People have had deep patios and terraces for decades, but it's only recently that outdoor living has become wildly popular. But why is this? What's changed in our society to the point where more people than ever are looking to live, spend more time outside while they're at home? Let's take a look at some of the factors behind this boom.

The COVID pandemic supercharged demand

One of the biggest changes, of course, was the Covid pandemic. During the lockdowns, people couldn't go outside like they normally would and so they really started to miss the fresh air. At the same time, they began imagining what it might be like to meet all of their needs outside, and that was something which was possible when they were at home.

Usually, when you are at the park, you have to put up with a regular picnic bench and perhaps a recycling bin. At home, you have so many more options, especially since the industry was really growing around this time. Outdoor spaces became a sort of safe escape during Covid, giving people the opportunity to breathe clean air, exercise, and entertain themselves while minimizing contact from others.

According to surveys, more than nine out of ten Americans use their outdoor spaces more during the COVID period. Many started to realize that they could become functional spaces for other activities, such as home offices, workout areas, or cooking for guests. This transformation then spurred the industry to provide solutions. Companies that were able to offer homeowners options for living outdoors year-round were in massive demand.

What's interesting though is that this shift has been lasting while it began in 2019 and 2020. It's continuing into 2026 and beyond. Demand remains high, and people are clamoring for outdoor living structures from companies like Hinkle Outdoor Living that are growing all the time.

Health and wellness benefits

On top of this are the health and wellness benefits. Being outdoors is now understood to be one of the best ways to improve a person's well-being. It can lead to a better mood, reduce stress and improve mental health. It can also increase the amount of physical activity they get. Researchers think this has to do with biophilia, or our unique and innate connection to nature. According to 75% of homeowners, dedicated outdoor areas are essential for living a normal life. After the pandemic, more people are focusing on wellness-based designs, providing them with space for cold plunges, exercise, and yoga. A lot of homeowners also see outdoor areas as a way to integrate with nature. Previously, they spent very little time in their gardens and they were mainly there for show, but with the comforts offered by outdoor living areas like plush seating and shade from the sun, it's becoming more common.

Desire for more functional, larger, multi-purpose living spaces

Another reason outdoor living has become wildly popular in recent years is the desire for more functional and practical outdoor spaces. Instead of adding an extension, which is very costly for most homeowners, outdoor areas make better use of the available square footage without incurring high capital expenses.

What's more, innovations in technology mean that it's now possible to blend indoor comfort with outdoor areas. Many outdoor seating locations are far less expensive to install per square meter.

The main uses for outdoor seating areas are:

Family gatherings
Entertaining
Relaxation
Barbecues
Dining

These are all becoming more possible now in outdoor spaces, providing people the opportunity to dine out fresco instead of relying on the dining room. Essentially the focus is now on creating outdoor rooms. These often have lounges, TVs, lighting and fully equipped kitchens making them almost indistinguishable except for the fact that they're not encased in conventional brick and mortar structures. Some outdoor areas literally feel like home interiors but with a greener design. For example, many homeowners place pergolas over outdoor seating areas with crawling vines to give the impression of being both outside and inside at the same time.

Boosts home value

Another argument for why outdoor living areas have become so wildly popular has to do with their effects on home prices. Many homeowners have found that installing them on their properties increases their home and resale value. According to industry experts, updated outdoor areas are a way to push up prices into the premium range. Homeowners who have outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and pools are more likely to see their properties performing better when it comes to selling, particularly when targeting individuals who prioritize these features as lifestyle essentials. Most buyers don't want to install outdoor spaces once they move in. They would prefer it was already done for them.

Cultural and lifestyle shifts

Finally, cultural and lifestyle shifts are also making outdoor living more popular. Even before COVID-19, many people were trying to rediscover their connection with nature, consequently sustainability and experiential living became priorities. Remote work also normalised flexible routines, encouraging more people to spend more time at home (perhaps the most since the industrial revolution).

For this reason, more people began exploring using eco-friendly materials in their outdoor room designs. They also look for low-maintenance options that would enable them to leverage the spaces as productively as they possibly could. Work-from-home professionals found this particularly useful because they needed outdoor spaces to get sunlight but they also needed to concentrate on their projects.

Of course, suburban areas find it easier to engage with outdoor living. They tend to have larger yards and space outside for these additional rooms. Urban areas or apartments have fewer options, but many buildings now incorporate outdoor spaces on the roof or on shared patios.

Ultimately, outdoor living isn't a necessity, and people could have made do with continuing old patterns indoors. However, the pandemic increased the incentives to get outside, and other trends, like the desire for connection with nature, continued to grow in strength over the last 10 years. Consequently, the market for outdoor home improvement shows no sign of slowing down.