Page 80 - Lighting Magazine January 2020

NOW& NEXT with Nicole Davis
OutdOOr Living
Making a home’s outdoor space just as livable and inviting as the interior is a trend that seems here to stay. Propelled by evolving lifestyles, where a staycation is now exciting, and entertaining and relaxing at home is more popular than ever, trans- forming a backyard or deck from bare bones to welcoming oasis is just what the owner ordered.
According to the HDTS, an emphasis on outdoor improvements and outdoor living space continues to increase. Blended indoor/outdoor spaces – like kitchens that open up to the outdoors – saw the largest increase in popularity, with 57 percent of firms indicating an increase of emphasis in 2019 versus 52 percent in 2018. Outdoor rooms and covered spaces also saw an increase, with 68 percent indicating more interest in 2019 versus 67 percent in 2018. Interest in exterior/security lighting and outbuildings such as sheds and pool houses has also increased overall, but at a slower rate than the previous year.
For lighting showrooms, promoting landscape lighting options and capabilities, as well as carrying a variety of the increasing number of decorative outdoor pendants and chandeliers available today means they can get in on this trend. Bring in ac- cessories such as outdoor pillows, rugs or even accent tables for additional opportunities.
EMPHASIS ON OUTDOOR IMPROVEMENTS AND OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES CONTINUE TO INCREASE
Percentage of firms reporting “increasing” minus percentage “decreasing.” Data from Q1 2019 compared to data from Q1 2018
■ 2018 ■ 2019 SOURCE: HDTS 2019
Outdoor living space; covered outdoor space; outdoor “rooms”
67%
68%
Blended indoor/ outdoor spaces
30%
33%
21%
18%
52%
57%
76 enLIGHTenment Magazine | january 2020
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Exterior/security lighting
Outbuildings (e.g, barns, sheds, pool houses)