Pools, Chicken Coops, and Pizza Ovens Are the Backyard Trends Everyone Wants This Year

More than just a place for BBQs, backyards are becoming a full-on extension of the home, with more owners transforming their outdoor spaces into sanctuaries complete with pizza ovens, waterfalls, and chicken coops.

According to Thumbtack's third-annual Curb Appeal Report, which dubs 2025 “The Year of Outdoor Living," homeowners are making big investments to bring indoor comforts outside. The home services site surveyed over 1,000 homeowners for the report and teamed up with Zillow to uncover the biggest outdoor trends of the season.

The findings reveal that homeowners are willing to make major indoor sacrifices, including giving up a guest bedroom, a spa-inspired bathroom, and a kitchen island to create their dream outdoor retreat. Plus, 71 percent said they’d consider going into debt to build the ultimate outdoor space.

Here are the top outdoor trends that homeowners are currently looking to invest in to increase curb appeal and make their exterior spaces more enjoyable.

Country Core

For some, outdoor living translates to country life, according to Zillow's top searches, which include “barn,” “farm,” “horses,” and even “pond." Homesteading and hobby farming are on the rise, with more homeowners craving space, nature, and a little rural flair. In fact, 50 percent of homeowners have dreamed of owning a farm or horses, and over half (59 percent) of people would move farther from a city to have more land.

“We’re seeing a growing interest in horse and farm properties on Zillow,” said Amanda Pendleton, the site's home trends expert. “Whether it’s the dream of keeping animals, growing a garden, or simply enjoying wide-open views, these outdoor features offer a sense of escape and possibility that’s hard to find in more urban settings. For many, it’s about embracing a lifestyle that feels both aspirational and attainable—one where they can put down roots and make the outdoors truly their own.”

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Functional Upgrades

Zillow analyzed AI-powered natural language search data to uncover the most sought-after outdoor features homeowners are looking for on the site. Functional upgrades like fences and patios were popular topics, along with upgrades like pools, gardens, and detached garages.

According to Thumbtack, the average price of a patio installation is $4,598, while a fence costs $3,314. Adding a swimming pool to your yard ranges in price from $1,500 to a whopping $85,000 or more, depending on the type of pool, materials, and design. A detached garage typically costs between $16,000 and $37,000, depending on the size, and a garden proves to be a more affordable investment, with prices ranging from $373 to $1,382.

Outdoor Splurges

According to the report, if money were no object, the homeowners surveyed said that the number one feature they would add to their outdoor space is a resort-style pool with a waterfall. Other popular pricey upgrades include a climate-controlled greenhouse in order to grow year-round veggies and serve as a peaceful retreat, an outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven, and a guest house for when the in-laws visit.