With the rise in popularity of outdoor living spaces, backyard living has become a priority for many homeowners. In fact, 75% of homebuyers divulged they would prioritize homes that had outdoor living spaces over those lacking this feature, according to Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens.
Our research team analyzed data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), Houzz Research, Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens, Grand View Research, and the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) to explore trends in outdoor living. We also spoke to industry experts to gain insight into ways homeowners can incorporate budget-friendly upgrades into their outdoor living spaces to maximize their return on investment (ROI).
Homeowners can also complement their new outdoor living spaces with exterior home upgrades that enhance the home’s overall curb appeal and unlock additional benefits. For example, by upgrading to more energy-efficient windows, homeowners can save long-term on their monthly utility bills and offset the initial investment of window replacement costs. Improvements like these can attract prospective buyers if homeowners choose to list the property for sale.
Key Takeaways
- Homeowners’ top three reasons for updating their outdoor living spaces are to improve aesthetics (51%), enhance entertainment space (37%), and extend the living space of their home (33%), according to Houzz.
- According to the NAR, 97% of realtors believe curb appeal is important to attracting buyers.
- If homeowners were to remodel, 63% said they would prioritize investing in an outdoor living space, according to a Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens study.
- Outdoor kitchens continue to be popular, comprising a $24.45 billion global market size in 2024, with an expected growth rate of 8.9% by 2030, according to Grand View Research.
- With an ROI of 100% per the NAR, 22.5% of homeowners in our 2025 survey planned to pursue landscaping upgrades this year.
Backyard Trends
Improving aesthetics (51%), enhancing entertainment space (37%), and extending the living space of their homes (33%) are the top three reasons homeowners renovate their outdoor living spaces, according to Houzz. Ninety-seven percent of realtors agree that curb appeal is important to attracting buyers, according to the NAR.
In addition, nearly two-thirds (63%) of homeowners admitted they would prioritize outdoor living spaces if they were to remodel, according to Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens. A deep dive into recent backyard trends reveals that the following projects are popular among renovating homeowners.
Outdoor Kitchens
The global market for outdoor kitchens was $24.45 billion in 2024, up from $22.7 billion in 2023, according to Grand View Research. The market is expected to grow by 8.9% from 2025 to 2030, driven by increased spending among baby boomers and millennials. Between residential and commercial use, residential outdoor kitchens comprised a 62% revenue share in 2024.
Among renovating homeowners, 12% are adding or upgrading an outdoor kitchen, according to Houzz. Generationally, more millennials (22%) install an outdoor kitchen than Gen-Xers (15%) and baby boomers (8%).
Outdoor kitchens present a 100% cost recovery, according to the NAR. While most renovating homeowners spend around $13,000 on their outdoor kitchens, 22% spend more than $30,000, and 14% spend between $20,000 and $30,000, according to the NKBA. More than four out of five homeowners (84%) hired professional installers for at least a portion of the work required for their outdoor kitchens, per the NKBA.
When researching how to build an outdoor kitchen, homeowners must consider several factors, including the amount of available space and its intended purpose. Two-thirds (66%) of outdoor kitchens are between 100 and 400 square feet, according to the NKBA. Grills (88%), cooktops (46%), pizza ovens (33%), and smokers or deep fryers (22%) are the most common outdoor appliances homeowners purchase, according to Houzz.
Landscaping and Hardscaping
An overall landscape upgrade results in a 100% cost recovery of the $9,000 on average spent, according to the NAR. Among the 65% of homeowners who hired a professional to renovate their landscaping in 2024, 21% hired a landscape contractor, 17% hired a stone, paver, or concrete specialist, and 15% hired a general contractor, according to Houzz.
Our 2025 survey revealed that 22% of homeowners plan to make their outdoor renovation projects all about landscaping. While most homeowners pay between $100 and $500 for lawn care, the average lawn care cost comes in at $395 annually.
Most landscaping projects involve a mix of living (softscaping) and non-living (hardscaping) elements. Hardscape features like patios, retaining walls, and walkways help characterize an outdoor living space, often contrasting with trees, shrubs, and plants that draw the eye. In many ways, hardscaping blends natural elements to create a seamless transition between softscaping and the home’s architecture.
Homeowners can balance the two by setting appropriate budgets, goals, and priorities while evaluating their desired level of maintenance and any existing structures, soil conditions, and climate. Softscaping trends for 2024 included the following, according to Houzz:
- 77% of homeowners upgraded outdoor plants, shrubs, or trees.
- 66% upgraded beds or borders.
- Homeowners commonly chose flowering (82%), low-maintenance (71%), butterfly/bee/hummingbird attractants (55%), and native plants (52%).
Irrigation system upgrades (59%) were among the top three outdoor system upgrades made by homeowners, in addition to lighting (78%) and security (30%), per Houzz. One in five (20%) renovating homeowners invested in a smart irrigation system. Installing an irrigation system can cost $6,000 on average, but homeowners typically recuperate 83%, according to the NAR.
Water Features
Nearly one in five (19%) renovating homeowners bought a water feature, according to Houzz. Eighteen percent of homeowners renovating their outdoor spaces also upgraded their water features, and rain harvesting was on 17% of homeowners’ renovation lists for system upgrades.
Homeowners who want to blend an enjoyable outdoor water element with an eco-friendly approach can install a water feature that reuses rainwater. In addition to reducing water consumption, these rainwater-powered outdoor features easily integrate with LED and solar-powered lighting for an even greater visual effect. A few strategically placed plants can attract native wildlife to support the local ecosystem.
Recreation and Relaxation
After cost, homeowners identified aesthetics (71%), durability (71%), and comfort (69%) as their top considerations when making product purchases, according to Houzz. This data suggests homeowners have turned their focus to the space itself, specifically how it integrates into their personal and social lives.
For example, pools, hot tubs, saunas, outdoor theaters, gaming/sports areas, and meditation corners have become more prevalent in outdoor living spaces as homeowners prioritize relaxing and having fun with loved ones in a separate yet attached part of their homes. Homeowners can expect a 56% cost recovery for adding an in-ground pool, according to the NAR.
Forty-five percent of homeowners expressed interest in a backyard escape—a place where they can entertain and indulge—according to Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens. Another 40% were interested in adding a backyard bar to their outdoor living spaces.
Greenhouses and Gardens
“After Covid-19, there’s been a greater focus on mental health and wellness, with gardening becoming a popular way to promote well-being,” says Sohyun Park, associate professor of landscape architecture at the University of Connecticut. Half of homeowners who upgraded their lawns replaced the original lawn with garden beds, according to Houzz. Another 14% of homeowners expressed their desire to create a space for gardening as part of their renovations.
These plans for 10 container gardens demonstrate that you don’t need a greenhouse—or even a lot of square footage—to grow your own food plants. You can easily mix and match individual plants based on your local climate, desired maintenance level, and color preferences.
“Farmer’s markets, local master gardener plant sales, and community garden sales are great places to find inexpensive plant material,” says Gail Hansen, professor in the Department of Environmental Horticulture at the University of Florida.
You can also find everything you need to start gardening and growing your own food at Vego Garden. Explore its greenhouses and garden supplies, or take the 21-Day Seed Starting Challenge if you’re still developing a green thumb.
Patio Trends
Patios can serve as outdoor entertaining spaces and gateways to the rest of the backyard. While installing a new patio costs an average of $10,500, homeowners can recover 95% of that, according to the NAR. Explore the latest in patio trends below.
Design and Layout
“Homeowners want to feel like their home is bigger and that the outdoor space is an extension of the inside, especially as homes get smaller on average,” says Jaymee Frye Tate, product and marketing manager at Lifetime Products. Nearly two in five (39%) renovating homeowners upgraded their patio or terrace in 2024, according to Houzz.
Among homeowners renovating their home exteriors, 44% upgraded their existing roofing. The cost to add a roof over an existing patio averages $6,500 but can be as much as $11,000.
Fourteen percent of homeowners hired a deck, patio, or outdoor enclosure specialist to complete their patio renovations. Of the materials used to upgrade or add new roofing, asphalt comprised 63%, with wood and eco-friendly moss or grasses making up 7% each.
Decking and Awnings
“With the cost of housing, maximizing living spaces outside is cheaper and more doable for homeowners than upsizing their home,” says Pamela George, professional practice assistant professor at Utah State University. The cost recovery on a new wood deck totals $15,000, or 89% of the original cost, according to the NAR.
Composite or plastic materials (48%) and pressure-treated lumber (32%) were the most common materials used for deck renovations, according to Houzz. Among renovating homeowners who completed structural upgrades in 2024:
- 44% upgraded their deck
- 23% upgraded their porch or veranda
- 20% upgraded a shade structure
Research and total the cost of materials before you build your deck, in addition to determining the deck’s layout, design, and location. Homeowners can extend the longevity of their decks by enclosing them. Retractable, fixed, and portable awnings are the three most common types of awnings for your deck.
“If you live somewhere that receives a lot of sun or rain, it may be a good idea to cover your outdoor space with a gazebo or shade sail,” says Tate. “If your home receives snow, a storage shed may be a good idea to store your outdoor furniture so it doesn’t get damaged.”
Fire Features
A brand-new fire feature was among the top five furniture and decor purchases that 26% of renovating homeowners made in 2024, according to Houzz. Homeowners can expect to recover 56% of the cost of a fire feature—averaging $9,000—according to the NAR. If you haven’t yet picked out a fire feature for your backyard, check out our review of the best fire pits to see which best fits your budget, desired features, and preferences.
Smart Tech Integration
“As more and more technologies are available for outside applications every year, there are more smart systems being utilized in the landscape, including app-driven irrigation systems, lighting, sound systems, lawnmowers, and even BBQs,” says George.
Mobile devices controlled more than two-thirds (68%) of the outdoor living technology homeowners purchased in 2024, according to Houzz. Security-related technological purchases included security cameras (38%), sensors (12%), smart door locks (12%), and alarms or detectors (10%). More than one in five (22%) homeowners purchased speakers or a sound system.
Solar lighting ups the ante with Wi-Fi-enabled smart features, such as automated and motion-detection illumination. Homeowners can turn plug-in smart lights on and off remotely, leveraging color-changing LEDs to create a personalized ambiance. Smart lighting can easily help with meal preparation while also dimming low for movie night, since 62% of outdoor kitchens also have a TV, according to the NKBA.
Another popular patio trend brings smart features to the pergola, a small covered gathering place that’s useful for cooling off in the shade during the summer and escaping precipitation in spring and winter. Smart pergolas feature automatic louvers that open and close remotely, or in response to wind and rain sensors. Soon, homeowners will be able to control almost any comfort feature on these structures, from fans and heaters to lighting.
Sustainable Materials in Furniture and Decor
Integrating sustainable materials into home design was important to 69% of Americans, according to Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens. “Sustainable design choices, like recycled materials, energy-efficient lighting, and drought-tolerant plants, are becoming more common,” says Park.
“Environmental consciousness continues to grow, and that is showing up in product materials,” says Tate. For example, many outdoor kitchen appliances incorporate stainless steel due to its durability, minimal maintenance, and longevity. Reclaimed wood can also be used to make benches, tables, and chairs that only gain character as they weather the elements.
Budget-Friendly Tips for Upgrading Your Outdoor Living Space
The key to staying within budget for any outdoor living space upgrade is defining the scope and cost of the project before you begin. Creating a plan “will save you time, money, resources, sweat, and tears by knowing what you are doing in your space before you start,” says George. Accounting for an additional 10%–20% buffer can help cover any incidental expenses that may arise.
As you optimize your plans for an upgraded outdoor living space, focus on the main components most budget-friendly landscaping projects incorporate: hardscaping and softscaping. Decks, patios, and walkways provide the basic structure for trees, larger shrubs, and colorful perennials. Most importantly, install a proper drainage system to protect these investments—and your home’s foundation.
Choose Native Species and Perennials
Selecting indigenous plants can simplify care while ensuring greater longevity. “Native plants are climate-resilient, provide color accents, and can be truly beautiful additions to your landscape. Planting native plants is a great choice for your front and back yards, small spaces near your porch and driveway, and other outdoor living areas,” says Park.
“What plants you purchase matters, too. If you are trying to save money, skip buying annuals, which you have to replace every year, and invest in a well-designed multi-seasonal perennial bed,” says George. Coordinating these perennials to bloom during different seasons may require some research, but experts at your local garden center or nursery can offer suggestions and tips.
When selecting plants to fill in flower beds, consider a strategic, quantitative approach. “For instance, by purchasing plants in smaller sizes, you can often buy two to three times as many plants to fill in your beds,” says George. Purchasing smaller-sized plants in bulk could also open the door to discounts and allow for more creative freedom in mixing and matching flowers of various shapes, sizes, and colors.
Select Durable Materials
“Choose items that will be durable enough for the environment you live in,” says Tate. She recommends opting for structures and furniture made from materials that are low-maintenance and weather-resistant. “Old metal pipes or other metal building parts are durable and strong construction materials that often fit the rustic look appropriate for gardens,” says Hansen.
Don’t Underestimate Small Changes
It’s a common misconception that a comfortable outside space fit for friends and family requires a significant investment of time and money. Yet, “small touches can remake the feel of a space for relatively little cost. A can of paint and a few new cushions or rugs can dramatically alter the feeling and atmosphere of a space,” says George.
In fact, you can transform your outdoor living space without making any major structural changes. “Colorful paintings, outdoor wallpaper, waterproof upholstered sofas and chairs, and accent lighting are being used to add sophistication and style to outdoor rooms,” says Hansen.
Repurpose and Recycle
“One easy, budget-friendly, and eco-friendly design approach is to use recycled materials to create functional and often unconventional and unique garden features,” says Hansen. Whether you create a functional piece for plants to grow in or a decorative structure that brings character to the space, repurposing found objects can also minimally impact your budget. “A visit to a local repurpose store or recycle program, flea markets, thrift stores, and garage sales can save money and help the environment by repurposing materials and keeping them out of the landfill,” says Hansen.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to renew your outdoor living space but are unsure how to get started, explore how to build a self-watering vegetable garden and check out a dozen beautiful walkway ideas for inspiration. Discover how to design a multi-functional outdoor space that’s as versatile as it is stunning and inviting. With the right combination of functional design and visual appeal, you can create an outdoor living improvement plan to suit any space and budget.