As the average size of new homes continues to shrink and more people choose to entertain at home, demand for outdoor living features grows, according to a survey conducted by Professional Builder Magazine.
Next to energy efficiency, perhaps no other market trend is changing the landscape of new-home design than outdoor living. Long a key part of the residential design vernacular, outdoor living has gotten renewed focus in recent years as homeowners look to maximize living and entertainment space without dramatically impacting overall costs.
The home-building community has taken notice. Many builders now offer a full line of outdoor living options, from traditional features like decks, landscaping, and sod lawns to contemporary options like outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and extensive kitchens.
According to an October 2011 survey of more than 230 Professional Builder readers, 60 percent of builders said they had expanded their lineup of outdoor living options during the past 12 months, and more than half said that, when it comes to selling new homes, outdoor living is more important today than two years ago.
The bottom line is people are staying home and entertaining more, and they want to have inviting areas to attract their friends. Some builders now include patio-deck spaces off of as many major living areas as possible. Outdoor space is less expensive to build than enclosed space and it increases the livable area of the customers home.
When asked to select their top three best-selling outdoor living features, the largest number of builders identified decks, outdoor fireplace/fire pits, and landscaping, followed by screened-in porches, stone/brick patios, and exterior lighting. More than 16 percent said fully equipped outdoor kitchens were a best-seller — a luxury item traditionally seen in only the highest end of the housing market.
One reason for the growth in outdoor kitchens is the emergence of outdoor-specific appliances and systems for kitchens and entertainment areas. Just a few years ago, appliances and electronics designated for outdoor living areas were really made for interior applications. Now manufacturers are making useable products for the outdoor environment, such as TVs with glare-free screens.
At Northcape Design/Build, we offer a complete line of outdoor cabinets and built-in appliances including gas grills, side burners, warming drawers, hoods, refrigerators, beer stations, ice machines and beverage stations. Take a look at: www.atlantiscabinetry.com.
