Tennessean | Beyond swimming pools: Spas, kitchens add to outdoor living experience

Just like interior features in homebuilding that sway with trends, so do outdoor spaces. 

What was once a simple backyard swimming pool has now evolved into a full-blown outdoor living space complete with, in many cases, a pool, spa, patio, full outdoor kitchen and dining spaces that are wired for surround sound, have flat panel TVs and Internet access.

Alan Looney, president of custom homebuilder Castle Homes in Brentwood, said although pricing can vary, a full-blown outdoor living space can cost upwards of $400,000 — just for the outside of the house.

“I would say fifty percent of the homes we build, the clients express interest in a pool/spa/outdoor kitchen area,” Looney said. “Whenever we approach the process of designing a home, the outdoor living space is always an area of focus on the front end during the design phase because it is such a popular feature right now. Outdoor cooking is huge.”

Read the full article at Tennessean.com.