Outdoor areas have long been a way for homeowners to get more entertaining space from their properties without having to build out or up, but things are changing when it comes to what those spaces feature. In a recent survey by Fixr.com, new trends in 2025 are rewriting the outdoor living rulebook, and staying up-to-date means maximizing home value and getting more enjoyment from your property. Forget what you thought you knew about patios, pools and pergolas. Read on to see what outdoor living projects homeowners are prioritizing most this year, according to the top experts we surveyed in architecture, construction, and remodeling.
Outdoor Living Trends Takeaways
Laura Madrigal, Home Design Specialist at Fixr.com, tells KBB, “What’s truly emerging from our recent surveys is the impact outdoor living has on home value, along with the desire to use these outdoor spaces as seamless extensions of our homes. It’s not just about having a pretty garden anymore; this year, homeowners are prioritizing multi- functional designs with a focus on practicality and enjoyment. The rising trends in outdoor design are clear: pocket sliding doors are the key to the indoor-outdoor integration, while cold plunge pools and integrated smart tech are the choices to create a blend between wellness and smart convenience.”
• Homeowners are more willing to invest in outdoor spaces in 2025 than in 2024, say 56% of experts
• 98% of experts agree that an updated outdoor space has a big impact on home value
• Indoor-outdoor coherent design is the biggest outdoor living trend this year, according to 56% of pros
• Pocket sliding doors for indoor-outdoor living are the newest emerging trend, say 46%
• Earthy tones take center stage, with 56% of respondents naming them the most popular color for
outdoor spaces
• The pizza oven stands out as the most desired outdoor kitchen feature, with 50% of experts selecting it
as their top choice
• Minimalist furniture leads the way in 2025, with 58% of experts naming it the top outdoor furniture
trend
• Composite decking is the top patio flooring pick for 2025, favored by 46% of experts
• Swimming pools lead outdoor entertainment, with 40% of experts naming them the most desirable
amenity
• Experts agree that drought-tolerant, water-wise planting leads landscaping trends in 2025, with 62%
marking it as the top trend
More and more homeowners are turning to creating functional outdoor spaces for living and entertaining, and more than half of the experts (56%) we surveyed agree that people are prioritizing outdoor living and backyard upgrades in 2025 more than they have in the past.
Frank Wickstead, owner and partner of Alair Buckhead, said, “The trend isn’t about building a second house in your backyard anymore. Elaborate outdoor kitchens are giving way to smart proximity to the real one, turf is being traded for wildflowers and native plants that actually belong there, and we’re seeing clients ditch massive hardscapes in favor of meaningful pockets – spaces that feel curated, not conquered.”
Trends are one thing, but we wanted to know what value the movement toward outdoor projects held for the future. Ultimately, is investing in outdoor spaces really a good financial choice?
Well, the experts overwhelmingly agreed that it is, with a staggering 98% agreeing that a usable, updated outdoor living space has a big impact on home value. The other 2% were neutral. Additionally, real estate experts report that investing in upgrading outdoor features can provide a return on investment (ROI) of 50% or more, depending on the project. The bottom line: sometimes it pays to keep up with the Joneses.
Ten Top Outdoor Living Trends in 2025
The verdict is in: keeping up with outdoor living trends can provide a greater ROI and make a home more desirable. But what are the trends that are making the biggest splash in outdoor spaces in 2025? Here’s what experts agree homeowners are prioritizing.
1 Indoor-Outdoor Coherent Design. One of the most popular outdoor trends in 2025, which has remained trendy for years now, is creating a coherent space between your outdoor area and the interior room that opens up to the outside. This could mean matching colors, keeping materials and themes consistent, and even just thoughtfully installing doors and windows to create a unified space despite the partitions.
This year, 56% of experts agree that a unified design is dominating outdoor living trends. That percentage was higher in 2023 and 2024 (73% and 78%, respectively), but pros still say this is the best way to modernize and remain trendy.
2 Outdoor Kitchens. Nearly 40% of experts say that outdoor kitchens have been a key part of exterior design for years and aren’t going out of style anytime soon. You can keep your space simple by building some permanent shelving and countertops around
your grill, or you can go all out and install a full suite of outdoor appliances and plumbing fixtures to bring the entire kitchen outside.
3 Multifunctional Spaces. Gone are the days when a backyard functioned solely as an area for entertaining and relaxing. Buying a home is less affordable now than it ever has been before, so savvy homeowners are using outdoor space to extend their more costly interior square footage. 31% of experts that we surveyed agreed that backyards are no longer just for relaxation. More and more often, homeowners are converting them to workout areas, offices, dining areas, and even wellness nooks. Design your space to convert back and forth between multiple uses, and you’ve got yourself a trending space that maximizes home value.
4 Entertainment Zones. Multi-functional outdoor zones may be trending, but 27% of experts agree that the outdoor entertainment zone is still king. You can get more out of your space by making it adaptable to changing needs, but if you’re going to prioritize one thing, make it entertainment. Consider making space for movie nights under the stars, dedicated tabletop game areas, homemade spa experiences, and dining spaces.
5 Easy Maintenance & Long-Lasting Furniture. One piece of good news for your wallet in the long run is that 27% of experts agree that homeowners are increasingly prioritizing low-maintenance materials and furniture that lasts. Going this route may cost a bit more upfront, but you’ll end up saving over time. “Outdoor design in 2025 is all about smart effort, maximum comfort, [and] minimum upkeep,” said Danny Niemela, co-owner and vice president of ArDan Construction, a full-service home remodeling company in Scottsdale, Ariz.
6 Full Outdoor Living Rooms. What screams luxury and outdoor living like a full-scale living room in your yard? Answer: nothing. Just under 25% of professionals agree that full outdoor living rooms are an upcoming trend in 2025. We’re talking comfortable sofas, throw pillows, an outdoor TV or projector, and even artwork to bring the design together.
7 Wellness-Centered Zones. More people are concerned with mental health than ever before, and that’s evident in outdoor trends. Yoga decks, saunas, meditation spaces, swimming pools, and plunge tubs are all things that are sure to maximize your enjoyment of your outdoor space and boost your home value in the meantime, according to 21% of experts.
8 Biophilic Design. 19% of outdoor design and remodeling professionals agree that adding more plants and greenery is becoming more popular in 2025. Biophilic design is pro-nature and helps introduce plants into outdoor living spaces, creating more of a “coexisting vibe” than a dominating one. This design principle is a top interior design trend in 2025 and a top trend in bathroom design, so it’s a great way to create some uniformity between interior and exterior areas.
9 Indoor Design Elements. Speaking of uniformity between indoor and outdoor spaces, 17% of experts say that bringing indoor comforts outside is a popular way to create a comfortable exterior area. Think plush rugs, soft, natural lighting, cozy throws, and lounge- worthy sofas to make your patio or deck feel more like a room than an outdoor space.
10 Sustainability. Growing concern for our planet and anxiety about global warming have made sustainability a long-standing design trend both inside and outside for years. Just under 15% of experts agree that homeowners are prioritizing sustainability, which is lower than in 2024, but it’s still a trend that’s likely here to stay for ethical and practical reasons. This year, homeowners are using recycled materials, smart landscaping choices, and even colors to mirror their sustainability goals and beliefs.
Top Features in Outdoor Kitchens
Sometimes, it’s easiest to build your outdoor space around a standalone feature…but what should that main focal point be? According to experts, you can’t go wrong with a pizza oven, minimalist furniture, composite decking or a swimming pool. But don’t worry; there are alternatives for each that are sure to make your space sizzle.
Image: Fixr.com
If you’re dreaming of an outdoor kitchen, 50% of experts say installing a standalone pizza oven is a worthy trend to pursue. In fact, it’s the most sought-after element in an outdoor kitchen, followed by bar areas for entertaining and seamless indoor-outdoor spaces that blur the lines between indoor comforts and outdoor enjoyment, according to 44% of experts.
Have some more room in your budget? A fully-equipped kitchen with prep space, a built-in stovetop, and a seating area is the ultimate in luxury, and 42% of experts agree this trend is here to stay. You can tone it down a bit and still keep your kitchen on-trend by incorporating flat-top grills (27%), built-in refrigerators (23%), and standalone smokers (19%).
Emerging Outdoor Living Trends
Image: Fixr.com
Persistent outdoor design trends are usually a safe bet, but sometimes, change is a good thing. If you want to create an exterior living space that’s more likely to grab the attention of soon-to-be homebuyers, emerging trends like pocket doors, cold plunge pools and smart features might be some of the best investments you can make.
1 Pocket Sliding Doors. Pocket doors were popular in the late 1800s, but they’re making a major comeback. Nearly half of the experts we polled agree that pocket sliding doors leading to the outside help create a more coherent indoor/outdoor space. And 60% of our experts noted that nailing that same wide-open feel with stack sliding doors is one of the top door trends to consider in 2025.
2 Cold-Plunge Pools. According to 39% of experts, cold plunge pools are making waves in 2025. They are the perfect addition to small backyards, and you can pair them with hot tubs or saunas to create your own private spa experience. Cold plunge pools offer more than just an icy dip, they are popular because of their potential to boost energy, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being and mental health.
3 Fire Features. Can you say “toasted marshmallows” and “ultimate relaxation”? A third of exterior design experts can, and they agree that fire pits are sought-after additions to backyard oases. Consider a smaller fire feature, like a portable propane fire table, to bring the luxury without the commitment.
4 Smart Tech Integration. Homeowners want convenience and control over their comfort. This is a big reason why thinking about smart tech integration for your outdoor area is wise, both for your enjoyment and resale value. Outdoor smart tech is an investment that 27% of experts say is a growing trend in 2025. Think automated lighting, voice-activated entertainment, and irrigation on timers for worry-free living. You can really step up the tech by splurging on automatic beverage dispensers and integrated sound systems that blend seamlessly with your landscaping.
5 Floating Decks & Raised Platforms. Imagine retreating to a standalone seating and entertainment area that’s a bit more secluded and still immersed in nature; that’s what you can expect from floating decks set away from your main home. A quarter of experts contend that these are great for creating alternative areas for relaxing, especially on sloped properties, or for making multi-level dining and lounging areas. Add some vegetation for privacy and a fire pit or fire table to tick multiple outdoor entertainment boxes.
6 Outdoor Audio Systems. What’s a backyard BBQ or pool session without some relaxing tunes? Close to 20% of experts say that high-quality outdoor audio systems are becoming a must-have in 2025. Opt for speakers and subwoofers that blend into your landscaping, and you’ve got an emerging trend that will never go out of style.
7 Water Features. Water features in landscaping are nothing new, but 17% of experts are recognizing a new trend: minimalist fountains and small, natural-looking streams. Your wallet will thank you for not investing in a giant koi pond, and you’ll still get the tranquility that only trickling water sounds can provide.
8 Turf Grid. For those looking for an eye-catching and low-maintenance solution for their flooring, turf grids are emerging as a top trend, according to 17% of experts. It blends hardscaping elements like concrete or paver blocks with natural grass or ground cover interspersed between them.
9 Exterior Glass Courtyards. If you love the feeling of being outdoors but value privacy or protection from the elements, exterior glass courtyards are the emerging trend for you. Identified as a growing trend by 12% of experts, these installations create a secluded outdoor space using glass walls. This allows you to enjoy the sun and views of your yard while protected from wind, bugs, or outside noise.
Trends On the Way Out
Of course, trends come and go, so we asked our experts what’s hot but also what’s not in landscape design and outdoor living in 2025.
Artificial turf. Artificial turf might still be trending for patio flooring, but it’s no longer as popular for landscaping as natural cover plants. While it’s low-maintenance, as it requires no mowing or watering, it lacks the ecological benefits of native plants, which are more eco-friendly and support soil health and biodiversity.
Traditional grass lawn. Speaking of natural cover plants, traditional grass species are becoming less popular as more homeowners turn to alternatives, like native plants and clover lawns. Traditional grass is very high-maintenance and requires constant watering, which makes it a less eco-conscious option than its alternatives.
Oversized outdoor kitchens. Giant outdoor kitchens were once the epitome of outdoor luxury, but homeowners now prefer modular kitchens that they can adapt to changing needs. As Charles Hendricks, principal at Gaines Group Architects, puts it, “Large defined spaces are on the way out; clients want flexibility of scale and function.”
Large water features. Sprawling water features are luxurious, but they come with equally luxurious price tags, too. More homeowners are going for more subtle water features, as Niemala explains, “Water walls, koi ponds, and reflecting pools burn energy, need constant maintenance, and offer very little payoff unless you are entertaining weekly.“
Over-stylized, formal gardens. People are moving away from formal garden spaces with exotic plants and are trending toward wildflower meadows, native plants, and gardens that coalesce with the nature around them. “Over-stylized, formal gardens are [being] replaced with more naturalistic designs,” notes Sabine H. Schoenberg, founder and CEO at Smart Healthy Green Living, a multimedia company focused on green living and design.
In fire-prone areas, fire features and wood furniture are out. In fire-prone areas where wildfires are a threat, homeowners are turning away from fire pits and fire features that could contribute to the problem. “In California, having just experienced devastating wildfires, there is hesitation over installing new outdoor fireplaces or fire pits,” said Toni Lewis, principal at Lewis Schoeplein Architects. “There are a lot more conversations about swimming pools and water features and the ability to access them as a water source in an emergency.” Additionally, more homeowners are reconsidering wood furniture for outdoor spaces that could spread wildfires more readily. “In my area of practice, Northern California, wood furniture is on its way out for fire-related reasons,” said Amy A. Alper, owner of Amy A. Alper, Architect, a firm located in Sonoma, Calif.
—Laura Madrigal is the Home Design Specialist at Fixr.com, dedicated to identifying and analyzing significant changes within residential design. She is the author of trends reports on interior design, kitchen and bathroom, and her insights have been featured in publications like Realtor and the New York Post.
