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Once upon a time, outdoor living consisted of a patio, some folding chairs and a grill.
Fast forward to 2016 and it’s a whole new story.
Today’s homeowners are giving this valuable outdoor real estate the attention it deserves by creating fully equipped outdoor living spaces that incorporate all the comforts of the indoors and recreating them outside so they can be enjoyed nearly all year ‘round.
Take a look at online sources such as Houzz and Pinterest and you’ll see thousands of interpretations of what outdoor living is all about. Outdoor living is about you and what you want to do there.
A Customized ‘Outdoor Living Room’
Today’s outdoor living rooms can – and do – mimic the look of their indoor counterparts.
So, of course, no outdoor living room would be complete without comfortable furniture, colorful cushions and pillows, area rugs, and – don’t forget – lighting. All weatherproof, of course.
While that’s a great start, savvy homeowners don’t and won’t stop there. They want to customize their outdoor living/playing/relaxing/entertaining space with the things they love: a cozy stone fireplace, a wall-mounted flat-screen TV, an automated sound system controlled by smart phone – all the creature comforts that can transform their space into a true extension of their home.
“If a client can dream it, we can create it,” says Becky Webb, president of Bob Webb Homes.
You can see a beautiful example of a Bob Webb customized outdoor living room at the BIA 2016 Parade of Homes Sept. 3-18 at Verona in Powell. Details at www.bobwebb.com.
The Rise of the Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor kitchens now rival the scope and scale of evolving kitchen trends thanks to professional appliances, multiple cooking surfaces, ample countertop and prep spaces, not to mention built-in grills and smokers with all the bells and whistles.
When creating your own outdoor kitchen, you might consider a wine unit, a cooling fridge or, possibly, a pizza oven that does more than just cook pizza. You might want to build in cabinet space, a sink or a stove – things that save trips in and out of the house when cooking or entertaining.
Outdoor Living and Loving It
Whether it’s dining under the stars, entertaining family and friends, or curling up by a crackling fire, it’s life as you like it, not to mention increased value for your home.
A recent Houzz study indicates homeowners are increasing their investment in entertaining spaces, outdoor eating spaces and outdoor living rooms as the popularity of customized outdoor living spaces continues to rise.
“Today, people are invested in their homes more than ever,” Webb says. “They want to enjoy every moment they have to relax, entertain and enjoy their homes. By creating a custom space that lets them relax, cook, entertain and do whatever they want to do there, we’re able to give them a truly customized extension of their living space. And who wouldn’t love that?”
See Bob Webb’s outdoor living room at the BIA 2016 Parade of Homes, Sept. 3-18 at Verona in Powell.
Bob Webb has been named this year’s Foundation Home. Visit www.bobwebb.com for Parade home progress and details.
