As 2021 rapidly approaches, we see some outdoor living trends emerging. Many of which have been influenced by the rapid shifts in lifestyle caused by the pandemic. As more homeowners begin to think of their outdoor living spaces as an extension of their interior spaces; and not just a place to barbecue or watch the kids play, interior design trends continue to have a major impact on look and functionality.
SIZE DOES MATTER
Over recent years, there has been a shift to creating outdoor areas with multiple rooms or areas for family and friends to 
enjoy. This school of thought exploded in 2020 and will continue to expand moving forward. Having separate, yet connected, area's to entertain are more popular than ever. A nice roof structure will extend and protect your outdoor living space, and create a focal area that will likely be the "main attraction" for many years to come. With the increase in at-home living, more areas of the home are being regularly utilized than ever before. Nearly 4 in 5 homeowners report they were thinking about changes that could help them enjoy their homes more, with outdoor projects at the top of the wish list. Outdoor spaces are no longer just a place to hang out during downtime. They have become a space of productivity as more people are working and learning remotely.
Accent Borders & Geometric Patterns - Adding colors that "POP"
This prominent trend began expanding into outdoor living design in recent years. In 2020, it became more popular than
ever. Expressing balance through color will be vital in 2021 to keep the extended time at home from becoming overly monotonous. Clean and simple lines continue to grow in popularity for pavers and landscape walls. These simplistic patterns allow for an uncluttered aesthetic that puts emphasis on furniture or features in the space, while also fostering easier installation and maximization of space. The newly emerging trend is to incorporate geometric shapes to add a visually interesting accent or to create a retro look.
Array Of Lighting
A combination of lighting is important for an outdoor living room. It will provide ambiance, style, and allow you to enjoy 
the space well into the evening. An outdoor fireplace, string lights, a chandelier (if your living space is on the fancier side), citronella candles to repel those pesky mosquitos, and lanterns are all wonderful options that you can tailor to fit your preferences.
Outdoor Cooking Spaces
When you have an outdoor gathering, food is often a huge element. Having to cook and prepare all of your food inside, and then transporting all of it outside, can often be difficult and time-consuming. You also increase the risk of spilling foods, burning yourself during transport, etc. In contrast, when you have an outdoor kitchen, you don’t have to worry about transporting anything, because all of your preparing, cooking, baking, serving, etc. can be done outside. If you decide to install an outdoor kitchen, it will have all the necessary appliances and tools, such as an oven, stove, fridge, countertop space, cupboards, etc. This allows you to do all the food work that you need to do, while still conversing and interacting with everyone at the gathering. This also makes it easier for guests to help you out in the kitchen because they have easier access to you.
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