Homeowners are looking to get more bang for their buck and finding it in their own back yard!

With everyone feeling the pinch of a tough economy, American homeowners are spending more time at home. Taking a “Staycation” has become a common occurrence with most American families and the need to relax and reconnect with family and friends has driven the popularity of creating outdoor living spaces.

Living large outdoors is an affordable luxury most homeowners are embracing these days. The outdoor living room has clearly moved from being just a trend to a lifestyle that can be enjoyed by the entire family as well as friends, neighbors and colleagues. With a little planning and help from a professional builder, it is easy to convert your outdoor living space into a room that can be enjoyed year round.

When it comes to outfitting or remodeling an outdoor room, most homeowners say they are likely to include these amenities: outdoor lighting, sound system, a built-in gas grill, mosquito eliminators, patio heaters and/or an outdoor fireplace or fire pit.

The most important reasons homeowners decide to add or remodel an outdoor room is to create a space to relax, live a healthier lifestyle by spending more time outside, extend a home’s living space and most importantly, add value to their home that they can enjoy now and realize later if they choose to sell.
 

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Enjoying Outdoor Living

It's called a "Staycation!" Instead of going away, spend the money at home on new ways to enjoy your own backyard. Here's how!

Whether it's a cozy patio set or a full-fledged outdoor movie theatre, homeowners are eager to enjoy their backyards with family and friends. Here are a few tips on expanding your living space in your own backyard.

Outdoor Comfort 
A traditional patio set with cushioned seats is a great way to be comfortable, but more unconventional seating styles- like a staged "sandy beach" area with beach chairs or picnic blankets is a great way to make your guests feel at home.

Eating Out(side)
The grill is of course the mecca of all backyard eateries. Be creative – grilling corn on the cob in tin foil with butter and fresh herbs or making Hawaiian skewers with shrimp, peppers, pineapple and onions are tasty choices for the grill.

Drink Up!
We may not all have an outdoor bar, but a cooler filled with ice works well, too. Set up a camping or card table and set out the available beverages. An extension cord for the blender makes frozen drinks more accessible than running inside. It's fun to decorate this table with tiki lanterns or a string of tiny colored lights.

Outdoors Music
Nothing says party like some commercial-free music. Hook up the MP3 player boom box or make some party CDs in different themes with your favorite tunes – it's worth the time to be able to enjoy your favorite songs all summer, and who knows – some spontaneous dancing may break out!

Illumination Outside
Avoid electric deck lights in favor of citronella oil-filled tiki torches and bug-repelling citronella votives in cute holders. Votives scented in summery flavors smell wonderful for a party. There are some adorable umbrella-mounted candle holders and white lightstrings... be creative!

Summer Fun!
If you have a backyard firepit, fire it up! Your house will the most popular place on the block if you have marshmallow, chocolate and graham crackers ready for S'mores! It's easy to set up a hanging sheet area if you have a projector and with some popcorn, movie night will become a regular night in your backyard! Set up tents for the kids to "camp" in while they watch movies – a portable DVD player is great for this too!

Why pack up the car and kids when you can have a blast hanging out in your own backyard?!
 

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Personalize Your Outdoor Living Space

Outdoor living is a popular design trend for 2009 and will continue for years to come.  So how can you create your very, own personal outdoor space? With these five outdoor design tips you can transform your outside living area into a space that reflects your personality and style:

1. Create casual areas where you and your guests can feel comfortable and conversational. Such a place can be around a fire pit, outdoor fountain or outdoor kitchen bar. Use outdoor rugs to create focused, specific seating areas.

2. Extend your home décor outdoors. If your style is contemporary, opt for modern, comfortable outdoor furnishings. If your style leans toward the traditional, choose outdoor decor that mirrors that style.

3. Choose seating that is comfortable and beckons you to sink in and relax. Add cushions, pillows and throw blankets to make the seating area an area that you love to go to unwind.

4. Take into account the landscaping or surrounding architecture and design your outdoor living space with that in mind.

5. Select colors that reflect your personality – look indoors and take your cue from the colors you love from within your home.

 

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Recent Hibbard Construction Project

For many homeowners, the backyard space has evolved from a wooden red picnic table and an old charcoal grill to a more comfortable, luxurious oasis.  Our client chose to expand their outdoor living space and create a relaxing spot to enjoy the outdoors (and one that's not too far from home!).  They chose a mix of modern and natural materials to transform this outdoor area into a multi-functional living space perfect for dining and entertaining. Low-maintenance composites install much like wood decking, and most high-quality composite products are virtually resistant to stains, insects, snow, moisture and mold, and can be cleaned with a garden hose. Pergolas and arbors often top the list of requests. These traditional shade-providing structures can now be built from low-maintenance vinyl kits, or built from a wood like cedar to tie in the structure with the natural outdoor environment or combined with landscaping (as this homeowner did) to create that sought-after restful retreat. The options are endless when it comes to outdoor living, but the trend is to make the outside just as comfortable and inviting as the inside of the home. And by expanding your living space, you're expanding your life.