Outdoor Living Spaces Gaining in Popularity

I was just looking over the results of the American Institute of Architect’s latest Home Design Trends Survey, and I noticed a few interesting trends. According to the AIA, home sizes are trending downward:

As recently as 2006, almost twice as many residential architects participating in the AIA Home Design Trends Survey reported home sizes to be increasing as reported them to be decreasing. By 2007, that trend had reversed, as more residential architects reported home sizes to be decreasing than increasing. With the 2008 survey, more than twice as many respondents reported home size declines as reported increases (33.5 percent vs. 15.5 percent).

As home interiors are getting smaller, AIA says more homeowners are looking to increase their living spaces by tapping into the outdoors:

Despite a downsizing of home sizes and general concerns about keeping housing costs affordable, residential architects note the growing interest among households in improving their properties, even as lot sizes continue to shrink. At the forefront is the growing movement toward outdoor living. This trend encompasses anything from increased emphasis on traditional outdoor elements like decks, porches, and patios, to expanded outdoor cooking areas and outdoor “rooms.”

You can certainly see this trend taking over in the most popular yards and gardens in Dueling Digs, our source for home improvement ideas. Of course, it helps if you live in a climate that lends itself to being outside year-round, but at least us wet-and-cold-weather dwellers can dream. Hey, that’s why they invented outdoor heaters!

Here’s a look at some drool-worthy ”outdoor rooms” from Dueling Digs:

This lovely living area with brick fireplace is from 1829 Barrington Dr., Roanoke, TX
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A slate-covered outdoor dining area from 19877 Trotter Ln., Yorba Linda, CA
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This tiki-inspired room is from 1927 N. Normandie Ave., Los Angeles, CA
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A New Mexico-meets-California outdoor living room from 5217 Linea Del Cielo, Rancho Santa Fe, CA
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Patio with hot tub and fireplace from 797 Lynwood Dr., Encinitas, CA
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This super-cool deck with fire pit is from 1507 Mariners Dr., Newport Beach, CA
See more Newport Beach, CA real estate