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Activities commonly associated with being indoors are expected to move outdoors. Watching TV, playing games and hosting friends outside is what the TurfMutt Foundation calls “backyarding” and it’s expected to be a major focal point for builders in the year ahead.
To accommodate these activities, builders can anticipate demand for screened-in porches with propane patio heaters. Features like these allow homeowners to spend time outdoors well into the fall.
“Now more than ever, homeowners are recognizing the power of their yards and parks doing environmental good, as well as benefiting their health and well-being,” says Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation and its parent organization, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute. “Homeowners are making improvements in their yards with many goals in mind, thinking about what’s good for their families, pets, and our planet.”
Meanwhile, Houzz has chimed in with predictions of its own — among them, outdoor gathering areas. “Professionals on Houzz are increasingly adding outdoor gathering areas that can help maximize living space and create a more dynamic home entertaining experience. Anchoring the area with a feature like a fireplace or a fire pit, a bar, or an outdoor TV creates a focal point and draws guests out into the yard,” Builder reports.
Amenities such as fire pits, fire tables and tiki-style torches add warmth and ambiance to any backyard. These features are a relatively easy add-on with propane, eliminating the need to tap into a natural gas line.
