Backyard sanctuaries top outdoor trends for 2025

Miami Herald

28-05-2025

Americans are striving for harmony at home more than ever - transforming the backyard into a sanctuary has been named the biggest outdoor trend for 2025.
A survey of 2,000 homeowners explored their home aspirations and goals for 2025 and found the most popular exterior home trends people are looking to implement this year are creating backyard sanctuaries (41%), adding fire pits and outdoor heating elements (38%) and making their spaces more private (37%).
The results also showed a real sentiment for making the most of our outdoor spaces and increasing time in the fresh air - two-thirds (67%) plan on spending more time outdoors than in previous years.
In fact, homeowners are estimating spending 11.7 hours per week outside at their homes this year compared to 9.6 hours per week spent outside last year - that's an increase of 22%.
Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Trex Company, the survey also found that four in 10 homeowners have concrete plans for renovating the outside of their home this year.
This is a project many say is worthwhile, since 40% of homeowners reported spending at least 30 minutes in their outdoor spaces every day.
Topping the list of projects participants are most interested in completing this year were landscaping (34%), building a new patio or deck (25%) and upgrading their outdoor lighting options (25%).
When asked how far away they estimate their backyard is from being their dream space, the average response was 45%.
Only 10% said they wouldn't change a thing about their outdoor space.
"Homeowners are reimagining their outdoor spaces not just as extensions of their homes, but as essential retreats for relaxation, connection and comfort," said Jodi Lee, senior vice president of marketing for Trex Company. "From fire pits to privacy features, it's clear that 2025 is all about creating personalized, livable areas that reflect individual style and support year-round outdoor living."
Another motivator for homeowners to invest in their home's exterior? The impact it would have on their home's value.
Eighty-seven percent think upgrading their front and backyards will increase their property's resale value.
The survey also found how much homeowners anticipate their dream exteriors will cost, citing an average of $13,321.
How they'd like to go about these plans is a mix. Thirty-three percent would prefer to do it themselves, while 28% said they prefer to hire a professional.
Thirty-four percent would likely do a combination of both.
What's most important to homeowners is sustainability. Sixty-eight percent of respondents said they are making sure their renovations are made of eco-friendly materials and feature energy-efficient designs.
"We're seeing more people wanting to carve out spaces where they can slow down, unwind and enjoy being outside," added Lee. "As daily life gets busier and more digitally connected, the backyard has become one of the few places people can disconnect, find a bit of quiet and spend time with family and friends on their own terms. That's what's really driving these changes - it's not just about adding features but creating a space that feels personal and restorative."
Survey methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 American home owners; the survey was commissioned by Trex and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between April 18 - April 28, 2025.
We are sourcing from a non-probability frame and the two main sources we use are:
Traditional online access panels - where respondents opt-in to take part in online market research for an incentiveProgrammatic - where respondents are online and are given the option to take part in a survey to receive a virtual incentive usually related to the online activity they are engaging in
Those who did not fit the specified sample were terminated from the survey. As the survey is fielded, dynamic online sampling is used, adjusting targeting to achieve the quotas specified as part of the sampling plan.
Regardless of which sources a respondent came from, they were directed to an Online Survey, where the survey was conducted in English; a link to the questionnaire can be shared upon request. Respondents were awarded points for completing the survey. These points have a small cash-equivalent monetary value.
Cells are only reported on for analysis if they have a minimum of 80 respondents, and statistical significance is calculated at the 95% level. Data is not weighted, but quotas and other parameters are put in place to reach the desired sample.
Interviews are excluded from the final analysis if they failed quality-checking measures. This includes:
Speeders: Respondents who complete the survey in a time that is quicker than one-third of the median length of interview are disqualified as speedersOpen ends: All verbatim responses (full open-ended questions as well as other please specify options) are checked for inappropriate or irrelevant textBots: Captcha is enabled on surveys, which allows the research team to identify and disqualify botsDuplicates: Survey software has "deduping" based on digital fingerprinting, which ensures nobody is allowed to take the survey more than once
It is worth noting that this survey was only available to individuals with internet access, and the results may not be generalizable to those without internet access.
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