Looking out of your back door, do you see grass to mow, or do you see a second family room, an outdoor kitchen, and a starlit movie theater waiting to be built?
If so, there’s something brewing you should know. A quiet revolution is taking place in the vast Kansas suburbs, from Olathe to Overland Park.
They are redesigning the quintessential American backyard. Once reduced to a concrete slab and a patch of grass, the outdoor space is now claiming its place as the new hub of family life.
The primary goal of this change is to modify the way families interact, relax, and live together.
But how can this happen?
This article examines how the everyday lives and family dynamics of Kansas suburbanites are being transformed by well-planned and designed outdoor decks, which convert average homes into fully functional living spaces. Let’s dive in.
1. A Family-Centered Design Change
The most dramatic shift is in the usage of these spaces. A modern deck is a direct answer to families wishing to spend more time together without screens and distractions.
Design is the driving force of this change. Where a deck of the 1990s was a flat and vacant rectangle, a 2020s deck is made to serve family life.
These changes may include:
- The Culinary Zone: Grilling areas now feature full-blown outdoor kitchens, complete with built-in grills, refrigerators, and even pizza ovens. It turns a family dinner into a family outdoor event rather than an indoor event.
- The Play Zone: Small families should consider installing concrete fence on the deck areas or designating specific toy storage zones. But not everyone can do this. That is why an Overland Park fence company offers a custom enclosure to keep the play area in the same manner, but a part of the family.
A single family in the suburb of Leawood can design their deck as the weekend center. On Friday evenings, the children help make pizzas in the outdoor oven, while the parents enjoy coffee on the deck lounge as the kids play. It is a familiar, casual kind of interaction that can hardly be provoked by a formal dining room.
2. The Aesthetic and Functional Shift
A revolution in building materials and design has made this new feature possible. The wood deck that splinters and needs a lot of care is less common.
People are increasingly buying stylish, long-lasting, and easy-to-care-for items. Increasingly, new buildings are utilizing PVC and composite decking.
Homeowners would have to pay more up front for a deck that doesn’t require staining and sealing every year. A trends report also says that homeowners want seamless indoor-outdoor living and biophilic design.
You can see this in:
- Big Glass Doors: These doors are made of glass and can slide or fold up completely, making the living room and deck one seamless space.
- Cohesive Design: The styles of the outdoor furniture and flooring are used to blur the lines and maintain a consistent layout with the interior spaces.
- Features That Prioritize Comfort: Include built-in radiant heaters, louvered pergola roofs that can be adjusted to provide shade, and integrated LED ambiance lighting, all of which make the deck usable even in cold weather.
3. Community and Social Connection
This focus on outdoor living is also making Kansas neighborhoods stronger. The front porch is gone, and the deck is there. In most suburbs, decks are where people hang out. They are more casual and friendly than a house party, and neighbors can come by.
One example is a Shawnee cul-de-sac where a group of neighbors works together to fix up their decks, which makes their backyard feel like a community.
These are the places where most of suburban life happens:
- Cookouts for kids in the neighborhood to get ready for school.
- Parties that go from the kitchen to the deck after graduation.
- Informal weekend events with the chiefs on an outdoor TV.
Families are more likely to be seen and involved in neighborhoods with welcoming and relaxing outdoor spaces, which makes the neighborhood stronger and tighter.
4. Real Estate and Economic Impact
The deck is a big investment. A lot of features in an outdoor living space make a big difference in the competitive Kansas suburb real estate market.
Customers have learned to demand good outdoor space. A home with a tight, old deck is a project, and a home with a new multi-zone deck is a turn-key.
There is hard evidence to support this choice. The Cost vs. Value Report states that adding a deck is one of the best ways to increase a home’s value, based on the return on investment (ROI).
According to the reports, a composite deck can recoup 68% of its original cost when resold, while a wood deck can recoup 83% or more.
The National Association of Realtors assigns a 100-point score of happiness to a new deck, which the homeowner rates. This score is so high that it is market-seeking.
Local Kansas contractors say that deck renovations and new installations are among the most popular jobs they receive, but they are usually booked months in advance.
5. Sustainability and Local Craftsmanship
The last strong trend advancing deck design in Kansas is the increasing attention to sustainability. Families are no longer considering the way their space appears, but what it is composed of.
The demand for environmentally-friendly materials is growing. This includes:
- Composites: 95% or more of the recycled materials (recycled plastic bags and wood fibers) are used to make many popular brands.
- Sustainably Sourced Wood: Those who prefer natural wood often refer to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified lumber, which ensures that the wood is sourced from responsibly managed forests.
- New Materials: Increasingly, people are utilizing new materials, including upcycled farm byproducts (such as rice hulls), to produce decking that is low-maintenance, durable, and has a minimal environmental impact.
Kansas contractors are responding by collaborating with sellers who value these environmentally sustainable alternatives, matching the goals of beauty in their homes with a broader awareness of environmental responsibility.
Conclusion
The outdoor deck has now emerged as the new hub of Kansas homes. It is a combination of a family room, dining area, and meeting place, all integrated into an outdoor space.
The spaces will continue to improve through the incorporation of innovative technology, enhanced weather protection, and greener materials.
This is a trend that indicates something bigger. Kansas families are opting to move at a slower pace, disengage from screens, and re-engage with others in nature.
Now, think about your outdoor deck. Create an environment where your family can make the best memories.