Five Outdoor Living Trends for 2021.

• Position: BACKYARDS

Outdoor living is in. While homeowners increasingly have invested time and money into their yards in recent years, 2020 saw interest in outdoor living spike to unprecedented levels as homeowners everywhere adjusted to a new normal by reimagining how to use and enjoy their exterior spaces. As a result, the outdoor living design trends for 2021 have never been more inventive.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has prioritized how we view and use our homes," says Leslie Adkins, vice president of marketing for Trex Company, manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and railing and low-maintenance outdoor living products. "With people spending more time at home, outdoor space has never been more important."

Each year, Trex captures input from consumers, contractors, retailers, and industry insiders to compile its annual Outdoor Living Forecast. For 2021, the brand teamed with celebrity designer Alison Victoria, star of HGTV's 'Windy City Rehab," "Rock the Block," and "Ty Breaker," to identify five trends expected to shape the outdoor living landscape in 2021. * Outdoor offices. With working from home and remote learning expected to continue, contractors report increased interest in outdoor spaces that can accommodate professionals and students comfortably and functionally. Requests for stylish sheds and backyard cottages are on the rise.

Pergolas, too, are in high demand. A relatively easy addition to any deck or yard, a pergola creates the look and feel of an outdoor room while adding a distinct architectural element. Of course, its main purpose is providing shade--essential for enhancing visibility of laptop screens and devices, as well as offering cool relief on hot days.

'When it comes to backyard design, pergolas remain on-trend due to their limitless design possibilities," notes Victoria. "They are great for adding definition--and drama--to any deck."

* Expanded elbow room. During the past year, our homes have become offices, classrooms, fitness facilities, and rehearsal spaces. It is no wonder many homeowners (and occupants) find themselves suffering from cabin fever and desperate for some extra elbow room. One simple solution is to optimize the space beneath an elevated deck, an often overlooked area, by adding an under-deck drainage system.

Designed to divert water away from the foundation, these systems protect a deck's substructure from moisture and create dry space that can be used for any number of purposes--from storing seasonal items to...