Your outdoor space is an extension of your home – a living area to relax, entertain, and make memories with friends and family. As lifestyles and needs change, so do trends in outdoor space design. By integrating the latest innovative ideas, you can create an outdoor oasis personalized to your taste and lifestyle.
Let’s explore five of the hottest landscaping trends that are transforming backyards across North America. Understanding these trends will help you develop a vision and plan to enhance your outdoor living space.
Table of Contents
1- Embrace Eco-Friendly Landscaping
Sustainability is a top priority for today’s homeowners. An eco-friendly landscape integrates environmentally friendly solutions into aesthetic designs, enabling you to conserve resources while beautifying your outdoor area.
Drought-Tolerant Plantings
Outdoor water conservation is critical, especially in drought-prone regions. Drought-tolerant plants with low water needs allow you to sustain a gorgeous garden without draining water resources.
Succulents like sedum, aloe vera, and echeveria are excellent choices, as are ornamental grasses, lavender, sage, and certain agave species. Local nurseries can recommend native varieties suitable for your climate and soil conditions.
Once established, many drought-resistant plants need only occasional deep watering, thriving with minimal irrigation. Position them in full sun to encourage sturdy growth. Mulch well to retain soil moisture.
By landscaping with plants adapted to dry conditions, you can reduce outdoor water usage by up to 60%1. That saves money on utility bills while benefiting the environment.
Sustainable Landscaping Practices
Beyond plant choices, adopt eco-friendly landscaping practices like:
- Installing smart irrigation systems to deliver water only when truly needed
- Using organic fertilizers and pest control methods
- Incorporating native plants to provide food and habitat for local wildlife
- Adding rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable pavers to absorb storm water runoff
- Composting leaves and yard debris to produce rich mulch for flower beds
Every sustainable choice contributes towards a healthier landscape. Work with eco-conscious landscape designers to develop solutions personalized for your space and priorities.
2- Romantic and Nostalgic Garden Themes
Nature has a way of soothing the soul. This year, embrace garden designs focused on creating an intimate sanctuary right at home.
Revival of Classic Flowers
Timeless flowers like hydrangeas, roses, peonies, and bleeding hearts conjure up memories of grandma’s cottage garden. The nostalgic charm and romantic spirit of these classics make them ideal for emotional landscaping.
Use them as statement pieces in key focal points around your garden. Plant in groups for maximum visual impact. With a long blooming period, these beauties infuse joy and serenity from spring through fall.
Incorporating Vintage Elements
Further enhance the old-world appeal by decorating with vintage-style elements like:
- Wrought iron or distressed wood seating
- Stone/brick pathways
- Antique water pumps and birdbaths
- Reclaimed planters and repurposed containers
- Handcrafted garden art and signage
Mix modern conveniences like outdoor lighting with traditional accents for a timeworn, storybook vibe. Keep hardscaping and furnishings neutral to let the flowers shine. The overall effect is a peaceful, welcoming refuge from urban life.
3- Wellness and Therapeutic Gardens
The pandemic sparked a renewed appreciation of nature’s healing qualities. Outdoor spaces designed to calm the senses and rejuvenate the spirit are growing in popularity at homes as well as healthcare facilities.
Fragrant Plants and Flowers
Incorporate sweet-smelling plants like gardenias, jasmine, lavender, mint, and rosemary to nurture body and mind through aroma. Position them along pathways or near seating areas to envelope you in their soothing fragrances.
Water features and wind chimes add peaceful auditory elements. You can also grow medicinal and culinary herbs to savour nature’s bounty through taste and touch.
Create secluded, shaded relaxation nooks for quiet contemplation amidst these sensory delights.
Gardens of Abundance
Productive gardens allow you to reap nature’s goodness as you sow and tend the landscape.
Edible gardens offer organic fruits, veggies, and herbs at your fingertips. Tend a cutting garden to enjoy fresh blooms indoors. Implement composting systems to nourish your soil.
The act of nurturing the land creates an intimate connection with nature. Watching your garden thrive sustains the soul as you enjoy nature’s bounty.
When designed well, these abundant landscapes also provide beauty and interest year-round. They sustain pollinators while feeding your family.
4- Innovative Use of Outdoor Space
Outdoor areas must serve varied needs from entertainment to relaxation. By thoughtfully enhancing underutilized spaces, you gain valuable living area without expanding your home’s footprint.
Front Yard Redesign
Your front yard and entryway offer prime opportunities to establish great first impressions. As curb appeal projects surge in popularity, homeowners are re-imagining front yards in creative new ways.
Convert unused lawn into a charming garden oasis with winding paths, ornamental trees, and lush beds. Add hardscaping and architectural elements like fountains or pergolas to create captivating focal points.
Upgrading aging driveways and walkways also helps modernize the space. Embrace material mixes: combine organic elements like flowers and plants with sleek finishes. The contrast showcases both nature’s beauty and your unique style.
Multi-Functional Outdoor Areas
When thoughtfully arranged, even small backyards can include multiple zones for dining, play, gardening, and relaxation.
Start by outlining distinct spaces based on usage. For dining, focus on easy-access seating and a nearby grill zone. Place a firepit with cozy seating to define a gathering area. Use planters, screens, or garden borders to delineate separate spots within the overall landscape.
By maximizing every square foot, you gain usable square footage without expanding your property. Again, combining different textures, materials, heights, and colours creates visual interest across the varied spaces.
5- Advanced Landscaping Technologies
Smart home technology now extends outdoors through innovative systems integrated seamlessly into natural designs.
Smart Outdoor Lighting
Automated lighting solutions give you granular, customizable control over outdoor illumination. Smart bulbs with adjustable brightness and colour temperature allow you to set the perfect ambience for any occasion.
Programmable timers ensure lights activate only when needed for added efficiency. Integrate motion sensors for additional security around entryways.
High-Tech Outdoor Features
Look beyond lighting to other advanced features like:
- Automated sun shades/awnings to block harsh sunlight
- Weather-proof outdoor TVs and speakers to entertain outdoors
- Robotic lawnmowers for consistent grass maintenance
- Heated driveways and walkways to melt snow and ice
- Illuminated garden pathways for magical nighttime strolls
For ambitious renovations, consider embedding technology infrastructure during the design phase. This simplifies integrating electronics later without disrupting the landscape.
Wrapping Up Innovative Landscaping Trends
The possibilities are endless when enhancing your exterior living environment. Use these top landscaping trends to spark creative visions for your perfect backyard paradise.
Start by assessing your needs and mapping out dedicated activity zones. Select plants and materials that reflect your priorities around sustainability, functionality, and natural beauty. Splurge on technology and accessories to elevate the luxury factor.
No matter your budget or property size, even small upgrades make a big difference. Consult landscaping professionals to bring your ideas to life cohesively. Then get ready to embrace the endless staycation possibilities in your new favourite outdoor escape!
Halifax landscaping company offers professional lawn care services to residential and commercial establishments. Call us now, we’d love to help you out!