Photo: Authentic Custom Homes, Street of Dreams

If all this time at home is giving you cabin fever, take it outside! Outdoor living spaces maximize the livability of your home and allow you to take advantage of our great weather in comfort and style. Up your backyard game with these eight outdoor living trends, the entire family will enjoy.

Al Fresco Dining

Photo: MyDomaine

There’s nothing like sitting down for a meal with family and friends in the open air. Food simply tastes better when enjoyed outdoors! Make it a memorable affair with an outdoor dining set that’s stylish and functional. Set the table with colorful table linens, greenery, and candles to set the mood, and if you’re eating during the day don’t forget the shade. Protect your party from direct sun with a market umbrella, pergola, covered porch, or shade trees.

Outdoor Kitchen

Photo: HGTV

You don’t have to be a barbecue aficionado to appreciate the allure of cooking a meal outdoors. And with today’s modern, professional-grade setups, you can be the next MasterChef in training at your next backyard get-together. Built-in barbecues, gas ranges, and wet bars are just a few of the many options available, along with refrigerators, wine chillers, and plenty of counter and drawer space for the ease and convenience of an indoor kitchen. Bring some flair of interior design to your outdoor cook space with trendy countertops and backsplashes, and don’t forget to add plenty of lighting so you can enjoy the space in the evenings too.

The Lounge

Photo: Authentic Custom Homes, Street of Dreams

If your backyard can accommodate several distinct areas, a dedicated space to sit and relax can act as an outdoor living room. Bring indoor style to the fresh air of the outdoors! Place a comfortable and stylish outdoor couch and chairs around a low table for drinks and snacks, and add a water-resistant area rug with throw pillows and poufs for color and texture. 

And speaking of textures and color palettes, Authentic Custom Homes Designer Karly Meadows recommends on-trend soothing neutrals and warm hues to accentuate the outdoor experience and create a more organic feel. “More families are incorporating natural materials like wood, wicker, wool, and organic cotton to replace the old plastic and metal furniture to bring warmth to the outdoor space,” said Karly.

Kids’ Zone

Photo: Do It Decor

With many families spending more time at home, creating a backyard space for the kids to call their own is a must! A dedicated area for games, toys, and creative play for the littles is a great opportunity for them to get some independent time (and give a much-needed break for parents!). Deck it out with a built-in sandbox, jungle gym, an area for lawn games, and an artist’s easel or hanging chalkboard. Integrate children's landscape features into your existing design so you can easily adapt hard and soft scaping as they grow and interests change. 

Fire Pits

Photo: Hom Is Home

The fun doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down. A fire pit is a cozy and low-key gathering spot after dark that has us nostalgic for s’mores and camp stories under the stars. It’s also a great spot to relax with an adult beverage after the kids have gone to bed. 🍷 Have a fire pit professionally installed to blend seamlessly with your existing landscape, or create DIY greatness with one of the many video tutorials that are available. With any design, you decide, arrange a mix of low-slung and bench-style seating with small outdoor side tables for drinks and snacks.  

Suspension Seating

Photo: Plank + Pillow

Yard swings are making a comeback and we are here for it! Fun for kids and kids at heart, a swing blissfully encourages us to live in the moment and take in our natural surroundings - something we could all benefit from during these dog days of summer. Select a swing to suit your personality, from a classic tree swing to an ultra-modern hammock swing or something in between.

Family Garden

Photo: Sunset

Get your hands dirty and create a vegetable garden the whole family can enjoy all year long. Gardening can encourage the kids to spend more time outside and off digital devices, and provides a fun way to learn some plant growth science. Best of all, it’s an activity that everyone can do together. There are many backyard garden options from simple and elaborate. Raised beds, planting tables, potted gardens, hanging planters, and green walls can be integrated into your outdoor space. To encourage healthier eating, let the kids pick out some vegetables and space them out well and for easy reach - perhaps they’ll be more willing to eat veggies they’ve grown themselves! 🙏

Let There Be Light

Photo: Lowe’s

Often overlooked but always appreciated, thoughtful lighting is timeless, providing ambiance and safety. Well-placed lighting illuminates stairs and other potential walking hazards and brings your outdoor space to life after sundown. Most importantly, it allows you to enjoy your backyard into the night safely! Spot lighting provides focal points and guides the eye throughout the space, while path lighting is ideal for walking areas like patios, paths, and stairs. Choose from other functional and decorative lighting including lanterns, string lights, sconces, candles, and even tiki torches!

Have you recently redesigned your outdoor space, or are you thinking about a refresh this summer? Share your design ideas with us in the comments!