Many of you experienced an uncomfortable burning sensation in your eyes on Sunday. Especially if you were outside with your chin slightly elevated toward the sky. It wasn’t the smoke from the Canadian wildfires; it wasn’t the excessive use of DEET in your black fly deterrent. It was the sun (yes, we still have one under contract). Within hours of the eye burn began what shall for now on be referred to as “The Great Mowing.”
Lounge in the yard, swim in the lake, or have your Bao bun sandwich ripped from your hands by seagulls at the seaside, outdoor season in Maine means different things to different people but here are some stats from Fixr.com’s “Outdoor Living Trends 2025”.
Fixr.com sent a survey to 52 top experts in the home construction industry, including architects, home builders, home remodelers, and landscaping specialists from across the U.S.
Yours truly was one of the 52 contributors to the survey, and the only contributor from the Pine Tree State. I’m a bit at odds with the expert moniker feeling the only thing I’m expert at is finishing my Bao bun Sammie.
Each of the professionals who responded has a wealth of experience and currently works in the industry. The contributors to this report were selected due to their extensive expertise, as well as their success in the industry and reputable designs. Their responses are based on their first-hand experience with homeowners, therefore representing a clear picture of current trends in 2025.
Homeowners are more willing to invest in outdoor spaces in 2025 than in 2024, say 56 percent of experts. More and more homeowners are turning to creating functional outdoor spaces for living and entertaining 98 percent of experts agree that an updated outdoor space has a big impact on home value. Real estate experts report that investing in upgrading outdoor features can provide a return on investment (ROI) of 50 percent or more, depending on the project.
Indoor-outdoor coherent design is the biggest outdoor living trend this year, according to 56 percent of pros. Unified design is dominating outdoor living trends.
Pocket sliding doors for indoor-outdoor living are the newest emerging trend, say 46 percent. The experts polled agree that pocket sliding doors leading to the outside help create a more coherent indoor-outdoor space.
Earthy tones take center stage, with 56 percent of respondents naming them the most popular color for outdoor spaces.
Nearly 40 percent of experts say that outdoor kitchens have been a key part of exterior design for years and aren’t going out of style anytime soon. You can keep your space simple by building some permanent shelving and countertops around your grill, or you can go all out and install a full suite of outdoor appliances and plumbing fixtures to bring the entire kitchen outside, but the pizza oven stands out as the most desired outdoor kitchen feature, with 50 percent of experts selecting it as their top choice.
What screams luxury and outdoor living like a full-scale living room in your yard? Answer: nothing. Just under 25 percent of professionals agree that full outdoor living rooms are an upcoming trend in 2025. We’re talking comfortable sofas, throw pillows, an outdoor TV or projector, and even artwork to bring the design together.
Composite decking is the top patio flooring pick for 2025, favored by 46 percent of experts.
Swimming pools lead outdoor entertainment, with 40 percent of experts naming them the most desirable amenity.
Experts agree that drought-tolerant, water-wise planting leads landscaping trends in 2025, with 62 percent marking it as the top trend.
A third of exterior design experts can, and they agree that fire pits are sought-after additions to backyard oases. Consider a smaller fire feature, like a portable propane fire table, to bring the luxury without the commitment.
Water features in landscaping are nothing new, but 17 percent of experts are recognizing a new trend: minimalist fountains and small, natural-looking streams. Your wallet will thank you for not investing in a giant koi pond, and so will the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife because that is super illegal in Maine. You’ll still get the tranquility that only trickling water sounds can provide and avoid getting a ride in those cool green state trucks.
Warren O'Shea is the owner of O’Shea Builders LLC, Maine’s most award-winning remodeling contractor. He has 35-plus years of residential remodeling experience. He is a certified home inspector and has been featured on HGTV, Food Network, and Maine Cabin Masters. He is a recipient of the Portland Police Department’s “Citizen Award,” and is a staunch consumer advocate. Warren has, and continues to, co-author articles for nationally distributed trade magazines. <
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