Latest Residential Landscape Design Trends
Sustainability, low-maintenance design elements are rated the most desirable.
Sustainability and low-maintenance design are the top trends for residential landscape projects, according to the 2015 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
Landscape architects were asked to rate the expected popularity of a variety of residential outdoor design elements in 2015. The survey was fielded February 13 through February 27, 2015, with 581 responding. ASLA redesigned the survey for 2015 and introduced a new methodology to more clearly rank the popularity of different types of landscape projects.
Top ten project types with the expected highest consumer demand:
- Native plants (85 percent)
- Native/adapted drought-tolerant plants (83 percent)
- Food/vegetable gardens (79 percent)
- Fire pits/fireplaces (78 percent)
- Low-maintenance landscapes (78 percent)
- Permeable paving (77 percent)
- Drip/water-efficient irrigation (74 percent)
- Rain gardens (74 percent)
- Lighting (72 percent)
- Rainwater/graywater harvesting (71 percent)
“Consumers care about designed landscapes that are attractive, easy to take care of and eco-friendly,” says Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA. “The survey shows that homeowners increasingly see opportunities to improve the environment right in their own backyard.”
The top three most popular outdoor design elements include fire pits/fireplaces (78 percent), lighting (72 percent) and grills (63 percent). The top landscape and garden elements include native plants (85 percent), food and vegetable gardens (79 percent) and low-maintenance landscapes (78 percent). Pergolas (51 percent), decks (45 percent) and fencing (42 percent) are expected to be the most popular outdoor structures.
The hottest sustainable design elements include native/adapted drought-tolerant plants (83 percent), permeable paving (77 percent) and drip/water-efficient irrigation (74 percent).
Forty percent of respondents noted that the most popular outdoor recreation amenities for 2015 will include spa features—hot tubs, Jacuzzis, whirlpools, and indoor/outdoor saunas—and swimming pools.
Outdoor Design Elements
Ranked in expected order of popularity for 2015
- Fire pits/fireplaces 78.0%
- Lighting 72.0%
- Grills 63.0%
- Outdoor furniture 63.0%
- Seating/dining areas 63.0%
- Wireless/internet connectivity 60.0%
- Planters, sculptures, garden accessories 55.0%
- Counter space 53.0%
- Outdoor heaters 46.0%
- Stereo systems 45.0%
- Movie/TV/video theaters 38.0%
- Utility storage 38.0%
- Sinks 37.0%
- Refrigerators 35.0%
- Outdoor cooling systems (including fans) 29.0%
- Showers/baths 27.0%
- Hammocks 20.0%
- Bedrooms/sleeping spaces 9.0%
Outdoor Recreation Amenities
Ranked in expected order of popularity for 2015
- Spa features (hot tubs, Jacuzzis, whirlpools, indoor/outdoor saunas) 40.0%
- Swimming pools 40.0%
- Sports courts (tennis, bocce, etc.) 36.0%
Landscape/Garden Elements
Ranked in expected order of popularity for 2015
- Native plants 85.0%
- Food/vegetable gardens (including orchards, vineyards, etc.) 79.0%
- Low-maintenance landscapes78.0%
- Rain gardens 74.0%
- Water-saving xeriscape or dry gardens71.0%
- Organic gardens 68.0%
- Plant walls/vertical gardens 61.0%
- Decorative water elements (ornamental pools, fountains, splash pools, waterfalls, grottos, water runnels or bubblers) 57.0%
- Rooftop gardens 56.0%
- Ponds/streams 33.0%
Outdoor Structures
Ranked in expected order of popularity for 2015
- Pergolas 51.0%
- Decks 45.0%
- Fencing 42.0%
- Arbors 41.0%
- Porches 38.0%
- ADA accessible structures (ramps, bars, shelving, etc.) 31.0%
- Pavilions 31.0%
- Utility sheds (tool sheds, garden sheds) 29.0%
- Play structures (treehouses, swing sets, etc.) 25.0%
- Gazebos 19.0%
Sustainable Elements
Ranked in expected order of popularity for 2015
- Native/adapted drought tolerant plants 83.0%
- Permeable paving 77.0%
- Drip/water-efficient irrigation 74.0%
- Rainwater/graywater harvesting 71.0%
- Reduced lawn area 69.0%
- Recycled materials 65.0%
- Solar-powered lights 55.0%
- Compost bins 51.0%
- Geothermal heated pools 21.0%