A few years ago,
outdoor kitchens were considered a hot amenity, but they began to fall out of favor. In fact, in a December 2015 survey by the National Home Builders Association, builders indicated that outdoor kitchens would be one of the least likely features to be added to new single-family homes in 2016. But now, architects say homeowners and prospective buyers are showing resurgent demand for outdoor cooking spaces, according to the American Institute of Architects' most recent
Home Design Trends Survey.
"Homeowners continue to find ways to add value to their homes by creating more functional space, which is apparent in the rise in popularity of outdoor kitchens," says Kermit Baker, chief economist of the AIA. "Kitchens have become a hub for the home. Now homeowners want to bring some of that activity to their outside space."
Many buyers will even
pay a premium for outdoor kitchens, according to a realtor.com® survey last year. Researchers found that buyers were willing to pay up to 26 percent more for a home with an outdoor kitchen compared to a similar home without one in the same ZIP code. The study revealed Naples, Fla., to be the most popular metro for outdoor kitchens.
When it comes to indoor kitchens, homeowners continue to eye certain upgrades, with the most desired being a charging station or computer area, a double island, high-end appliances, and sensory faucets, according to the AIA survey.
Source: “Outdoor Kitchens: Still on the Way Out?” RISMedia (April 15, 2017) and “Are Outdoor Kitchens on the Outs?” RISMedia (March 17, 2016)
