Photos from 10 gorgeous decks and porches offer inspiration for just about every region, style and mood!

If the weather in your area is starting to warm and the sun is hanging around a bit longer, you’ve probably been eyeing any and all slivers of outdoor space with big dreams of soaking up the spring and summer air. But a single fold-up chair goes only so far to entice you out of your indoor cocoon. Let these 10 new outdoor lounge areas on Houzz give you more ideas.

Forbes.com recently released the results of their new American Dream Index, in which they measure “the prosperity of the middle class, and…examine which states best support the American Dream.”
The monthly index measures several different economic factors, including goods-producing employment, personal and commercial bankruptcies, building permits, startup activity, unemployment insurance claims, labor force participation, and layoffs.
The national index score was rounded out to 100 in January and saw a modest jump to 100.5 in February.
Alaska represented the lowest score on the index at 80.7, due mostly to the recent collapse in oil prices. Nevada came in with the highest score at 108.8, boosted by big gains in goods-producing jobs and new construction activity.  

Forbes Senior Editor Kurt Badenhausen explained why many states saw a boost in the index last month:
“[B]usinesses are hiring in part in anticipation of tax cuts and less regulation… Many areas of the country have experienced strong upticks in employment and construction, as well as declines in unemployment claims since the start of the year.”
Bottom LineThe American Dream, for many, includes being able to own a home of his or her own. With the economy improving in many areas of the country, that dream can finally become a reality.