Outdoor backyard sitting area. (Javani LLC/Adobe Stock)
Outdoor backyard sitting area. (Javani LLC/Adobe Stock)

Recent research notes that more than 70% of market professionals agree that an updated, usable outdoor living space has a big impact on home value. Residential real estate specialists were not surprised. The best outdoor living spaces are designed to elevate a home’s appeal and increase its value. Another insight is also revealing: Homeowners are willing to spend a quarter of their home improvement budget on creating outdoor living spaces. Adding functional outdoor areas for relaxing and entertaining expands the usable square footage of a home.

After World War II, suburban lawns became the symbol of the “American Dream,” signifying a time of prosperity and community. For the first time, yards became social spaces for families to enjoy. As the suburbs continued to grow, so did the importance of outdoor living spaces. Once solely for the wealthy, neatly trimmed lawns, cultivated gardens and patios became standard features of the “good” life.

Fast-forward to the present. Yards are much more than lawns. They are now functional and inviting outdoor living spaces.
 
What This Means to You --- Building a well-appointed outdoor living space is about more than a future return on investment. Chilling in the backyard is good for you. Time spent outdoors has been shown to affect both our physical and mental well-being. Our time outdoors is a refreshing change of scenery that helps boost creativity and improve work productivity. It reduces stress, improves mood, and even affects our physical condition by increasing Vitamin D, which is good for bone health.  
 

Acme Brick Company is more than brick. Over the past 130 years, Acme has added hundreds of home improvement products, including those that make outdoor entertaining more enjoyable. Here are some great ideas for the great outdoors!
 

US Homeowners Love Outdoor Spaces

What’s not to love? Getting some fresh air has never been easier! Outdoor living spaces serve our need to socialize with others, while also providing a peaceful retreat away from the hectic world. Functional outdoor living spaces are favored by homeowners for spending quality time with family and friends. When not entertaining, homeowners can unwind in natural surroundings, decompressing from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Here are the top 5 outdoor trends you might find interesting, according to the home design experts at Fixr

 

Outdoor living feature


#1 Indoor-Outdoor Coherent Design Is the Top Trend

In 2024, a whopping 78.3% of experts surveyed said the leading design trend for outdoor living space is to seamlessly connect it to the inside of the house visually, creating one harmonious space. This visual flow between the interior of the home and the garden is known in the design industry as “Indoor/Outdoor Coherent Design.” 

This could mean extending rooflines, using similar window styles, or carrying through wood beam designs from inside to outside. The consistency in architecture not only accentuates the design but also conveys an expansive, coherent feel, proposing the idea that the outdoor space is a natural extension of the home.

Pro Tip: Homeowners can create a cohesive effect by using complimentary colors, textures, and styles, adding to the perception of a unified whole. Rachel Street, President of Hestia Construction, said, “After the pandemic, I've seen a definitive rise in the popularity of having a cohesive and finished outdoor space, designed in a way that it feels like an extension of the interior living area.”

#2 It Must Be a Multifunctional Space

Versatility and adaptability are the focus of the next top trend in outdoor living spaces. Almost one-half of experts surveyed agree that outdoor living spaces must adapt for various gatherings and activities all year round.

Multifunctional outdoor zones can be designated for cooking, dining, relaxing, and playing. Key features include outdoor kitchens, versatile furniture, and the use of plants and garden beds as natural dividers. Amenities such as built-in heat fans, lighting, and media features ensure that outdoor spaces can function year-round.

Pro Tip: A Bromic patio heater can turn a chilly evening into cozy one.

 

Bromic heater for outdoor living

#3 Find Fantastic Furniture 

Finding low maintenance and long-lasting furniture is a popular outdoor living trend according to 35% of the design pros polled by Fixr. People want their open-air spaces to reflect their personal style and be inviting, but they must also withstand the elements and the test of time.

Pro Tip: Steel and aluminum construction are low maintenance, as are natural materials like teak or rattan. Fade-resistant coverings made from polyester or other synthetic materials can be treated with a UV spray to protect them. Low maintenance upkeep consists of dusting off debris and sponging furniture clean with soap and water.

#4 Keepin’ It Green

Nature inspired design is a big trend again in 2024, both inside and outside the home. To save time and money on landscaping maintenance consider choosing plants that are drought resistant and native to the area where the home is located.

Pro Tip: Attract biodiversity to the backyard by adding eco-friendly features like pollinator-attracting plants, edible perennials, and low-water landscaping.

#5 Sustainability Is Still a Must-Have

The most popular outdoor living trends continue to reflect a growing desire for connection with nature and sustainable practices, according to 24% of the experts surveyed. Tailored to reflect the needs of the individual homeowner, sustainable outdoor spaces are often a mix of several design trends. For example, these spaces are designed to be aesthetically appealing while embracing technological advancements for lighting, temperature, and entertainment.

Pro Tip: Reclaimed furniture and solar powered systems are other ways to make an outdoor space into a sustainable space. Plus, brick patios look great and will last for generations to come.

 

brick patterns

 

The Top 5 Outdoor Features to Consider

When designing outdoor living spaces, there are a few must-haves. These features can transform an outdoor area into a versatile and inviting space for cooking, dining, and relaxing.
 

Outdoor kitchen

Outdoor Kitchens Are Still Cookin’

Back in the day, wealthy Americans paid for elaborate meals in private gardens. Eventually, outdoor dining became a celebrated pastime across class boundaries, with picnics becoming an extremely popular activity for all social classes in the Victorian era. This came to be called dining al fresco, Italian for “in fresh air.”

Enjoying a meal al fresco is as pleasurable today as it was back then, which is why 73% of architects and homebuilders say outdoor kitchens are the most in-demand feature in backyard spaces.

Pro Tip: The Renaissance Cooking Systems, available from Acme, are some of the best grills on the market. They transform meat, fish and vegetables into five-star dining!

home sliding door wall feature

Pocket and Sliding Doors Bring the Outside In

While not necessarily considered an outdoor feature, pocket doors and sliding doors were mentioned by 65% of surveyed design pros as a most - wanted features in 2024. Why? These doors allow homeowners to open a large part of one wall, creating a seamless connection to their open-air living space.

Pro Tip: Removing a physical barrier is a hallmark of indoor/outdoor coherent design.

outdoor fire feature

Iosokern Magnum Series 
 


Fire Features are Hot for Outside Entertaining

Fire features naturally draw people together. According to 58% of the experts surveyed, fire features are one of the best ways to increase value and accentuate the livability and appeal of a property. Coming in a wide array of shapes, materials, designs, and sizes, fire features have something for everyone.

Pro Tip: Homeowners can choose from styles that include fireplaces, traditional firepits, a sleek fire table, and more. Click on the links to these features for more information.

woman working on computer on patio

Photo credit: Konstantin Yuganov/Adobe Stock


Outside WFH Spaces Still Relevant

Despite the recent news regarding workers returning to the office (at least for part of the week), work-from-home space is essential to home design both inside and outside. Why not carry the laptop outside? You will need a power source, chargers and a reliable Wi-Fi signal.

Pro Tip: If privacy is an issue, consider adding trellises, pergolas, or trellis-top arbors. These features can define and enlarge a workspace, while also providing shade. Strategic landscape features give additional privacy as well as shelter from wind and sun.

Home outdoor living with pool

Photo credit: EpicStockMedia/Adobe Stock


A Covered Patio Tops the Wish List

When it comes to trendsetting features for 2024, a covered patio tops the list! Many design professionals say that covered patios are a prime example of indoor/outdoor cohesion. Often, the architecture of the home is reflected in the patio design. Patio floors may use the same material as living room floors.

Pro Tip: Livability in outdoor spaces is increased with protection from the sun and rain.  

Your Mother Called

Outdoor living spaces promote wellness, serenity, and social gatherings, and this experience can be greatly enhanced by adding some excellent products from Acme.

Hear that ring? It’s your Mother Nature, and she’s got a lot to show you!
 

Outdoor entertainment spaces make for smiling faces. If you need some ideas for excellent products that are not available in those big box stores, click here and get that grill started.