How Southeast Michigan Homeowners Are Extending Outdoor Living Beyond Summer

For homeowners in Southeast Michigan, summer always seems a little too short.

We wait through winter, get teased by spring, finally uncover the patio furniture—and before we know it, someone is talking about putting everything away again.

Maybe that's one reason we're changing the way we think about our backyards.

The backyard isn't just the backyard anymore. It's becoming another room of the house.

Across Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan, homeowners are creating outdoor spaces designed for much more than occasionally firing up the grill. Comfortable seating, covered patios, outdoor kitchens, fire features, lighting, televisions, landscaping and even heating are turning backyards into genuine living and entertaining spaces.

And I'll admit, this is one home trend I understand personally.

My Covered Patio Changed How I Use My Backyard

I have a covered patio at my own home, and it has become one of my favorite places to spend time.

What makes the biggest difference isn't necessarily the furniture or decorations.

It's the roof.

Having a permanent covered area means a little rain doesn't automatically end the evening. On hot days, there's shade. Furniture and cushions get some protection from the weather. And when Michigan gives us one of those beautiful evenings, there's a comfortable place to sit and enjoy it.

My patio also looks out across the yard toward trees, landscaping and the pond. That's an important part of outdoor living that sometimes gets overlooked.

You aren't just designing the patio.

You're designing what you see from the patio.

Trees, flowers, ornamental grasses, planters, landscape lighting and privacy plantings can completely change how an outdoor space feels.

That's when a backyard starts becoming an environment instead of simply a lawn.

Another way I've extended my own outdoor living is with a firepit area I built near the pond. It creates a completely different gathering space from the covered patio. The patio works as an outdoor living room; the firepit is where you go when the evening cools down and nobody is quite ready to head inside.

Covered Outdoor Spaces Are Changing the Game

If there's one outdoor improvement that can dramatically increase how often a space gets used in Michigan, it's some type of overhead protection.

That might be a permanent covered patio, an attached roof, a pavilion, a pergola or even a well-designed retractable awning.

The idea is simple:

Make the weather less important.

That's particularly valuable here in Michigan.

A covered space can provide shade during July and August, protection from a light rain in spring, and—with the addition of outdoor heaters or a fire feature—a comfortable gathering area well into fall.

Instead of having a three-month outdoor room, you may be able to enjoy it for six months or longer.

Comfortable Is Replacing Formal

Outdoor furniture has changed considerably, too.

We're seeing fewer spaces that consist of a basic patio table and six matching chairs and more that actually resemble indoor living rooms.

Think:

• Deep seating

• Sectional sofas

• Outdoor rugs

• Coffee and side tables

• Throw pillows

• Lamps and decorative lighting

• Planters and accessories

The goal isn't necessarily to make the outdoors look like the indoors.

It's to make it just as comfortable.

And that's a big distinction.

If you create a beautiful patio but nobody wants to sit there for more than twenty minutes, you haven't really created another living space.

Outdoor Kitchens Are Moving Beyond the Grill

The backyard grill isn't disappearing.

It's getting company.

Depending on budget and space, outdoor cooking areas can now include built-in grills, refrigerators, sinks, storage, countertops, pizza ovens, smokers and bar seating.

But you don't need a $50,000 outdoor kitchen to improve the way your backyard functions.

Sometimes the smartest improvement is simply creating a dedicated cooking zone with good counter space, storage and somewhere for people to gather while you're cooking.

Because apparently everyone wants to stand next to the person operating the grill anyway.

You might as well give them somewhere to sit.

Fire Extends the Michigan Outdoor Season

Few backyard additions fit Michigan better than a fire feature.

A traditional fire pit, gas fire table or outdoor fireplace can become the natural gathering point of a backyard.

More importantly, it can extend the season.

Those September and October evenings that might otherwise send everyone inside become some of the best nights to use the backyard.

Add comfortable seating, blankets and good lighting and suddenly 50 degrees doesn't seem nearly as cold as it did before the fire was lit.

Lighting May Be the Most Underrated Upgrade

A great outdoor space shouldn't disappear when the sun goes down.

Landscape lighting can highlight trees and architectural features. Path lighting improves safety. String lights create atmosphere. Lighting under steps and railings can subtly define the space.

And lighting doesn't necessarily require a massive project.

A few carefully placed fixtures can completely change how a backyard feels at night.

The trick is not making your patio look like the parking lot at a car dealership.

You want enough light to create atmosphere and visibility—not daylight at 10:30 at night.

Don't Forget Privacy

As outdoor living becomes more important, privacy becomes more important too.

You don't necessarily need a six-foot wall around the yard.

Landscaping can do a lot of the work.

Evergreens, ornamental grasses, flowering shrubs, small trees, screens and strategically positioned planters can help define an outdoor room while softening views of neighboring properties.

Done correctly, landscaping becomes part of the architecture of the outdoor space.

Bart's Take: Build It Around How You Actually Live

This is where I think homeowners sometimes get caught up in trends.

Before adding an outdoor kitchen, pergola, hot tub or fire feature, ask yourself a simple question:

How would we actually use this space?

If you entertain frequently, a larger seating and dining area might make sense.

If you love cooking, put more of the budget into the outdoor kitchen.

If quiet evenings are your thing, comfortable seating, landscaping and a fire feature may give you far more enjoyment.

And if Michigan weather constantly sends you back inside, covering part of the space might be the best investment of all.

That's certainly been my experience with my own patio.

A great outdoor space doesn't need every feature available.

It needs the right features for the people who live there.

What About Resale?

As a REALTOR®, I always look at improvements from two perspectives:

Will you enjoy it?

And:

Will someone else appreciate it someday?

Outdoor living can absolutely add appeal to a home, particularly when the improvements feel integrated with the property rather than added as an afterthought.

But I wouldn't build an outdoor space strictly because you think you'll recover every dollar when you sell.

Build it because you're going to use it.

If it also makes your home more attractive to a future buyer, that's a pretty nice bonus.

Now I Want Your Opinion

Here's the Michigan Home Trends question for Issue #003:

You can add ONE feature to your backyard tomorrow. What are you choosing?

A. Covered Patio or Pavilion
More shade, more weather protection and potentially a much longer outdoor season.

B. Outdoor Kitchen
Grill, countertops, refrigerator and a place built for entertaining.

C. Fire Feature
Fire pit, fire table or fireplace for those great Michigan fall evenings.

D. Hot Tub
One outdoor feature that definitely doesn't have to close for winter.

Or maybe you've already created your ideal backyard.

What is the one feature you have that you wouldn't want to give up?

I'd love to hear what homeowners around Southeast Michigan are doing with their outdoor spaces.

Your answer might even show up in a future edition of Michigan Home Trends.

About Michigan Home Trends

Michigan Home Trends with Bartley Patterson explores the design ideas, remodeling trends, technology, colors, upgrades and lifestyle changes influencing how we live in our homes throughout Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan.

I'm Bartley Patterson, REALTOR® and Associate Broker with RE/MAX Classic, and after more than 30 years in real estate, I've learned that real estate isn't only about houses.

It's about what we do with them.

And sometimes, one of the best rooms in the house isn't actually inside the house.

Inspired Homes • Local Ideas • Southeast Michigan

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