Living Large in the Great Outdoors

Tabernacle Homes, Tour #219

Creating outdoor living spaces remains a popular design trend with Kansas City home owners. It’s a simple, budget-friendly way to increase your home’s square footage and to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you have a large patio or a small porch, your outdoor room can easily reflect your style and become a treasured gathering spot.

Outdoor living remodeling ranks as the nation’s top home improvement project, with 41 percent of all investment in outdoor projects, according to a recent survey by SunTrust Bank.

“More people are looking for ‘shade and stay’ vacations,” said Herb Adams, sales manager for Four Seasons Sunrooms. “Home owners want to enjoy a little shade, a little sun, and a little entertainment, and they have decided to spend more money on their existing homes as opposed to traveling.”

Adams has worked with thousands of Kansas City-area homeowners to improve their outdoor living spaces and says people are willing to spend money to create shade and protection from the elements so they can spend more time with family and friends outside. Four Seasons Sunrooms sells outdoor rooms, including pergolas and awnings.

Buyers are also requesting larger outdoor living spaces than ever before, according to longtime Kansas City home builder Dwight Friedley.

“The decks are bigger than they have been in the past, and people definitely want their decks covered,” said Friedley, owner of Dwight Friedley Building Co. LLC. “It’s part of the leisure living trend that we are seeing.”

When it comes to furnishing that outdoor space, there are more options than ever before, with retailers increasing their inventory and selection of indoor/outdoor rugs, weatherproof cushions and fabrics, and all-weather furniture.

Outdoor fabric companies, such as Sunbrella and Perennials, offer expanded lines of sun- and weather-resistant products that are made to withstand harsh weather. These resilient fabrics are low-maintenance and can easily be cleaned by hand. Despite the increased durability of these fabrics, they remain soft and comfortable for everyday use.

Check out all the amazing outdoor living areas during the Parade of Homes April 28-May 13, including this one from Tabernacle Homes. Admission is free. Homes open between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.