The boundaries between indoor and outdoor areas continue to blur, especially after 2020, when the pandemic and lockdown measures forced everyone to stay home. Unlike before, the outdoors is considered an extension of indoor living rooms, with most taking the same vibe, color scheme, and design styles. More than 78% of Americans improved and made their outdoor spaces habitable during the pandemic. Similarly, 90% of homeowners find outdoor spaces currently more valuable.
Photo by Ralph (Ravi) Kayden on Unsplash
The pandemic aside, several studies have shown that spending time outdoors with nature has various physical and mental health benefits. With the increasing popularity of outdoor spaces in homes comes trends that improve outdoor living. Apart from working with outdoor landscape experts from Malone’s landscape, below are outdoor living trends for homeowners to consider in 2023.
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1. Sustainability Is Here to Stay
The idea of sustainable living is never far from any topic, especially in the home improvement realm. Homeowners have realized the importance of using sustainable products and adhering to sustainable practices. Consider eco-friendly features when designing your outdoor space or redesigning your backyard.
Going green with your outdoor designs is good for the environment, health, and wallet. It is an easier way of reducing the environmental impact of various activities at home, reducing toxins, and lowering utility bills. Fortunately, homeowners can leverage various options to make their outdoors environmentally friendly without sacrificing their home’s curb appeal, function, and personal style. Below are a few tips for creating sustainable outdoor spaces:
- Start with the overall design plan – You should embrace green designs from the beginning. Doing this ensures that your overall landscape or backyard design is cohesive and meets your eco-friendly expectations. Planning helps estimate the overall budget and find better opportunities for going green. With the help of landscaping experts, create a list of must-haves and a wish list.
- Choose eco-friendly outdoor lighting – Landscape lighting is crucial for outdoor living. Lighting not only brightens your landscape but also accentuates special garden features. You can easily make greener choices for your outdoor lighting. Simply ditch halogen lights for LED or solar outdoor lights.
- Use sustainable patio furniture – There’s a greater focus on outdoor furniture made from sustainable materials. Homeowners who prefer wood patio furniture should ensure that these products have independent certification as proof that the wood used was grown and harvested in environmentally-friendly methods.
- Choose eco-friendly hardscapes and ground cover – Hardscapes and ground cover make the foundation of most outdoor living areas. The choice of material used determines whether or not homeowners will have an eco-friendly landscape or not. Hardscapes and ground cover determine the carbon footprint used and water needs of the outdoor space. As such, consider using artificial grass, low-maintenance grass alternatives, such as wood chips, mulch, gravel, and bark, and hardscapes like concrete and paving stones over natural grass.
2. More Preference for Natural and Relaxed Colors
While the outdoors is typically less prone to fleeting trends, there’s a significant shift in common exterior paint colors. Homeowners’ preference has changed from the traditional white colors to confident and statement-making palettes, especially in front doors, siding, and trims. This comes as more homeowners realize that outdoor spaces can make great additional living space.
Giving your siding and trim a fresh coat or adding pop to your front door can significantly rejuvenate your exterior. Below are some trending paint colors for better curb appeal:
- Warm and earthy neutrals – Warm color trends have been a popular choice for interiors. However, earthy browns and warm neutrals are slowly making their way into the outside. Organic palettes that resemble the color of earth or stone make it easier for the exterior to blend with the surrounding environment instead of standing out.
- All-black exteriors – An all-black exterior color is another rising trend for most homeowners in 2023. However, recent black exteriors are very different from traditional colors. Homeowners are increasingly gravitating towards dark, saturated hues that make homes modern.
- Creams and warm whites – Subdued options of creams and warm whites have also replaced the traditional bright white colors. These colors look sophisticated and less sharp.
3. Introduction of Edible and Decorative Greenery
Homeowners, especially in urban areas, have found new, creative ways of using their backyards. Not all compounds have enough space to accommodate trees, flowers, or green lawns. If your backyard space doesn’t allow it, consider taking advantage of potted plants. Homeowners with limited backyards should consider decorating their backyards with potted and window box plants.
Another interesting option is the introduction of edible plants to the outdoors. With outdoor kitchens becoming a main component of outdoor living, there’s no better way to complement your outdoor kitchen than with edible plants that ease cooking. Consumable herbs and spices can be grown in small to medium pots near an outdoor kitchen.
4. Outdoor Living Rooms
The popularity of outdoor living rooms will also be on the rise this year. With homeowners appreciating the importance of being comfortable outdoors, the introduction of outdoor living rooms isn’t surprising. Some go beyond simple decks to build fully-furnished and functional rooms with furniture pieces, decorative items, and entertainment.
Creating outdoor living rooms is as simple as mirroring interior living spaces. However, some homeowners opt for different styles, such as plastic furniture over wood, colorful decorative items over minimalism, and floor cushions and throw pillows in place of furniture.
5. Outdoor Workspaces
Remote work is here to stay for most people. While most homeowners have given unused indoor rooms a fresh spin and created dedicated home offices, creating an outdoor office is a great option, especially for those who still work from their dining tables, couch, and other makeshift workstations. Outdoor workspaces allow homeowners to carve a spot for their official work, art, and crafts without taking up space indoors. You can transform your garden shed into a private workshop.
Endnote
Whether your home has a spacious backyard or a sizable balcony, outdoors in the modern day are not only for weekend parties and grill-outs. They are increasingly becoming vital for everyday use. Most homeowners currently depend on outdoor spaces to provide a peaceful escape, additional living space, and more. If weather permits, the outdoors can be used for cooking, playing, working, relaxation, and entertaining. However, to accommodate all these, homeowners should watch out for various outdoor living trends for comfort and convenience.