Customize Your Outdoor Space with These 5 Trends
Soak up the sun and get your daily dose of fresh air with these outdoor customization trends.
Outdoor living has understandably seen a sharp spike in popularity over the last couple of years. If you’re building a custom home, don’t forget to plan and budget for outdoor features that can help elevate your lifestyle and bring more fresh air into your everyday life! These five outdoor trends are the perfect place to start.
Outdoor Kitchen
Whether it's grilling, entertaining or both that you desire, outdoor kitchens are a versatile addition to any home. Available in a variety of materials and styles, outdoor kitchens offer the perfect opportunity for hosting gatherings outside.
Go all out with elements like a brick pizza oven and a gas stove, or keep things simple with a convenient refrigerator, counter space, and sink. No more shuttling plates of food and armfuls of drinks out onto the patio in the middle of your gathering. The options are endless!
Outdoor Workspace
One of the most popular trends for outdoor living is to create an outdoor office. With more and more people working at home, having the ability to work outdoors is a major plus. Especially if you live in an area with moderate weather year-round, consider how your work days could improve if you spent some of your working hours breathing the fresh air!
Of course, anyone who’s attempted an outdoor workday knows it’s a bit more complicated than plopping your laptop on your picnic table. In order to avoid glare and keep your computer equipment safe from the elements, you’ll need to incorporate a shaded structure or umbrella. You’ll need comfortable seating, reliable internet, and a safe outdoor outlet if you plan to work outside for extended periods of time. As you prioritize features in your custom build, take time to consider your ideal outdoor workspace!
Raised Garden Beds
Many of the latest trends in outdoor space appeal to our desire to build and grow. A raised garden bed is a great way to add both functionality and beauty to your outdoor space.
This is a particularly useful trend because it's an inexpensive way to make your home more sustainable and environmentally friendly. With a raised garden bed, you can grow fresh vegetables and herbs that you can not only enjoy yourself but give to friends and family members as gifts. With the addition of a compost system, you'll be able to turn your food waste into valuable fertilizer for your plants.
Aside from the obvious productivity of using outdoor space for garden beds, they can also elevate the style and appearance of your yard. Whether you’d like to imitate the style of an English country garden or whether you’re looking to create your own tropical oasis, you can choose your plants and garden structures around a chosen theme. With the right greenery, you can create a thriving and beautiful setting while also growing your own food!
Pool or Hot Tub
In the custom home industry, one of the most desirable features is a pool or hot tub. Whether you're building a home in the mountains or on the beach, a pool or hot tub can be an excellent way to enjoy time outdoors with family and friends.
If you're considering building a pool or hot tub, it's important to have a general understanding of what's involved. Pools and hot tubs require regular maintenance, and some level of safety precautions need to be taken. On top of that, you'll also need to think about whether your property is even suitable for either option.
If you’ve already bought a lot and space is a concern, a pool might not be the best option for you. However, hot tubs can be creatively incorporated into outdoor spaces of many sizes and if used often are a great way to reset and relax from the comfort of your home!
Temperature Control
As you design the outdoor set-up for your custom home, consider how you’ll keep a comfortable temperature. With careful decisions about building materials, shade, and additional add-ons, you can create a space that combines the comfort of the indoors with the views and fresh air of the outdoors.
Many outdoor temperature control strategies are basic: trees and shrubs can provide shade for a pleasant outdoor experience, and using lighter materials for the floor can prevent it from keeping too much heat. If there are trees or other structures that block the sun, you may want to place seating under them so that you can take advantage of the shade. For a covered patio or porch, consider including an overhead fan to keep the air moving and deter insects.
For the chillier months, add an outdoor fireplace, wood burning fire pit, or gas heater near your main seating area in order to generate a bit of heat. This way, you’ll get more year-round use out of your outdoor space, without suffering in the cold or the heat!
These trends each serve to make the space beyond the walls of your home more useful and more enjoyable! Incorporate your unique style and preferences into your outdoor design when you build custom.
Dreaming of a customized outdoor space to spend your time in? Get started building your dream home with Atmos!
