Westchester Home Buyers Seek Homes That Offer Luxury Outdoor Living

According to Houlihan & O'Malley Real Estate Services, Bronxville's leading boutique real estate agency, homebuyers want homes that “bring the indoors out in high style.” In other words, they want the same luxury outdoors that they're accustomed to having indoors, with all the accompanying comforts and conveniences. This, says Joe Houlihan, managing partner of Houlihan & O’Malley, is a top trend in 2016.

"Westchester home buyers are looking for full outdoor kitchens with a wide range of upscale appliances, LED televisions and high-tech sound systems, fireplaces and fire pits, and ecofriendly composite decking," he says. “Outdoor 'rooms' are huge.”

Besides all the high-end trappings, homebuyers also favor separate areas for dining, lounging, and even napping.

Following is a detailed look at the seven trends in outdoor spaces that are in high demand by homebuyers in 2016:

1. Defined and Decorated Outdoor Spaces. Very popular this year are outdoor areas with a "comfort zone," featuring a hammock or lounge chairs where you can curl up with a good book or chat with a close friend. Another desired option is a pergola that welcomes family and friends to the outside space.

Thanks to advances in all-weather materials, furnishings and accessories, homebuyers are appointing their outdoor living spaces in much the same way that they would any room inside the home. That means outdoor furniture with upholstered cushions as well as interior-inspired accents like decorative area rugs, pillows, and throw blankets.

2. Customized Railings. A major outdoor element that’s been influenced by indoor styling and is now in high demand is customized deck railings. While you can always choose a railing in the same shade as your decking, a hot new trend is to go with a contrasting color – such as black or white. Another way to make your railings unique is with ornamental post caps and decorative balusters similar to those found inside the home.

3. Cooking in Style. With backyard cooking reaching a whole new level, homebuyers want increasingly more functional and elaborate outdoor kitchens that include cooking islands with deluxe grills, pizza ovens, refrigerators, and sinks. "Going one step further, fully-appointed kitchens with features like integrated trash bins, ice chests, and cabinetry add a whole new level of luxury and help to keep an outdoor space organized as well as reduce all those annoying trips back and forth into the house," says Houlihan.

4. Warming Features. One of the hottest trends this summer is the incorporation of warming features into outdoor spaces. From candles and tiki torches to fireplaces and fire pits these features not only add ambiance to an outdoor space, but also enable homeowners to use their decks later into the evening and into the fall.

5. Outdoor Lighting. Houlihan also is seeing a growing demand for innovative outdoor lighting, especially when it’s integrated in new and imaginative ways to accent outdoor features. Spotlights highlighting a feature wall or tread lights incorporated into a bar top are both popular options. "Adding dimmable LED lighting to railings and stairs not only adds atmosphere but also enhances safety and security, plus it extends the time you can spend enjoying your outdoor living space. That's a huge draw for homebuyers," he says.

6. High-tech Decks. Another traditionally indoor convenience that’s quickly making its way outdoors is high-tech automation. Today’s homeowners want to enjoy their time outside while also watching the baseball game or listening their favorite songs on Pandora – in­ surround sound, of course. From lighting and music controlled from a smart phone to motorized rear-projection screens synced to outdoor LED televisions, homeowners want to be able to bring their entire entertainment systems outdoors.

7. Composite Decking. Last but not least, composite decking is also very popular this year. Offering all the beauty and aesthetics of wood, composite decking doesn't require expensive or time-consuming upkeep. Unlike wood, composite decking resists fading, staining, scratching and mold, and it won’t rot, warp, crack or splinter. It doesn't hurt that no sanding, staining or painting is required, and spills wash off easily with just soap and water. Additionally, composite decking is made from mostly from recycled material, making it an appealing, environmentally friendly choice for eco-conscious homebuyers.

About Houlihan & O'Malley

The Residential Sales Group at Houlihan & O'Malley is a boutique agency dedicated to offering clients inspired service, unwavering focus, and a commitment to real estate excellence. At Houlihan & O’Malley, agents who are knowledgeable, involved, and dedicated treat clients to an exceptional level of service. The Residential Sales Group appreciates the needs and time constraints of its clients and constantly strives to embody the company’s motto of "Excellence on Your Side."

There are currently nine agents working in the Residential Real Estate Sales Group. Together they represent the best combination of dedicated service and real estate skill. Individually, the agents have received numerous awards from the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors (HGAR) for outstanding sales, which, when combined, total over $300 million. All Houlihan & O’Malley salespersons are members HGAR, the New York State Association of Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors. Managing Partner Joe Houlihan is proud to have been a member of the Board of Directors of the Hudson Gateway Multiple Listing Service.