Chicagoans shell out for backyard fire pits, other upgrades

The best hangout of the season might be a Chicago backyard as more homeowners are upgrading their outdoor spaces.

• Don’t worry if it’s windy or rainy: A new fire pit and an extended roof will have you covered — two popular big-ticket items this spring, according to Becca LaBarre with EverGreen Landscape.

What's happening: Furthering a trend that took off amid the pandemic, more clients want to boost the usability of their yards, LaBarre, a landscape designer, tells Axios.

• Clients across the country are increasingly seeking outdoor kitchens, fire features and patios to transform their backyards into lush retreats, Britt Wood, chief executive of the National Association of Landscape Professionals, tells Axios.

What's out: Pergolas, the custom structures that were once on-trend, are losing popularity because they can let in rainwater, LaBarre says.

• Front yard spending. Open-air living out back is where it’s at, LaBarre says.
• "The front yard is good for curb appeal and resale value on their home," LaBarre says. "But not a lot of people are spending a ton of time out in the front yard."

The breadth of outdoor remodeling work has also grown. Now people want more from their landscape contractor, Wood says.

• Almost 80% of landscape pros found project scopes increased in size from pre-pandemic, per a new report from the the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the National Association of Realtors.
• How they did it: The landscape industry group surveyed member companies, looking at project costs collected for the average size house.

What's next: Backyards built for video streaming. LaBarre says some clients have requested a backdrop specific for mounting a television, signaling growing excitement around souped-up outdoor entertainment spaces.