American homeowners are spending more time at home. Taking a “stay-cation” has become a common occurrence with most American families and the need to relax and reconnect with family and friends has driven the popularity of creating outdoor living spaces.

The outdoor living room has clearly moved from being just a trend to a lifestyle that can be enjoyed by the entire family as well as friends, neighbors and colleagues. With a little planning and help from a professional builder, it is easy to convert your outdoor living space into a room that can be enjoyed year round.

When it comes to outfitting or remodeling an outdoor room, most homeowners say they are likely to include these amenities: outdoor lighting, sound system, a built-in gas grill, mosquito eliminators, patio heaters and/or an outdoor fireplace or fire pit.

The most important reasons homeowners decide to add or remodel an outdoor room is to create a space to relax, live a healthier lifestyle by spending more time outside, extend a home’s living space and most importantly, add value to their home that they can enjoy now and realize later if they choose to sell. The average return on investment (ROI) for this type of project is 80-88% depending on the scope of the project.