I love this time of year, especially having more daylight hours after work to enjoy the outdoors! Flowers are blooming, the skies are blue and bright, and we get to swap our sweaters for short sleeves. It must be time to enjoy our outdoor spaces again.
That’s what clients are doing! So what’s trending at their homes these days? I asked these six pros across the country what they’re seeing.
- Los Angeles-based architect Dean Larkin
- Outdoor design-build firm Deck Remodelers’ owner Sean McAleer in NJ
- Brooklyn-based landscape designer Brett Kessler, design director of Bower & Branch Design Studio
- Multi-location appliance and fixture retailer AjMadison’s education director Jessica Petrino Ball
- Andres Klein, chief marketing officer for Maxicon smart home technology firm in Miami
- National homebuilder Taylor Morrison’s senior director of national design, Lee Crowder.
Overview
The first thing to appreciate is that outdoor improvements have moved well beyond the grill and even the kitchen to outdoor living rooms, bathroom extensions, game zones and other gathering areas – what Ball calls “social spaces.” That gives professionals in the residential realm the opportunity to extend their offerings. And their profits!
“Before the pandemic, outdoor living spaces were perceived to be a bespoke luxury for a few wealthy consumers,” the AjMadison executive observes. This relegated them to late phase projects, she notes, but no more. COVID changed how people spend time at home, she reflects, and it shows up in their spending too.
This is definitely a trend McAleer is seeing in his tri-state area market (with expansion plans down the East Coast), reporting a 31% increase in business last year and projecting 20% growth for 2025. He does advise some caution, though, due to economic uncertainties. Technology spokesman Klein has also seen 20% growth from 2023 to 2024 in clients seeking to add smart features to their projects, he says.
The good news for clients is that there are more options available today for those with limited space or budget. There are prefinished islands and self-enclosed mini kitchens that can fit on an urban balcony or townhouse patio. Being able to bring private outdoor living enhancements to city dwellers with balconies, terraces, courtyards or roof gardens is an opportunity to deliver a slice of green joy to often gray urban living.
“All of our projects feature extensive outdoor rooms, kitchens, balconies and terraces!” declares Larkin, who designs in both urban and suburban neighborhoods. Roof gardens are becoming more popular with his clientele as well.
Klein’s Miami area projects are predominantly large suburban yards, he says, and “feature organic walls, infinity pools, complete outdoor kitchens, covered and uncovered terraces, and various living spaces like lanais and modern landscapes.” One trend he’s seeing is personalization, with clients opting for features that remind them of their families’ international heritage.
Another trend worth noting is electrification. “With the rise of all-electric buildings and housing developments,” Ball predicts, “demand for electric outdoor kitchen appliances is going to increase in the next decade.”
This is part of a sustainability trend driven in part by social values and in part by government mandates. “Over the past two years, 88% of our clients have wanted to solve some kind of environmental issue through their landscape designs,” Kessler shares. She’s also seeing them choose more unique landscapes, rather than planting the same species as everyone else, as Klein noted among his Miami clientele. She’s seeing an interest in edible landscapes, incorporating fruiting trees and shrubs into their spaces along with raised beds for vegetables and herbs. “That does not mean that they’re forgoing creature comforts,” she adds. Clients are working with interior designers and other professionals to harmonize nature with livability.
Outdoor Kitchens
The electrification trend may shift grills from gas to induction, which are already showing up in the market. “I was delighted to see new products at KBIS with outdoor induction technology from Fire Magic and Invisacook,” Ball says. McAleer is also designing more induction into his kitchen projects. He particularly touts the hobs you can have built into countertops where the clients want them. They save counter space and make cleanup easier, he points out.
“The best outdoor kitchen designs incorporate the four cooking zones that you would see in an indoor kitchen: cooking, cooling, storage and clean-up,” Ball comments. Beyond the essential grill, “upscale spaces will add cooking appliances such as a pizza oven, warming drawer, side burner, griddle or ceramic grill. Depending on the outdoor kitchen’s location, a vent hood may be required,” she shares, adding, “while many outdoor kitchens incorporate an outdoor refrigerator, remodelers on a budget could use a portable cooler, or an insulated sink with ice. Some kitchens also add a freezer for spirits and ice cream, a wine cooler, beverage center or icemaker.”
Outdoor kitchens are getting more elaborate. Photo: True Residential available through AjMadison
The best designs also accommodate more users. “It’s not just men anymore grilling outside; it’s become a whole family experience that anyone can enjoy,” Crowder comments. “People are cooking everything outside these days for meals throughout the day.”
Ball cites the importance of a cleanup zone to limit trips in and out of the house: “An outdoor sink/faucet is great for meal prep, keeping hands germ-free, and may even be a great spot to clean hands after gardening. Outdoor trash chutes conceal waste. Some outdoor kitchens even incorporate an outdoor-rated dishwasher for plates and glassware.” McAleer says many of his clients are opting out of outdoor sinks, citing plumbing costs, winterization concerns and a desire to invest more in appliances.
Stylewise, the AjMadison executive is seeing beautiful finishes, jewel tones and handsome hardware. Kessler comments, “Material trends are definitely leaning towards stainless steel and woods.” She’s seeing fewer masonry projects. “Wood-clad cabinetry and islands are popular (using flame-retardant wood, of course). Some indoor kitchen trends, like waterfall countertops, have made their way outdoors, too.” She’s also seeing a strong interest in modular outdoor kitchens (as opposed to custom), especially from clients with more modest budgets.
Outdoor Living Spaces
“Everyone wants the backyard lounge,” McAleer declares. This is definitely a trend Larkin is seeing among his high-end Southern California clientele too. Cabanas, roof terraces, yards, balconies, etc. are all getting their own mini bars, increasing the number of outdoor appliances per property.
Kessler agrees: “Bar seating is a common request, a reflection of a continued increase in outdoor entertaining, I think.” She’s also had more clients interested in creating unique outdoor play areas for their kids. “These go beyond the standard swing set and include everything from stylish modern playhouses to ‘nature play areas’ that feature sand pits and logs.”
“Lately, we have seen a request for additional covered or semi-covered areas, especially around the pool (think cabanas) as people are looking to get out of the sun more and more,” Larkin notes. His Baja shelves (those wide shallow areas at one end of a pool for cooling foot-wet seating) are getting umbrellas for shade as well.
McAleer has also seen a doubling of covered spaces to include almost all of his projects. “Much of this growth has been driven by the popularity of the Equinox louvered roof, which offers the best of both worlds: cover when you need it and open when you want the sun. Additionally, the incorporation of infrared heaters extends the usability of these spaces to about 10 months a year, minimizing rain days and maximizing investment in the backyard.” (In Klein’s Miami market, misters and high-performance fans make summers more comfortable outdoors, extending their usability across seasons.)
“Up until recently, outdoor living spaces were becoming more elaborate, centering around outdoor kitchens and ever-larger fire features or fireplaces,” shares Larkin. “Due to the trauma of the recent fires, more clients are requesting no active visible fire elements in their home.” This means his firm’s outdoor living areas are getting ceramic and electric heaters for warmth on chilly Southern California nights.
Taylor Morrison’s Crowder observes a style integration with indoor design: “We are seeing more traditional, metal patio furniture going away as people embrace furniture that feels like it’s for another room in your home.” She also notes the popularity of customizable outdoor lighting – “that you can make a certain color for holidays or to match your favorite team’s colors when they play” – and outdoor heaters that don’t require professional installation. “I think the real key is making outdoor living just as comfortable as indoor living, and now you can do that,” she comments. “You can enjoy the elements of your yard while sitting on a beautiful piece of upholstery and being comfortable.”
Outdoor Bathrooms
“Outdoor bathrooms were once overlooked, but now they are fully integrated into outdoor designs with lighting control and entertainment features,” Klein observes. The Miami executive is seeing smart toilets with built-in music and heated seats and full-spectrum lighting to create a spa-like experience.
“As with the kitchens, I’ve seen a lot of interest in modular outdoor bathrooms,” Kessler observes, but clarifies that outdoor bathrooms are pretty high end and mostly included in warmer climates. “There are a number of freestanding shower options out there, many of which can be hooked up to existing outdoor taps. Outdoor saunas also seem increasingly popular,” she adds. (Grandview Research predicts the North American sauna market growing annually at 5.3% in the next five years.)
Outdoor Technology
“There are some products in the outdoor kitchen appliance industry with app connectivity,” Ball observes. This is especially helpful for appliances that require temperature precision, she notes, mentioning outdoor smokers.
“They used to be rare, but now with covered decks and patios, it is not uncommon to have multiple TVs on one project,” McAleer says. He attributes WiFi making it easy to offer outdoor entertainment without having to bring in cable connections. There are also more choices in television models that can go into a covered outdoor environment.
Kessler is seeing the opposite among her clientele, she shares. “My speculation is that people are going outdoors to escape media and technology, also evident in the increase in more specialized outdoor programming,” (the putting greens, kids nature playgrounds, etc.). Be tuned in to different strokes for different folks, especially with their values and goals for outdoor living!
“Seamless commercial-grade WiFi networks are now essential, providing full outdoor coverage for high-performance audio, video and automation systems,” Klein declares. Smart lighting systems that illuminate landscape, kitchen features and overall spaces are becoming standard. Also standard are smart system integration with security and irrigation.
Climate and weather features are also increasing, including motorized hurricane curtains and large-scale fans. All of this is adding up to outdoor technology investments quadrupling in the last few years, he reports. “The largest investments go into outdoor living rooms with entertainment systems and general outdoor audio,” he adds.
“Outdoor sound systems (think Dolby) are getting more sophisticated and more directional as to not disturb your neighbors,” Larkin shares. Klein agrees, citing tripled homeowner demand for immersive, high-quality sound across their properties.
Last Words
It’s worth noting that designing for outdoor living requires knowledge not required inside – and careful planning. “It is important to consider environmental factors like one’s topography, climate, proximity to the house, saltwater, anticipated snowfall, trees and shrubs,” Ball suggests. “If the project is in a cold climate, refrigerators, icemakers and outdoor faucets must be turned off in the winter season.” If you’re planning your first outdoor project as a designer, consider partnering with an outdoor pro to have your project pass inspection and ensure functionality and durability.
McAleer is seeing one trend that he has long advocated for: Designing a comprehensive plan from the start. “Piecemealing a project together with multiple contractors is a costly plan that invariably leads to mediocre results. We always encourage a master plan, and then if the project does need to be phased due to budget or other constraints the clients know where they are headed and that it will all work together in the end with no regrets.”
Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS, MCCWC is an author, wellness design consultant and industry speaker. Her award-winning third book, Wellness by Design (Simon & Schuster, 2020) is available wherever books are sold. Learn more about her wellness design CEU presentations, books, blog and consulting services at jamiegold.net.
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