82 Percent of Consumers Underutilize Their Outdoor Living Space. Here’s What’s On Their Wish List

2024.06.04

Dad serving lemonade to his daughter outdoors on a brick patio. (Photo from Depositphotos).

After COVID-19 and mandatory quarantines put a larger emphasis on backyard living and patio refreshes, it seems consumers still aren’t fully utilizing their spaces and are once again looking to invest in outdoor decor and redesigns. According to a new report by the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA), only 18 percent of consumers are spending as much time in their outdoor living spaces as they want to, and 94 percent would spend more time relaxing, eating, socializing and entertaining after updating their decks, patios and porches.

The annual 2024 Outdoor Trend Report is an independent study conducted by Wakefield Research that sheds light on how consumers want to improve and use their outdoor living spaces this year. Items most desired by the surveyed consumers include furniture, lighting, accent pieces and umbrellas. New on the scene for 2024 is outdoor art with 23 percent of consumers saying they desire it.

“When we have inviting, comfortable outdoor spaces, it’s only natural that we gravitate to them,” said Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of the American Home Furnishings Alliance and executive director of its outdoor division, ICFA. “There are so many furnishings and accessories – for all budgets and space sizes – to inspire people to step outside and enjoy their surroundings.”

“Ninety-four percent [of surveyed consumers] would spend more time relaxing, eating, socializing and entertaining after updating their decks, patios and porches.”

The 2024 survey found several interesting stats among consumers with outdoor living spaces, including:

• 82 percent of consumers underutilize their outdoor living space, with only 18 percent using it as much as they want to.

• More than two-thirds of households (67%) plan to purchase new outdoor furnishings, with nearly half (44%) planning to purchase multiple pieces of décor.

• 85 percent have at least one item on a wish list.

• More than half (51%) of people with outdoor spaces either have little to no furniture at all (28%) or old furniture they will swap out (23%).

• 68 percent prioritize practicality and durability of outdoor furnishings over style (32%).

• More than 2 in 5 (43%) already have the furniture and furnishings they need; they still need a few cosmetic upgrades and design elements to spruce up their outdoor space.

• Older consumers are more likely to have furniture needing replacement, with more than a quarter of boomers (28%) and 27% of Gen X in that situation, while millennials (37%) and Gen Z (34%), are more likely to have little to nothing to start with.

• For the first time, outdoor art (23%) made it onto the list of planned purchases.

• Lounge chairs and chaises top the wish lists of Americans for their outdoor living space (35%), while 23 percent want accent furniture like garden benches, plant stands, porch swings, hammocks or a bar cart.

It’s also no surprise that people want comfortable (65%), relaxing (64%) outside spaces. The things people would update or upgrade in their outside spaces are furniture (48%), lighting (45%), accent pieces such as benches and swings (38%), shading (38%), cushions/pillows (34%), fire pits/fountain features (34%), rugs/mats (30%), and outdoor art (23%). More specifically, the items on their wish list include lounge chairs or chaise (35%), outdoor lighting (33%), fire pit (33%), umbrella and shade products (26%), dining table and chairs (24%), accent furniture such as garden benches, plant stands, porch swings, hammocks, bar cart (23%), rugs, throw pillows, outdoor art (19%), sofa or sectional (19%), outdoor kitchen (16%), and bar (13%).

The biggest outdoor trends for 2024, according to one retailer, are outdoor kitchens, indoor-outdoor living, eco-conscious designs, modular furniture, and torches and lanterns.