Who determines what’s trending and what’s out in the world of landscape design? In the case of the most popular outdoor design trends of 2014, we’re taking our information from the American Society of Landscape Architects, and there’s no arguing their survey statistics. ASLA has their pulse on the heart of landscaping trends across the country.
We wanted to share some of their findings to help inspire your Colorado landscape design. Here are some of their findings in no particular order:
Create a variety of outdoor spaces. If you look at the results of the survey, you’ll see that:
- 94.2% of those surveyed said that gardens and landscaping are the most important feature
- 92% put emphasis on their outdoor living spaces, like exterior living rooms, kitchen/dining areas and patios
- 75.8% have made space for outdoor recreational areas
These statistics reveal that some of the best designed landscapes are those that accommodate for a range of relaxation, vegetation and activity. Even if you can’t complete these grand plans all at once, you can work from space to space, completing them as your time and budget allows.
Outdoor lighting matters. It might surprise you to know that 98.3% of responders listed outdoor lighting plans as being a very important part of their landscape design. So often, homeowners place little or no thought into their lighting design and how it will affect both the aesthetic and functionality of their outdoor space. We’ve written about the importance of lighting many times before. This feature is a critical component of nighttime safety, as well as the key to creating the right ambiance for each of your outdoor areas.
Low-maintenance, native plants. We’re thrilled to see that low-maintenance landscapes (95.4%) and native plants (84.5%) were the most popular landscape elements for 2014. Not only will low-maintenance and native plants make your life easier, but they will also help you conserve more water. Native plants can withstand our extreme Rocky Mountain climate, while benefiting local wildlife populations.
Lifescape Colorado is a full-service landscape design, build and maintenance firm. Please contact us to implement these trends and more into your Colorado landscape design.