While outdoor living space has been a growing home improvement category for a few years, its importance sky-rocketed as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Lockdowns and shelter in place and social distancing mandates contributed to our need to safely expand our boundaries.

Leading Outdoor Trends

Outdoor kitchen and dining spaces
An outdoor kitchen is not only functional, but it creates a great aesthetic for your existing outdoor spaces. Some realtors say that an outdoor kitchen can significantly raise the value of your home as well as help sell your home faster. Outdoor dining spaces these days are so detailed that they look like they belong indoors — that is, until you look closer and realize that everything is designed to stand up to the elements. Some outdoor living spaces boast long, full tables similar to what you would see in a dining room. Some make use of bar areas; others resemble kitchen islands. With so many options surrounding space and materials, the outdoor dining space is truly customizable.

Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits
A classic mainstay of an outdoor space is the fire pit where we can spend quiet evenings relaxing around the fire. However, fire pits have adopted an artistic bent over the years, looking more like “fire features” than traditional fire pits. Another development is taking the traditional fireplace from inside the home and placing it outside. These usually provide seating areas and a backdrop for TVs.

Outdoor home office
Another great addition to your outdoor space is setting up part of your home office outdoors. With COVID and warm weather, homeowners are looking at ways to expand their workspace while they work from home. Some great additions are setting up shady workspaces such as an overhang on your patio or an adjustable umbrella, and some outdoor patio furniture for your computer and phone.

Backyard cottages
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) or backyard cottages are on the rise due to their versatility.
Some homeowners are using their ADU to house older relatives, as a home office, gym, or temporary residence to rent for extra income. Backyard cottages can either be built on site or trucked in.

Although some of these trends can cost a lot of time and/or money, there are many affordable things to do to bring your outdoor space to the relaxing oasis that you will love.

RE/MAX Metro realtor Estelia Mesimer says a popular trend she’s seeing these days is a seamless flow from indoor to outdoors spaces.

How do you get it this effect? Estelia recommends selecting the right flooring or decking material. By using the same tile in your living room and outdoor patio area, you are essentially creating an outdoor living room. Sliding glass doors make it easy to divide the rooms without disrupting the design.

Advantages to enhancing your outdoor space

• More opportunities for relaxation and exercise. Pastimes such as gardening, walking and enjoying nature have gained an increased value for many during a time when sporting events, community fairs and other large gatherings have been reduced, postponed or cancelled.
• Improving wellness, reducing stress and improving mood. Outdoor living improves the good feeling people get when they are connected to nature.
• Resale value for home owners. Investing in outdoor amenities not only adds to personal enjoyment, but are desirable features that often increase home value, too.
• Attracting and retaining renters. Ample outdoor space is likely to be a key attraction for multifamily properties, possibly even more so than using the space to build larger units.

Bottom Line: While COVID-19 upended many things, enjoying the outdoors does not need to be one of them. Regardless where you live, there are many easy ways to design your personal outdoor space to increase your health, happiness, relaxation and recreation.

Related Articles:
How the Coronavirus is Changing Home Design — Outdoor Spaces, True Home Offices Dominate New Wish Lists

St. Petersburg Communities

If you’re interested in any of these of communities or live in one of them and are thinking of selling, call Estelia today!

Allendale Terrace
Bahama Shores
Bayway Isles
Coquina Key
Crescent Heights
Crescent Lake
Downtown
Greater Pinellas Point
Historic Kenwood
Historic Old Northeast
Historic Roser Park
Historic Uptown
Isla Del Sol
Old Southeast
Placida Bayou
Snell Isle