Outdoor Rooms 101: How to Create Pockets of Alfresco Enjoyment

Explore what is driving the trend to turn open yards into distinct destinations, and how to create open-air spaces for year-round use

Valerie Dennis Craven

May 27, 2026

Houzz has called outdoor rooms a top trend, as homeowners look give their outdoor spaces more defined purposes, like in this landscape design by Yardscapes Inc. — Houzz has called outdoor rooms a top trend, as homeowners look to give their outdoor spaces more defined purposes, like in this landscape design by Yardscapes Inc.

Outdoor rooms—a collection of zones with defined purposes—are trending, according to Houzz. This season, think of your open yard as a blank slate that can be reimagined into distinct destinations.

In Minnesota, that could include lakeside seating or pools for the summer, and features like spas, saunas, fireplaces, and coverings for yearlong use, says David Kopfmann, president and owner of Yardscapes Inc., a Twin Cities landscape design and installation company.

Recent requests for bespoke, intentional outdoor spaces is on the rise for several interconnected reasons, Kopfmann explains.

Staying in place longer: The rising cost of homes and limited availability of land has caused people to stay in place and invest in their current space.
Post-pandemic amenities: People have grown closer to their homes after spending so much time in them, a post-pandemic influence.
Social influence: Social media has made it easy to discover new landscaping trends and designs.
Health and wellness needs: People are using their outdoor spaces for their fitness routines, from activity to post-workout recovery.

Kopfmann asks several important questions when helping clients define their outdoor spaces. “The first thing is to understand the experience a homeowner wants to create with a space,” Kopfmann says. “How will it be used? Who will be using it? How many people do we need to accommodate at a time?”

When designing outdoor rooms for his clients, Kopfmann creates distinct sections within a yard that can serve as “focus areas.” The most popular requests from his clients revolve around hosting and entertaining: pools, spas, sauna and cold plunge pools, fire features, outdoor kitchens, and pizza ovens.

View of pool, flanked by fire features, designed by Yardscapes Inc.

To make the most of these spaces in Minnesota’s varied climate, Kopfmann recommends coverings that extend usability between seasons, such as heated pergolas or screen porches.

Kopfmann also recommends tying together different yard zones through unifying elements such as plants, surfaces, and lighting.

No matter what areas or elements he creates for a yard, Kopfmann’s main source of inspiration is the house: “I look at the architecture of the home to get inspiration,” he says. “It’s the main anchor of the area—the landscape should frame the house.”

Read this next: 5 Pools Prime for Summertime