of surveyed homeowners said deteriorated or broken outdoor elements prompted their project.
Homeowners often begin with a practical problem, then use the project to make the space work better for everyday life.
Outdoor Living Statistics: 2026
Ten sourced facts about how U.S. homeowners are renovating outdoor spaces for comfort, seating, lighting, and everyday use.
Last updated September 16, 2026. All figures below come from a 2026 survey of 1,191 U.S. Houzz homeowners with recent or planned outdoor and exterior renovation projects.were motivated to make their outdoor space more accommodating, up 3 percentage points from 2024.
Comfort is becoming a more common reason to improve an outdoor space.
said improving resale value was a motivation for their outdoor renovation.
Most surveyed homeowners were not renovating primarily for resale.
of renovated outdoor spaces included a lounge or seating area.
A place to sit is the central feature of most outdoor living projects in the study.
of renovated outdoor spaces had a sofa or lounge chairs.
Comfortable furniture is a major part of how homeowners make the backyard usable.
of renovated lounge areas included outdoor lighting.
Lighting helps homeowners use relaxation spaces after sunset.
of renovated lounge areas had a coffee table or side table.
The smaller supporting pieces matter when a seating area is meant for real use.
of surveyed homeowners hired at least one professional for an outdoor renovation, up from 65% in 2024.
More involved outdoor projects are increasingly being planned with professional help.
hired a landscape contractor, the most frequently hired professional type in the survey.
Landscape contractors were the leading professional choice among surveyed renovators.
hired a stone, paver, or concrete specialist for their outdoor project.
Hardscape work remains an important part of many outdoor renovations.
What the figures cover
A reference for planning outdoor spaces around the way people actually use them.
These numbers describe surveyed homeowners who recently completed or planned an outdoor or exterior renovation. They are useful for understanding the priorities showing up in active projects, not as a census of every U.S. household.
The strongest theme is practical comfort. Seating, lighting, hardscape, and professional support are showing up together as homeowners turn patios, yards, and outdoor kitchens into spaces they can use more often.
Methodology and source
How this page is kept accurate.
Urban Man Caves selected only figures published in the 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study, released on June 2, 2026. Houzz reports that the study surveyed 1,191 U.S. homeowners on its platform about recent or planned outdoor and exterior renovation projects.
Figures will be reviewed when the next comparable study is released. Each statistic keeps its own anchor so writers and readers can reference a specific fact.
Suggested citation
Urban Man Caves. “Outdoor Living Statistics: 2026.” Accessed September 16, 2026. https://urbanmancaves.com/outdoor-living-statistics