Home design: Must-have landscape trends

Multifunctional outdoor rooms, such as comfortable seating and dining areas, are in demand. Photo by CEDAR SPRINGS LANDSCAPING

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It’s not new that backyards are treated as extensions of indoor living, but today’s backyards are evolving into multifunctional, eco-friendly and wellness-focused spaces.

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“Homeowners want practical spaces built for real Ontario weather – comfortable seating and dining areas, firepits or fireplaces for shoulder seasons, and good indoor-outdoor flow,” Adrian Bartels, president of Cedar Springs Landscaping in Oakville, says of the trend towards multifunctional outdoor rooms.

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Fire features

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Sunken patios with fire bowls or fire tables remain one of the favourite items to incorporate in a backyard setting, according to Greg Hogan of Hogan Landscaping in Stouffville. “Great for all ages to enjoy, they give the space a very warm, intimate feel and extend the enjoyment of the backyard space well into the evening,” he says.

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A connection from inside the home to outside is still quite popular, Hogan adds. A covered patio, possibly with a fireplace or heater, provides outdoor heating to prolong the use of your outdoor space into late fall, possibly some days in the winter, and early spring.

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“Landscape lighting, which was once considered more of an option, is now included in most landscape projects for both the front and backyards,” says Hogan. “It provides safe passage along walkways and steps and highlights different features of the landscaping.”

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Also on trend: louvered pergolas. “These have become very popular because they help with municipal lot coverage restrictions while still offering rain and bug protection,” Bartels says. Privacy is also in demand. “In small urban yards, clients are requesting smart privacy solutions using columnar trees like Slender Silhouette Sweetgum, Hornbeam and Pyramidal Beech. Overall, low-maintenance designs remain a top priority.”

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Landscape styles

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When it comes to landscape styles, Hogan finds owners of new properties are looking for a contemporary, geometric style, while owners of mature properties with existing trees as a backdrop are opting for a natural, free-flowing style.

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He also finds more homeowners are interested in attracting birds and butterflies, a goal that can be achieved through the correct planting of trees (such as Serviceberry), shrubs (such as Arctic Fire Red Osier Dogwood) and perennials (such as milkweed).

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Hogan is also seeing increased demand for wellness sanctuaries – quiet areas in a garden for activities like reading and meditating. Drought-tolerant, naturalized space is also in demand. Some people want space for a vegetable garden.

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When it comes to materials, natural stone flagstone and quality hardwoods such Ipe or Thermory are the go-to for those whose budget allows, Bartels reports. Large-format concrete pavers and low-maintenance composites are also very popular. Pressure-treated or cedar decks are among the trends that are past their prime, he says, along with overly manicured lawns and high maintenance grass. Stark minimalist hardscaping, coloured/dyed mulches, plastic edging and rigid formal symmetry are also past their prime.