What’s in store for 2023 when it comes to trends in landscape and hardscape design?
Exciting things, of course! Kansas City homeowners are always on the hunt for innovative ways to create enjoyable outdoor spaces and the Envision team is here to make them a reality! Check out the top trends below that the Envision crew expects to see more of this year!
Indoor-Outdoor Merge
One trend that has experienced tremendous growth in past years will continue to gain momentum in 2023 – the indoor-outdoor merge. This is lessening the barrier between indoor and outdoor areas to create a larger, open-air space that flows together as one.
This trend is achieved by matching materials between interior and exterior spaces. Top manufacturers, like Techo-Bloc and Unilock, offer a broad range of manufactured stone pavers, slabs, bricks, and more, which provides multiple choices for seamlessly matching an interior aesthetic to an outdoor entertainment space. Keep your outdoor area cool and dry by installing a professionally designed pergola or covered veranda, further enhancing that comfortable, indoor-feel outside! With an easy transition established between your two spaces, you’ll find yourself enjoying the outdoors throughout the entire year!
Stepping Stone Pathways
Stepping stone pathways have been on the rise for the past few years. Their versatility is fantastic and they can be utilized in hundreds of different ways for properties of all shapes, sizes, and styles! As a bonus, stepping stones are easy to install and even easier to maintain! Use them to create new walkways around your property while protecting your lawn from heavy foot traffic damage.
Plants for Privacy
Trends in outdoor privacy have also begun to shift. Homeowners are more frequently moving away from the traditional wooden privacy fence – often using living, natural plantings instead. Trees are one of the best ways to create natural privacy, but thick shrubs and raised garden beds with a variety of plantings can also create height and a natural privacy barrier.
Even with a fence surrounding a property, the eye can be pleasantly distracted by creating unique flower beds along the base of the fence or, by planting climbing varietals that help hide the fence.
Take the idea a step further and plantings can be used to create private, secluded spaces within your property. With just a few expertly placed plantings, a secret garden can be created – perfect for enjoying coffee each morning!
Terra Cotta
The new Garden Trends Report from Garden Media Group declared terra cotta as the “color of the year” for 2023. Terra cotta, meaning “baked earth”, is a reddish-brown unglazed clay that is used to create pots and planters. Terra cotta is great for plant health as the porous surface helps release excess moisture from the soil – and the classic terra cotta color is a perfect balance between earthy-natural and simply eye-catching. In other words, not boring, but not too vibrant!
Both terra-cotta as a material and as a color is expected to play a significant role in backyard design this year. It’s a versatile hue that suits nearly every design style and there are practically thousands of styles and sizes available, one or more terra cotta elements will complement most any space!
Illuminated Garden Sculptures
Illuminated garden sculptures are a unique way to add an artful personality to your outdoor space. From ultra-modern to soft and natural, illuminated garden sculptures provide visual interest while also adding reflected light – a perfect outdoor attraction to enjoy in the evening after the sun has set!
There are illuminated sculpture options available that are relatively simple to install, and some even include small solar panels that recharge each day to provide illumination all night long. For even more reliable and colorful lighting options, trust the landscape pros at Envision to install a more comprehensive illuminated sculpture, complete with underground wiring.
Upscale Relaxation
During the heart of the pandemic, many families tended to spend more time at home. Consequently, they wanted to create outdoor spaces that felt more like getaway escapes!
One way to add resort-like luxury to your outdoor space is to create a spa-like experience within your outdoor space – starting with a custom-built fire feature or a gurgling fountain. Design the rest of your outdoor space around the new feature – or place it in a strategic position to give the sense of a great view from your favorite relaxation spot. Incorporate plantings and other hardscape elements into the design to give the entire area a cohesive, integrated look.
Sustainable Furniture
Sustainability continues to be an important factor in outdoor planning for many consumers, extending to their outdoor furniture. The sustainable outdoor furniture industry is booming, and today there are more choices than ever before, with unique furniture pieces constructed from bamboo, recycled plastic, rattan, and other eco-friendly materials.
Advanced technology and “green” manufacturing innovations make these pieces ultra-durable, allowing them to last for years in spite of harsh Midwest weather conditions.
Smart Technology
Smart Technology may not seem like an important part of landscaping but when it comes to irrigation or lighting systems, it can make all the difference! Advanced lighting systems and irrigation controllers help reduce energy waste and manage effective water usage – all while placing the ability to make on-the-fly changes and adjustments in the palm of your hand via a personal smartphone.
Artificial Turf
The artificial turf produced today is not the scratchy, shiny plastic green mats of yesteryear. Today’s innovative turf products come in a variety of different styles and colors. And basic green turf provides homeowners with the look of a beautiful, manicured lawn – without all the hard work!
Incorporating artificial turf into your landscape design can be done in numerous ways beyond simply replacing your whole lawn. You can create different turf areas around your property with turf as the base or even use it to create your own personal short-game practice area in the backyard!