Fifty years ago in the Austin area, you would rarely see elaborate outdoor living spaces. True there were patios, terraces, statuaries and gardens, maybe a basketball goal – but definitely nothing on the same scale of what we see in today’s world. 

Outdoor living has become the favorite “room” for some households — the place where the family gathers to hang out in the evening; cook meals, dine, to share a drink, or engage in conversation. It is the first-choice place to relax, kick back and take a nap or read a book.

Outdoor rooms now offer more than just your BBQ grill and patio table. They now offer indoor amenities and comforts such as big screen TV’s or a gas fireplace. This is where we go when our families visit or friends come over to hang out. More and more central Texas families are  hiring musicians and bands to play at “house” parties, and no one has to run inside to grab ice or refill a glass. There’s a refrigerator, a wine cooler, and a beer tap or built in keg. 

Outdoor dinner parties are no longer limited to hotdogs and Jell-O salads.There are pizza ovens, built- in grills, ice cream machines and popcorn poppers. There are also outdoor fans and air conditioners to keep you cool in the heat of the day, letting you enjoy your outdoor living space even more. 

Remember the days when outdoor furniture was hard and uncomfortable? That is not necessarily the case anymore; seating is just as plush and lush on a patio as it is in a great room. Backyard and Patio Store is one of the most popular Austin area outdoor living stores.

The sweeping popularity of outdoor living has made it possible for nearly everyone to “move outside.” But the central Texas climate affords us the opportunity to spend a lot of time outdoors all year long. So the question is, what are you doing sitting in your family room, breathing that stale air and missing out on all the fun to be had outdoors?