As the weather gets colder, the use of the backyard patio is heating up. Homeowners who want to create an entertaining space outside -- even into the winter -- prize the patio's appeal. Although summertime is prime patio-time, a patio can be more than a fair-weather friend to those who want to entertain during the coronavirus pandemic, says Emily McGee, spokesperson for the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA), based in Arlington, Virginia.

"Anecdotally, at the HPBA, we have been seeing home trends showing people were increasingly using outdoor living areas prior to the coronavirus outbreak," she said. "The pandemic has only accelerated people's interest in being able to entertain outside, due to open air and physical distancing guidelines."

A patio is an outside concrete or paved area usually located in a home's backyard. While wooden decks tend to feel more like an extension of a house, a patio integrates more with the landscape, because it is poured or paved onto the ground itself. Custom-built patios have evolved from mere concrete slabs into sophisticated outdoor rooms that really cook, with outdoor kitchens and fireplaces.

Creating an outdoor oasis on the patio extends the entertaining season into colder weather. "An outdoor kitchen, fireplace and outdoor furniture are amenities on a patio that make you want to spend time there," McGee said. "And, manufacturers are always creating more products that make it easier to create an outdoor family room."

Concrete is still one of the most popular materials used to construct a patio. However, the iconic, gray square slab of the 1950s has evolved into a concrete patio with decorative stamping and staining. Before pouring concrete or laying stone or brick, make sure you're working with competent contractors who have experience installing patios. After the design is drawn, the site needs to be prepared, so that the patio slopes away from the house and drains properly.

A patio should be built with outside-rated bricks, tiles and pavers because these materials have less than a 3% water absorption rate, which means they won't crumble during numerous freeze-thaw cycles in colder climates. In addition to using outside-rated materials, it's important to use waterproofing membranes, especially if materials are bonded to concrete.

Before a patio pour, make sure you have a permit (if required) and a detailed plan in place for where outdoor features will be built-in or placed, McGee says.

"The design of a home patio depends on the space and how it will be used," she said. "When planning for a patio, the first step is to NOT be overeager and buy the patio furniture first."

Fire and Ice

Outdoor fire features are a growing segment of fireplace installations and a natural way to create a warm space for gathering or entertaining on a patio.

A patio's design can be metaphorically set ablaze with a fireplace's flames ignited either through wood or gas. With enough planning, a fireplace can be located nearly anywhere, but before becoming consumed with an inferno of ideas, it's best to involve a professional installer certified by the National Fireplace Institute (NFICertified.org).

No matter where a fireplace is located outside, expect it to bring an elemental experience to your patio. "I think being drawn to a fire is primal, " McGee said. "There can be snow falling, but you can still be warmed by a fire."

Today's gas-burning fireplaces are made to look beautiful with or without the flames dancing, whether it's turned on or off. A dramatic log set can be arranged in a vertical bonfire or flames can emerge from fire-safe rocks or colored crystals to emulate an Eastern design influence.

A Brisk Barbecue

For many who entertain, "eating out" can mean walking into their backyard outdoor kitchen. The centerpiece for any outdoor cooking is the grill, but there are many kinds available for different types of cookery: smoker; pizza oven; Argentinian-style 'Gaucho' grill; or Japanese-inspired Kamado ceramic grill.

"Many people 'winter-cue' all season long," McGee said. "If a homeowner barbecues and smokes year-round, it can be more important to have an outdoor kitchen setup with countertop space to handle hot, smoked meats coming off the grill."

Any appliances, countertops or cabinetry in an outdoor kitchen must also stand up to both steaming and/or freezing temperatures. Be certain that any appliance installed outdoors is manufactured for outside usage and marked with an UL (Underwriters Laboratory) seal approving it for outdoor use.

Fixed overhead structures or pergolas are also popular on a patio and give a sense of an outside room by creating atmosphere, privacy and protection from the outdoor elements. Outfitted with a big screen television, this space can be a place where people bring their entertaining A-game.

Sit a (Cold) Spell

Patio furniture featuring chairs, tables, chaise lounges, outdoor sofas and umbrellas can come in a variety of materials, ranging from metal and wood to rattan and resin.

If entertaining outside is part of a homeowner's holiday plan, your furniture can also bring the heat. "There are any number of fire-pit tables and patio heaters that will keep the chill out of the air," McGee said. "If you have a gas fire pit, special accommodations will need to be made in the planning phase of your patio construction and make sure you follow manufacturer's guidelines when it comes to setting up patio heaters."

McGee says it's good to have a furniture layout of the patio before purchasing anything. "Entertaining on the patio doesn't need to be high-tech," she said. "You can encourage people to bring their own lawn chair and blanket, because with a fire going and food on the patio, you can be cozy outside, too."

Patio Points

-- Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association, HPBA.org, click "Locate a Retailer"

The kitchen is a home's hot spot. But a kitchen's design trends aren't trendy when its composition and construction are dictated by how people really live, says Jonas Carnemark, whose eponymous design-build firm is based in Bethesda, Maryland.

"The self-isolation caused by the coronavirus pandemic has placed a magnifying lens on home design, especially in the kitchen," says the 33-year certified kitchen designer, as designated by The National Kitchen and Bath Association. "The kitchen isn't just a place where people prepare and eat food. It's the heart and hub of a home, where everyone gathers before and after meals, too."

The NKBA's "Living Impacts Design" research was released during the first quarter of 2020, and highlights consumers' kitchen inclinations based on more than 750 completed industry surveys. Influential changes to kitchen design include: plans for aging in place; homeowners' need to escape from a chaotic world; a desire to live with less; and more people working from home, according to the report.

"When designing kitchens, people want an open, minimalistic space in which many can gather, and yet have a space that feels cozy and calming," Carnemark says. "The NKBA research highlights and objectifies trends we've been seeing in the kitchen, such as quality builds in terms of sustainability and functionality."

Designing kitchens that really cook on all levels is a necessity in today's home.

Whether the cook is on-the-go, with little time for meal prep, or a more health-conscious experimental epicure with the desire to prepare fresh foods, the kitchen is now accommodating many styles and skill levels.

Connected Living

"The kitchen is the natural place in the home to gather, and as a result, people want to feel connected -- both to each other and the world at large," Carnemark says. "People want literal access to the outside world and nature from their kitchen or digitally, through electronic devices."

The first step to more connected kitchen living is tearing down walls. A formal, separate dining room has been tabled in favor of incorporating many types of seating as the kitchen area occupies more square footage.

Today's kitchen has a living area outfitted with sofa, stuffed chairs and a big-screen television that is wired for movie marathons, big game day gatherings and Zoom calls. In this space -- which can include a bar area and fireplace -- families can chill out and lounge around in a comfortable atmosphere with easy access to the kitchen and food.

A kitchen that also encourages outdoor living is the environment many homeowners desire. The installation of sliding doors from the larger kitchen area to an outdoor patio encourages gatherings to spill outside.

Simplified Living

With an open floor-plan kitchen design, everything is on display, so it's important to keep the space clutter-free. Carnemark relies on his Scandinavian sensibilities when designing kitchens that have both form and function.

"Americans are desiring a minimalistic style design aesthetic in their homes, whether you're borrowing inspiration from the German Bauhaus movement or the Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy," he says. "The idea is to fill your house with experiences and people, not possessions."

Invest in high-quality building materials and craftsmanship, so less time is spent fixing or replacing broken items in the kitchen. Cabinets, countertops and backsplashes with clean lines are easier to wipe down. Customized storage for everything from servingware to spices means there's a place for everything, and everything is put back in place.

"A well-stocked and organized pantry means the food you have doesn't go to waste," Carnemark says. "And if everyone knows where items are located in the kitchen, you're more likely to have more involvement in mealtime preparation and cleanup."

Healthy Living

It's impossible to not consider one's health during the age of coronavirus, but a move toward preparing plant-based dishes, using nonprocessed meats and whole grains predates the pandemic, Carnemark says.

"People are growing their own herbs, whether it's in pots on the counter or in garden beds right outside the kitchen," he says. "We are dialed into the Earth by consciously using sustainable materials during the building process."

Cool zones are hot in the kitchen as designers are figuring out a colder kitchen flow. Refrigeration and freezer appliances can be built-in or freestanding, stowed under the counter in drawers or standing upright as wine columns. "The refrigerated zones anchor a kitchen's workflow," Carnemark says. "Based on refrigeration, you can build multiple stations in the kitchen, from meal prep to drink and snack drawers."

Living in Place

Universal design concepts have universal appeal for homeowners and refer to a broad spectrum of modifications that can inherently make a space more livable and accessible for both aging and differently abled individuals.

In the kitchen, universal design can be the embodiment of one-level living with wider doors, nonslip flooring and readily accessible switches and home controls, Carnemark says.

"Universal design concepts aren't just precepts to be applied to homes for aging populations; it's just good design," he says. "Wider clearances around the kitchen island and multileveled countertop work spaces just make sense so more can pitch in and help."

Overall, creating an environment in the kitchen and adjacent areas that is comfortable and accessible -- while being technologically wired for lighting and Wi-Fi, with clean and organized cabinets using natural and durable finishes -- makes cooking time more charmed, and less a chore.

"Multigenerational living is a reality now in many homes, thanks to the pandemic," Carnemark says. "These new living situations have their own synergism and opportunity to connect in the kitchen."

Pro Tips

-- To find a certified kitchen professional, go to The National Kitchen and Bath Association's website: www.nkba.org and click the "Find a Member" link.

-- Carnemark Design and Build, carnemark.com, 301-657-5000

Whether open-air, screened-in or wraparound, a porch links a home to the outside world. A porch's presence is most welcome, especially during the coronavirus age, where physical distancing and fresh-air activities are necessities when socializing, says Nancy Moore, president and owner of The Porch Company in Nashville, Tennessee.

"In our 28 years in business, we have never been busier, as our sales have seen a 50% increase," she said. "People are looking to either build a front or back porch on their home, or spruce up an existing one."

Porches aren't a modern architectural phenomenon, but are enjoying a contemporary comeback after falling out of favor in the mid-20th century. Some of the oldest porches on record are stately porticos on Greek buildings, from which the word "porch" is derived. These columned entryways to ancient buildings serve the same purpose in today's home: a covered architectural transition for those entering or exiting a building.

"A porch is an outdoor structure, which must have a roofline and walls that breathe," Moore said. "Whether it's screened-in or open to the elements, a porch requires a contractor that understands this structure is exposed to weather."

A Porch Production

Before building or renovating a porch, Moore says the covered structure needs to fit both the house's architecture and the character of the neighborhood. "A front porch gives homeowners a connection to the street and community, and can be perceived as a form of hospitality," she said. "A back porch is more private and connects people to nature or serves as a personal sanctuary."

When it comes to construction, Moore says to make sure you're working with competent contractors who have experience installing porches. After a design is drawn, the site needs to be prepared so the porch slightly slopes away from the house and drains away from the foundation.

Moore says a typical porch her company builds is about 300 square feet with a vaulted roof with at least a 1-foot overhang to provide greater protection from rain. A peak or gable in the center of a porch roof creates a focal point, often leading one to the front door. "A house that just has a stoop or a simple walk-up can really get a facelift when the entryway is expanded to include a porch," she said. "That being said, you would never build a Victorian-style porch on a ranch house. You have to get the proportions and the aesthetics right."

Renovate and Refresh

Painting or staining a wooden porch is one of the quickest and easiest ways to freshen an existing or new space. While there are building codes that must be followed, panels -- in a myriad of designs -- can easily replace badly beaten balusters on a porch railing. With a typical rail height of 30 to 42 inches, The Porch Co. sells panels made of low-maintenance cellular PVC, which emulates a wood look, starting at $125.

To refresh an existing grey cement porch, the slab may be acid-stained or painted with a concrete acrylic coating. But, if pouring a new porch, the concrete can be tinted and stamped to emulate real stone or tile on the floor.

Finishing/Furnishing Touches

When a porch is illuminated properly, it creates an airy, inviting atmosphere, says Moore. It's important to choose lighting fixtures that complement a home's architectural style and also rated by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL Wet) as safe when exposed to the weather. Ceiling fans are important fixtures on porches and can pull double duty when outfitted with a light kit. Fans also draw in and circulate fresh air, while providing a cooling effect in a shaded space.

Whether a homeowner wants to shoot the breeze or just catch one, the porch's furniture provides a finishing touch. Of course, the iconic porch swing can be seen as a must on every porch, but make sure there's enough room to accommodate the size and movement of this piece of furniture. To sleep in peace, The Porch Co. also sells bed swings (starting at $1,650), which can double as seating with enough pillows in place.

If a homeowner wants to embrace the neighborhood, arrange furniture on the porch to face the street. But if creating an intimate setting is more important, arrange furnishings in tight groupings that face each other. Most porches double as entries into a home, so it's imperative to allow for a clear pathway to the front or back door.

Furnishings made of sturdy materials such as wood, durable plastic and rustproof metal will withstand the elements, but can still be comfortable and attractive. Porch furnishings and accessories range from traditional to contemporary, but the outdoor furniture you choose should complement the style, colors and materials inside your home.

Moore says the porch should be a fully integrated design element to a house.

"There are porch people, who see this structure as a respite from work inside and outside the home," she said. "A porch gives people a place that is sheltered, where they can feel safe and also take in the sights of the world around them."

Picture-Perfect Porch

The Porch Company products: PorchCo.com

Captino 05: A house that once featured a simple walk-up has a more impactful entrance with its front porch, designed by The Porch Co. in Nashville. The architectural gable in the center of the porch roof creates a focal point and pleasantly leads one to the front door. Credit: J. Paul Moore Photography