Spring selling season is underway, bringing with it growing demand for decking and other materials that help homeowners embrace the outdoors. To help builders, remodelers, and dealers prepare, Envision Outdoor Living Products, manufacturer of Envision composite decking and Fairway deck and porch railings, offers a look at some of the hottest trends this year, including a few familiar favorites and some emerging must-haves.
- Outdoor Living Remains Strong: It’s no secret that outdoor living has been one of the hottest trends in home design since the pandemic, and the demand continues as homeowners seek more space to gather, relax, and entertain. This is particularly true for homeowners who aren’t able to buy a larger home due to interest rates and therefore are looking to enhance and/or expand their existing footprint. We don’t anticipate this trend stopping anytime soon, especially when there are so many versatile ways for homeowners to create outdoor living experiences that meet their needs, their space, and their budget.
- Bringing the Indoors Out: Seamless connections from indoors to out has been an ongoing trend for a number of years, particularly with the rise of larger doors, multi-panel sliders, and opening glass walls. The demand continues with color- and texture-coordinated flooring and decking that make the transition even smoother. In addition, homeowners want their outdoor spaces to reflect their interior life and style, including furniture that looks like indoor models yet withstands the exterior elements as well as décor elements, lighting, and entertainment.
- Ready-for-Anything Modular Furniture: Speaking of furniture, expect more modular options that can be rearranged to accommodate almost any outdoor living space—furniture that contours to the other features on the deck instead of the other way around. Not only does this provide more flexibility, it can save homeowners money as their tastes and activities shift or as they make changes to the size or scope of their outdoor living space.
- Designated Spaces: As the outdoors continue to emulate the interior, that includes designing for every one and every task—areas for group gathering around a fire pit, a relaxing space to read or nap, an outdoor dining space and kitchen, etc. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including designing composite decks with different-color inlays, picture framing, and borders to visually separate spaces. Large planters, fire features, rugs, and furniture placement can also serve that function.
- Edible Gardens: While gardening has always been popular, this year green thumbs are turning toward growing more of their own food. Even with one planter box, homeowners can grow enough vegetables, fruit, and herbs to use in cooking at least once a week. Along with pre-made metal structures, pros and DIYers can craft raised beds or planters using Envision composite deck boards that will absorb little to no moisture while matching the rest of their deck.
- LED Lighting: The importance of creating the right atmosphere continues this year, and we expect adjustable LED lights to be quite popular. LEDs allow homeowners to easily change (and sometimes pre-program) the brightness and/or color of outdoor lights, so they can set the right mood for almost any outdoor living activity while extending the usability of the space well into the evening hours.
- Low-Maintenance Materials: Every outdoor living space comes with some degree of maintenance, thanks to weather and debris. But as homeowners clamor for low-maintenance options, manufacturers continue to deliver. Two options to consider are composite deck boards, such as those from Envision Outdoor Living Products, which require far less maintenance than traditional wood, eliminating the need for regular staining or replacing rotted boards, and Aluminum deck railing, which is known for its durability and low-maintenance qualities. There also has been a recent increase in demand for outdoor furniture without cushions.
- Entertaining Details: With outdoor spaces a prime spot to host friends and gatherings, small touches that enhance the experience for partygoers are a must. This includes a drink rail, such as the drink rail adaptor for Envision’s A210 aluminum railing, that provides a convenient place for drinks and small plates. Other growing must-haves include outdoor heaters, for which we’re seeing a growing number of options with sleeker designs, as well as built-in speaker systems and programmable mood lighting.
- Quality Over Price: Whether fashion, housing, or anywhere in between, Americans are quickly realizing that investing in higher-quality materials can save them money in the long run and are “deinfluencing” from the trend of always buying the cheapest option. For the outdoors, this not only includes choosing a low-maintenance alternative to wood decking, but also choosing a manmade material that is more durable than cheaper options. Envision’s capped composite decking, for example, is more durable and less likely to fade compared to traditional, less-expensive composites while boasting a richer, more authentic look.
To learn more about products that incorporate these trends and to view idea galleries and other project inspiration, visit www.envisionoutdoorliving.com.
