Page 7 - Piedmont_Spring_2022

an outside oasis

Multiple design options help

homeowners create inviting
backyard spaces.

By Tonya McMurray
T he crackling of a fire. Grilled food served in the flicker of

light from a gas lantern. Outdoor living spaces create an
allure that draws people together.
“The outdoor room with fire features and an outdoor
kitchen tends to promote family gatherings or gathering with your
neighbors, something that with busy lifestyles doesn’t happen quite
as often as it should,” said Jerry Scott, senior vice president of sales
for RH Peterson Co. “It’s those emotional ties – whether you’re cook-
ing or enjoying the warmth and ambiance of a fire – that an outdoor
room gives you.”
More and more homeowners are adding outdoor living spaces to
their homes. It is a trend that began even before the pandemic, he
said, but the pandemic accelerated it even more.
“The outdoor room continues to grow in popularity,” Scott said.
“It’s now one of the top features that home buyers and home remod-
elers are looking for. People who are remaining home want to make
their home more enjoyable.”
“The outdoor room with fire features and

an outdoor kitchen tends to promote family
gatherings or gathering with your neighbors,
something that with busy lifestyles doesn’t
happen quite as often as it should.”

— Jerry Scott, senior vice president,
sales, RH Peterson Co.

In a recent home trends study, more than 70% of architecture firms
surveyed by the American Institute of Architecture (AIA) indicated
significant growth in the popularity of outdoor living spaces. And AIA
predicts these spaces will become the norm for newly built homes.
A recent survey by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA)
found that 60% of homeowners with existing outdoor living spaces
plan to upgrade those spaces for better functionality and improved
aesthetics. NBKA found that outdoor kitchens were the most popu-
lar project, with 76% of respondents planning a new or upgraded
(continued on page 08)

Spring - Summer 2022 ❙ naturalliving 07
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