3 Outdoor Living Space Trends and Tips For 2015

Whats on the horizon for outdoor living spaces in 2015

Anything that makes the outside more like the inside, says Houston outdoor designer Wayne Franks.
Todays outdoor living spaces are now ust an e!tension o" the rest o" our home, and we e!pect the
same looks and liva#ility "rom them weve come to e!pect everywhere else.
Here are a "ew top trends "or $%&', according to Franks, owner o" (utdoor Homescapes o" Houston.
La!ered outdoor lighting
This is #y "ar the most rapidly growing outdoor living space trend, says Franks. )isually, the use o"
light creates mood and directs the eye where you want it to go* "unctionally, it de"ine spaces,
illuminates tasks and makes a space usa#le into the night.
Franks points to the "indings o" the $%&+ ,esidential -andscape Architecture Trends .urvey #y the
American .ociety o" -andscape Architects. Across all categories, /0.1 percent o" those surveyed rated
lighting as somewhat or very in2demand "or $%&+.
-ayering light makes a space "eel more organi3ed, "inished and welcoming, he notes.
First, put the general 4 or am#ient lighting in place. Thats the light that will "ill the room. For
covered patios or porches, one or several outdoor ceiling "i!tures will do the o#. (r, i" you have no
ceiling, wall2mounted lights.
A second layer o" light provides "unction, sa"ety and security, says Franks. (ptions include path
lighting, landscape lighting, security lighting, #uilt2in task lighting on work areas like outdoor kitchens.
A "inal layer o" light serves as the "inishing touch 4 much like a pair o" diamond earrings or uni5ue
ewelry piece sets o"" the per"ect dresss and shoes, says Frank. Think "un strings o" lights or tiki
torches, candles, lanterns or uplighting to "eature art or landscaping.
"ultiple coo#ing appliances
6ore and more outdoor kitchens are "eaturing multiple, higher2end grills, says Franks. And usually,
these appliances are #uilt into islands or ca#inets as part o" custom designs.
The trend started #uilding among Franks clients a#out a year or two ago, with a $% percent increase in
such proects since then. 7acking up this prediction, he says, is the 8ational Hardware .hows $%&+
outdoor trends report, which cited multiple grills as a top growing trend.
9ontri#uting to this trend, says Franks, is the popularity o" cooking shows, peoples e!posure to higher2
5uality cooking via restaurants and the proli"eration o" in"ormation on di""erent kinds o" cooking via
the :nternet. To meet this demand, more "le!i#ility, higher25uality, more precise outdoor appliances
have emerged that allow "or restaurant25uality cooking at home.
:" youre interested in outdoor appliances to accompany the now2prere5uisite commercial2grade grill,
Frank suggests kamado2style cookers like smokers, in"rared searing stations and kamado2style cookers
like the #uilt2in 7ig ;reen <gg. =The latter, e!plains Franks, are ceramic charcoal cookers that can #e
used as convection ovens, grills or smokers. Their airtight cooking cham#ers allow "or greater heat and
moisture retention, rendering meat un#elieva#ly moist and tender>.
Sophisticated seating
Todays outdoor living spaces are so much more than a "ew patio chairs, says Franks, noting a sharp
increase o" clients putting a premium on seating.
Another top trend in the $%&+ A.-A survey, installed outdoor seating was cited as important #y 0/.?
percent o" respondents.
8ot only has the desire "or upscale outdoor "urniture increased, notes Franks, clients want #uilt2in
seating structures or those that can dou#le as seating, like #enches, seatwalls, ledges, steps and
#oulders.
A pro"essional outdoor designer can help you choose outdoor seating and integrate it into your outdoor
living space. 7ut i" youre #uying your own outdoor "urniture "or seating, here are a "ew tips to keep in
mind@
Tr! $efore !ou $u!% An outdoor so"a may look gorgeous online, #ut is it really com"orta#leA :" at all
possi#le, sit in it in a store #e"ore #uying. (r, do some research online or ask some "riends what models
provide the most com"ort "or guests.
&rovide a spacious coffee ta$le% <specially i" you have lots o" guests, youll need ample space "or
"ood and drinks.
'hoose dura$le (aterials% Teak, cedar, and all2weather wicker pieces hold up particularly well. And
dont "orget to store them inside or cover them in the o"" seasonB