Spring is the Perfect Time to Create an Outdoor Oasis
by Karyn Brodsky
Looking for a spot to savor the great outdoors? Your own backyard is the perfect solution! Outdoor living areas combine the relaxation of a getaway with modern electronics, appliances, built-ins, and elegant furniture, making them the ideal setting for entertaining family, friends, and neighbors.
“An outdoor living area provides more bang for the buck than any other room. The return in Texas is about 150% of your investment.”
– Ann O’Blenes, Broker-Associate, RE/Max Dallas Suburbs
Ann O’Blenes, Broker-Associate at Performance Partners Group, RE/Max Dallas Suburbs, observes that there is an increasing demand among buyers for outdoor living spaces that include areas for cooking, grilling, and dining. These outdoor environments can range from fire pits to multifunctional fireplaces and even pizza ovens!
“Our sales of pizza ovens have skyrocketed! People want a complete outdoor kitchen. You get all the benefits of your indoor kitchen while enjoying the great outdoors,” says Pat Wilson, manager at Ed Kellum & Son in Dallas. A built-in grill is essential, and Ed Kellum & Son offers an extensive selection from top brands. Wilson adds, “Outdoor retreats are becoming more elaborate, often featuring under-the-counter refrigerators, ice sinks, wine coolers, pizza oven prep stations, and beer taps.”
“Outdoor retreats are getting more elaborate. Many include under-the-counter refrigerators, ice sinks, wine coolers, pizza oven prep stations and beer taps.”
– Pat Wilson, Manager, Ed Kellum & Son
The upgrades don’t stop there. Chris Vaughan, a sales manager at Starpower, an award-winning audio video retailer, shares that they provide TVs specifically designed for outdoor use. “Outdoor TVs are fully enclosed and weather-resistant; if they get dirty, you can just hose them off. The picture quality remains excellent, even in bright sunlight.” Vaughan notes that customers usually opt for larger sizes, typically 55 inches and above for their outdoor spaces. The newest audio systems create enveloping sound across the yard with discreet speakers that resemble landscape lights and buried subwoofers for deep bass. Best of all, these systems can be managed via smartphone.
“Outdoor TVs are completely encased and weatherproof; if they get dirty, they can be hosed off, and the picture is great, even in direct sunlight.”
– Chris Vaughan, Sales Manager, Starpower
An ideal outdoor area wouldn’t be complete without quality furnishings. Designer Deborah Cowart from Beaver Creek Interiors in Frisco suggests mixing different materials and bringing indoor color schemes outside to ensure continuity and style. She encourages homeowners to choose neutral fabrics for couch and chair cushions while adding vibrant color through pillows and accessories. “Invest in high-quality cushion fabrics to ensure durability,” Cowart advises. “Since many outdoor pieces don’t withstand the intense Texas sun, it’s better to replace less expensive accessories as needed.”
So, are the upgrades worth it?
Absolutely, says O’Blenes. She has an amazing outdoor living space fitted with retractable screens, gas heaters for winter use, and an in-ceiling misting system that lowers the temperature by 20 degrees in the summer, allowing for year-round enjoyment. O’Blenes highlights that outdoor living areas provide exceptional value, with a potential return on investment of about 150% in Texas.
The advantages of an outdoor living space go beyond just financial gain— they also foster neighborhood connections. Stephanie Liebbe, marketing coordinator at Republic Property Group (RPG) in Dallas, shares that at Light Farms, a master-planned community in Celina, residents are building relationships by utilizing shared outdoor spaces. RPG has enhanced Light Farms with an array of amenities like hiking and biking trails, tennis courts, resort-style pools, and ample green spaces. Liebbe notes that builders at Light Farms are responding to buyer requests for homes designed for socializing by integrating outdoor living areas that complement the main house. “Neighbors form a community,” Liebbe explains. “A home is more than just a street address—it’s a place where your neighbors become friends.”
Whether you’re looking for a venue to host gatherings or a tranquil retreat to unwind without leaving home, creating an outdoor living area could be the ideal solution!
Ann O’Blenes, RealtyPerformancePartners.com
972.898.6600 | ann.oblenes@tx.rr.com
Pat Wilson, Edkellum.com
972.503.6000 | Pwilson@star-power.com
Chris Vaughan, Star-power.com
972.503.6000, ext. 1049 | Cvaughan@star-power.com
Stephanie Liebbe, Republic Property Group/Light Farms, lightfarmstx.com
