It’s often said that the landscape business follows the stock market: When things are good, people are willing to spend. That’s certainly been true recently, with many firms already booked for outdoor living projects for summer 2019.
“People are spending more money every year,” says Barry Schneider, president of Surrounds Landscape Architecture and Construction, based in the greater Washington, D.C., area. “They’re trying to make their backyards into a resort. They want to go out their back doors to places that are welcoming extensions of their homes.”
Without question, design firms say the No. 1 requested item is an outdoor kitchen. “Everyone wants one,” Schneider says. “Ten years ago, it was basically a built-in grill. Now it’s a full-blown kitchen with high-end stainless appliances, including a natural gas grill, gas or wood pizza oven, wet sink, fridge
What’s causing the increase in demand? “I think with the uncertainties in the world these days, people are spending more time at home, less time traveling, and they want to be outside,” says Chris Vedrani, owner of Planted Earth Landscaping. “We’ve put in more kitchens in the last two years than the last eight years altogether.”
Besides cooking and food preparation areas, design elements for outdoor kitchens often include a bar and seating areas, placed strategically so people can interact with the cook. Basically, the outdoor living movement blurs the line between indoors and out. Spaces are being created that mimic the indoor environment down to the lighting and seating areas.
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