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New Spaces Make Outdoor Living a Treat Year Round

From magazine covers to television programs it is obvious that building an outdoor patio, deck or screened porch is one of the most popular design trends in housing. However these outdoor living spaces are no longer just a place to sit and enjoy nature. They have blossomed into elaborate extensions of the home that are perfect for entertaining friends or for regular family gatherings.

The foundation of a great outdoor living space has many forms. While wood or composite decks are still popular, popular trends are moving toward a natural stone or tile patio which is low maintenance and provides cooler temperatures. In the Midwest flagstone, limestone, granite and slate in either irregular or rectangular shapes make for some of the most beautiful patterns and colors. These stunning patios are often surrounded by luscious landscaping, soothing fountains and soft lighting to create the perfect outdoor ambiance.

To add to the function of the space and allow it to serve as a stand-alone entertainment option, outdoor kitchens with built-in grills or stoves and refrigerators moves the party completely outside the home. Other popular upper-bracket amenities include customized bars and weather-protected areas suitable for outdoor plasma screen televisions. Features such as fireplaces, gas heaters, overhead fans and water cooling misters offer better temperature control during all four seasons, allowing for outdoor living spaces to be enjoyed year round regardless of the weather.

The crowning touches for any outdoor living space are the places to sit, eat and relax. Outdoor furnishings have undergone a major evolution, bringing the same comfort, style and convenience found from traditional furniture to the outdoors. Soft, durable, waterproof products finishing with decorator styling add flair to outdoor spaces, making them more like a family or living room that merely a back yard. Another popular feature for many of today’s newest outdoor furnishings are low-maintenance materials that mean less time on cleanup and repairs.

This fall the annual Parade of Homes is showcasing six select homes with incredible outdoor spaces on the Outdoor Living Tour. All six homes will be open for viewing throughout the 2007 Parade of Homes, which opens Sept. 16 and continues through Sept. 30. Homes featured on the Outdoor Living Tour include Parade No. 54 in Olathe’s Cedar Creek; No. 181, 182 and 187 in Overland Park’s Mills Farm; No. 257 in Summerwood in Overland Park; and No. 300 in Lenexa’s Woodland Reserve. Homes on the tour include a range of amenities including beautiful lanais, outdoor kitchens, hot tubs and much more.

A total of 638 new-homes throughout metro Kansas City are featured on the 2007 Parade of Homes. Admission is free and homes are open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information including profiles of homes on the Outdoor Living Tour, visit the parade online at www.kcparadeofhomes.com.

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