Learn how Riverhead Building Supply can help make your outdoor spaces memorable this season!
Summer is here, and with it comes new and exciting ways to make outdoor living the highlight of your season. Investing in outdoor spaces continues to be a top priority for homeowners and an area of opportunity for building professionals. As we head deeper into 2025 and look toward 2026, outdoor spaces are being reimagined not just as add-ons, but as essential extensions of the home. You don’t have to go far to enjoy the warm weather when you have an oasis in your own backyard. From decking to masonry, here are the top five outdoor trends shaping our projects across the northeast.
1. Decking: Dare to dream big
Decking remains the foundation of many outdoor projects, offering a space for entertaining or relaxing. This year, homeowners are looking for sleek decking designs including rounded edges, organic shapes, and integrated steps, moving beyond the boxy layouts of yesterday to create decks that are beautiful and functional. Composite materials continue to dominate due to their lower maintenance, high durability, and ability to mimic natural wood tones with scratch-resistant finishes. These decks also add a layer of safety to your deck, offering non-slip surfaces and flame resistance. With so many options to choose from, there is a deck to meet everyone’s individual needs and personal style. Invest in the deck of your dreams this summer!
2. Outdoor Kitchens that Impress and Inspire
Riverhead Building Supply knows that kitchen style and functionality don’t stop indoors. Outdoor kitchens offer a great way to take advantage of warm weather, outdoor scenery, and a larger hosting space. From prefabricated kitchen islands to outdoor cabinetry, the focus is on functional designs that deliver performance and style right to your backyard. Popular features include integrated grills and BBQs, convenient storage, and built-in lighting for nighttime cooking. As more homeowners entertain outdoors, weatherproof cabinetry, countertop prep space, and dedicated zones for dining and lounging are rising in demand.
3. Structure and Stone
Masonry is having a moment. Homeowners are leaning into stone, brick, and concrete for everything from accent walls to seat walls and fire pit features. Patios and pool surrounds remain popular uses of masonry materials. Riverhead Building Supply’s masonry locations make it easy to imagine creative ways to upgrade your outdoor spaces. It’s a high-impact way to ground a space and introduce durable, natural textures. Pergolas are also evolving. Once purely decorative, today’s pergolas are fully integrated architectural elements which can support lighting, fans, shade canopies, and even sound systems. Builders are opting for systems that reduce labor without sacrificing aesthetics. When paired with hardscape elements like pavers or retaining walls, the result is an outdoor environment that is built to last.
4. Luxury Lighting
Lighting is no longer an afterthought. For today’s homeowners, it is integral to both the function and feel of an outdoor space. LED path lights, under-rail deck lighting and pergola light fixtures are helping homeowners enjoy their spaces long after sunset. Smart lighting systems are growing fast, allowing full control from a phone or voice assistant. Professionals who integrate lighting into their design from the start see stronger project results and happier clients. For the trade, offering lighting packages along with decking and hardscape materials can boost job value and increase client satisfaction. For homeowners, lighting is one of the most cost-effective ways to elevate any space, especially your outdoor retreat.
5. Smart Storage
Beautiful backyards and lush landscapes can be disrupted by visual clutter. Gardening tools, outdoor furniture cushions, and pool supplies are often the culprits. Homeowners are opting to create a serene and organized backyard by investing in sheds and outdoor storage cabinets. Gone are the days of basic, unmaintained sheds. Sheds are now a beautiful fixture of the yard, with many homeowners opting for custom builds made to fit their storage needs. Cedar is a popular building material due to its clean and stylish appearance.
Bonus! Strong and Stylish Railing
Attractive and sturdy railing is the finishing touch to any deck or pool area. Shop options from traditional to contemporary, from trusted suppliers such as Deckorators, TimberTech, Intex, and Feeney.
Ready to build what’s next?
Visit a Riverhead Building Supply location near you to learn more about how our team of experienced professionals can help you build the outdoor living space of your dreams this summer, from frame to finish.
