Entertaining and family time at home is becoming more important to the American home consumer. The outdoor living room can be a key differentiator as the purchaser determines their builder of choice. Outdoor living rooms are growing in demand, and are now being used as extended season entertaining spaces in all parts of the country.
Martha Baker, author of The Outdoor Living Room: Stylish Ideas for Porches, Patios, and Pools points out "Building or renovating outdoor rooms illustrates our need to relax and reconnect with family and friends. Outdoor rooms increase our quality of life while also increasing a home's value."
Dakota Outdoor Fireplace by Heat & Glo
The Propane Education and Research Council sponsored a national survey this year to determine consumer preferences and popularity of outdoor living areas. The findings were dramatic.
35% of homeowners an already finished outdoor living room and an additional 34% said they plan to design and furnish one in the next 12-24 months.
Relaxation and at-home entertainment are the key motivators for homeowners:
- 89% said they wanted to create a space to relax in
- 87% said they wanted to spend more time outside
- 79% said they wanted to add value to their home
- 78% said the wanted to extend the living space of their home
- 74% said they wanted to create a space to entertain in
The survey supports educating your new home consumers about the many benefits of an outdoor living room, including impact on home value, and it's differentiation when entering the used home market:
"The opportunity for builders to educate consumers about the return on investment would have an impact on a homeowners decision to move forward, with the survey finding that if a homeowner knew he would recoup 100% or more of the cost, 74% of survey respondents said they would be very likely or somewhat likely to add or remodel an outdoor room."
To extend the season of the outdoor living room, an outdoor firepit or fireplace is a natural addition. Fall family bon-fires come immediately to mind. Update the POS elements in your showroom with lifestyle images featuring the seasons, to open the mind of the consumer. Be sure outdoor living rooms are featured in your model homes, and that the sales staff keeps them 'company ready' - with lush planters in the summer, swept in the fall displaying gourds and pumpkins, shoveled in the winter, perhaps featuring white lights laced through the pergola.
Fire Stone Home Products has been getting a lot of buzz in the shelter, home and patio publications as of late. They have created an entire line of components that would work well in the new construction setting. The cornerstone of their "GreatRoom" is the Fire Stone Pergola, a classic column and beam arbor designed to house all of your outdoor products. The pergola is 14' X 14' and weather resistant. The reinforced resin and fiberglass construction is designed to withstand all climates year-round, and they offer are a number of formats that fit most architectural styles. Fire Stone also offers campfires and firepits, outdoor fireplaces, elegant furniture, outdoor kitchens and outdoor propane lanterns. The pergola's effect is truly beautiful, it would be a wonderful setting for a fall wine and cheese gathering.
To extend the season of the outdoor living room, an outdoor firepit or fireplace is a natural addition. Fall family bon-fires come immediately to mind. Update the POS elements in your showroom with lifestyle images featuring the seasons, to open the mind of the consumer. Be sure outdoor living rooms are featured in your model homes, and that the sales staff keeps them 'company ready' - with lush planters in the summer, swept in the fall displaying gourds and pumpkins, shoveled in the winter, perhaps featuring white lights laced through the pergola.
Fire Stone Home Products has been getting a lot of buzz in the shelter, home and patio publications as of late. They have created an entire line of components that would work well in the new construction setting. The cornerstone of their "GreatRoom" is the Fire Stone Pergola, a classic column and beam arbor designed to house all of your outdoor products. The pergola is 14' X 14' and weather resistant. The reinforced resin and fiberglass construction is designed to withstand all climates year-round, and they offer are a number of formats that fit most architectural styles. Fire Stone also offers campfires and firepits, outdoor fireplaces, elegant furniture, outdoor kitchens and outdoor propane lanterns. The pergola's effect is truly beautiful, it would be a wonderful setting for a fall wine and cheese gathering.
Fire Stone products are available through Fireside distribution (along with Heat & Glo and Heatilator outdoor fireplaces) or your local Fire Stone dealer.For more information about Fire Stone Home Products, call (866) 303-4028 or visit http://www.firestonehp.com/.
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The Design Minds at Hearth and Home Blog is geared to support design center staff and the new construction industry in selling options and upgrades to the new home consumer. Subscribe for updates. Contact Krisann Parker-Brown for merchandising or marketing support of your design center.
Krisann Parker-Brown is the merchandising manager for Hearth and Home Technologies, the leading manufacturer and retailer of fireplaces and hearth systems. Krisann supports design centers and new construction builders in presenting Heat & Glo, Heatilator and Quadra-Fire hearth systems, and consulting on design center merchandising, point of sale and the consumer experience. Contact her at brownkr@hearthnhome.com or 952-985-6537
