Outdoor trends that emerged during the first two years of the pandemic continue to develop and enhance play, curb appeal, and healthfulness.

Key Factors:

  • Homeowners can divide their yards into separate, functional, quasi-rooms for organization and as an extension of indoor living.
  • Drought-tolerant native plants have higher survival rates in their climate and attract pollinators, butterflies, and birds.
  •  Shade from trees provides climate control for homes and yards.

  • After the pandemic began, many homeowners planted vegetable and herb gardens to avoid supermarkets or to start a new hobby. Gardening offered safe exercise and stress relief in fresh air versus indoor gyms.
  • Then came the surge of pools as another avenue for outdoor recreation when many people curtailed travel. However, the number of requests for pools resulted in long waits for installation, sometimes beyond a year. The most sought-after style remains a classic rectangle. The “Hamptons look.” It’s considered best for swimming laps and fitting with an automatic cover. Other homeowners prefer custom in-ground gunite designs. More affordable options include vinyl, fiberglass, or shipping containers, which may shorten the installation timeline.
  •  It was found nearly three-quarters of homebuyers say a spacious yard is at the top of their list. Whatever yard projects homeowners decide to take on, what matters most is good design and installation. Better views of the landscape, water fountain design, as well as bird feeder areas to enjoy.
  • Many homeowners are asking for easy-to-maintain hardscape and landscape materials that afford them time for other pursuits. Examples abound: A steel overhead cover requires less care than wood. Though it can be expensive, faux wood such as Durawood doesn’t require painting, and lightweight aluminum can substitute for wood. Masonry posts in stucco or brick also need less care.

Other benefits to outdoor living space.
Better views of the landscape, water fountain design, as well as bird feeder areas to enjoy. Fresh air to enjoy, especially those who say they have times they work at home, it’s nice to step outdoors to get work on their laptops.

With getting back to normal, it’s certain before everyone wanted to entertain indoors to stay away from bugs and inclement weather; now everybody wants to entertain outdoors to stay away from unhealthy indoor air.

Trees are a vital part of the landscape, giving scale to a home’s architecture and offering fruit, color, and drama, whether a single tree or grove. Remember not to plant trees too close to a house to stop branches falling on its structure and animals from using branches to enter a home because the roots can spread and cause damage. Trees also help provide climate control since their canopies can shade a house, outdoor areas, and shade-loving plants, such as dogwoods, ferns, and azaleas.

The smart approach is to buy smaller trees that will remain healthier and grow faster rather than big pot- or root-bound trees, which can girdle or strangle the trunk as the tree grows. In drought-prone areas, she encourages homeowners to continue watering their trees even if they must curtail watering their lawns. They need some deep watering to survive.

The trend is to separate outdoor spaces into functional, quasi-rooms. Depending on budget and area size, a cooking zone might include a grill or more bells and whistles such as a pizza oven or fireplace with an Argentine grill to cook on an open fire.

Have fun at your house and be blessed!