Houzz 2018 Landscaping Survey Results
It’s time to take the party outside, according to the Houzz 2018 Landscaping Survey,* which found that more than half of homeowners spend more time entertaining outside after completing landscaping projects (51%). More than one quarter of homeowners also report that their usable outdoor area is significantly larger than that of their home (27%). So transforming the yard into added living space creates an entertaining haven for the next garden party or backyard barbecue.
The study found that homeowners invest in a variety of elements during landscaping projects that make their outdoor areas more livable, including ample seating for family and guests with lounge furniture (43%), dining furniture (34%) and benches (27%). The addition of fire pits (38%), ceiling fans (15%) and patio heaters (14%), allow people to entertain outdoors year-round, and new string lights (35%) and rugs (14%) suggest a focus on exterior ambiance.
Technology also plays a role in making the yard entertainment-ready. Of the nearly one in five homeowners who added or upgraded entertainment systems during their landscaping projects (18%), three in five opted for a new television (59%), followed by wired and solar speakers (48% and 42%, respectively). One in 10 homeowners also added wired and solar charging stations (14% and 11%, respectively).
Curb appeal part of the plan
Although the majority of outdoor projects take place in the backyard (70%), nearly two in five landscaping homeowners update their front yard (39%), and more than one quarter work on side yards (30%). Homeowners adding or updating elements in the front of their home report that the most important features contributing to curb appeal are beds and borders (41%), shrubs (34%) and perennials (25%). Considering these priorities, it’s no surprise that they are also the most popular features installed in front of homes (60%, 54% and 56%, respectively).
The leading reason for homeowners to begin a landscaping project is to improve elements of the outdoor space that have deteriorated or broken down (29%). Following a year of unexpected weather patterns, one in 10 homeowners report that their outdoor projects address damage from harsh weather or natural disasters (9%), including hurricanes (35%), rainstorms (26%) and drought (24%).
Costs for landscaping projects vary widely, with more than half of homeowners who completed their outdoor renovation spending more than $10,000 (56%) and nearly one-third of homeowners spending less than $5,000 (32%).
Regardless of motivations or budget, the majority of homeowners who completed a landscaping project report that they spend more time outside (67%). Some of the other ways that homeowners enjoy their newly upgraded outdoor space include relaxing (62%) and gardening (44%).
The graphic below illustrates additional findings from the Houzz Landscaping Survey. You can also browse a collection of outdoor essentials from the Houzz Shop here.
* Houzz survey of more than 750 U.S. homeowners using Houzz who are in the midst of, are planning or recently completed a landscaping project, was fielded between February and March 2018.
Top photo by CM Glover Photography ©Houzz
