2012 is going to be an exciting year for outdoor renovations and designs! According to the American Institute for Architects survey, a higher demand for outdoor renovations has increased over the last few years. Utilizing outdoor space wisely is becoming much more important to Americans – something unheard of in past decades. Obviously, with the slow economy, people are bypassing expensive vacations to stay closer to their home and cabin retreats; therefore, needing more room to entertain and enjoy their time off.
Here is a list of some of the more popular outdoor trends for 2012:
1. Firepits, fire bowls and installed gas or wood outdoor fireplaces have been at the forefront of outdoor living for many years. With the advent of a variety of available free online plans and simple brick & masonry kits, the lowly fire-pit is now a very common DIY home project that can significantly improve your home value.
If you’re working with an existing patio/deck, have a limited budget, or you’re unsure whether you’ll use your fire-pit extensively, one of the easiest ways to fulfill your wood-burning desires is with a chiminea or metal fire bowl. Many home stores (such as Lowes, Home Depot and Menards) carry a good selection of inexpensive clay and metal firepots. If you decide to go with a chiminea or metal fire-bowl make sure to locate it on a non-flammable surface. A good idea is to place it on a raised fireproof stand or purchase a special mat made specifically for this use.
Built-in fireplaces can be extremely diverse – from an elaborate, three-tiered, solid stone edifice to something as simple as heat-proof bricks or natural stones arranged in a circle. Free plans are available on-line for many built-in fireplace projects. However, if you decide to try this strictly as a DIY project, you should know that a prefabricated fireplace is going to be an easier solution. Prefab Fireplaces have a variety of fuel choices and will be built to exacting industry standards, something even a well-versed DIY’er will struggle with.
Trends suggest that an elegant patio/fireplace combo can be almost as enticing to homebuyers as a pool or Jacuzzi – something important to remember if you plan to sell your house in the near future.
2. Outdoor Lighting is the most popular trend evolving this season. As the outdoor grill/patio area replaces the indoor kitchen as the “cool hang-out spot,” proper lighting becomes important for safety. The newest high-output, low-wattage bulbs (flourescents and LEDS) have made a huge impact on lowering the cost of lighting the outdoors. “Up-lighting” trees, exterior walls and shrubbery, and “down-lighting” gardens and pathways is not only beautiful, it can ultimately protect your home during the nighttime hours.
3. Another growing trend for 2012 is the creation of more built-in seating areas. Although cozy patio furniture is still very important to outdoor porch comfort, home-builders and landscapers are utilizing retaining walls, boulders, and ledges as extra sitting spaces for times when your regular patio furniture isn’t enough. These features can be very important when you have a party for more than a few guests. If you’re in the process of renovating your outdoor environment, think about adding installed seating and benches to the architecture of your space.
4. Low maintenance yards and landscaping is certainly on the minds of many cabin owners. As water becomes more of a commodity, making use of natural plants and drought-tolerant shrubbery is on the rise. People are slowly realizing that a natural, wild, backyard is far better for the environment and much more economical. If you’re renovating your backyard, think about including a wild area or natural gardens using native plants, shrubs and grasses. You may also want to look into underground sprinklers if you are in need of watering while away. Although initially considered expensive, underground sprinkler systems are excellent for water conservation and can impact your yearly water bill dramatically.
