outdoorliving

BY KAT MOTTRAM

Get Out And Stay Out

Backyards have morphed from an occasional place to entertain friends into a multi-purpose area where we connect, play, work, and rejuvenate.

AS

WITH EVERYTHING ELSE,

the last several years have changed how we view the space outside of our home. Backyards have morphed from an occasional place to entertain friends into a multi-purpose area where we connect, play, work, and rejuvenate. With the rising costs of mortgage rates, instead of buying a new home in 2023, many are choosing to enhance their current homes - both inside and out.

The best way to amplify your backyard into a functional and gorgeous oasis is to bring the indoors-out and personalize it in sustainable and inventive ways.

Here Are The Top Outdoor Living Trends For You To Consider:

1 — INSIDE

Integration

The move to blend the inside and outside spaces reigns supreme in 2023. Adding bi-fold or stacking sliding glass doors, enclosed verandas, and partially covered gardens blurs the lines that separate your inside living area from your outside living area. Details like floor-to-ceiling windows or moving glass wall systems blend the two formerly independent areas into one cohesive zone. It also has the added benefit of bringing more natural light into your home.

2 —

Constructing Kitchens

The patio is no longer just a place to grill your burgers. The addition of a full-size outdoor kitchen offers a new way to dine-out with your friends and family. Full size appliances, weatherproof furniture, even dishwashers are being brought outside this year. Create a culinary wonderland complete with pizza oven, tabletop fire pit to roast marshmallows and rolling bar carts for your beverages. Why cook over a hot stove inside when you can spend the evening outside in the fresh air making dinner?

3 —

Outdoor Office

With so many people working regularly from home now, incorporating an outdoor office is a fantastic way to check off your to-do list each day. All-weather tables, umbrellas and comfy chairs offer a great way to make the long work days a little easier ... and help you get some vitamin D at the same time!

4 — PRIVACY

Plants

Gone are the days of only using fences and screens to block your neighbors view of your yard. Now, the trend is to choose plants for privacy instead. Living walls, rolling shelves, trellises, pergolas, hanging baskets, and plants like bamboo create beautiful-looking privacy partitions to stop prying eyes. If you already have a fence, add fence shelving and planter boxes to create more ambiance with greenery.

5 — ACCESSIBLE ACCENTS

Outdoor spaces should be accessible and safe for all ages. Even if you don’t have babies or elderly family members residing with you, they’ll no doubt be over to socialize. The trend to think about inclusively in your outdoor spaces is paramount.

This can involve motion-sensing lights, door hardware that can be unlocked from a smartphone, lever style door knobs or push/ pull handles, foot-operated openers on the door’s bottom rails, and adhesive traction strips on steps.

When you purchase furniture, think about

7 — SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS

Think natural, recycled, and upcycled! Reducing your carbon footprint by shopping from eco-conscious brands or buying second-hand isn’t a new concept, but it’s continuing to be prioritized in 2023.

Sustainable outdoor furniture made from bamboo, recycled plastic, rattan, and other eco-conscious materials is a thoughtful way to prioritize our planet. Adding solar-powered lights and a coffee table made from reclaimed wood to your patio not only adds ambiance to your home, but supports the longevity of the Earth.

8 — STEPPING STONES

With sustainability in mind, the use of walkway stones made from limestone, porcelain, sandstone and even granite are on trend to create a serene vibe in your backyard. Asymmetrical slabs are the look of choice in

OUTDOOR LIVING backyards

2023 so don’t hesitate to choose stones that are less pristine looking.

9

—

Eclectic Everyday

Many homeowners are choosing to cast off the idea that their outdoor oasis needs to look refined and flawless. 2023 is offering you the chance to mix and match fabrics, embellish with statement pieces, throw down patterned rugs, and add abstract art to your heart’s content.

If you’re dreaming of a tropical locale, craft your backyard to look like one. If you want to bring touches of the Mediterranean in, do it! Greek-inspired designs and destination vibes are all the rage and you have carte blanche to create a globally-inspired space.

10 —

Creative Color

As mentioned in #9, this year is all about exploring eclectic styles that appeal to you

- and this includes color. Cast off old notions of what works and try mixing metals, glass, wood, and depths of colors via patterns and unique color palettes.

Incorporate metallic accents with wall mirror frames and end tables. Add bold, saturated jewel tones in small areas like throw pillows until you feel confident enough to splash them around in larger areas like your chairs and sofas. Balance the metallic accents and jewel tones with the rich warmth of terra cotta in your planters, candles, or rugs.

ARE YOU FEELING INSPIRED?

After you implement these top 10 outdoor living trends, you’ll have a sustainable and functional space infused with your unique sense of style. After that? It’s time to start living life in partnership with the great outdoors.

how sturdy it is and how easy it will be to get in and out of for those with less mobility. Widen your walking paths and craft them with firm materials rather than loose stones.

6 — GROWING GARDENS

The resurgence of traditional gardening has many homeowners turning over areas for in-the-ground crops or creating raised and vertical gardens utilizing hardscape materials as the base. Herbs, vegetables, fruits, and flowers create a practical and beautiful backyard space.

With the cost of food continuing to rise, this is one way to curb your weekly spending. It’s also a wonderful way to de-stress each day and feed your family nutrient-dense foods picked straight from the vine.

Consider consulting with a local arborist to learn about drought-resistant plants. This will help to keep your water bill lower as well!