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From ho-hum to wow: 4 hot backyard trends
By Christopher Solomon, MSN Real Estate
Many homeowners are starting to change this. How? By bringing the indoors to the outdoors.
Fireplaces, kitchens (with brick pizza ovens), dramatic al fresco "living rooms" that go way beyond yesteryear's uncomfortable patio furniture -- the transformation of the American yard is a long-simmering trend that's really taken off in the last two years, says Michelle Snyder of the American Society of Interior Designers. "It's kind of about creating a unified space between inside and outside -- so that you can't tell so much where the one space ends and the other begins."
Last year, 48% of 600 residential architecture firms surveyed reported that upscale landscaping is on the increase, as is the popularity of outdoor living space such as decks, porches, patios and small courtyards instead of the traditional large backyards, according to the American Institute of Architects' first Home Design Trends Survey.
Experts give many reasons, but the upshot is the same: "When you extend your living space outside, suddenly you have so much more space for living in general," says Michelle Kodis, author of "Ultimate Backyard." And comfort isn't the only benefit, Kodis writes. "If you want to raise the value of your home, start thinking about ways to add structural interest and comfort to your backyard, patio, deck, side yard -- you name it."
