En Plein Air

These outdoor living spaces are so luxe, you won’t set foot in the house all summer.

BY MARIKA MALAEA

Picture lazy afternoons lounging by the pool, reading a book under the shade of a pergola, or just sitting back and taking in an amazing view. Imagine inviting friends and family over for a blow-out barbecue feast or to gather around the fire pit for cocktails and conversation under the stars. As the weather warms up, we’re all more likely to head outside to enjoy ourselves in the fresh air. Whether your idea of the perfect outdoor living space is a quiet spot to unwind or a party-ready patio, you’ll find inspiration in the homes featured here.

A gas fireplace (with room for a TV above) makes this Seattle deck a cozy spot for an evening at home. MLS# 1448776

MOVING ON UP Ths spacious rooftop deck is the ideal place to enjoy summer in Seattle. MLS# 1448776

HOT, HOT, HOT

Planning to make some updates to your landscape? Here are some of the trends the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) predict will be sprouting up in backyards across America in the year ahead:

TWO-IN-ONE LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Clever features that combine function and style—like a vertical garden that doubles as a privacy fence, or a retaining wall with builtin seating—just make sense.

AUTOMATED LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE

Robotic lawnmowers and programmable or smart irrigation, lighting, and electrical systems leave more time to sit back and enjoy your oasis.

UPGRADED PERGOLAS

Although they’ve been a staple for years, today’s designs often include features such as rolldown windows, space heaters, and lighting and sound systems.

POPS OF PINK

Already hot trends in interior design, shades like blush, “Millennial Pink,” and Pantone’s 2019 Color of the Year, Living Coral (see page 16), are headed outside to gardens blooming with roses, petunias, and hibiscus, hardscapes with blush-toned stone, and outdoor decor and furniture.

METAL ACCENTS

Look for steel, iron, bronze, and brass on outdoor furnishings and water features.

COOK OUT The position of the outdoor kitchen in this Palisades, Colorado, home allows the chef to revel in the fantastic views. MLS# 9379142

WORTHWHILE PURSUITS

Just like interior remodels, updates to your outdoor spaces can significantly improve your lifestyle and enjoyment of your home. Another thing they have in common? They can be major investments. Whether you’ve just moved into your new home, are thinking of selling soon, or just want to make smart decisions, its worth knowing which outdoor projects give the greatest joy, draw the most potential buyers, and offer the best returns before you break ground.

Last year, the National Association of Realtors produced a report pairing brokers’ insight on the outdoor features that attract the most buyers and the average value they can add to a home with project cost estimates from pros in the know. The one said to be biggest draw for buyers was also found to offer the greatest return on investment: Standard lawn care service can recoup around 267 percent of its cost. Close seconds landscape maintenance and tree care should recover 100 percent of the costs at the time of sale.

Of course, it’s not all about the ROI— especially if you’re planning to stay in your home for the foreseeable future. To offer some balance, the report also included “joy scores” based on the happiness and satisfaction surveyed homeowners said they got from each project. Fire features and irrigation systems both scored a perfect 10, with new patios or wood decks, water features, and “statement landscaping” garnering joy scores of at least 9.7.

ENTERTAINER’S PARADISE Grand patio areas, an outdoor kitchen and dining space, and a 42-foot infinity pool make this Kapalua, Hawai‘i, house perfect for parties. MLS# 380142

ABOVE PAR Only a putting green lies between the seating area and fabulous ocean and mountain views. MLS# 380142

DIVE IN

The high cost of installing a swimming pool is rarely offset by the increased home price, but it can absolutely add other value, according to the report. A whopping 92 percent of homeowners say they have a greater desire to be at home since adding a pool. So go ahead - take the plunge, and enjoy your staycation.

POOL POSITION Perched on a hill in Riverside, California, this Mediterranean-style home boasts some of the most desirable outdoor features. MLS# IV19031718