The backyard is the go-to spot for many families to relax, play, and entertain. With the right design and features, a backyard can be an oasis of fun and relaxation for everyone. Opportunities exist with products or services that address these top six outdoor living trends for families in 2023.
- Sustainable materials and practices. Families are increasingly looking for ways to live more sustainably, and this trend is also extending to backyards. Examples include: outdoor furniture and décor made from recycled materials, rain gardens or permeable hardscaping to help manage stormwater runoff, organic gardening products, native plants, food gardens, pollinator-friendly spaces, and battery-powered tools.
- Indoor/outdoor living. The lines between indoor and outdoor spaces have blurred, and families are looking for ways to create a seamless flow between the two. Examples include: retractable awnings, outdoor kitchens, fire pits or other outdoor heating elements, and furniture in styles and fabrics that reflect the season’s most popular indoor décor trends.
- Smart technology. Everyone has their phone on them at all times, so app-based smart technology can appear in backyard as well. Examples include: smart sprinkler systems, app-activated outdoor lighting, and outdoor music systems that can be controlled with your smartphone or tablet.
- Flexible spaces. Families need spaces that can adapt to their changing needs. Examples include: modular furniture or outdoor kitchen systems, raised or portable planters, retractable outdoor TV screens, or play systems that grow with the children.
- Outdoor learning and play. The backyard is a great place for kids to learn and play. Examples include: sandbox or sandpit, a climbing wall, a vegetable garden, elements that welcome birds (houses, baths, and feeders for different local varieties).
- Pet-friendly. Pets are family too and more families want a space that works for the four-legged family members or “fur-babies.” Examples include: fences and gates, non-toxic plants and herbicides, permeable gravel spaces or easy-to-clean turf for pet waste zones, enclosed cat areas, and dog-waste removal services.
Companies help families develop the backyard of their dreams by understanding a few key points about clients’ projects or customers’ needs:
- What’s the purpose? How do they want the space to be used? Do they want it to be a place for family gatherings, a space for kids to play, or a quiet oasis for them to relax?
- How much maintenance do they want to do? The materials, products, and tools used in a family’s outdoor space depend on if the customers are DIYers or master gardeners… or just people looking to enjoy it, not work on it. Are they looking for ongoing projects and customization or do they want low maintenance spaces?
- What will provide the zing? More families are looking for a unique element. They want something colorful, something artistic, or something their neighbors don’t have. They are looking for items that reflect their family's style and personality.
- Who are the decision makers? Increasingly, the whole family has a say so product developers and marketers need to keep the kids in mind too from colors, to furniture, to plant options, to tools.
More information, market sizing, forecasts, and analysis is available in The Freedonia Group’s benchmark report:
Outdoor Living Products 2023.