Every year, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) conducts surveys among its members to learn how design features, elements, and projects rate with their clients. Landscape architects are asked to evaluate the expected popularity of a variety of residential outdoor design elements for the coming year. The survey is conducted in February and March with 808 professionals participating. Find out if your next project or a desired element made the list. All of these projects are in demand, according to the most recent survey results from the ASLA (2018). Keep in mind that outdoor furniture tends to be oversized — it’s built to relax and lounge on. Arrange all the pieces in your designated space, making sure there is room to move about and it doesn’t collide with other elements, like structures and plants. Furniture should also relate to the style of the landscape materials and certainly the home’s architectural style. Fireplaces are larger and more permanent sources of fire in an outdoor space. A fireplace’s purpose is multifunctional, including:
It serves as a gathering spot in your yard, especially in the evening.It can be a focal point or visual feature in a yard, serving as an anchor for an outdoor living room or kitchen.It provides a larger source of heat than a fire pit. Some can be monumental in size.
Most lighting designers use low-voltage systems (12 volts), to save energy and reduce costs. Lighting is often designed in layers, starting with the perimeter to call attention to the property’s boundaries, followed by paths. Stairs and accent lighting come next, with an emphasis on safety and highlighting garden features. A landscape architect or designer can help define each area of a yard, creating spaces for certain activities in subtle ways that tie together everything and facilitates foot traffic. Most often this is achieved by using hardscaping features, like setting a dining area apart with low stone walls, yet allowing quick access to a grill or outdoor kitchen area. Even with small spaces, designers know all kinds of tricks to make areas appear larger, utilize every square foot of a tiny plot, and establish seating areas, rooms, and boundaries. Unless you have a flair for design and planning, consult a professional to help you get the most out of your outdoor space.
BudgetMaterialsClimateCooking style: Are you a weekend chef or do you grill almost every evening?
If the grill will be part of an outdoor kitchen with counters (see above), buy a built-in grill that can be set on a custom-built substructure or counter. Another consideration: gas or charcoal. Many prefer the convenience of gas or propane, while some can’t do without that smoky flavor of a charcoal barbecue. Tall, portable heaters are a space-saving option that can be safer than a fire pit for homes with young children. The major types are:
Propane or natural gas: Heat is directed down and can warm up to 25 square feet. Natural gas is a reliable heat source.Infrared: Permanent models are wired to a patio roof directly over a seating or activity space. Portable models are plugged into an electrical outlet and placed near patio dining tables or outdoor living rooms.
View the yard as rooms or zones, and decide where you might want to add audio in these areas. Possibilities include pool areas, kitchen and dining areas, and outdoor living rooms. Work with a designer or consultant who specializes in outdoor safety, speaker arrangement, and can work within your budget. Some experts recommend running an ethernet cable that is weatherproof and can be buried in your yard or set up a hot spot in your garden. Unless you have the expertise for making this happen, consult a landscape architect, landscape designer, or electrician. If they can’t handle it, they will probably know someone who can. Ask for references before signing the dotted line. Jutta Klee/Getty Images
