The New Living Room is Out Back

Outdoor living is booming nationwide, with consumers creating personal paradises in their backyards, featuring everything from outdoor kitchens to personal putting greens.

Having an outdoor kitchen, for instance, complete with running water, makes barbecues and pool parties more convenient - and more enjoyable for hosts who no longer have to run in and out of the house to clean vegetables or rinse off a dropped utensil.

Suppliers have been eager to fuel the trend with new "must-have" products, such as outdoor kitchens, hot tubs and even fireplaces. For example, in promoting the concept of the "outdoor room," the outdoor furniture business has grown to a $2.2 billion industry.

"With the dramatic increase in the sales of high-end outdoor grills, we are getting more and more requests for outdoor sinks," said Alan Danenberg, director, Marketing Services, Elkay. "Especially in warmer climates where there are many more opportunities to take advantage of outdoor entertaining, homeowners are looking for the convenience of an outdoor sink."

Elkay offers a single-bowl stainless steel sink, big enough to fill up large pitchers and clean extra-long barbecue tools and other utensils used for outdoor entertaining. Like the company's other high-quality sinks, it is constructed to resist outdoor elements.

Other tips for outdoor living include:

• Counter tops: Stainless steel, which resists chips, scratches, cracks and corrosion, holds up the best. Countertops also should be durable, made from materials such as tile, stone or granite.
• Cabinets: Look for weatherproof cabinet bases such as masonry block finished with stucco, ceramic tile or stone.
• Refrigerators: Make sure they are well-insulated and have UL approval for use outdoors.

It all adds up to an expansion of a home's "living" area, and an increased enjoyment of the great outdoors.

Courtesy of NAPSnet.