HIGHLIGHT – This summer, homeowners are looking to expand their outdoor spaces with diverse, multifunctional features that transform them into a personal oasis.
Home improvement specialist, Fixr.com, polled 40 experts in the field of home design to find out what the latest outdoor living trends are for summer 2022.
According to 87% of experts, the pandemic continues to influence homeowners and how they use and invest in their homes and outdoor living spaces. For two summers in a row, many people chose to stay home more than they ever had before, creating priority for a more attractive outdoor atmosphere. And even though things are starting to reopen and get back to “normal”, many families are choosing to stay home this summer and continue to invest in their homes.
Resistant to all climates
For outdoor living in 2022, 62% of experts believe homeowners’ top priority is creating usable space all year round. This means spaces such as patios, gazebos, pavilions and outdoor kitchens. In warmer climates these spaces may not change much, but for colder weather people will be looking to add fire pits, heaters, outdoor fireplaces and adequate lighting. Fire pits were the second most popular addition to outdoor living spaces last year and 67% say they will be just as popular this year.
Although outdoor fireplaces are quite popular, they continue to lag behind fire pits. Fire pits are smaller, cheaper, and in many cases can be easily moved. More, consumers will find that the initial outlay is more of an investment if their outdoor space becomes one they can use for all four seasons rather than short summer periods.
Enjoy the inside out
Creating an outdoor space with indoor influence has been a trending style throughout the pandemic, and 56% of experts say it remains popular this year as well. This ties into year-round open spaces, but also shows people’s desire for more usable square footage. A smooth transition from indoors to outdoors helps create a calming environment, which 33% of respondents said was extremely important.
Outdoor dining is one of the most popular ways to use an outdoor space, and 62% say it’s a must. In addition to providing a space to eat, gather and socialize, these spaces also are great escapes from the home office for work or study.
Other Key Features
With 41% of respondents ranking outdoor kitchens as the biggest outdoor trend in 2022, 97% agree that grills and barbecues are by far the most popular item in the outdoor kitchen.
Adding a sink to the area is another popular feature, according to 36%, followed by pizza ovens at 26%.
Pools and hot tubs have always been popular outdoor features, but saltwater pools are on the rise, according to 56% of respondents. Additionally, 50% of home design experts say smaller pools and plunge pools will be favored this year because they take up less space and cost less to install.
For this report, Fixr.com interviewed 40 of the homebuilding industry’s top experts. Each of the professionals who responded have extensive experience and currently work in the fields of construction, renovation or landscaping. In order to compile trends and associated percentages, they were asked a combination of open-ended and multiple-choice questions. All percentages have been rounded. In some cases, they were able to select more than one option.
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