According to the Census Bureau, only 23 percent of new home constructions feature a deck. The majority of homes in the U.S., 56 percent, have a patio.

Belgard, which offers a collection of paver and wall products for outdoor living spaces, forecasts a continuation of this trend. As such, the company shared the following tips, inspired by various Belgard products, from the company’s Idea Book and Belgard Design Studio:

• Home is where the hearth is: Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits combine the traditions of gatherings around the living room fireplace and roasting marshmallows at an annual family vacation. To meet these modern living needs, Belgard continues to expand and develop the Belgard Elements collection and recently released a new Midnight trim option for the Bordeaux Series fireplace and matching kitchen pieces.

• Mimicking the indoor environment: Indoor living designs manifest in outdoor counterparts by bringing lighting fixtures, decorative accessories and larger tiles with natural textures to the backyard. This year will see an increase in the use of larger format pavers with natural textures and design elements, such as the natural flagstone look of Mega-Arbel, the cut flagstone look of Mega-Lafitt and the cut slate look of Lafitt Rustic Slab, all of which offer multi-piece, large-format design options.

• Rise of the outdoor chef: With professional-rated appliances, multiple cooking surfaces, ample counter prep space and bar seating, outdoor kitchens now rival the scope and scale of indoor spaces. Homeowners are increasingly seeking brick ovens (such as the Belgard Brick Oven) to complete their backyard this spring, as the fixtures can be used not only for cooking pizza, but as a full-use outdoor oven as well.

• Turns out it is easy being “green”: Permeable pavers have flooded over from the commercial market into residential areas. Textured permeable pavers, such as Belgard’s Subterra Stone and Eco Dublin, offer the natural look that homeowners desire, while reducing flooding and improving local waterways through the absorption and filtration of stormwater through the paver joints.

Photo: Belgard