More people are not as quick to build, so now they upgrade their homes, said Tony Ferraro, owner of Ferraro's and Logan St. Fine Wood Products. The outdoor spaces are a good avenue to go.
Ferraro's businesses help people plan their outdoor spaces and do the outdoor woodwork. He has helped people create everything from a nice little patio to an outdoor oasis complete with fireplaces, television sets and built-in grills.
I think you need a water feature and some kind of a fireplace, Ferraro said. Those are the two most important elements outside.
Cherie Nies-Cowgill of Nies Construction attends the National Homebuilders Association Convention each year to keep up with home trends.
Outdoor living spaces are very, very popular right now, she said. People want their homes to open up and and feel larger.
Even with at least three months of frigid winter, Nies-Cowgill said Kansas is a great place to have an outdoor living area.
Nine months out of the year the outdoor space is still very use-able, she said. You can put in a ceiling fan to keep the air moving or a fireplace to keep warm.
