The past two years have prompted trends we could not be more excited about – outdoor living trends! As so many families were stuck at home during the pandemic they naturally gravitated to their yards, decks, patios, and gardens. Homeowners truly embraced their outdoor spaces with a newfound love, empowering them to discover the joys of life outside. Now that we’re here, as designers, we are continuously searching and discovering fun ways to optimize our client’s newly beloved exterior spaces and take virtually all at-home activities into the great outdoors.
Creating spaces for year-round use has become an absolute priority for homeowners across all climates. This means spaces such as covered & screened-in porches, patios, gazebos, pavilions, and fully integrated outdoor kitchens. While these luxuries are nothing new for those who live in warmer climates, those of us who take on the elements are now utilizing and demanding fun, new crowd-pleasers like firepits, outdoor fireplaces, saunas, hot-tubs, and a multitude of other resort-like features.
Expanding Your Living Space
Optimize your patio areas with comfortable seating, an oversized coffee table, stand-out lighting, and even an outdoor rug. It’s time to replace that old patio furniture and bring some personality to your outdoor decor. Your outdoor patio deserves as much attention as any other room in your home. Achieve this by bringing traditionally indoor elements outside for more comfortable outdoor lounging.
Outdoor Workspaces
Remote work is here to stay, so let’s get creative. Why not set up a workstation on your deck for some much-needed fresh air? There are two critical elements here to make sure your workspace is ready to go for that al fresco conference call: a worthy umbrella and adequate wifi! An off-set, cantilevered umbrella is the perfect option for a comfortable working environment. They provide the most shade, adjustability, and generally the most weight for those unpredictable gusts of wind.
Outdoor Kitchens
Outdoor kitchens are continuing to grow in popularity and homeowners are demanding more and more. As temperatures begin to rise, so does our desire to grill, host, and dine outside. We don’t just mean a barbeque on wheels here, we’re talking about a fully functioning kitchen set up with plenty of counter space, seating, and a variety of appliances like wine fridges, ice machines, and how about a pizza oven? Your outdoor kitchen should be a haven of luxury, comfort, and cuisine!
Technology
Whether it’s movie night or disco night, homeowners are taking the fun outside with incredible new, high-tech entertainment features. From fully integrated surround sound speakers to water-proof television systems, outdoor entertainment has been one of the main focuses for clients looking to optimize their outdoor living experiences.
Fire Features
As days turn to dusk, there’s nothing better than sitting around a roaring fire. Whether it be a free-standing fireplace or a charming fire pit, the ambiance and comfort are absolutely priceless. Let your creativity run wild when designing your custom fire feature. They can stand alone in the center of a gathering area, be integrated into an existing structure or building, or subtly blended into your landscaping. Options are endless when we begin to think about these family favorites.
These outdoor living trends are here to stay!
