The outdoor living design industry is moving beyond basic deck construction, led by professionals who recognize that homeowners now want more than visual upgrades; they want spaces that relieve daily stress. Paul Lafrance, founder of Paul Lafrance Design and former host of HGTV’s “Decked Out,” is at the forefront of this trend, reframing outdoor spaces as essential components of wellness and daily life, not just luxury add-ons. Lafrance and his team work with residential and commercial clients across North America, often collaborating with custom home builders, real estate professionals, and developers to integrate outdoor living concepts into both new builds and strategic home sales.
From Rock Music to Backyard Retreats
Lafrance’s path to outdoor living design was unconventional. He began his career in music, aiming to become a rock musician. At 22, while working in a bookstore, he accepted a job offer from a friend’s fence and deck company, an unexpected detour that revealed a unique blend of skills.
“If you had told me 30 years ago that I’d be known as the deck guy instead of a rock star, I would have said, ‘That’s not what I’m supposed to be doing,’” Lafrance says.
He soon realized that his mind worked both as a builder and a designer, an unusual combination in an industry where these roles are typically separate. His musical background shaped his approach to design, focusing on the emotional impact of a space rather than its function alone.
“How does someone know a good song when they hear one? It’s because of how it makes them feel,” Lafrance explains. He applies the same thinking to outdoor spaces, aiming to evoke an emotional response that goes beyond surface-level appeal.
Outdoor Spaces
Lafrance’s core philosophy addresses a widespread challenge: the prevalence of chronic stress in modern life. Instead of simply creating attractive outdoor areas, he designs what he calls “places of rest” that offer immediate access to relaxation, right outside the back door.
“Everyone understands stress these days,” he observes. “It’s almost like there’s something wrong with you if you’re not stressed or anxious.”
This focus shapes each project. Lafrance prioritizes creating spaces that act as psychological retreats, allowing homeowners to unwind without the effort or cost of travel. He highlights the practical value of stepping outside into a calming environment, especially as free time becomes scarce.
“Time is a commodity we can’t buy,” he says. “To be able to walk right outside without having to fight traffic or catch a flight, that has tremendous value.”
Wellness Investment, Not Just Home Improvement
Lafrance positions outdoor living projects as long-term investments in wellness, not just discretionary upgrades. His typical projects range from $100,000 to $200,000, a figure he compares to the cost of buying a vacation property.
“If you were to buy a cottage or beach house, what would that cost? If I can create your staycation home, your retreat, in your backyard, that $100,000 to $200,000 is reasonable,” he argues.
He challenges the common belief that outdoor upgrades do not add value to resale. Lafrance urges homeowners to view these projects as investments in their daily quality of life, not just financial transactions. “When you go on vacation, do you get that money back? You invest in rest,” he explains.
To illustrate, Lafrance cites a Toronto townhouse where a $100,000 outdoor renovation helped the sellers secure $400,000 over asking price. This example supports his view that thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces can have a real impact on property value and buyer interest.
Designing for Broad Appeal
A major obstacle Lafrance faces is homeowners’ reluctance to invest in outdoor spaces because of concerns about resale value. He addresses this by combining personal customization with broad market appeal.
“Real design means tapping into who you are, what makes you tick, and then creating something that connects with you emotionally without being too niche for the next buyer,” he explains.
Lafrance aims for “timeless” designs, avoiding trends that quickly become outdated. He warns that following fleeting fads leads to costly updates and regrets. “Trends are about what’s popular now, but when they go out of style, you’re pressured to update. That’s a money pit,” he says.
Recent Market Shifts
Since 2020, the outdoor living market has seen rapid changes. The pandemic drove a surge in demand as people spent more time at home, causing material and labor costs to soar. Lafrance notes that some pool companies even went out of business after overcommitting during the boom.
“Everyone was investing in their homes because they couldn’t leave,” he recalls. “The number of pools going in was off the charts, but some companies couldn’t sustain it.”
Now, with economic uncertainty and rising costs, homeowners are more cautious. Lafrance sees this as an opportunity for deeper, more intentional investments in spaces that truly add value to daily life. He argues that delaying these projects out of fear results in missed real benefits. “Most people live their lives through fear disguised as practicality,” he says, citing Jim Carrey.
The Role of Technology
As automated design tools and artificial intelligence gain ground in the industry, Lafrance stresses the importance of human insight in creating meaningful spaces. He recently released content explaining why AI cannot fully replace designers.
“AI will never be able to do what good designers do, tap into the human soul and create something uniquely personal,” he says. He believes that authentic design requires understanding a client’s experiences, challenges, and needs, which machines cannot replicate.
This human-centered approach extends to balancing individual tastes with broader psychological needs, ensuring each space is both personal and universally appealing.
What’s Next
Lafrance predicts that outdoor spaces will become standard features in homes, not optional luxuries. He sees a generational shift toward prioritizing environments that promote digital disconnection and stress relief.
He shares a perspective from his 21-year-old daughter, who believes her generation will lead efforts to “turn off all the noise” and step back from constant connectivity. “They’re switching to flip phones, completely abandoning being sucked into the fear,” he says.
This shift suggests growing demand for outdoor spaces designed for relaxation, reflection, and escape from digital overload.
