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Homeowners plan to invest up to $5,000 this summer to create their ultimate outdoor oasis.
Updated
Written by Morgan Olsen
Summer is all about enjoying the outdoors, so having a tranquil space at home is essential. Whether it’s boosting curb appeal by painting your home’s exterior or upgrading your backyard to create the perfect space to entertain, investing isn’t just about increasing your home’s value — it also leads to an emotional return.
To dive deeper into how people across the country are improving their outdoor spaces this summer, we asked over 1,000 homeowners nationwide about the investments they’re making, how they’re maximizing curb appeal, and how they plan to enjoy their yards. Here's what we found.
Nearly one-third (29%) intend to spend up to $5,000 on improving their outdoor spaces this summer, highlighting how critical a great backyard is to creating core summer memories — whether it’s a pool party, an outdoor dinner with friends, or playing fetch with your pup.
What project is top of mind? Landscaping — 62% of homeowners plan to tackle a landscaping project this summer and it’s also currently the #1 most completed task from our Curb Appeal Guide. And what cities are investing the most in their yards? Atlanta tops our list of “Best Backyards in America.” Here’s what we found, and what it means for the summer ahead.
Curb appeal boosters and biggest faux pas.
Whether it’s to increase your home’s value or to enjoy your time outside, it’s clear curb appeal is important, with 69% of homeowners saying that curb appeal was an important factor in the purchase of their home. According to homeowners, here are the features that boost curb appeal more than anything else.
Looking for inspiration on where to start? Thumbtack recently launched a “Boost Curb Appeal Guide” which provides recommendations on how to upgrade your outdoor spaces to impress your neighbors, in-laws, or even future buyers with a few exterior improvements. The top Curb Appeal projects people are actually adding to their plans this summer include:
Rather than focusing on amenities and flashy features, homeowners are prioritizing tidy exteriors as well as well-maintained lawns and gardens that require little upkeep throughout the summer.
On the other hand, neglecting your yard can lead to some neighborhood discord. Here’s what homeowners report as the biggest curb appeal eyesores:
Interestingly, 17% of people also think yard signs are the biggest curb appeal eye sore, something to consider in an election year.
Homeowners prioritize pets over people.
Having a well-maintained, beautiful outdoor space can spark joy. In fact, 82% of homeowners say their outdoor spaces bring them happiness. But how you design your space often depends on how you’re planning on using it.
The #1 consideration this year? Dogs (43%). This isn’t a surprise considering over a third (39%) of homeowners said their dream yard would have a fenced-in space for pets. After pets, kids (42%), beautifying my space (41%), and having a space for hosting (39%) top the list.
People are also looking to spend more time with loved ones — whether furry or not — this summer, and they want their yards to have features that can enhance that quality time together. When asked what features their dream backyard would have, here’s what homeowners said:
With hosting top of mind, people are prioritizing outdoor furniture with more organic materials like rattan or cloth and are keeping their furniture and accents muted with neutral tones and bringing in pops of color through flowers.
The neighbor envy is real.
While homeowners know curb appeal is important, there’s a gap between where their yards are today and where they want them to be — nearly one-third (27%) think their neighbors do a better job of maintaining their yards than they do. Though outdoor spaces provide a positive emotional boost, getting them in good shape can be a headache, with 54% of homeowners saying their outdoor spaces cause them stress.
When thinking about projects, people’s #1 priority is no/low maintenance (26%) and affordability (26%).
“Good gardening” for a sustainable summer.
With extreme heat, storms, and a growing eco-consciousness, homeowners are increasingly prioritizing environmentally friendly exterior features. This summer, over a quarter (28%) are prioritizing sustainable design for their yard. In fact, when asked about what upgrades or projects they’ve undertaken recently, 40% of homeowners said they grow their own fruits and vegetables, 32% have installed energy-efficient outdoor lighting, 30% have added drought-resistant plants, 28% xeriscape, and 24% have installed solar panels.
When it comes to their vegetable gardens, people are prioritizing low maintenance fruits and veggies like tomatoes, zucchini and strawberries. The low maintenance trend continues when choosing plants, with homeowners wanting drought-resistant plants that require little watering.
Related: How to create a stunning desert front yard landscape design.
The best backyards in America.
When it comes to our yards, homeowners aren’t messing around this summer. We took a look at popular outdoor projects homeowners were tackling, from landscaping to exterior painting to outdoor lighting installation, to see which cities across the country were investing the most in their outdoor spaces this year.
Atlanta tops the list for the city with the best backyards, with homeowners doubling down on improving their outdoor spaces this summer, with a big focus on lawn care and landscape design.
Here's a look at how the cities stack up:
With three cities in the top 20, it’s clear Floridians are prioritizing their outdoor spaces, and this year they’re heavily focused on pressure washing — a top three project of all Florida cities. At the same time, Phoenix homeowners are trying to cool down this summer as the only city with swimming pool maintenance in its top three projects.
“In Florida, the current trend is to maximize backyard spaces with sun shades, private seating areas, pergolas, gazebos, and outdoor kitchens,” added Brett Douglas, Thumbtack Pro Advisor and Owner of Ironclad Landscape Management. “Homeowners are eager to accessorize and enhance their outdoor areas, whether it’s a pool deck or a patio. Plus, outdoor TVs and kitchen areas are becoming increasingly popular as people prefer to relax at home after work.”
Overcome challenges and stress less.
While homeowners know they value beautiful outdoor spaces, many are feeling stuck, with almost a quarter (24%) confirming they’re embarrassed about the state of their yard and 21% saying they don’t host people because their yard isn’t in good shape. What’s stopping people from taking action?
For those looking to take the headache out of homeownership, our new Thumbtack app offers personalized guidance and recommendations to get started. From booking a pro to DIY options, we’re here to help you get ready for summer hosting. Download the Thumbtack app today and transform your outdoor space into a summer paradise!
Related: 6 low-maintenance front yard curb appeal ideas.
*Survey Methodology: This SurveyMonkey online poll was conducted between May 14–15, 2024 among a national sample of 1,028 homeowners (18+). Respondents for this survey were selected from the nearly 3 million people who take surveys on the SurveyMonkey platform each day. The modeled error estimate for this survey is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
Thumbtack Methodology: We looked at data on which projects customers have requested on Thumbtack related to backyard maintenance and improvements. The Thumbtack request data is from January to May 2024 and includes the following categories: Artificial Turf Installation, Deck or Porch Remodel or Addition, Exterior Painting, Fence Painting, Full Service Lawn Care, Lawn Mowing and Trimming, Lighting Installation, Outdoor Landscaping and Design, Patio Remodel or Addition, Pressure Washing, Shrub Trimming and Removal, Sod Installation, Sprinkler and Irrigation System Installation, Swimming Pool Cleaning, Maintenance, and Inspection, Tree Planting, and Window Installation. We only included the top 20 cities according to the Nielsen DMA rankings and city rankings for best backyards are based on the total number of backyard-related Thumbtack requests per capita.
Cost Guides for Popular Curb Appeal Projects:
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