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Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer. For many, this was the first holiday without being locked down. Will this year be a repeat of the staycation of last year or are folks apt to start traveling again? For many who were either remodeling or moving last year, this is also an opportunity to enjoy their new or upgraded homes to the fullest. Outdoor living has been gaining in popularity for years, but demand has surged in the past year – particularly for remodels. Best in American Living highlights this in one of their articles here.

For folks in the warmer states, enhanced outdoor living used to start with the swimming pool. Nice – but expensive both to install and to maintain. I hear from many pool owners that they wish they didn’t have a pool. Whether or not you choose to include a pool, what other kinds of outdoor living and backyard embellishments are out there for your consideration?

Cabanas

One very popular outdoor living option in Florida is the expanded outdoor living option. This would be an extension on the standard outdoor living space to feel more like a free-standing cabana. This is the perfect place for a cabana bar – complete with a TV of course. The free-standing version of this has become a very popular addition to houses with large enough backyards.

Putting greens and K9 turf

Putting greens are low maintenance, always green, and provide a fun outdoor activity. And speaking of low maintenance, K9 turf is the new low maintenance embellishment for horizontal apartments.

Water features and waterfalls

Whether a fountain or a full-scale waterfall, moving water creates both a soothing sound and when lit at night, magic moving light reflections. Moving water also has the added benefit of drowning out unwanted sounds – like adjacent road noise.

Barbeque Grills

If you’re fortunate to have a summer kitchen built into your covered patio, you’re a happy griller come rain or shine. But many jurisdictions are requiring grills under covered spaces to have an accompanying vent hood. This makes an after-market addition much more difficult. Fear not, I have seen some exceptional examples of outdoor grilling stations that would make any grill master happy. These do tend to be in cooler climates.

Firepits and outdoor Fireplaces

Okay, this is probably more of a winter outdoor living feature when the weather is colder, and the days are shorter – but I’d be remiss if I wrote a blog on outdoor living without mentioning it. As far as I’m concerned, roasting marshmallows is a year-round event.

I hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend. Is selling outdoor living upgrades easier in the summer? Seems like it would be. The key is selling outdoor living all year long – since buyer’s investment is more than just one season. How have you managed to sell outdoor living when the outdoors is less than inviting? Send me your thoughts!