Outdoor Living Spaces: The History of the Backyard and Leading Features for Your Outdoor Oasis

When people think of custom homes, they think about the many unique features they have in mind for their luxury bathroom, master bedroom, modern kitchen, or the breakfast bar in the dining area they’ve been wanting for years. That’s not all you can decide on, however. When working with a custom home builder, the options abound. And in 2021, the backyard is king. Outdoor living is high on the list of priorities and people are suddenly a lot more interested in the options available for maximizing the space outside their home. 

Let us not waste an inch! That is the new mantra of the post-pandemic homeowner. Every square foot of their home has potential. Every room should be functional. The home should be a fragile balance between beauty, luxury, and functionality. 

So what’s new in outdoor living? 

We’ll show you. 

The Outdoor Living Trends After a Year at Home

Up until a year ago, homeowners were not statistically concerned with the outdoor living space. Something about lockdowns and suddenly being told to socially distance, led people to consider the space behind the home as a space of renewed possibilities. Forbes magazine is calling it the “Year of the Yard” as 88% of Americans are unsatisfied with their outdoor spaces.

A report from Fixr.com, suggested that people spent more time in their backyard, patios, porches, and decks than ever before. The reports showed that 85% of experts believe homeowners are more inclined to spend in outdoor living spaces this year. 

Among the surveyed professionals, 61% indicated that outdoor kitchens were king among outdoor living trends and about 48% of existing outdoor spaces will be adapted to year-round use. 

And Why Are Outdoor Living Spaces on the Rise?

West Texas is endowed with some pretty amicable weather. The winters are mild and the summers are sunny. Even our coldest months have the sun shining throughout the day. Adapting outdoor living space for year-round use is not that difficult out here and El Pasoans and other West Texas residents are taking full advantage.  

The leading reason people seek outdoor living spaces? 

• To gather with friends and family
• Relaxation
• Alternative workspaces

Layouts for Outdoor Living 

When it comes to the preferred configurations of backyard living, it seems that people seek a well-balanced design that incorporates both a porch area and a patio. As a custom home builder in El Paso, Texas, we don’t see too much focus on the porch, since people prefer the privacy of the back patio. 

The Patio – Past, Present, and Post Pandemic

Derived from the Spanish word, “patio” it was used in England to describe their inner courtyard. Today, we use the word openly to refer to a paved area or designated area that is outdoors and out in the open. The back patio is considered part of the home and many times reflects the design elements used inside. 

The Changing Tides of Living at Home 

There are no limits to outdoor living. In fact, a history of the backyard suggests that the back area of a home has had its fair share of transformations. Throughout the 20s and 30s, people used their backyard space to hold their gardens, underground storage, host their chickens or other livestock, and even work on necessary projects like carpentry or DIY projects. 

The advancement of commerce and consumer culture changed the way people lived in their homes and utilized their space. After World War II, the economic boom led to the production of appliances and at-home conveniences that would alter how we lived. 

The backyard became about leisure, relaxation, and spending time with friends and family. As the need to keep a family garden or to maintain chickens subsided and supermarkets and grocery stores became the norm, the backyard turned into a place of leisure. 

Features of Outdoor Living to Consider for Your Year-Round Oasis

Today’s most sought-after outdoor living features include: 

• • The outdoor kitchen: About 76% of surveyed homeowners that admitted to planning outdoor living spaces said their top project was an outdoor kitchen. Outdoor kitchens vary extensively and can range from a small built-in grill to a whole kitchen set up with faucets and running water. Kitchens can be constructed out of stone, brick, concrete, or a combination of several of these materials. 
  • The fire pit: One of these year-round solutions was the fire pit. Your custom home builder can install a fire pit in your backyard and integrate it into the aesthetic and style of your home. This feature alone can bring families together and encourage a little campfire singing. 

• Shade structures and privacy screenings. As people spend time outdoors, many folks will be interested in creating modern but functional screening that provides privacy to their backyard. 

• Outdoor entertainment centers. These are luxury amenities that people seek to take their homes to a whole new level. Outdoor entertainment centers encompass a wide range of features including a sheltered or half-enclosed patio, space enough for seating, a fireplace or place to mount a television, and much more. 

Contemplate Your Outdoor Oasis and Make It Happen With Cullers Homes

Our focus at Cullers Homes is to build beautiful homes that not only take your breath away but serve as comfortable and functional spaces for you to live the life you want to live. Our floor plans range and have a unique style, incorporating various architectural styles. 

Want to learn more about Cullers Homes? Call us today.