Outdoor living spaces are becoming increasingly popular as homeowners look for ways to create a space where they can relax and entertain guests. This extended space of your house serves more than just aesthetic appeal; it provides a perfect place to entertain your friends and family and relax and enjoy some time alone in the boundaries of your home. This is why outdoor spaces have evolved from simple patios and decks to fully-appointed outdoor living areas.
For those homeowners who want to recreate their backyards, consider these best and upcoming trends to inspire ideas. Even if you add a couple of these popular elements to your outdoor space, your space can feel upgraded and more functional.
Here are four top home renovation trends for revamping your outdoor space in 2023.
Outdoor Entertaining Areas
Source: aucklandhomeshow.co.nz
One of the top renovation trends is turning outdoor spaces into fully-equipped entertainment areas.
Here are some tips on how to do this:
Add Shelter
A pavilion, pergola, or gazebo can provide a sheltered space for outdoor entertaining.
Focus on the Seating Area
Add deep seating patio furniture, weather-resistant rugs, side tables for drinks, and stylish accent lighting.
Add a Cooking Area
A built-in outdoor kitchen can feature cabinetry, countertops, a sink, a high-end grill, and appliances like a pizza oven, beverage refrigerator, or ice maker. If you’re looking into adding a gas grill, understanding how to choose a built-in gas grill is important to ensure it meets your cooking needs and matches the aesthetic of your space.
Bar Space
A counter-height bar area with barstools can be a great place for guests to socialize. You can outfit it with amenities like under-counter refrigerators, beverage coolers, glassware storage, and ice makers.
With full amenities for dining, relaxing, and entertainment, your outdoor space becomes an extension of your living space to enjoy in any season.
Using Eco-Friendly Materials
Source: canberratimes.com.au
Sustainability is a growing priority for many homeowners, as reflected in the prevalent use of eco-friendly and recycled materials. There are several great options to make your outdoor renovation more sustainable.
Composite decking
Many composite decking products are made from recycled plastic and wood fibers. This material has the natural appearance of wood but doesn’t require regular staining or sealing like real timber. Composite decking is also low-maintenance, splinter-free, and resistant to rot, mold, and insects.
Permeable pavers
Permeable pavers come in various natural styles, like stone, brick, and concrete, and have small gaps between them so that water can trickle through to the soil below. This helps replenish groundwater supplies and reduces problems with flooding, erosion, and polluted stormwater runoff.
Other green additions:
- Solar lighting along pathways, steps, and garden beds to reduce energy consumption. Solar lighting absorbs sunshine during the daytime and illuminates automatically at night.
- Energy-efficient LED lighting for patios, pergolas, trees, and other outdoor areas. LED lights last for years and use a fraction of the electricity of traditional bulbs.
- Ceiling fans with DC motors that use less energy than standard AC motor fans. Many offer weather-resistant construction and remote controls.
- Eco-friendly patio furniture made from sustainably harvested wood, recycled plastic lumber, or fast-growing bamboo.
Focus on Wellness
Your outdoor space should promote relaxation, health, and wellbeing. There are many design elements you can incorporate to create a soothing, therapeutic place for yourself and your family.
Add a Greenhouse or Sunroom
Source: thespruce.com
This provides space to grow your own succulents, herbs, vegetables, flowers, and other plants. The act of gardening and being surrounded by greenery is calming and improves your physical and mental health.
Add a Meditation Space
Design a dedicated yoga and meditation space in a quiet, private corner of your yard. Use soft synthetic turf, gravel, or sand for underfoot comfort. Screen the area with latticework, trellises, potted plants, or privacy panels. The sound of running water from a small tabletop fountain can be very soothing.
Other wellness-focused touches
- Add a hanging chair, hammock, or chaise lounge.
- Add wind chimes, bird feeders, butterfly houses, etc.
- Natural materials like stone, wood, wicker, and rattan that create a comforting, earthy feel.
Cultivating outdoor spaces geared toward relaxation, hobbies, and well-being is a top renovation trend that can greatly enhance your home’s livability and comfort.
Fire Features
Source: bpioutdoorliving.com
Fire pits, fireplaces, and chimineas extend evenings outdoors by providing warmth, light, and ambiance. Just make sure to use gas-burning fire features as they are sustainable and low maintenance. You can also easily clean them than wood burning options.
Aesthetics
Fill the fire bed with fire glass, lava rock, or decorative logs. Fire glass comes in various hues like cobalt, emerald, or golden amber to perfectly coordinate with your color palette, whereas reflective crushed glass and lava rock further accentuate the flickering flames.
Positioning
Thoughtfully position your fire feature, making it a focal point that is visible from patios, decks, and indoor rooms. Models that are double-sided or see-through provide an added advantage, allowing for enjoyment from multiple vantage points.
Materials
Source: earthturfwood.com
When choosing materials, look for durable options such as natural stone, brick, stucco, or metal. For instance, heavy-duty stainless steel fire pits are well-equipped to withstand the elements, while brick and stone can give permanent fireplaces an upscale, built-in appearance.
Safety
Safety should always be a priority. Keep fire features away from low tree branches, wooden fences, or other flammable structures. Use spark screens and keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Check local ordinances for rules about open flames.
Home renovation extends beyond just improving the aesthetics of your living space; it also involves enhancing the safety and hygiene of your environment, especially when revamping outdoor spaces. Overlooking the latter can lead to complications like the accumulation of harmful molds, which may lurk in areas exposed to moisture or water. To ensure that your renovated space is not only beautiful but also safe and healthy, it is pivotal to consider professional mold clearance testing services. Utilizing such services ensures that your outdoor spaces remain pristine and free of any elements that could jeopardize the well-being of you and your family.
Conclusion
Revamping your home’s outdoor living space is an exciting project that can add beauty, comfort, and functionality to your home. Following today’s home renovation trends, like smart technology, eco-friendly materials, and multifunctional structures, allows you to create a gorgeous, contemporary outdoor space tailored to your needs and lifestyle.
The major trends covered here inspire you to transform your patio, deck, or backyard into a highly enjoyable outdoor living area. With some creativity and these on-trend touches, your outdoor space can become a seamlessly connected extension of your living space.
