! Call Ormond Beach Main Street office at (386) 492-2938 for questions.

Vendor Applications Due by March 28, 2026. Clan Applications HERE #AdamsCameron #Since1963

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