Let’s step outside, shall we?!
The beginning of spring is the right time to talk about this. Sit with me…it’s Sunday evening in Texas. The sun is starting to dip, and your favorite drink is in-hand.
And the space you’re in?! It’s not your living room…it’s your outdoor sanctuary.
Now, stop a moment. Ask yourself: what does this space look like? What did you just imagine? Did you picture a chic lounge space or a chef’s full kitchen? Or are you in a tucked-away garden nook?
It’s time for you to start putting that vision into words and actions, and now, because the outdoor living experience is a lifestyle enhancement you’ll want. Homeowners all over the country are starting to get this…especially here around Keller, Texas, where the outdoors is celebrated (and, with the right design, tamed).
We’ve built award-winning outdoor spaces that give families and entertainers something MORE than just a pretty patio. We design for Return on Enjoyment®, our trademarked philosophy for making every design decision count.
If you’re curious to see where outdoor living dreams might take you, buckle up for the 5 outdoor living trends that will TRULY expand your horizons!!
Trend 1: Outdoor Kitchens for Connection
According to the NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association), 70% of homeowners planning outdoor projectssaid that an outdoor kitchen was a TOP priority.
And for good reason! An outdoor kitchen offers so much more than a place to grill. It extends your living and social space into surrounding nature, while keeping the host at the heart of the party.
…The scent of sizzling fajitas could be wafting through the air toward you this summer…your guests lounging nearby, sipping something chilled. This is no backyard fantasy. It’s the kind of joyful experience that delivers what we call Return on Enjoyment®.
Ideas for outdoor kitchen features:
- Built-in gas or charcoal grills
- Wood-fired pizza oven
- Under-counter wine fridge or beverage center
- Covered prep station with built-in sink
- Ice maker (a must for North Tarrant County summers!!)
- A full bar with seating (why not?!)
- Pull-out trash and recycling drawers
- Custom storage for outdoor dinnerware
- Ceiling fan or misting system for hot days
- Statement lighting for evening ambiance
- Herb garden wall for snipping fresh ingredients
- Fold-away or retractable windows connected to indoor kitchen
- A stone or brick surround to match the home
- Smart speakers or sound system
- Mounted outdoor TV near the bar area
Trend 2: Swimming Pool Area Enhancements
Swimming pools have always been a hot commodity in Texas, but now the trend highlights how you enhance your pool area.
According to Zillow, homes in our area with well-designed outdoor pool areas sell for up to 54% MORE than homes with pools that are just “blah.” A pool is a place to dip in and cool off, but it can also be a whole ambience.
For instance, you can add a serene water feature cascading beside your lounge chair…or a fire bowl lighting up the night as you take a nighttime swim…
Put simply: when the pool becomes your personal resort, it gives back joy, relaxation, and social connection. That’s the ultimate Return on Enjoyment®.
Just look at our most-awarded pool cabana build as an example.
Ideas to enhance your pool space:
- Baja shelf with in-water loungers
- Swim-up bar with submerged stools
- Natural stone waterfall feature
- Poolside pergola or shade structure
- Outdoor shower to rinse off after the pool
- Fire bowls or torch lighting around the perimeter
- Daybed or cabana-style loungers
- Built-in benches inside the pool
- LED color-changing lighting
- Poolside fire pit conversation area
- Retractable awnings for shade
- Heated towel racks or outdoor heater
- Sound system synced to your smart speakers
- High-end non-slip pavers or decking
- Modern fencing for style and privacy
Trend 3: Garden Enhancements That Truly Inspire
What’s your garden for? Aesthetics? Growing produce or herbs you like to cook with?
Have you thought about how much MORE enjoyment you could get from your garden?
A 2023 Houzz Landscaping Survey found that 62% of homeowners who upgraded their yards included some form of garden seating or outdoor structures.
Why? Because they’re creating a retreat.
You might be due for a custom reading nook under a vine-wrapped pergola…or a built-in bench that curves around your favorite tree…or raised beds bursting with herbs that go straight into your outdoor kitchen’s sizzling skillet!!
These are what we call enhancements, real ones, because they’re infused with purpose. That’s how our designs deliver Return on Enjoyment®.
Garden-inspired design ideas:
- Custom garden seating nook with a trellis
- Built-in benches around a central tree
- Raised garden beds with integrated lighting
- Vertical garden wall or green screen
- Outdoor reading nook with soft lighting
- Weather-resistant library shelf (yes, really!)
- Garden path with steppingstones or mosaic tiles
- Covered pergola with climbing vines
- Hidden storage in bench seating
- Zen-inspired rock garden area
- Greenhouse-style glass structure
- Outdoor worktable for gardening or crafts
- Garden-integrated bar area for herbal cocktails
- Retractable shade sail over garden zone
- Outdoor bathtub or spa surrounded by plants
Trend 4: Outdoor Furniture That Surprises and Delights
Furniture is no longer an afterthought in luxury outdoor design. You can build whole outdoor living areas around your outdoor furniture selections.
In fact, Allied Market Research projects that the outdoor furniture market will reach $74 billion by 2031 (from $48 billion in 2023). Homeowners are designing their outdoor spaces with as much intention and personality as their interiors.
And it makes sense, don’t you think? Why NOT turn your patio into your favorite space? When outdoor furniture is chosen with purpose, it brings comfort, style, and new possibilities.
Another note on outdoor furniture: new performance fabrics have a LOT to do with this outdoor living trend. Forget about rigid benches or plastic patio chairs! Instead, today’s totally revolutionary performance fabrics and textiles include options like fade-resistant fabrics that feellike luxury linen, cushions that repel moisture and mildew, and rugs that stay put even in the windiest Texas weather!!
Like these weighted rugs and pillows I shared during Dallas Market…
We’re literally seeing everything from upholstered outdoor sectionals and daybeds to outdoor ottomans and fully cushioned dining chairs that could EASILY belong in a high-end living room. These innovations have opened the door to spaces that look, feel, and function like your favorite indoor rooms, only with WAY better sunsets!!!
Outdoor furniture ideas to think about:
- Sectional sofas with weatherproof cushions
- Weighted rugs and pillows that stay in place whatever the weather
- Modular seating for rearranging on a whim
- Suspended swings and egg chairs
- Outdoor dining set with built-in wine coolers
- Fire pit coffee table with seating around it
- Double chaise lounges for two
- Teak, powder-coated metal, or resin wicker options
- Upholstered poufs and ottomans for lounging
- Integrated LED lighting in furniture
- Storage benches for blankets and games
- Nesting side tables for drinks and decor
- Hanging hammock chair under a shade tree
- Convertible daybed seating
- Waterproof outdoor rugs to define “rooms”
- Statement art pieces or sculptures (now we’re talking…)
Trend 5: Patios with Purpose
Patios have evolved way beyond the concrete slab. Today’s patios are multifunctional and personality-driven zones.
According to the American Institute of Architects’ 2023 Home Design Trends Survey, demand for outdoor living spaces has risen four years straight, with patios and decks leading the charge.
The best patios are tailored for lifestyle. Imagine for just a moment a backyard movie theater for weekend nights, or an outdoor game-day bar setup with all-weather protections. Or how about a quiet corner with a fire feature for deep-conversations?!
With the right layout and features, your patio becomes a whole new layer of your home…and that’s PURE Return on Enjoyment®.
Purpose-driven patio ideas:
- Built-in bar with stools and weatherproof storage
- Outdoor movie theater with retractable screen
- Covered area with ceiling fan for all-day use
- Fireplace with mounted TV above
- Dining zone with overhead string lights
- Outdoor office with Wi-Fi and shade
- Play zone for kids with built-in sandbox
- Elevated deck with glass railing
- Retractable walls or curtains for privacy
- Patio swings or daybeds
- Coffee station for early mornings outside
- Board game area with built-in table
- Elevated herb wall for easy cooking access
- Decorative privacy screens or planter walls
- Integrated heating elements for cool nights
Be honest. Which of these ideas seems the most interesting to you?
Now, be honest again—are you thinking, “maybe next year?” That thinking will cost you a full season of spring and summer here in North Texas, so you know the weather isn’t the problem. Is it the investment? The timing? Not knowing where to start?
None of those issues are ones we can’t help you figure out. Skip the hesitation!! Let’s design something great that gives you real, lived-in joy.
Who knows—maybe your outdoor living space will be our next award-winning project.
About the author:
Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for nearly three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.
In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. Also in 2024, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. At the start of 2025, she then acted as one of Dallas Market’s “Style Eyes” at Lightovation and Total Home & Gift Market.
Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.
In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.
