4 Outdoor Design Trends to Watch

LNN’s Style Editor takes look at the trends shaping how consumers use their outdoor spaces and how lighting can help them enjoy their porches, patios and, increasingly, the “rooms” of their backyards.

By Julie A. Palm

If the COVID pandemic had a silver lining it might be that people rediscovered the pleasures of spending more time outdoors — whether exercising, entertaining, playing with the kids or just relaxing.

Remember those early pandemic days? In the spring of 2020, some of my neighbors turned their driveway into a little bistro, setting up small tables with chairs (6 feet apart, of course). They invited a rotating mix of small groups of friends and neighbors over for bring-your-own dinner parties all spring, summer and into the fall.

My friends in Nebraska joined countless others who made permanent investments in their outdoor spaces, turning a portion of their back patio into covered outdoor living space, with a comfy sofa and chairs, dimmable lighting and a large-screen TV. Even with the Midwest’s long winters, my friends knew the space could be used several months out of each year.

Good lighting helps people enjoy their outdoor spaces well into the night, while also highlighting architectural features of the home and gardens and improving security.

So, let’s look at some outdoor design trends that are impacting people’s outdoor lighting needs.

1. Making it easy: Consumers may want to spend time outdoors but unless gardening or yard work is a hobby, they generally want their porches, patios and yards to be no-hassle spaces to maintain and easy to enjoy. Think “all play and no work.”

We’re seeing the emergence of robotic mowers akin to the robotic vacuums many people rely on to keep their floors clean. And advancements in smart technologies are making it simpler and more cost-effective for homeowners to use apps to control “everything from irrigation systems and low-voltage lighting to fire and water features,” according to the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

“Automation is an element that still has a strong presence when we build swimming pools or include lighting and audio within our projects,” Nick Berger, a designer with Hidden Creek Landscaping Inc. in Hilliard, Ohio, told the NALP. “Clients like to be able to operate as much as possible through their phones for ease.”

2. Creating multiuse rooms: If your clients are using outdoor space for multiple purposes, it makes sense to design it like you would for a home’s interior with dedicated places for different activities.

“Homeowners are increasingly approaching their yards as collections of garden rooms — distinct outdoor zones with defined purposes. Instead of one open expanse, landscapes are divided into destinations: dining patio, fire lounge, play lawn, quiet reading nook surrounded by greenery,” according to Houzz, a home construction and design platform.

Landscapers can use hedges, trellises and planters, small patios and other features to help define spaces. The opportunities for perfect lighting abound: Pathway lighting not only improves safety as people travel from outdoor room to outdoor room, it also adds visual interest. Outdoor kitchens need task lighting; dining patios need mood lighting.

3. Making it sustainable: Real estate marketplace Zillow says its data shows that mentions of descriptors like “sustainable” and “green” in its listing were up more than 20% last year over the previous year, “suggesting buyers are actively searching for eco-conscious living options that save them money and reduce their environmental impact.”

Outdoors this means climate-appropriate lawns and plants that don’t need a lot of extra water or maintenance, as well as natural, sustainably sourced materials. But this continuing trend isn’t just about using sustainable components or drought-tolerant shrubs. As Zillow indicates, it’s also about durability and investing in quality products, including lighting, that won’t have to be replaced in a year or two because they didn’t hold up to the elements.

LED and solar-powered fixtures can appeal to anyone who wants to save money on their outdoor lighting bills — and with rising energy prices, these days that’s just about everyone.

4. A porch revival: Last week in a column about indoor trends to watch, I admitted to an affinity for an interior designer’s observation that people are increasingly asking for “analog” rooms where the focus is on screen-free activities. So, I’ll acknowledge here that this is my favorite outdoor trend. Porches are like analog rooms, encouraging us to slow down, relax and get away from technology — and they invite neighborliness and connection.

“After years of focusing on backyards and patios, homeowners are realizing that the front porch deserves the same love. It’s not just a sitting space, it’s a way to create a warm welcome for every guest who swings by,” notes Brick & Batten, an online exterior design firm. “Our designers are seeing more and more requests for wide, covered entries and cozy seating areas that make guests want to linger. With a few planters and pendant lights, you can create the perfect spot to sip your morning coffee and wave to the neighbors.” 

The best porches are designed as well as attractive living rooms, outfitted with comfortable seating options, tables for drinks and snacks, area rugs and, of course, lighting – from ceiling fans to table lamps to sconces – to create moods and allow homeowners to use of the porch throughout the day.