An outdoor kitchen and patio invites relaxation near a lake. (C) OOcoskun/DepositPhotos.com
The National Association of Landscape Professionals partnered with DIYnetwork.com to spot the trends they expect in 2018. Get your hammer and saw ready, or start talking to contractors now.
The general theme? Embrace outdoor living.
We only have to look at garden centers and big box stores to see how the space for Weber grills, Big Green Eggs, Traeger Smokers, outdoor furniture, lighting and Yeti coolers has ballooned. It rivals the square footage for plants and their fertilizers, pesticides and related products.
Part of that outdoor living in designing for experiences. This can be a space for yoga, meditation, a life-size chessboard, volleyball or outdoor kitchen. Large patios for outdoor entertaining, she- and he-sheds, potting benches and garden sheds are other examples.
Snake plants adorn pots along a stone wall. (C) AGCuestra1/DepositPhotos.com
Weatherproofed structures, materials
And it’s not just the spaces. It’s weatherproofing the spaces. The goal is to extend their uses throughout the year. Heaters, cooling misters, retractable awnings and pergolas are becoming standard to protect outdoor spaces from the elements. Equipment, furniture and their materials are constructed to withstand all-weather conditions. This includes water-resistant cushion coverings, and patio umbrellas that won’t fray or fade by wind or the sun’s rays. Some landscapes have two- or three-sided rooms or seating space, complete with fireplaces for cool, cozy evenings.
Just like it’s an integral part of our home, smart technology has spread to outdoor jobs. Improved technology makes irrigation systems efficient at water conservation and watering the lawn, shrubs and other plants with different amounts and frequencies. Lawns require more water than trees and shrubs, for instance.
Collapsible mowers
Lawn equipment, such as mowers, leaf blowers and trimmers, also have been enhanced by technology, which makes them easier to use and more efficient. Engineering advances also make the equipment easier to store in smaller spaces, such as folding handles. Battery-operated equipment reduces noise in the landscape.
As far as plants, my favorite part of outdoor living, succulents and variegated foliage reign supreme. “You want to bring in different hues and textures to create a rich and vibrant landscape,” said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the National Association of Landscape Professionals.
Entertainment centers, fireplaces and seating areas are in demand in outdoor living spaces. Here’s an example from the 2017 Indiana Flower & Patio Show. The trend is to make these spaces weatherproof. (C) Photo Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
Customers are looking for what she calls playfully patterned plants, such as snake plants, prayer plants and succulents. Many plants can be used indoors or outside, where they can be enjoyed for their striped leaves, colorful veins and other interesting, fun details. As they endeavor to support bees, butterflies and other pollinators, consumers continue to plant native varieties. Fickle weather prompts interest in drought-tolerant plants.
Purposeful planting
“Many people are becoming more purposeful in planning and choosing plants,” Henriken said in a news release. Xeriscaping, or landscaping with plants that need little water, is another growing trend that focuses on conserving water.
After a lot of investment in backyards, people have become more focused on the front yard and the first impression it makes. How does their home and landscape address the street? Are the gardens well tended? Businesses also have begun to look at how they address sidewalks, trails and streets as outdoor dining continues in popularity, she said.
