2023 OUTDOOR LIVING FORECAST

ACCORDING TO to leading real estate website Zillow, a functional outdoor space is the most soughtafter amenity among today’s homebuyers. For homeowners looking to make the most of their outdoor spaces this year, Trex Co. has just released its 2023 Outdoor Living Trends Forecast. Based on input from consumers, contractors, retailers and industry insiders, along with its own expertise, this annual report projects backyard and outdoor trends for the year ahead.

“Spending time with friends and family has never been more valued and backyards are often the epicenter for home entertaining,” said Leslie Adkins, vice president of marketing and ESG development for Trex.

BIOPHILIC DESIGN, PRIVACY, SUSTAINABILITY LEAD TOP TRENDS

“Based on what we are seeing and hearing from our consumers, trade and retail partners, the focus on outdoor living shows no signs of slowing. As we head into peak outdoor living season for 2023, we already feel the momentum and demand building as homeowners continue to invest in optimizing their outdoor spaces as functional and stylish extensions of their homes.”

Following are six trends that Trex expects to shape backyards in 2023:

1. Light Neutrals

The biophilic influence of nature on home design—both indoors and out—will be evident in everything from material choices to colors. According to this recent online poll, light neutral hues are expected to permeate home exteriors in 2023 due to their ability to create a sense of calm and serenity.

2. Mixed Materials

Gone are the days of matchymatchy monotony. Today’s homeowners are embracing eclectic design schemes with lots of visual interest created by juxtaposing materials like concrete and composite, wicker and aluminum, copper and stone—as well as mixing colors and patterns for added personality and visual intrigue.

Integrating nature-inspired materials can complement a home’s natural surroundings and infuse creative contrast with pillows, cushions, furnishings and decorative accents.

3. Sustainable Selections

Sustainability is no longer a “nice to have,” but a meaningful requirement among increasingly eco-conscious consumers. Purchases made with sustainability in mind will remain a priority in 2023—and beyond—as more and more homeowners purposefully consider how to reduce their own environmental impact.

4. Stylish Seclusion

Privacy remains a priority with more than a quarter of all Zillow listings now highlighting this as a selling point. This penchant for stylish seclusion is driving demand for products like fencing, pergolas, privacy panels, and lattice, which allow contractors and homeowners to enhance the sense of sanctuary with products that are visually appealing, durable and easy to maintain.

Incorporating plants and greenery is another clever way to enhance privacy while tapping into the design and wellbeing benefits of biophilic design. Add color and creativity with hanging baskets, planter boxes, pouches or a trellis dripping with flowers or ivy.

5. Mood Lighting

Faced with rising inflation, homeowners will be looking for small home investments that make a big impact. Lighting has the ability to completely change the look and feel of an outdoor space without breaking the bank. Candles, tiki torches, string lights, and fire features add warmth and ambiance to an outdoor space and can help to extend the time you are able to spend outdoors—both in hours and weeks.

For even greater impact, deck lighting can take your outdoor space to a whole new level, enhancing style and sophistication as well as safety. Trex offers a plug-and-play system that is easy to install on a new or existing deck. It even comes with a new Wi-Fi lighting controller for optimal convenience and control.

6. Added Function and Value

Homeowners also will be looking for improvements that add both function and value to their homes. One such investment for those with elevated decks is adding an under- deck drainage system. Designed to divert water away from the foundation, these systems protect a deck’s substructure from moisture damage while also creating dry space beneath the deck surface that can be used for any number of purposes, from storing seasonal items to serving as bonus living area.

Some systems, such as Trex RainEscape, install above the joists of a deck’s foundation, allowing for the addition of electrical and gas lines to power ceiling fans and lighting, as well as outdoor kitchen and entertainment components, creating outdoor spaces with the function and finished look of an interior room. MM