The outdoor living industry is booming—and for good reason. Homeowners are no longer settling for underused yards or builder-grade basics. Instead, they’re investing in custom outdoor spaces that bring beauty, function, and real value to their homes. From segmental retaining walls to paver patios and fire features, here are the top trends we’re seeing in outdoor living—and why they’re so popular.
- Segmental Retaining Walls: Create Usable Square Footage
- In places like Wake County, it’s common for new construction homes to come with sloped backyards—often leaving homeowners with large portions of land that are essentially unusable. This is where segmental retaining walls, like those built with Allen Block AB Classic, make a huge difference. These engineered walls allow us to level steep grades, creating functional flat areas for patios, play spaces, gardens, and more. Beyond increasing usable square footage, retaining walls also:
- Prevent erosion
- Add visual interest and structure
- Boost property value
- Create tiered landscapes with design flexibility
- This kind of transformation turns a once-wasted hillside into a beautiful, livable extension of your home.
- In places like Wake County, it’s common for new construction homes to come with sloped backyards—often leaving homeowners with large portions of land that are essentially unusable. This is where segmental retaining walls, like those built with Allen Block AB Classic, make a huge difference. These engineered walls allow us to level steep grades, creating functional flat areas for patios, play spaces, gardens, and more. Beyond increasing usable square footage, retaining walls also:
- Paver Patios: A Major Upgrade from Builder Concrete
- Concrete slabs may be standard with new homes, but they offer little in terms of aesthetics, durability, or value. Homeowners are increasingly upgrading to Techo-Bloc paver patios—and for good reason. Pavers are not only more attractive and customizable, but they also offer:
- Better durability and repairability
- A wide range of styles, colors, and textures
- Increased home value and curb appeal
- Concrete slabs may be standard with new homes, but they offer little in terms of aesthetics, durability, or value. Homeowners are increasingly upgrading to Techo-Bloc paver patios—and for good reason. Pavers are not only more attractive and customizable, but they also offer:
- Outdoor Kitchens & Dining Spaces
- As outdoor entertaining continues to grow in popularity, outdoor kitchens have become a must-have for many homeowners. We’re seeing increasing demand for:
- Built-in grills and prep counters
- Outdoor bars and refrigerators
- Wood-fired pizza ovens
- Dedicated dining area
- These features elevate your backyard into a true gathering space—perfect for family meals, parties, and weekend relaxation.
- As outdoor entertaining continues to grow in popularity, outdoor kitchens have become a must-have for many homeowners. We’re seeing increasing demand for:
- Fire Features: Fireplaces & Firepits
- Few features bring people together like a fire. Whether it’s a custom stone fireplace or a gas-burning firepit, homeowners are building fire features into their patios to extend outdoor use into cooler months and create year-round ambiance.
- Fire features add warmth, light, and a visual centerpiece—making them one of the most requested upgrades.
- Covered Patios, Pergolas & Shade Structures
- With more time spent outside, shade and weather protection have become essential. Pergolas, shade sails, and custom roof structures allow homeowners to enjoy their outdoor space without being at the mercy of the sun or rain. These structures also frame the space, giving it the feel of a true “outdoor room.”
- Smart & Sustainable Upgrades
- From LED landscape lighting to drip irrigation and smart sound systems, technology is helping homeowners personalize and enhance their outdoor experience. Meanwhile, sustainability trends continue to shape design choices, including:
- Native and drought-resistant plants
- Permeable pavers
- Eco-conscious drainage and grading techniques
- From LED landscape lighting to drip irrigation and smart sound systems, technology is helping homeowners personalize and enhance their outdoor experience. Meanwhile, sustainability trends continue to shape design choices, including:
Why the Surge in Outdoor Projects?
From LED landscape lighting to drip irrigation and smart sound systems, technology is helping homeowners personalize and enhance their outdoor experience. Meanwhile, sustainability trends continue to shape design choices, including:
- More time at home – Families are investing in their spaces post-pandemic.
- Higher ROI – Outdoor living features continue to rank high in resale value.
- Wellness & lifestyle – Fresh air, comfort, and connection all improve quality of life.
- Functionality – Sloped lots and blank yards can be completely reimagined with the right planning and execution
At Genesis, we specialize in outdoor transformations that add lasting value to your home. Whether you need a retaining wall to unlock your yard’s potential or a patio that brings your entertaining dreams to life, we bring expertise, quality, and transparency to every project.
Let’s build something beautiful, functional, and enduring—together.