72%
made outdoor feature upgrades
Outdoor features were the most common kind of outdoor renovation among surveyed homeowners.
Features include elements such as plants, patios, fences, fire features, and water features.
Research reference
Outdoor Living Statistics for 2026
Current U.S. figures on the outdoor spaces homeowners are building, improving, and using to spend more time outside.
Last updated August 19, 2026
At a glance
What homeowners are adding outdoors.
Outdoor projects are increasingly built around comfort, shade, gathering, and longer days outside. The figures below are drawn from a recent national survey of homeowners who were planning, completing, or had recently completed an outdoor renovation.
Each statistic has a permanent link, its source, and the context needed to quote it accurately.
56%
took on a structural project
More than half of surveyed outdoor renovators worked on a structure.
Structural projects include decks, shade structures, built-in outdoor kitchens, screened porches, and built-in bars.
35%
added a shade structure
The share adding shade structures rose 15 percentage points from 2024.
Shade structures can include pergolas and other covered or shaded outdoor elements.
43%
upgraded a deck
Decks remained the most common structural outdoor upgrade in the study.
This figure is among surveyed homeowners renovating outdoor structures.
8%
added a built-in bar
Built-in bars rose 2 percentage points from 2024.
This figure is among surveyed homeowners renovating outdoor structures.
77%
chose lighting upgrades
Lighting was the leading outdoor system upgrade in the study.
Among lighting projects, landscape lighting was the most common choice.
83%
included a lounge area
Lounge areas were the most common dedicated use area in redesigned outdoor spaces.
The study found sofas or lounge chairs in 71% of those lounge areas.
55%
included a dining area
More than half of redesigned outdoor spaces included a dedicated dining area.
Of those dining areas, 90% included a dining table or seating.
71%
hired a professional
Professional hiring rose from 65% in 2024 to 71% in 2026.
Landscape contractors were the most commonly hired professional type, at 26%.
Methodology and source
How to read these figures.
All statistics on this page come from the 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study, published June 2, 2026. The online survey was fielded to 1,191 U.S. Houzz users from April 25 through May 6, 2026. Participants were in the midst of, planning, or had recently completed an outdoor renovation.
Percentages describe that survey group, not every U.S. homeowner. Ultimate Backyard Bars selected figures that are directly useful for understanding outdoor gathering spaces, including shade, structures, lighting, dining, lounge areas, and professional help.
Cite this page
Use this reference in your own work.
Ultimate Backyard Bars. “Outdoor Living Statistics for 2026.” Updated August 19, 2026. https://ultimatebackyardbars.com/outdoor-living-statistics
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