The Outhouse And Other Rooms Get A 21st Century Makeover

Sonoma Retreat by Aidlin Darling Marion Brenner/Courtesy of ASLA hide caption

Sonoma Retreat by Aidlin Darling

Americans are discovering or rediscovering the allure of outdoor living, according to a 2014 survey by the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Whether the instinct stems from a primordial desire to reconnect with the natural world or to disconnect from in-house clutter and chaos, people who can afford it are transporting traditional indoor areas kitchens, dining rooms, bedrooms, entertainment centers outside.

"More and more Americans are using the outdoor spaces as living spaces for cooking, dining, lounging and for play," says Jennifer Horn, a landscape architect in Washington, D.C. "With better, more environmentally sound lighting, people can spend time in their gardens well into the night. With features like fire pits, fireplaces and outdoor heaters, people can spend time in their gardens well into the winter. And cooking outdoors has come a long way from a Weber grill. Smokers, eggs, pizza ovens and hybrid grills have all allowed homeowners to build a customized outdoor kitchen. "

Outdoor shower in New Century Garden by Steve Martino and Associates Steve Martino/Courtesy of ASLA hide caption

Outdoor shower in New Century Garden by Steve Martino and Associates

In Texas, the state Association of Realtors reports that developing outdoor living spaces adds value to a home. The HGTV website devotes feature after feature to outdoor rooms.

Some people are even building backyard bathrooms, according to reports in Apartment Therapy and Studio M, giving the outhouse long a symbol of American backwoodsiness a total makeover.

One HGTV video showcases a 1,000-square-foot, million-dollar open-air master bathroom in a Hawaiian mansion. To get to the bathtub, you walk across stepping stones that seem to be floating in deep black waters.

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The Outhouse And Other Rooms Get A 21st Century Makeover