In the past few years there has been a trend of moving living spaces from the inside out. People are integrating outdoor living into their daily lives and are creating fully functional and furnished outdoor living rooms. This time spent outdoors has contributed to the increase the creation of outdoor kitchens with all of the bells and whistles found in interior gourmet kitchens are now present outside. Pizza ovens, ice makers, grilling stations, Viking appliances and wine refrigerators are just some of the things you are bound to find outdoors as part of this new trend. 

You can’t forget to have your outdoor spaced staged if you are in the market to sell. It surprises me how many homeowners will remodel a kitchen or bathroom, only to completely neglect the outdoor space. According to realtor.org, 90% of homebuyers used the internet as an information source in their home search compared with 87% who utilized a real estate agent and 40% who found a home for sale from a newsapaper ad. Those are some compelling statistics! Make sure the listing of your home show clearly defined and appealing pictures, including the outdoor space.

Not every home will have top of the line outdoor kitchen or living room, but it is essential to make sure the area is neat, well maintained and appealing.

I am actually in the process of redoing the outdoor space in my home and have come across some great spaces as inspiration.

This is a restaurant patio in Austin, TX, but I love the use of the lights strung across from the trees across the dining area. It provides an intimate setting at night as well as defines the space.

I love, love, love the use of canopies in this outdoor space.  Living in the desert, any opportunity to incorporate shade into an outdoor space is taken.

Who doesn’t want an outdoor fireplace? I love this space because of the incorporation of an outdoor seating area, right in front of the fire, perfect for end of summer get togethers.

Do you have a favorite feature of your outdoor living space? Share them here!