June 2014 -- As millions of Americans ready their outdoor space for summer season, a new study from Saber Grills reveals just how enamored U.S. homeowners are with their backyards. Eighty-three percent of homeowners across the country say their outdoor living space is the favorite place in their home. And it is the most used space in American households just behind the kitchen, and way ahead of the game room, living room and dining room.

The Saber Grills OutdoorLiving2014 study was conducted in February 2014. A total of 1,520 American homeowners with household incomes above $50,000 participated. All respondents were above 21 years old, owned a home and an outdoor grill. The survey sample was evenly split among male/female respondents and was balanced to represent households across all four regions of the United States.

Statistics:

Good Riddance Winter
Millions of American Homeowners Get Ready for the Annual Pilgrimage Outside
80% of American Homeowners say the Backyard is Their Favorite Room of the House

-83% of all homeowners say the outdoor space is their favorite place in their home and they use it for relaxation, to recharge and to spend quality time with their family.

-70% of homeowners use their outdoor space throughout the week, mostly to entertain family. Folks in the South and Northeast have the biggest parties, usually entertaining more than five people. Homeowners in the Midwest are most likely to entertain immediate family only.

-Homeowners in the Midwest are more interactive and more in love with their outdoor space than any other region: they update more often than other regions, 76% of them consider it “the most important space in their home” and they use it throughout the week more than any other region (75%).

-Universally, on the top of our wish list for our outdoor space is a pool or hot tub. Southerners and Westerners are most likely to include “kitchen” in the top three.

-Homeowners in the South are most likely to own two or more grills (36%). Homeowners in the Northeast are most likely to own just one (75%).

-Northeasterners are the most proud of their backyard and are more likely than any other region to say it’s their “favorite place” in the home.
 

Move over Kitchen: The Backyard is the New Heart of the Home
Americans Spend More Time in Their Backyard Than In 70% Of Their Home

-The overwhelming majority (81%) of U.S. homeowners feel their outdoor space is the heart of their home.

-The outdoor space is the most used room in American households behind the kitchen (98% vs. 99%), and way ahead of the living room (69%), game room (57%), guest bedroom  (61%) and dining room (82%).

-Americans view their backyard as both a Zen spot and an entertainment zone and the space is outfitted accordingly with a grill, shade, chairs & dining sets and …….. access to wi-fi. 

-Most (79%) homeowners have at least one grill in their backyard and almost 40% of us say it’s the most important fixture on our patio (32% say it’s the one item they cannot live without!).

-Nearly all American homeowners (90%) report being proud of their outdoor space.

Is the Backyard The New Man Cave?
30% of men claim to have sole responsibility for decorating their outdoor space

-A full 30% of male homeowners say they are solely responsibility for decorating decisions in their outdoor space. This is even across the country.

-Just over half (53%) of outdoor decorating decisions are made by men among first-time homeowners.  That number changes to 65% women among homeowners that are in their second homes.
 

Candles, Cushions, Lighting and Dining
Americans Report Updating their Outdoor Living Space as Frequently as the Interior

-We are invested in our backyard and update it as often as we do our favorite interior spaces:

• 51% of homeowners purchase items for their outdoor space at the same rate or more often than other rooms in their home.
• On average, 64% of all homeowners purchase products for their outdoor space at least once a year. Almost a quarter (22%) of all homeowners update their outdoor space every season.

-Most purchased items: 1. Plants (76%), 2. Accessories such as candles (46%), 3. Holiday décor (36%), 4. Lighting (34%) and 5. Changing pillows/cushions (33%). 

-Half of all homeowners (54%) get design inspiration from professional sources such as media outlets, the Internet or retail displays. Seeking advice from family and friends runs a close second at 38%.

-Universally, on the top of our wish list for our outdoor space is a pool or hot tub. Homeowners in the South and West are most likely to include “kitchen” as a top wish list item.  
 

Get Cookin’!
32% of American Homeowners Say They Can’t Live Without Their Grill

-Nearly all homeowners have at least one grill in their backyard and almost 40% of us say it’s the most important fixture on our patio (32% say it’s the one item they cannot live without!).

-Homeowners in the South are most likely to own more than one grill (36% of all Southern homeowners report owning two or more). Homeowners in the Northeast are most likely to own just one (75%)

-Roughly 40% of all outdoor chefs across the country consider themselves to be “average” grillers.  A full 28% of Northeasterners, however, identify themselves as “confident” grillers.