These Are the Top Outdoor Home Trends, According to Houzz

After the long winter months, the time has finally come to enjoy our outdoor spaces again. In doing so, however, you may discover that your patio furniture could use an upgrade. Maybe your backyard dreams include an all-weather couch, a bigger coffee table, and a mini-fridge so you don’t have to keep going inside to get a cold drink.

If you’re considering upgrading your yard, deck, or patio, you’re not alone. Houzz surveyed more than 1,000 homeowners who had recently remodeled their outdoor space in order to track down the hottest outdoor trends of 2024. From pizza ovens to porch sconces to plunge pools, built-in bars, and more, many homeowners are investing in the improvement of their outdoor spaces. See below for details on the trends that are taking off this summer—and get inspired for your own projects. The time is now to seize that outdoor oasis you’ve always dreamed of.

Indoor-Outdoor Living

A nicely styled outdoor space can be the perfect complement to your current indoor living area. Many have caught on, with 33% of homeowners upgrading their outdoor areas to expand their living space. By extending the hangout area into the backyard, homeowners can create an indoor/outdoor feel that takes full advantage of the space and the outdoors, allowing for a breezy living area that seems bigger than before.

Outdoor Cooking

More and more homeowners are finding ways to cook alfresco. One out of every eight renovating homeowners are adding upgrades to their outdoor kitchens, a perfect way to relive your childhood camping memories in a more refined, grown-up manner. Grills remain the quintessential outdoor cooking implement with 88% of renovators buying in, followed by beverage fridges and cook tops at 46%, and pizza ovens at 32%. Some of these projects are a real commitment, though, requiring significant construction, such as installation of plumbing, electrical, heating, countertops, and roofing. Yet, it may all seem worth it when you’re searing your burger in the open air. 

Small Upgrades

If you want to change up your backyard's look without going to all that trouble, there are still plenty of options that don’t require you hiring people to rip holes in your wall. Lighting is a big focus this year, with nearly 4 out of 5 homeowners adding or upgrading their outdoor lights. Eighty-one percent are choosing to add landscaping lights to show off their plants and walkways, 44% are opting for the classic and easy bistro lights, and, finally, 37% are adding sconces to their porch.

Another easy transformation is changing up the plants and shrubs in your space. Eighty-two percent of people elect for flowering plants and 70% for plants that are low-maintenance. More and more people seem invested in creating pollinator gardens, with 55% of homeowners planting flowers to attract butterflies, bees, or hummingbirds to their garden. Native plants are also becoming a popular choice (to 52% of homeowners), an environmentally friendly option that integrates your backyard with its environment.

Fire and Water Accents

Last, but not least, for the centerpiece of your new outdoor living space, one out of five renovators this year are introducing a fireplace or a fire pit. It’s the perfect finishing touch for any style of backyard, and it’ll keep you warm when the night turns cold. Or, for another taste of the natural elements, 19% of homeowners purchased a fountain. Both of these features add an element of luxury to your area without being labor intensive.