The outdoor living trend exploded during the pandemic as people stuck at home cashed in their vacation budgets to upgrade their exterior spaces. Fast-forward a few years later, the trend remains highly popular for homeowners.
In a 2023 report on outdoor living trends, 96% of home remodeling experts say creating a usable exterior space is either “very important” or “important” to homeowners. In the same report, 85% of remodeling pros say homeowners will devote at least 25% of their home remodeling budgets to outdoor living projects.
Whether you enjoy lounging under the hot summer sun or curling up by the fire on a cool fall evening, check out these ideas to create your personal outdoor oasis.
Indoor-Outdoor Living Spaces
Indoor-outdoor living spaces continue to be in high demand, as they combine the best of both worlds. Put simply, an indoor-outdoor space offers a seamless transition from your home’s interior to the outdoors.
Common ideas include eating spaces like indoor-outdoor kitchens and dining rooms, entertainment areas like lounges or patios, and even swimming pools and hot tubs.
The key is to create a cohesive look and smooth transition. Many homeowners install floor-to-ceiling French doors or pocket doors to bridge the two spaces, and in some cases retractable roofs or awnings.
Fire Pits & Fire Tables
Fire features really set the mood, offer a fun way to warm up on a cool night, and provide fuel for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows.
Fire pits are often built into decks or patios, but can also be free-standing. Fire pits have traditionally relied on wood or charcoal for fuel, but you can also install one with a natural gas hookup for easy ignition. Fire pits also offer flexibility, as you can choose from several different materials to match the look of your exterior structure, including stone, concrete or cast iron.
Fire tables, on the other hand, offer a touch more sophistication, and often serve dual purposes. They’re typically made of granite and include a smaller pit in the middle, surrounded by a table top. You can sit around a fire table and enjoy a meal or adult beverage, and because they’re powered by gas, your guests won’t end up breathing in smoke.
Water Features
Nothing promotes relaxation like the sound of running water. From koi ponds to fountains to plunge pools, you have a multitude of options for adding water to your outdoor living space.
Plunge pools are growing in popularity, as they’re much less expensive, easier to maintain, and require less room than a traditional pool. Plunge pools are usually recessed in the ground, deck, or patio. They’re much smaller and shallower than in-ground pools, but just big enough to lounge on a raft or innertube.
Just note that water features require routine maintenance to prevent grime and algae, so keep maintenance in mind as you choose a water feature.
Upgrade Your Outdoor Space with CCG
If you’re ready to spruce up your outdoor living spaces, call Central Construction Group to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. While we don’t necessarily specialize in pools and fire pits, we excel at exterior renovations and additions. Call 317-213-6246 or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Next Month’s Project: Exterior Patio Renovation
Make sure to check back next month as we detail a large-scale exterior remodeling project that included demoing and completely rebuilding a front porch and back patio, as well as installing a stamped concrete walkway. We’ll include several pictures of our work and include key project details to help inspire your next outdoor makeover.
