Springtime tends to inspire homeowners as they start considering how their backyards can be optimized for more enjoyable family time. Here are five outdoor living trends for spring in State College, PA, that you can present to your clients.

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More Compact Outdoor Cooking

While full gourmet kitchens are beautiful and functional, some homeowners find they would prefer a simpler arrangement. A great alternative is a grill station with a pizza oven and a bar, which is an instant hit with everyone. Homeowners will enjoy the savings of a more pared-down cooking center while still getting the best that outdoor cooking has to offer. And by adding a generous bar space, homeowners can also free up valuable patio space that would normally be taken up by a table and chairs.

A Pergola or Pavilion

Lack of shelter is one of the primary reasons outdoor spaces don’t get used as much as they could. Blazing hot sun and sudden afternoon downpours can ruin a good time very quickly. A pergola or a pavilion could be game-changers. A pavilion offers three-season protection, which can make outdoor living spaces usable well into late fall. Add a fireplace and you’ve created the perfect outdoor room! A pavilion provides enough shelter for a TV, plush furniture, and other creature comforts along with plenty of fresh air.

A pergola has an open roof, so it won’t offer shelter from rain or snow, but it is significantly cooler in the heat of summer—heat rises up and dissipates rather than remaining trapped under a solid roof. Afternoons spent relaxing under the shade of a pergola can make homeowners feel like they’re at a luxury Mediterranean resort!

A Quiet Retreat

Life is stressful, and everyone needs an escape in nature. When staying in the backyard is the only option, make it the natural choice by installing tall privacy fencing and creating a zen garden. A water fountain, a small paver patio just big enough for a comfortable bench or hammock, and lush, monochromatic plantings are just what the soul needs to recharge.

Water Features

Water transforms ordinary landscapes into magical retreats whether your clients love the idea of a sleek minimalist reflecting pool, a fun “pocket-sized” dipping pool, or a naturalistic pond complete with a boulder-lined waterfall. Water is an endless source of enjoyment! Take it to the next level with a water wall or two—to create the subtle sounds of water as it cascades down over smooth or textured surfaces before falling into a pebble-strewn collection pond. Water walls are nothing short of stunning next to a dining or lounge area, and they do double duty in providing privacy as well as a sensory treat. 

Side Yard Magic

Many side yards are nothing more than glorified storage areas crammed with gardening sheds, or simply a utilitarian way to get from here to there. Side yards can become hidden gems! If your clients feel they don’t have room in the backyard for a zen garden, why not install one in a side yard? Or, if they don’t want to give up the entire backyard for fun and games, you can suggest that they turn an unused side yard into a dedicated game area.

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