Designing Spaces: More Homeowners Seek to Add Value; Survey Shows More Americans Living the Outdoor Life -- at Home

August 2004 (Newstream) -- Creating a comfortable, well-designed outdoor living space not only boosts a home's value but makes it much more attractive to buyers at re-sale, according to a new survey of home-industry professionals across the country.

The study, "Designing Out: Laneventure's Home Lifestyle Report," polled more than 200 realtors, interior designers and landscape architects across the country about the home-design industry, focusing on decks, patios, courtyards, barbecue areas, pools, gardens and other outdoor areas used for relaxing or entertaining.

Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed say the design and features of a home's outdoor space can represent as much as 30% to the total value of the property.

"Homeowners are just beginning to realize the potential of their outdoor spaces--and are designing them accordingly," says Gary McCray, VP of Marketing for Laneventure, a North Carolina-based manufacturer of outdoor furnishings, which commissioned the study with Garden Design Magazine. "We're starting to see the added emphasis of style and function when it comes to designing outdoors."

The report's findings bolster recent industry forecasts that Americans will spend more than $40 billion this year to create the ultimate retreats in their home's outdoor spaces, outfitting them with everything from outdoor furniture collections and ornamental water features to built-in fireplaces and gazebos.

And while most remodeling projects reap a fraction of their original cost at re-sale, recent industry findings show that designed outdoor spaces--including the addition of porches and patios--return more than 100% of their cost. Upgraded kitchens, once the leader in remodeling payback, now return just 79% of their original cost, according to trade reports.

The majority of industry professionals surveyed for "Designing Out" emphasized the ease of designing outdoor living space, but noted that quality, design and function are the most important factors homeowners consider when purchasing outdoor room products.

"Upgrading the outdoor space doesn't have to be complicated or expensive," says Bill Marken, Editor-in-Chief of Garden Design Magazine. "But the survey did find that most homeowners prefer a more put-together look as opposed to a mix of random furnishings."

Other key findings in "Designing Out: Laneventure's Home Lifestyle Report" include:

-- Nine in ten industry professionals agree that homeowners are looking to improve outdoor living spaces to give them more entertainment options;

-- Eight in ten industry professionals say homeowners want their outdoor living spaces to reflect the design, personality and quality of the interior home;

-- Eight in ten professionals say that outdoor living spaces, decor and furniture are more sophisticated and innovative than ever before;

-- Three quarters of industry professionals agree that during the warmer months outdoor living spaces replace the living room for relaxation and entertainment;

-- A majority of industry professionals say homeowners are developing outdoor living spaces to extend the home's living space, to spend more time entertaining family and friends so they can better enjoy their time spent at home.

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