Outdoor Living Brief
D.C.'s top outdoor design trends: Think rooms, not patios
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
D.C. area home owners are revamping their outdoor spaces to bring the inside out, and vice versa. Photo: Courtesy of The Drawing Board, Kate Wichlinski
Forget a patio grill — even a fancy one. D.C.-area homeowners are seriously upgrading their outdoor living and entertaining game.
Why it matters: Outdoor space comes at a premium here, no matter the size. That's making near year-round enjoyment a priority.
The big picture: "The big shift is that clients want outdoor rooms, not outdoor spaces — meaning defined areas with a purpose, lighting, and materials that hold up," Michael Winn, founder and principal of WINN Design + Build, tells Axios.
- Winn is seeing higher demand for covered outdoor kitchens with real appliances, not just a cheffy Green Egg.
Pro tip: Winn is skeptical of going all-in on outdoor tech. "Massive outdoor TVs and full AV setups date fast," he says. "Invest in the hardscape and structure. Furniture and electronics are easy to upgrade later."
Zoom in: Homeowners want indoor-outdoor spaces that flex across seasons.
- Architect Peter Miles of The Drawing Board points to growing interest in louvered pergolas that control light and airflow, plus retractable screens that keep bugs out in summer but disappear in winter.
- Add heaters, and "you could be outside from March into October," he says.
The intrigue: The old appeal of wide-open patios is giving way to something more intentional.
- Designer Tracy Morris says clients now want "distinct zones" — dining, lounging, cooking and entertaining — that mirror the inside of the home.
- That applies to furniture, too. It's "becoming softer and more sculptural, with curved silhouettes and indoor-level comfort leading the way," says Morris.
The bottom line: "Looking ahead, outdoor spaces will continue to feel more like an extension of the home," says Morris. "Layered, personal, and designed for everyday living, not just special occasions."