3 Hottest Outdoor Living Trends

Jun 18, 2018 | Posted in Trends | Share

People expect to get more bang for their buck these days, especially in California. With our temperate climate, extended seasons, and a booming economy, we have every reason to want to spend more time in our outdoor spaces. Here are 3 of the hottest trends under the California sun!

1.  Folding Walls and Windows

Who wouldn’t want to create more usable space in their home, without moving or building an extension? One of the easiest ways to add both space and functionality is to install a folding wall, sliding window or pivoting door system onto a room that borders a patio, deck, terrace or garden. Old-school overhead garage doors have disappeared, in favor of high-tech moveable accordion wall-and-window systems like those from Nana Wall or Panoramic Doors & Windows.

Aesthetically pleasing in their design, opt for a partial wall or enjoy full exposure with a relatively short stack (the amount of space taken up when folded), and any combination of doors, walls and windows that you can imagine. Choose from wood or metal framing with many finishes to complement your existing architectural features. They’re lightweight; even a smaller person can operate them solo. And with electric privacy blinds, activated at the push of a button to allow as much or as little light in as you desire, you avoid fussy drapes or the dreaded vertical blinds. If you prefer, fully enclosed blinds give you complete control without the need for constant cleaning like with traditional blinds. Truly a joy to own!

 

2.  Outdoor Cooking and Dining

Almost any room in your house can be recreated for outdoor use – the most popular being outdoor kitchens and dining spaces, for alfresco meals with friends and family. Not just confined to a standard BBQ, outdoor kitchens now combine the latest in high-tech appliances in a stainless steel finish that withstands the elements, plus all the joys of entertaining while you cook in fresh air and sunshine. Some folks opt for a full kitchen with sink, mini-fridge, possibly a separate wine chiller, and oven in their outdoor space, while others are fine keeping most of the kitchen indoors, instead featuring a covered dining area and pass-through to make serving a breeze. Another trendy outdoor cooking option is a pizza oven! Kids of all ages will enjoy a stone-heated slice of pizza pie, right in their own back yard.

 

3.  Backyard Sheds and Tiny Houses as Home Offices and Studios

Remember when a shed was just for storing your dad’s lawn and yard care equipment? Maybe some sports gear and old collectibles? Those days of yore are gone forever, with the latest updated sheds and tiny houses. You won’t believe the modern activities you can fit into a very small space: A home office for a busy CPA who needs to escape the family noise, a beautiful studio for an artist to draw, paint, and sculpt, or a place to stretch, dance and work-out for the health enthusiast and yoga practitioner. Tiny houses are so popular that you can often rent them for a night to find out what all the fuss is about. Many are on wheels, to relocate to any amazing views your heart desires, or to your in-law’s back yard, when the holidays stretch the main house to bursting.

 

So now you know what the top outdoor living trends are in California. Which one inspires you to make a change?

 

Kimball Starr designs outdoor spaces for families and couples in the California and Nevada area. Let her take your backyard from boring to beautiful with a personalized consultation!