Soak up the sun with a little luxury.

There are few things you want to do more during the summer than lounge in the beautiful weather — and it would be all the better if you could do so in your own backyard. Forty-one percent of homeowners who plan on making home improvements in 2017 intend to invest in outdoor projects, according to a survey of nearly 2,100 homeowners from LightStream, a division of SunTrust Banks Inc. And upgrades for comfort or simply to outdo the neighbors are getting more intense, as backyards are becoming as luxurious as home interiors. Swimming pools excluded, here are nine outdoor living renovations to splurge on this summer.

[custom_gallery]

More from U.S. News

8 Ways to Transform Unused Space in Your Home

9 Easy Ways to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal

8 Easy Renovation Projects Every Homeowner Can Do Now

9 Outdoor Living Renovations to Splurge on This Summer originally appeared on usnews.com