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A breath of fresh air, mask free
By Helen Houston | Owner, Staging Spaces & Redesign
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utdoor living needs have evolved, and home furnishings manufacturers are keeping pace.
For years, designers have reported their clients’ desires for functional outdoor living spaces designed as an extension of the indoors and often included as part of an overall design project from the outset. But these outdoor spaces have become more important than ever before as the pandemic continues to impact the way homeowners live, lounge, and entertain. Homeowners are no longer casually creating outdoor spaces. They view these areas as critical extensions of their homes and to support their overall wellbeing. We are all learning to appreciate our backyards, porches, patios, and beyond as they provide new forums for work, play, learning, and connection.
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| VIEW ON MAGAZINE |May/June 2021
As the U.S. extends past the one-year mark of quarantining and social distancing, functional outdoor spaces can be the antidote to COVID-19-induced cabin fever. The ability to step outside, get fresh air, and relax in an environment outside the four walls of one’s home can affect one’s overall wellbeing. Spending more time outdoors can lower stress levels and boost mental health. Over the last year, the outdoors has been a sanctuary for escaping the monotony of spending all your time in one place. According to a pre-coronavirus focus group done by residential home products marketing firm Kleber & Associates, 74 percent of participants invested in outdoor living because it enhances the environment of their home, while 64 percent said outdoor living is a way to find refuge or escape every day. This refuge is more important now than
