7 Outdoor Living Trends for Spring Decking Season
Spring selling season is underway — what are pro and consumer customers looking for when designing outdoor spaces? Envision Outdoor Living Products, manufacturer of Envision composite decking and Fairway deck and porch railings, offers an overview of some of the emerging and ongoing trends to consider.
1. Comfort Inside and Out: The lines between indoor and outdoor spaces have not only become seamless over the years, the two zones are increasingly similar in style and functionality. Homeowners want the comforts they enjoy inside—from cozy, varied seating options to TVs to a range of lighting schemes with smart controls. Create separation of outdoor usage areas with composite decking borders and picture frames in complementary colors as well as with exterior-grade area rugs, planters, and fire features.
2. Weather Protection: Similarly, the expectation to be able to use exterior spaces in all seasons and weather is driving demand for semi-enclosed spaces, covered areas, pergolas, overhangs, outdoor heaters, and automated sunshades. Fireplaces not only can deliver much-needed warmth and ambiance, a recent study by Zillow found that an outdoor fireplace can add another 2.8% sale premium to a home.
3. Pops of Color: Inside the home, “Millennial Gray” is on the way out. On the exterior, however, gray-hued composite decking is trending. This provides a perfect backdrop to add color in ways that can be more easily and affordably changed as trends and preferences shift. Consumers can infuse joy through brightly colored flowers, throw pillows and wall décor, among others.
4. Modern, Black Railings: Railings are trending both for their minimalist, clean look, but also to preserve sightlines to views beyond. This is a fundamental shift in how homeowners and designers think about outdoor space. Slimline railing profiles emphasize clean geometry and refined simplicity.
Alongside the contemporary look of modern railings, the growth of black exterior finishes on home exteriors — from matte black window frames to dark trim — has created an undeniable pull toward powder-coated black aluminum railings as the natural final touch. Powder-coated aluminum delivers the sleek, modern aesthetic they see on home shows. It looks premium — and it stays premium. One option serving these preferences, Envision’s new Modern Aluminum railing in Black offers a slim, eased-edge profile for a contemporary yet versatile style; post brackets also are less bulky than traditional brackets to further enhance the aesthetic.
5. Easy-to-Install Railings: Railing systems that come with pre-assembled components and in kits are simplifying installation at a time when labor is at a premium. By keeping contractors moving and profitable, there’s little doubt that these options will continue to capture more market share.
6. Cooler Decking: In hot climates, several manufacturers, including Envision, offer composite decking color options that are cooler underfoot while still offering authentic wood looks.
7. Wellness Takes Center Stage: Outdoor spaces can play an important role as homeowners seek to enhance their health and wellbeing at home, particularly as external stressors increase. Along with creating key indoor-outdoor connections, outdoor areas offer ideal opportunities for private places of respite for meditation and yoga. Concerns about rising agriculture prices also may fuel a desire for more home-grown produce, whether full-fledged gardens and greenhouses or simple planters on the deck.
One thing that hasn’t changed is that outdoor spaces are increasingly becoming a non-negotiable for many homeowners — and they want features that suit their unique needs. Getting to know the customer and understanding their lifestyle is crucial to designing an outdoor space that not only adds to their home’s footprint, but enhances their daily lives.
Find products that help meet these trends and view idea galleries and other project inspiration here on our website.
