2016 Top Ten Design Trends for Your Home’s Outdoor Landscape

As a member of the landscape industry, Schmechtig Landscapes subscribes to many organizations feeding us the latest news, trends and events in our industry.  Here are the 2016 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends survey results including top ten design trends 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 2016.
The survey was fielded February 4 through February 18, 2016, with 803 responding.

Respondents expected the greatest demand for outdoor living spaces that are environmentally sustainable, reduce water costs and are low maintenance.
Water-focused design elements dominated this year’s top ten list and reflect consumers’ growing commitment to landscapes that reduce water use and stormwater runoff, says Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA.  “Water issues are hot topics for many communities, and many people are turning to landscape architects for creative green infrastructure solutions,” said Somerville. “Sustainable residential landscape architecture, if part of a broader integrated site design, can dramatically reduce water usage and stormwater runoff over the long term while creating a healthy residential environment.”

Sheldon Landscape, Lake Geneva Fire Pit Ideas

The top three most popular outdoor design elements include fire pits/fireplaces (74.95 percent), lighting (66.67 percent) and wireless/internet connectivity (65.86 percent). The most popular outdoor recreation amenities for 2016 will include sports courts (41 percent), spa features (40 percent) and swimming pools (36 percent).

Outdoor Design Elements Ranked in expected order of popularity for 2016:

Fire pits/fireplaces – 75%
 Lighting – 67%
 Wireless/internet connectivity – 66%
 Seating/dining areas – 64%
 Outdoor furniture – 63%
 Planters, sculptures, garden accessories – 56%
 Grills – 54%
 Counter space – 50%
 Outdoor heaters – 47%
 Stereo systems – 40%
 Movie/TV/video theaters – 38%
 Utility storage – 35%
 Sinks – 33%
 Refrigerators – 31%
 Outdoor cooling systems (including fans) – 29%
 Showers/baths – 29%
 Hammocks – 21%
 Bedrooms/sleeping spaces – 11%

Sheldon Landscape Outdoor Kitchen Ideas

Sheldon Landscape Outdoor Dining Room Ideas with Pergola

Courtesy of The American Society of Landscape Architects website: https://www.asla.org/NewsReleaseDetails.aspx?id=48055

About the American Society of Landscape Architects: Founded in 1899, ASLA is the national professional association for landscape architects, representing more than 15,000 members in 49 professional chapters and 72 student chapters. Members of the Society use “ASLA” after their names to denote membership and their commitment to the highest ethical standards of the profession. Landscape architects lead the stewardship, planning and design of our built and natural environments; the Society’s mission is to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, communication, education and fellowship.