We pulled the latest numbers on outdoor living spending, and the picture is clear: homeowners are not just building patios anymore. They are building permanent outdoor rooms. The RTA Outdoor Living 2026 Cost Study shows median outdoor kitchen orders jumped 17.9%, while Houzz data shows 83% of renovated outdoor spaces now include dedicated lounge areas. For Central Florida homeowners planning a poolside kitchen, sunroom, or enclosed patio, here is what the data says about costs and trends.
Three Surprising Findings
Finding 1: Outdoor kitchens are being built to last, not just to grill.
95% of outdoor kitchen projects are now built entirely from scratch, up 7 percentage points from 2024, and 68% include infrastructure improvements like plumbing, electrical, or heating systems. This is not a grill on a patio anymore. It is permanent construction with utility connections and weather protection in the plan.
Finding 2: Resale value is losing to personal enjoyment.
Only 15% of homeowners renovating outdoor spaces cite resale value as a motivation (down from 18% in 2024), while those making spaces “more accommodating” rose to 25%. The backyard is becoming a primary living space, not an investment play. Homeowners are designing for how they actually live, not for what a future buyer might want.
Finding 3: Homeowners are not just adding kitchens. They are zoning entire yards.
83% of renovated outdoor spaces include lounge or seating areas, 55% have dining areas, 53% have quiet retreats, and 48% include outdoor cooking zones. The modern backyard is a multi-room home extension with distinct functional areas, not one big open slab.
Key Findings
- Average RTA outdoor kitchen order value: about $19,000. RTA Outdoor Living’s sales data shows the median order at $19,355 in 2026, a benchmark for a typical substantial outdoor kitchen purchase.
- Cost per linear foot for a complete outdoor kitchen: about $1,500 per linear foot. This rate covers panels, countertops, and appliances, though site conditions and utility work can push costs higher.
- Median order value increased 17.9%, from $16,409 to $19,355. RTA Outdoor Living’s October 7, 2026 study attributes this to larger, better-equipped kitchens with more premium components.
- 83% of renovated outdoor spaces include a lounge or seating area. Houzz’s 2026 U.S. Outdoor Trends Study, based on a survey of 1,191 homeowners, confirms lounging is the dominant outdoor activity.
- 71% of homeowners hired a professional for outdoor renovations (up from 65% in 2024). Houzz reports this is a new peak in pro hiring for outdoor projects.
- 95% of outdoor kitchen projects were built from scratch (up 7 percentage points from 2024). Houzz data shows homeowners are choosing permanent installations over simple refreshes.
- 25% of homeowners renovated for personal accommodation (up from 22% in 2024). Meanwhile, only 15% cited resale value as a motivation, down from 18%.
- Deck and porch remodel requests increased 50% year over year. Thumbtack’s Fall and Winter 2026 trends report, surveying over 1,000 homeowners, recorded this rise in outdoor living project demand.
- Patio remodel requests increased approximately 67% year over year. The same Thumbtack report shows patios are a major focus for fall and winter home improvements.
- Florida remodeling spending: $15.4 billion (5.5% of the U.S. market) in Q1 2026. The National Association of Home Builders’ State Projections of Remodeling places Florida third nationally in remodeling activity.
What This Means for Central Florida Homeowners
For homeowners in Lakeland, Plant City, Winter Haven, and surrounding communities, these numbers translate into practical planning guidance.
The $19,000 median order and $1,500 per linear foot benchmark suggest that a substantial outdoor kitchen is a significant investment, one that benefits from professional design and installation. With 71% of homeowners now hiring pros and 95% of kitchens built from scratch, DIY approaches are becoming the exception.
In Central Florida, outdoor structures face intense sun, seasonal storms, and hurricane exposure. An aluminum pool cage, screen enclosure, or covered lanai is what makes an outdoor kitchen usable year-round. The Houzz data showing 83% of renovated spaces include lounge areas suggests homeowners are thinking about shade, comfort, and protection from the elements as core requirements.
The Thumbtack data on a 50% increase in deck and porch remodels and a 67% increase in patio remodels signals that demand for outdoor living upgrades is rising as fall and winter arrive, a prime season for outdoor construction in Florida before summer heat and storm season.
Expert Quote
Issac Turpin, Founder and CEO of True Aluminum / True Corp:
“Homeowners are not asking for a barbecue anymore. They are asking for a second kitchen, with plumbing, electrical, and a roof over it. That changes how we build. With 71% of homeowners now hiring pros and Florida facing hurricane season every year, aluminum offers the durability they need without the rust and rot of wood or steel. It is the material that survives Florida.”
Methodology
This analysis draws from RTA Outdoor Living’s 2026 Cost Study (sales data), the 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study (survey of 1,191 homeowners), Thumbtack’s Fall and Winter 2026 Trends Report (survey of 1,000+ homeowners), and the National Association of Home Builders’ Q1 2026 State Projections of Remodeling.
About True Aluminum
True Aluminum is a family-owned aluminum contractor serving Central Florida since 2009, part of the True family of companies. Fully licensed (FL License SCC131151391). The True family has served 100,000+ customers. Google reviews on the Lakeland profile are 4.9 stars from 300+ reviews. Services include pool cages, screen enclosures, sunrooms, carports, pergolas, and outdoor kitchens.
Read the complete analysis: Outdoor Living Services Costs Revealed in RTA 2026 Outdoor Kitchen Study.
Planning a poolside kitchen, sunroom, or enclosed patio? Explore our aluminum outdoor living services to see how we help Central Florida homeowners build spaces that last.
