Outdoor living trends are moving away from the usual grill and plastic furniture to create a lavish retreat right in your own backyard. As you choose either a two-story or ranch home plan, consider outdoor living options such as an outdoor room or patio area.

Short skirts or long skirts, classic or grunge – while fashion trends are simple to spot and quickly spread through the world, trends regarding things such as your home are a bit more difficult to track. A survey of homeowners’ wishes conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) takes the mystery out of this year’s outdoor living trends.

Okay, so what are those hot items for this year that homeowners should rush to include in their outdoor living scheme? Speaking of hot, the number one item on the list is outdoor fireplaces and firepits. By adding the welcoming warmth of a fire, you can extend the amount of time you will enjoy your outdoor living space. Comfortable outdoor living trends are encouraging more people to retreat to their backyards for relaxation and fun.

Outdoor Rooms

Extended outdoor living takes us to the next trend of landscape architects designing plans for more outdoor rooms, complete with a kitchen, dining and living areas for entertaining. Homeowners have so many more options than just a lawn chair and a barbecue grill so they can appreciate the outdoors in style. Outdoor rooms are easily created by incorporating outdoor furniture. For example, trellises can imitate a wall, a covered pavilion feels like a ceiling and beautiful tables are attractive and functional. Quite a few companies feature outdoor fabrics that resist stains and fading to add plush comfort and eye-catching color to your outdoor living scheme.

Another popular trend for an outdoor room is an outdoor kitchen. Because many appliances are engineered to withstand climate changes, there are no limits to the appliances you can now use outside.

Environmentally-Friendly Options

Environmentally friendly options are also a trend in landscape designs, such as managing storm water more effectively and adding native plants to your yard. According to Jessica Herberts, the recipient of a Bachelor of Arts in Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois, the movement toward choosing native plants has multiple benefits. Herberts states, “Not only is it better for the land because you use less chemicals, it is more manageable for the homeowners because plants specific to their location will flourish on their own.”

Water Features

Water continues to be a fascinating, alluring element in a garden, and therefore water fixtures continue to grow in demand. And, following another trend, water features are incorporating storm water in the design. Herberts says, “Water features are becoming more environmentally friendly by utilizing methods that catch rainwater and reuse it.”

Creating a calm, beautiful retreat in your backyard is a simple way to escape the daily stresses of life and should be included in your two-story or small ranch home plan to create additional living space. An area that was formerly home to a grill is now the place you can have a lavish sanctuary with state-of-the-art amenities for complete comfort.