Deckorators, the composite decking and outdoor lifestyle brand, recently convened members of their Certified Pro Program for a panel discussion to report on what they’re seeing in the field.
According to the report, “trends show a continued investment in outdoor spaces through added features that enhance spaces’ functionality, and an increased demand for originality through unique design aesthetics.”
Specific trends mentioned in the report include the following:
Waterfront Living: Deckorators’ contractors have seen a steady increase in 2023 in homeowner desire to maintain aesthetic continuity from home to dock. This includes accessories and entertainment features as well as color choices — matching the home color to the dock color. Deckorators’ Voyage decking, a mineral-based composite with vertical grain and enhanced traction, warranted for installation in ground or water, continues to be the preferred deck board.
The Outdoor Room: Contractors are giving careful consideration to transitional zones between indoor spaces and the open outdoors, as homeowners look to covered decks, pergolas, and docks to provide all-purpose functions. Added features for individualized functionality include fireplaces, full kitchens, built-in day beds and couches, entertainment centers, and retractable screens that shield company from bugs but also provide an added layer of privacy.
“One of the main considerations to think about is how you shelter the covered deck from the elements. We look at how we’re going to protect and position the furniture areas from the sun and what side of the deck is going to be affected the most from the elements. If the storms in the area continually hit the West-facing side of the structure, you’ll want to think about how to protect it,” said Jason Varney of Dock and Deck in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Functional Spaces – Design with Intention: Contractors are taking time with homeowners to think about how the visual language of any space, big or small, works with the desired lifestyle. According to the report, “Gone are the days of single-use spaces, including outdoors. Making the most of an outdoor living space takes a considered approach the same way you would think about interiors.”
Additionally, the report cited trends toward making the most out of small spaces and breaking up a large deck into multiple living zones.
Speaking to making the most of small spaces, Leif Wirtanen of Cascade Fence & Deck (Washington and Oregon) said, “This is something that homeowners are looking for: efficiency and style.”
Catherine Lippincott of Premier Outdoor Living, New Jersey, said, “We like to approach our overall deck design as designing for individual rooms rather than one large space. The screened-in deck area gives the homeowner that opportunity to treat a room for flexibiity in their outdoor living with more intimate spaces for more purposeful usage.”
