Outdoor space has now become the heart of the house, according to a new study conducted by Saber Grills LLC - the famous barbecue grill manufacturing company.
About 83 percent of the 1,520 American households surveyed in the study said that outdoor space was their favorite area in the house and about 70 percent of them use the place to entertain guests (more than five people).
The study also found regional differences in the respondents' love for outdoor spaces, like residents from the Mid-west seemed to be more enamored by outdoor spaces with 76 percent regarding it as the "most important space in their home."
Room-wise
The outdoor area has also become the most used space of the house. According to the study, the exteriors happen to be the most used space just after the kitchen, 98 percent vs. 99 percent.
The family room, the dining room and the formal living room are the next most popular rooms of a house coming in with 93 percent, 82 percent and 63 percent respectively.
Outdoor Decor
A separate, earlier report on HGTV claimed that outdoor design was as important as indoor design. A report on Zillow also stated that a "manicured" and well maintained outdoor space can help sell a home faster, especially if the living room opens into the garden or pool area.
Corresponding with the earlier reports, the Saber Grills study found that a large number of Americans take outdoor decorating as seriously as the interiors, especially the men. Calling the outdoors a potential "man cave", the surveyors said that 30 percent of the ale homeowners said they were fully responsible for how the outdoors looked and about 54 percent of the owners get professional advice for outdoor décor.
The most popular outdoor décor items included plants (76 percent) with accessories like candles, lighting and cushions coming in at 46 percent, 34 percent and 33 percent respectively.
To round off, 90 percent of the American homeowners said they were proud of their outdoor space.
"It doesn't matter if your home is valued at $75,000 or $775,000, if you are an American homeowner, you are proud of your outdoor space and consider it an essential part of your home. Homeowners use their backyards to relax and reconnect with family - just like the kitchen," said Rob Schwing, General Manager of Saber Grills, in a statement. See more interesting stats about home exteriors here.
The survey comes at the heels of an earlier report that claimed dining rooms were becoming extinct as a result of drastic lifestyle changes. Read more here.
Zillow Digs has some great exterior design ideas. Take a look at them all here.
