Homeowners living large less outdoors

Next car likely to be used

An uncertain economy means many homeowners will hold off on some of those outdoor whistles and bells in favor of more practical and sustainable, time and money-saving features.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2010 DeadlineNews.Com



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Deadline Newsroom - Spring has sprung and while snow still lingers on lawns, patios and backyards, thoughts are turning to the great outdoors -- around the home.

However, those thoughts of leaving in-house hibernation behind are edged with economic concerns as homeowners take a less lavish look at how to move indoor living outside.

Buzzwords are "low" and "less" as low-maintenance landscaping, low-frill entertaining, even less technology are common in outside home improvement plans homeowners will undertake this year, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).

"Homeowners want to create a sense of place for their family, friends, and neighbors to enjoy outside, but an uncertain economy means many will dial back some of the extra features we've seen in past years," said Nancy Somerville, executive vice percent and CEO of ASLA.

From Jan. 25 to Feb. 12, when the ASLA surveyed 182 residential landscape architects about the popularity of various design elements for 2010 they found homeowners were avoiding more expensive, elaborate items in favor of more essential ones.

Given most outdoor living spaces are an extension of the kitchen, ASLA, not surprisingly, found the most popular kitchen features was an outdoor grill (94.4 percent) and counter space (73.5 percent).

More elaborate outdoor refrigerators (52.8 percent) and sinks (50 percent) were much less popular.

For entertainment purposes, instead of stereo systems (57.2 percent), wireless/Internet connectivity (44.1 percent), outdoor heaters (43.9 percent) and TVs (35.5 percent), there was much greater interest in more utilitarian seating/dining areas (95.6 percent), installed seating like benches and seat walls (90.6 percent) or weatherized outdoor furniture (77.1 percent). However, the fire pit/fireplace (94 percent) remained popular.

This year homeowners are also looking to go 'green' outside to save time and money on upkeep.

Popular landscaping elements include low-maintenance landscapes (94 percent); drip/water-efficient irrigation (85.2 percent); native/adapted drought tolerant plants (85.2 percent); and less sprawling lawn (73.9 percent).

Other popular features include fountains/water features (87.8 percent) and, taking a cue from the First Lady, Michelle Obama, food/vegetable gardens (78.5 percent).

Among the more expensive outdoor architectural features that remain popular were spas (hot tub, Jacuzzi, whirlpool, indoor/outdoor sauna; 79.1 percent); decks (83 percent), porches (76.4 percent) and swimming pools (72.4 percent).

Among the least popular items were sleeping spaces (5.6 percent); geothermal-heated pools (28.2 percent); outdoor cooling systems (36.5 percent); outdoor heaters (43.8 percent); solar-powered lights (49.4 percent); and sports/recreational spaces (tennis courts, bocce ball, etc.; 47 percent).

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© 2010 DeadlineNews.Com

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No Place Like Home For Saving Money

Living the simple life at home can help you realize the savings you need when times get tough.

by Broderick Perkins
© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

Deadline Newsroom - Whenever the prospect of economic recession looms, conversation is often peppered with words like "belt tightening" "frugal" "thrifty" and "economical" as we scramble to change our spendthrift ways.

However, what we often overlook in our haste not to make waste, is that there's no place like home to save a bundle.

Just ask architect Sarah Nettleton and landscape historian Frank Morton.

They wrote the book on the subject.

Well, not specifically about saving, but it does engage other means to that end.

"The Simple Home: The Luxury of Enough" (Taunton Press/American Institute of Architects, $40) delves into the realm of simplicity, the idea that having "enough" is often much more than we really need.

Human-scaled, low-maintenance, green, unadorned homes with straightforward floor plans and natural lighting can be a better deal than starter castles cluttered with stuff we don't use.

The key is, when we inspect our lives at home, we can often find areas where the simple life is a better, less expensive life.

It doesn't matter where we live, what kind of home we have or how much it cost. If we make it simple, the savings will come.

How so? Nettleton explains:

Enough already. A simple home offers the luxury of space in a world of clutter. When you identify your true tastes, throw out notions of what you think you should have, avoid excess clutter and maintain only the essentials, simplicity begins to set in. Sure, you need a place to eat, but does it really have to be a separate dining room?

Flexible use. Rooms can serve multiple purposes and help you get more out of what you already have. A breakfast nook can be a play area until a child ages. A kitchen can double as an art studio. Make a small screen porch more functional by installing a custom-sized table rather than going to the equity till again to enlarge the porch.

Thrift-minded simplicity. Fresh tomatoes from the garden taste better than greenhouse food. They'll also get you outdoors. Make a list of simple pleasures that delight but do not require expenditures for more stuff.

Timelessness. Avoid the attraction to "new" for "new's sake." Select a starting point for the feel of your home, edit your wish list down to one favorite image from a book or magazine. Trust your instincts. Your own style is authentic and timeless.

Sustain. Gizmos don't create sustainability. You do. Find the balance between what you can afford and what you really need. A comfy window seat tucked into a window nook in a just-right size room can be as comfortable as a large custom leather sofa in an imposing large room.

Resolve complexity. We all talk about disliking complexity in our lives, but can we walk the talk? Examine aspects of your home that prove troubling. Identify the real value of change. Is bigger really better? That new home's kitchen is darkened by the attached garage. Is saving a few steps with the groceries really worth missing the morning sun in your kitchen?

© 2008 DeadlineNews.Com

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Broderick Perkins, an award-winning consumer journalist of 30 years, is publisher and executive editor of San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews.Com, a real estate news and consulting service, and the new Deadline Newsroom, DeadlineNews.Com's new backshop. In both cases, it's where all the news really hits home.

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