Dave and Jenny Mars share exterior décor trends to try this summer

With the weather getting warmer and more people hanging out on patios or other areas outside their homes, it makes sense that you’d want to make these spaces as comfortable as possible—and the “Fixer to Fabulous” stars can help.

Dave and Jenny Mars She recently collaborated with Better Homes & Gardens and Walmart to create the Backyard Oasis collection of 30 affordable outdoor décor items, including furniture, rugs, lanterns, and planters.

While their outdoor space is a sprawling Arkansas ranch shared by their five children and a variety of animals, the Marrses know a thing or two about America’s diverse yards. They renovated all kinds of homes, from small apartments to large mansions.

Jenny asserts that the only universal truth about outdoor spaces today is: “The backyard has become an extension of the home.”

Since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been using their outdoor spaces like never before.

So what’s the best way to beautify this space? To find out, we spoke with Dave and Jenny about the hottest trends.

Tell us about your backyard

Dave: We’re very fortunate to be on such a large piece of land – I think that’s a blessing and a curse, there is so much to take care of – but we love it. We encourage our children to get out of the house as much as possible. When the weather is nice, they play outside and make forts. There are little forts everywhere in our yard, climbing trees, little rock piles in which little fake fire pits are made.

We have a playground Jenny would probably like to see, because it’s ugly to the eye, but our kids love it. It’s an old stadium, but well used. I think the backyard, like a lot of people, changes and changes with the age of our children and the needs we have at the time. But now it’s just a big, open space where they can run, play, and explore.

And adult space?

Jenny: We have a screened back yard that we use all the time. This is where we have a dining table and where we host meals when the weather is nice, and we have a large bed that swings outside.

Daybed balcony swings are very popular at the moment. Any other trends that will be everywhere this summer?

Jenny: Many people now want an outdoor kitchen. This is perhaps the first order we have from homeowners, not only with a grill, but also with a refrigerator and sink.

I think many people see the value of cooking at home and entertaining their family and friends in their yard. We’ve seen a transition from going out to eat, obviously during the pandemic, and then eating out as well. I think that’s really relevant to how people interact with their friends when you have someone else. Instead of being in the kitchen, you are out to grill on the patio.

But after the outdoor kitchen, the porch swing with a swinging daybed is very popular.

What about external TV screens?

Dave: I’m torn about this, because I love when my kids are outside just to let them outside and play.

Jenny: But you like to watch a good football match outside…

Dave: I love a good football game, so I guess I can’t complain about TVs outside.

When it comes to reselling, which upgrade adds the most value?

Dave: If you want to get your money’s worth, being anywhere you can have a covered outdoor space is a big plus.

But I also think that in the space of our current world where people go to a back garden area – where your kids can grow flowers, and even if they’re small, I think that’s really important, and people see a lot of value in which – which. And it’s not a big cost.

There is a lot of debate about whether a swimming pool is good or bad for resale. What do you think?

Dave: In terms of resale, a pool or hot tub doesn’t add any significant value – certainly not the cost to put it in. But if you are the parent who wants all [neighborhood] Having the kids in your home with your kids probably makes sense for your family. I think it’s very specific, house by house. If I were to include my home this moment, I’d move away from the water features and go more toward covered areas, or areas that could produce something.

There is a severe drought in the West, and people are sweetening their weeds. What is your sentiment on artificial turf?

Dave: In areas with drought problems, this is a good solution to this problem. But Jenny’s sister and brother-in-law owned the artificial turf and had several pets, and they weren’t happy, because when the pets went to the restroom on it, it smelled bad. So I think there are specific drawbacks to the lawn, which naturally takes care of the natural ground.

What are some other ways to make full use of your outdoor space?

Dave: We have rain barrels, even though it rains here in Arkansas. My grandmother always told me that there is nothing better for your garden than rainwater. I don’t even know if that’s true, but it really stuck with me, and so we have rain barrels and we compost. All the things we don’t eat go into our chickens, are reused in the compost, and we still collect the water.

Why is the outdoor space of the home so important?

Jenny: Humans love to be outside because I think this represents peace and quiet for you in the frenzied world we live in. It’s so nice to step outside and have a place where you can exhale and be with your people.

Dave: One consequence of COVID that we can look at and say maybe not the worst thing is people’s focus on creating amazing spaces that they can enjoy with others in their backyards without having to go out to eat.

There are a lot of people who work from home, don’t go out as often as they used to, and one of the most important places is those patio areas. So we look at an outside area just like we look at a house, where you can have a relaxation area, a play area and a dining area. This is a family thing, but the focus on everything outdoors has increased a lot.