Consumers prefer outdoor entertaining

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. Consumers are entertaining outdoors more than ever before, according to an NPD Group Study, and they're doing it with panache.

Of consumers surveyed by the firm, eight in 10 consumers preferred outdoor entertaining over indoor, weather permitting, that is. For 84% of those surveyed, the reason is simple, they just enjoy entertaining outdoors, with three quarters of these consumers acknowledging:

"It feels more laid back than formal entertaining."

Mark Delaney, NPD Group director, home improvement, pointed out, "This indicates that consumers like the more casual entertaining approach the outside has to offer, but they still want to make their outdoor space more formal by giving it an added sense of ambiance and comfort."

As people take entertaining outdoors, they develop a desire to dress up their outdoor living space with elements such as fire pits and gazebos. The survey indicated that 23% of homeowners reported owning a fire pit or an outdoor fireplace, with another 14% saying they plan to purchase one. Nearly one-third of consumers said the owned or planned to purchase a gazebo or canopy, while another 14% either own or plan to purchase an outdoor refrigerator.