Relaxing and elegant, the new outdoor spaces are features that home buyers love.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Housing Survey, homeowners spent approximately $827 billion on home improvement projects in the two-year period ending in 2023 (covering 2021 to mid-2023). This marks a substantial increase of over $200 billion compared to the previous two-year period (2019'2021), when spending totaled about $624 billion. Outdoor improvements are a notable part of this spending, with projects such as outdoor leisure enhancements accounting for nearly 19 percent of all home improvement activities in recent years, per insights from Angi's reports.
At one time, outdoor living involved mainly a deck with a grill. Today outdoor rooms range from elaborate to simple and there are lots of choices.
At the high end, open-air outdoor rooms can include a full kitchen, dining area, fireplace and television.
Florida rooms, also called knee rooms, are fully enclosed, climate-controlled, four-season rooms flooded with light from many windows. They often include a door to an open deck.
Finally, fully glassed-in sunrooms or solariums are a favorite to enhance a beautiful view. In cooler climates, sunny days can provide comfortable warmth. In warmer climates, the rooms require special glass so that they don't become too hot in the summer.
Enclosing the patio
It's easier than ever to transform your patio, deck or breezeway into a place for living and entertaining during the spring, summer and fall. Manufacturer enclosures can be designed to fit your space, lifestyle and budget.
Styles include studio models with cathedral ceiling and gabled roofs. They can include tinted glass, skylights, electrical outlets and phone and cable lines.
All-season patio rooms cost more but are best for those who want to use them during the entire year.