Outdoor home features are projected to increase in popularity this year and hot trends include outdoor kitchens, fire pits, entertainment spaces, pools and dining areas. Direct From the Designers offers consumers and builders innovative and best-selling house plans direct from the designers themselves.

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Data collected by several different professional organizations in the landscaping industry shows demand for unique outdoor home features is increasing. In a survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects, industry professionals were asked to rank the projected popularity of several outdoor features. The top trends for this year include:

• Outdoor kitchens or entertainment spaces are fast becoming a must have home feature for their convenience and versatility. Specific features such as sinks, refrigerators, gas grills and fire pits are up-and-coming trends.

• Demand for outdoor dining spaces is increasing, as is the focus on particular features such as all-weather furniture or installed seating.

• Water features such as built-in pools or decorative waterfalls are projected to increase in popularity, especially in hot parts of the country.

Another survey of more than 2,200 homeowners was conducted by the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) and predicted increased spending on patios, unique water features and outdoor kitchens this year. PLANET CEO, Sabeena Hickman (CAE,CMP), commented that consumers are investing in features "that ultimately improve the resale value of the home."

This is something that Tammy Crosby Chief Operating Officer of online stock house phone provider Direct From the Designers, agrees with. She says "We see that outdoor living features are currently very popular with both builders and buyers. They see these features as an enjoyable, cost-effective way to extend total living space and improve the home's resale value. Because adding under-air square footage to a home can be an expensive endeavor, outdoor spaces such as living rooms, patios and kitchens can be a great alternative for homes of all sizes."

Direct From the Designers specializes in award-winning house plans from the country's top architects and designers and offers prospective homebuyers a huge selection of unique outdoor spaces. Plans are available for homes of all sizes, and buyers are discovering that the designs are a great way to add to the homes comfort, space and value. Buyers can browse an extensive collection of house plans on Direct From the Designers website, including more than 1,000 options with outdoor living spaces.

Crosby went on to say "We expect this trend to continue which is why we're constantly adding interesting, affordable house plans with beautiful and unique outdoor spaces."