Demand for unique outdoor home features, such as kitchens, living rooms, pools, patios and pavilions is on the rise, according to data collected by several different professional organizations in the landscaping industry.

In a survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects, industry professionals were asked to rank the projected popularity of several different outdoor features.

Top trends identified for 2013 include:

•  Outdoor kitchens / entertainment spaces: Topping the list in projected popularity for 2013, outdoor kitchens and gathering areas are becoming a must-have home feature for their versatility and convenience. Specific kitchen features such as gas grills, sinks, refrigerators and fire pits were noted as up-and-coming trends. 
•  Dining areas: Achieving a 96% popularity rating among industry professionals, demand for outdoor dining spaces is gaining steam, with a focus on features such as installed seating and all-weather furniture.

•  Water features: Popular with families—and a must-have for hot climates—built-in pools and unique water features (e.g. decorative waterfalls) also ranked high on the list in projected popularity.

A separate survey of more than 2,200 homeowners conducted by the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) predicted increased spending on outdoor kitchens, patios and unique water features in the coming year.

According to PLANET CEO Sabeena Hickman (CAE, CMP), consumers are investing in features “that ultimately improve the resale value of the home.”

Tammy Crosby, Chief Operating Officer of online stock house plan provider Direct From the Designers, agrees.

“We see that outdoor living features are currently very popular with both builders and buyers,” commented Crosby. “They see these features as an enjoyable, cost-effective way to extend total living space and improve the home’s resale value.”

Crosby continued, “Because adding under-air square footage to a home can be an expensive endeavor, outdoor spaces such as living rooms, patios and kitchens can be a great alternative for homes of all sizes.”

Specializing in award-winning house plans from the country’s top architects and designers, Direct From the Designers is responding to the increased demand by offering prospective home buyers a virtually endless array of choices when it comes to unique outdoor spaces. With plans available for homes of all sizes, buyers are discovering that the designs, ranging from simple to high-end, are a great way to add to a home’s value, comfort and space.

The Outdoor Living Plan Collection from Direct From the Designers features hundreds of house plans for every budget, including:

HHF-2297: This top-selling house plan offers several different outdoor features for the whole family. The Barbecue Porch will impress aspiring chefs, while family members will love gathering on the covered lanai. Both rooms are connected by a pass-through fireplace, making this outdoor space a perfect place to spend time, no matter what the season.

HHF-4176: Although this home has slightly less than 2,000 square feet under air, its outdoor features extend the living space well into the backyard. A covered porch just off the family room offers an expanded space for hosting parties or serving large gatherings, while the sun deck serves as an open-air retreat. The unique greenhouse feature provides a transition between inside and out.

HHF-4282: There’s no shortage of outdoor space in this house plan, which features front and rear covered porches, a backyard pergola and an outdoor dining area. You can also take in the view, soak up the sun or relax on the second-story open balconies.

Home buyers and builders can easily browse and sort Direct From the Designers’ expansive collection of house plans on their website, including more than 1,000 options that feature outdoor living spaces, athttp://www.dfdhouseplans.com.

“We expect this trend to continue,” said Crosby. “Which is why we’re constantly adding interesting, affordable house plans with beautiful and unique outdoor spaces.”

Direct from the Designers presents Her Dream Home Magazine. This issue features fabulous outdoor living spaces so you can enjoy the summer outdoors with family and friends.

Now that summer is in full swing it is the perfect time to think about cookouts, backyard swimming and creating outdoor living space to enjoy with family and friends.  Something as simple as a covered patio or a grilling station or as extravagant as a fully functional outdoor kitchen with a dining area and fireplace that surrounds a custom pool and patio, can increase the amount of time you spend outdoors.

This issue of Her Dream Home features house plans with our best outdoor living spaces to inspire you to design a new outdoor area or to redesign your existing space. You’ll find everything from covered patios, grilling stations, dining and sitting areas, fully equipped gourmet kitchens, custom pools and much more in a wide range of architectural styles. A personal favorite is the Terrebonne House Plan featured on the cover. This two-story European-styled home is absolutely gorgeous inside and out and features plenty of photographs.

You’ll also find some great articles including Stepping Outside: Creating an Outdoor Living Area featuring innovative design ideas and tips including helpful suggestions for lighting, patio furniture, decks and more!  To inspire the cook in all of us, there’s 5 Sizzling Tips for Cooking Outdoors so you can create the perfect grilled dishes.

This is also the perfect time to think about building a new home or remodeling your existing home. The key to a well-designed house plan is one that offers flexibility with an open floor plan and bonus spaces. Learn about all the benefits of an open floor design in Create a Spacious Home with an Open Floor Plan.

Designers Direct House Plans is known not only for designing traditional architectural styles but unique and innovative homes like ENERGY STAR approved, affordable, fabulous kitchens and exclusive home designs.

“This issue celebrates homes that are designed to extend a home’s interior living spaces to the outdoors so you can spend time with family and friends in an inviting gathering space,” said Christine Cooney, Creative Editorial Director of Designers Direct House Plans, the Internets leading provider of residential house plans. “With the rising cost of fuel and travel expenses, many homeowners are deciding to stay closer to home. Creating a vacation-like oasis in your backyard can be much cheaper than taking a family vacation and it’s a space you can utilize for years to come.”

You’ll find inspiring house plans with gorgeous and functional outdoor living spaces to help create an enjoyable outdoor living space in your new home or redesign an existing space. You’ll find everything from covered patios, barbeque porches, dining and living room vignettes, gourmet kitchens, custom pools and much more in a wide range of architectural styles.

Stepping Outside: Creating an Outdoor Living Area features innovative design ideas and tips including helpful suggestions for lighting, patio furniture, decks and more!

Since summer is all about outdoor cooking and barbeques you’ll find some of the newest outdoor cooking appliances that were featured at the April 2011 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show. This issue also includes 5 Sizzling Tips for Cooking Outdoors so you can learn how to create the perfect grilled dishes, including a recipe for Chicken Teriyaki Sticks from the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Summer is also the perfect time to get your garage organized to make spending a day at the park or beach a stress-free packing event. This article is packed with affordable tips and products so you can organize items like bikes, sporting equipment, beach gear, toys and gardening supplies.

This issue also features a selection of new and exclusive house plans that only be found on Designers Direct House Plans.