by Christy Heitger-Ewing | photos by 360 Tour Designs
The backyard has had its own little evolution over the past decade. Ten years ago, a homeowner opened their back sliding glass door to step onto a plain wooden deck. The backyard consisted of nothing but a small patio with a couple of metal or wicker chairs. Over time, homeowners began adding other features like a firepit or a covered/ screened porch. Backyard escapes exploded from there.
“Now it seems like every high-end homeowner says, ‘Hey, we want this. We want that,’” says Joe Garcia, owner of G&G Custom Homes.
“This” and “that” includes a wide variety of things, but topping the list is a pool, and they want it whether they live in the middle of the countryside or in a neighborhood with access to a clubhouse.
“Right now, almost every house we build has a pool with a built-in hot tub or hot tub off to the side,” says Garcia. “Years ago, that was never the case.”
Having a pool means a boost to your property value, but many homeowners also appreciate the ambiance that a pool’s features provide. Garcia notes that there are two ways to entertain with a pool—to swim and splash in, of course, but also to use as a beautiful backdrop. When entertaining in the evening, fire features and exterior lighting illuminate the area, making the water sparkle, shimmer, and shine.
“That’s the kind of oasis that people crave,” says Garcia. “I’m meeting with a couple next week to price out a house for them. The husband said he doesn’t swim but that his wife would love a pool because she likes to look out over it when they entertain.”
The ambiance of a back patio extends beyond a pool deck, whether it’s a paver patio, a sunken firepit, or secondary dining area. Garcia’s 2024 Home-A-Rama home featured a firepit that also served as a waterfall.
“There was water flowing into the pool that recirculated it back and forth,” says Garcia. “People like those visual features so that even if they’re not sitting by the fire, it’s aesthetically pleasing to have it on at night and watch the water flow.”
Other amenities people are eager to incorporate into their backyard retreats include covered porches with full-blown kitchens, complete with refrigerators, cooking areas and beer dispensers. They also hang outdoor televisions, pull-down screens and heaters so that the outdoor living space can be used as much as the rest of the property.
“Between the porches and the backyard, homeowners want to create an outdoor space that’s both functional and beautiful,” says Garcia. “Many of them are so extravagant that they make you feel like you’re away at a resort!”
When it comes to designing the perfect backyard oasis, these days the sky is the limit. Putting greens, outdoor saunas, pizza ovens, and cold plunges are just a few options for homeowners to incorporate into their homes.
“It’s not unusual to see a simple home, and then the outdoor area is like, ‘Holy smokes!’” says Garcia. “Some homeowners spend as much on the outdoor areas of their homes as their entire home is worth. That’s how much people love their outdoor oases.”
Tired of daydreaming about building a backyard retreat of your own? Contact G&G Custom Homes to create a plan that can make your dream a reality.
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15530 Shining Spring Drive
Westfield, Indiana 46074
