More Homeowners Are Prioritizing Outdoor Spaces Post-Pandemic

Outdoor spaces have only grown in importance throughout the pandemic with two-thirds or more of young and family homeowners agreeing that the pandemic has made their outdoor spaces more important to them, according to a report by John Burns Real Estate Consulting. As remote work allows more professionals to utilize outdoor spaces throughout the workday, consumer preferences are changing with a greater focus on building and expanding decks, patios, and yards.

Designer forecasts also signal growth for outdoor kitchen products and low maintenance landscaping as two-thirds of surveyed homeowners reportedly use their outdoor spaces multiple times per week, regardless of life stage.

A third of young homeowners (singles, couples, and families) remodeled their outdoor spaces since the pandemic began.

While having connection to the outdoors is important, size matters less than function. Only 14% of homeowners would trade some interior space to get more outdoor space.

Outdoor kitchens and entertainment-centric yards that extend the most valued part of the home are increasingly used to boost the appeal of small outdoor spaces—at multiple price points.

In the right markets, homeowners will trade ground-floor outdoor space for elevated decks off the kitchen or great room.

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