The One Home Feature That Zillow Says Is A Must-Have For 2023

Since the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, people have been spending more time at home, and it appears this trend may be here to stay. According to SWNS Digital, around 65% of people are staying home more than they were at the beginning of 2020. Of that group, about 36% are improving their outdoor green spaces to better suit their lifestyles, so it comes as no surprise that Zillow is now touting backyards as the must-have home feature for 2023.

What once simply seemed like a buffer zone between you and your neighbor is now being considered an extension of the home itself. Zillow's home trends expert, Amanda Pendleton, states, "The rising popularity of outdoor features suggests the pandemic has changed the way we want to live for good, priming the backyard for a 2023 evolution." With this increased demand for homes with backyards, what are people doing with these outdoor spaces to make them more than just a lawn? Here are a few trends that are improving the functionality of the previously humble backyard.

Forget chef's kitchens and indoor fireplaces, homebuyers looking for houses with backyards want to enjoy the fresh air while cooking, dining, and relaxing. Adding an outdoor eatery to your home gets everyone away from screens for more quality family time, and while installation of an outdoor kitchen can be a little pricey, Rainforest LA reports that you may get up to a 200% return on your investment when it comes time to sell. In the meantime, you get to enjoy all that time cooking in the great outdoors.

When you're ready to relax, a covered patio offers a spot to put up your feet to read, reflect, and maybe even take a cat nap. For homeowners with large backyards, a dedicated fire pit area is a perfect oasis to spend summer nights with friends and family roasting hot dogs and making s'mores. There are so many ways to enjoy outdoor rooms that you can easily personalize this space to meet your family's needs and wants.

Backyard gardens are another trend that has increased in the last few years. Not only do gardens make your landscape much prettier than a boring lawn ever could, working in the garden offers many health benefits, says AARP. Tending a backyard garden can get you some exercise and improve your overall strength and flexibility. Similarly, just 30 minutes of daily gardening can reduce your stress levels significantly.

Of course, the kind of garden you grow is entirely up to you. Edible gardens are always popular — you simply cannot beat the flavor of a homegrown tomato. If growing peppers and cucumbers is not your thing, flower gardens provide beauty as well as nectar for pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. With some work and creativity, you can turn a plain lawn into a haven for Mother Nature, yourself, and your neighbors as they pass by. Homebuyers looking for that must-have backyard will certainly be pleased with the many options available to create a space that is truly an extension of their home in which they can spend time away from the busy world, at least for a little while.