Studies show that spending time outside, surrounded by nature, boosts our moods. Even just a small natural feature can help humans feel emotionally restored, so the heightened interest in outdoor living spaces makes sense with all the uncertainty in the world. Forbes says that while outdoor living spaces helps ease our minds and provides us with more space to work, learn, or exercise, the trend for a mixed indoor-outdoor area may emerge. Interior courtyards were once popular in historic eras, and some designers and builders still build them, but Houzz reported growing searches for interior courtyards since March.
This design provided a household with private areas to gather amid fruit trees and flowering plants, but away from the prying eyes of passersby and potential security threats. It still does, and may make a comeback because of the pandemic.
“I drew inspiration from ancient Roman courtyard homes,” shares Scott Cowell, an architectural designer with house plan design firm Prim Haus. “I love the idea of courtyards because they create some of the most important elements in architecture; light and air,” he adds.
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