A feature of today’s home architecture and family lifestyle is the trend towards outdoor dining and entertaining. The backyard barbecue space of yesteryear was a comparatively primitive cookout facility for informal gatherings, and offered a very different form of family catering than, say, a dinner party. But now, the refinement available across the range of modern outdoor lifestyle products blurs the line between the two, and provides an almost fine dining experience in an outdoor setting.
But is it really worth investing in what could effectively be called a second kitchen, dining and lounge area, that may only be usable when the outdoor temperature and weather are ideal? Is this just an example of suburban ostentation, without much practical lifestyle benefit after all?
The far more likely answer to this is a resounding no: the outdoor living space is fast becoming an indispensable and important aspect to any home layout, imparting a beloved new tradition to family life. Identifying with outdoor ruggedness seems to have brought balance, to a certain extent at least, to the otherwise stainless, insulated indoor family activity.
The first evidence of widespread adoption of the outdoor lifestyle for the average family is the sheer proliferation of products on the market designed for outdoor use. High quality, smart and sleek-looking furniture, along with full function kitchen appurtenances can now grace the paved courtyard, the deck or veranda. And it’s not just a living and dining room setup that has been given the outdoor materials rating, but play equipment, children’s cubbies and outdoor gym stages are all now embraced in the fresh air yet adjoining the indoor space. Products that used to be only used in connection with the camping or survival scene are now becoming household lifestyle items.
Secondly, there seems to be intentional efforts to extend the possible outdoor entertainment season by using patio heaters, huge awnings and thick clear curtaining to make the outdoor area more comfortable and usable for longer. The stunning variety of firepits, for example, woo the family out onto the deck on even chilly evenings to toast marshmallows, gaze at the stars, and experience the relaxing atmosphere of the outdoors.
And thirdly, the most attractive of homes seem to be those which have achieved a seamless transitional space from indoor living to outdoor garden seating and areas for relaxation. This is often accomplished by the use of outdoor lifestyle products such as realistic artificial grass, water features and vertical gardens, as well as comfortable outdoor recliners and tables. Rather than doubling up on expenses, the irresistible outdoor zones of these homes add substantially to the resale value of the property.
Bringing people together is one of the purposes of outside space around the home. Without the dividing walls and the sense of containment inside, the outdoor space creates an impression of expanse and serenity, and is a healthy place to spend time. The range of practical outdoor lifestyle products available today make this therapeutic experience not only possible, but very inviting.