The Great Outdoors

How Outdoor Spaces are Redefining Vacation Rentals

By Ann Wood

As travelers become more selective in how and where they spend their time, vacation rentals are evolving to meet a new expectation: immersive outdoor experiences that let guests breathe in the salt air, soak up the sun, and truly feel the destination.

Along the Outer Banks, homeowners and property managers are rethinking the role of outdoor space. No longer an afterthought, these areas are being designed as central gathering points – places where families reconnect, celebrations are shared, and memorable moments come to life. From visually stunning pools and swim-up bars to shaded lounge areas and unique fire features, outdoor enhancements are not only elevating the guest experience, but they are also reshaping the economics of the vacation rental market.

Why Create the Space?

For many travelers, the appeal of a beach vacation lies in the environment itself. Fresh air, sun, and proximity to the water are the primary draw—something that indoor amenities alone cannot satisfy.

“Most of our guests come to the Outer Banks for a break from normal life,” explains Lex Lowe, Head of Creative at Carolina Designs Realty. “As great as a home theater or rec room can be, people are most looking forward to getting time outside in the fresh coastal air.”

Dune Buggy’s in-pool firepit creates a built-in focal point—something guests don’t expect and won’t forget. Image from Twiddy & Company.

This shift in guest priorities has made outdoor space a key differentiator. In a competitive rental landscape, unique exterior features can be the deciding factor between two otherwise similar properties. Lowe notes that amenities like dune-top hot tubs, poolside lounges, and shaded activity areas give groups new ways to gather and create experiences they simply can’t recreate at home.

For renters like Rachel Snyder from Mechanicsburg, PA, those features can even shape major life events. Planning her wedding in Nags Head, Snyder selected her accommodations specifically for the home’s outdoor offerings. “We loved the covered outdoor kitchen and bar, especially the swim-up bar in the pool,” she says. “It just feels like the perfect place to gather with family and friends we haven’t seen in a while.”

What These Spaces Look Like Today

Today’s outdoor enhancements go far beyond a simple pool or deck. Instead, they are layered environments—designed with intention, visual impact, and flexibility.

At the high end of the market, outdoor spaces are being integrated into the overall plan. These may include multi-level gathering spaces, shaded pavilions, outdoor kitchens, fire features, and activity zones designed for all ages.

Carolina Designs Realty highlights homes like Atlantic Overlook, where outdoor living extends across multiple levels, from a covered outdoor kitchen and bar on the top deck to poolside entertainment areas featuring life-sized chess, ping-pong, and a stone outdoor fireplace. On the ground level, often unused space beneath the home has been transformed into a shaded nine-hole mini golf course and secondary pool area.

From The Palm’s elevated decks to the pool’s central gathering point, the design creates a natural flow that keeps guests moving easily between spaces. Image from Carolina Designs.

Similarly, Twiddy & Company describes properties like Here Comes the Sun as an “activity campus,” where features like a pickleball court, basketball, and shuffleboard turn the backyard into a private recreation hub. In other homes, design is driven by setting—like The Dune Buggy, where artificial turf and open sightlines allow guests to enjoy coastal views from the pool deck.

Pools themselves have become focal points for innovation. Swim-up bars, in-water seating, inset hot tubs, and custom lighting are increasingly common. In some cases, design elements push even further, like unique shapes, lazy rivers, bridges over the water, and even fire features built directly into the pool, creating a striking visual that immediately captures attention.

“These spaces are becoming destinations in themselves,” Lowe explains. “They give guests fresh ways to gather and make the home feel like more than just a place to stay.”

Designing for Use and Maintenance

While the visual impact of these spaces is undeniable, their success depends just as much on functionality and upkeep.

“Guests love spending time outdoors, and owners that provide these areas see the benefit of happy guests and less wear and tear on interior spaces—it’s a win/win for all,” says Dan Hardy of Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates. “We’ve been encouraging our owners to make better use of outdoor areas, especially in homes without additional indoor living space.”

“Managing resort-style outdoor amenities requires constant coordination,” notes a representative from Twiddy & Company. Maintenance extends beyond routine pool care to include water chemistry management, salt-air corrosion prevention, and the upkeep of outdoor electronics and furnishings. In the four-wheel-drive area north of Corolla, logistics like transporting supplies become part of the equation.

That increased use does come with added responsibility. “Outdoor spaces need to be cleaned just like the interiors,” Hardy adds, underscoring the growing operational demands.

Property managers are adapting accordingly. At Carolina Designs, dedicated outdoor cleaning crews support housekeepers by preparing exterior spaces for guest arrival—arranging furniture, cleaning grills, and ensuring a strong first impression.

The added effort is necessary, as outdoor areas are now held to the same standard as interiors. Cleanliness, functionality, and presentation all play a role in guest satisfaction—and, ultimately, in repeat bookings.

As the sun sets, color and light take over—creating an entirely different energy that keeps guests outside well into the evening. The Salt House from Joe Lamb Jr.

Rental Demand and Return on Investment

As outdoor spaces have grown more sophisticated, so too has their impact on rental performance.

Among rental companies, the consensus is clear: these enhancements drive both demand and revenue.

“Having an exciting or unique outdoor space can definitely increase the demand for that property,” says Maria Fargione, Rental Manager at Carolina Designs Realty. When paired with a well-appointed interior, those features allow homes to command higher rates based on market demand and comparable properties.

Data from Twiddy & Company supports this trend. Homes that have expanded their outdoor amenities have seen measurable gains. At the luxury end, properties with full outdoor packages—visually stunning pools, covered lounge areas, and professional landscaping — can command peak weekly rates, higher than comparable homes with standard offerings.

At the same time, smaller homes are finding success by enhancing ground-level spaces with simple, social features like globe lighting, casual seating, tiki bars, and games, creating relaxed environments where guests naturally gather and spend more time together.

Poolside lounging, a quick game on the combination pickleball and basketball court, all within sight of the ocean. Outdoor spaces like Here Comes the Sun from Twiddy & Company are designed to keep everyone engaged from sunrise to sunset. Image from Twiddy & Company.

Weather resilience has also become an important part of outdoor design. According to Twiddy & Company, features like motorized shutters, covered cabanas, and screened lounges with fireplaces allow homes to function as all-weather retreats, ensuring outdoor spaces remain usable even during rain or wind.

Homes with covered outdoor entertainment areas tend to see higher repeat booking rates—reinforcing the idea that when the experience isn’t disrupted by weather, guests are more likely to return.

Even beyond pricing, outdoor spaces influence how guests experience, and remember, their stay. A representative of Twiddy & Company shares that exterior features are mentioned in guest reviews roughly three times more often than most interior elements, with the exception of the kitchen.

Guest feedback reinforces this. One visitor to a Corolla property noted that the outdoor area became “a great place to gather and enjoy the kids, even in cloudy weather.” Another described an outdoor setup as “amazing,” highlighting how much time was spent relaxing, playing games, and enjoying the space. “If you have an active family it’s particularly great!”

For property managers, this translates into a clear advantage: more satisfied guests, stronger reviews, and increased likelihood of repeat bookings.

Rain or shine, the fun doesn’t stop—Atlantic Overlook’s private 9-hole mini golf course is tucked beneath the home for all-day play. Image from Carolina Designs.

A New Standard for Vacation Living

As the vacation rental market continues to evolve, outdoor spaces are no longer optional enhancements, they are becoming essential components of a successful property.

For homeowners, the opportunity lies in creating something distinctive: a space that invites guests to linger, gather, and return. Whether it’s a shaded lounge beneath the home, a multi-level pool deck, or a feature as unexpected as a firepit set within the water, these elements shape the experience in ways that resonate long after the trip ends.

And in a market where experience drives demand, that may be the most valuable investment of all.

Author: Ann Wood