We love decorating around our homes and turning our yards into enjoyable living spaces. Outdoor design never goes out of style. But there are always new ideas and hot new trends to give us ideas for landscaping and design projects around our homes. So if you’re thinking about an upcoming backyard renovation, check out these four popular ideas.
Outdoor Kitchens
If they have the room, today’s home owners aren’t settling for an outdoor grill. They’re putting in brick ovens, refrigerators, barbecue courtyards, countertops, sinks, and much more. The outdoor kitchen trend is part of a larger movement to create more usable outdoor space.
Putting in an outdoor kitchen comes with a wide variety of questions to answer. You’ll need to decide whether or not you want running water, if you’ll power equipment with gas or electricity, and what material you’ll use to construct the kitchen. You also have options for which appliances to install, how to layout the kitchen, and whether you’ll DIY or hire a professional.
Fire and Water
Fire features are also expanding beyond simple fire pits to something more elaborate. Design professionals and innovative DIYers are trying out fire pits with unique shapes, raised designs, and built-in seating. Just remember to check local codes before installing an elaborate new fire project. You don’t want to finish your fire pit and then find out it’s too close to your house or a neighbor’s property line.
The soothing sound of running water makes water features a perennial favorite in outdoor design. There’s a huge variety of styles to choose from, but one trend that’s hot right now is pondless water features. These are a good choice for homeowners looking for compact, low-maintenance water gardens our fountains.
Unique Walks and Patios
Last year, Green Industry Pros reported that two of the hottest hardscaping trends were multi-level patios and innovative walkways. Multilevel patios let you separate outdoor living spaces while adding dimension to the design. Getting them installed just right can be a challenge, though, so homeowners might consider hiring a professional designer for this project.
Traditional walkways often travel in a straight line and hug the side of the house. Newer designs pull the walkway away from the house to create more visual space and a welcoming feel. They’re also incorporating more space near the home’s entryway to comfortably accommodate groups of people standing around and talking.
Sustainable Design Choices
Natural, eco-friendly, and sustainable choices are being incorporated into every aspect of backyard design. And sustainability makes sense economically as well as environmentally. Homeowners are moving away from showy, over-the-top landscaping to create timeless backyards they can enjoy for years to come without breaking their budget on maintenance.
From locally-sourced stone to drought-resistant landscaping, earth-friendly outdoor design is rapidly growing in popularity. Smaller lawns and low-maintenance landscaping mean you’re using less water and cutting back on the fertilizer and other chemicals that end up in the local environment. Plus you save money. And for hardscaping, more and more people are opting for local stone and recycled wood. Local sourcing is on-trend, cuts down on transportation costs, and it’s good for the environment.
