Check Out The New Design Trends In Garden And Outdoor Design

Landscape design which was something of an "afterthought" in the 1990's is experiencing resurgence largely due to the current zeitgeist in American culture. People are craving more personal space and wanting to reconnect with nature on a new level, due to increased awareness of the wasteful excesses that have been destroying our environment. The top ten recent trends in landscaping reveal a sort of budding optimism that the individual statement in a time when urban and suburban gentrification is rampant with mega-chains and drive through windows may be given more credence, in the near future. A home provides not only shelter but a sanctuary and a personalized arena for self expression and a landscape should be an extension of that concept. Now more the ever, garden design is also "opening up" to encompass not only the suburbanite with a ton of land but urban dwellers with limited outdoor space to call their own, if any at all. So, hopefully this compilation of the latest landscape design trends will inspire you to get creative with your outdoor space and/or enrich your indoor life by bringing the outside in.

1.) Xeriscape
While this gardening concept can and has filled up several articles on its own the basics of xeriscaping are to choose and cultivate plants and flowers that require less water. Due to the water and/or clean water shortages many people are seeking out plants native to their own climate region that require less maintenance. More efficient and less wasteful irrigation systems are also an essential component to "xeriscape design." Because xeriscaping provides people with more free time and saves money on water bills, many people are finding it to be an appealing "low pain" solution to making their outdoor spaces more beneficial to the ailing environment.

2.) Organic Lawn And Garden Care Products
Another way people are becoming more environmentally savvy is evident in the explosion of organic gardening products. People are not only becoming concerned about the air quality being compromised by chemicals they are using but they are realizing organic products lessen water run off and produce higher quality soil that requires less maintenance. Organic products focus on feeding the soil rather than feeding the plants in a direct way.

3.) Water Features Don't Have To Be A Water Park
Water features are and will most likely always is popular but the trends now go towards smaller fountains and waterfalls to help conserve water. Many water districts also offer rebates and incentives now to home and business owners who install water saving devices and irrigation systems. There is also water circulating fountains becoming more widely available. Pond-less fountains are hot right now too, as well as ponds meant to increase sensory experiences of sight and sound.

4.) Stylishly Uncontained "Container Gardens"
Container gardening was formally reserved for renters or those without ample yard space. The term also conjured up ugly green window sill plant holders. But this genre of gardening is gaining popularity with traditional gardeners as well now because of the portable and more aesthetically pleasing nature of the modern "containers and pots" on the market today. There are also new technologies that enable the containers themselves "self-watering", self-contained and have several new interesting water absorbing additions for the soil. Thus, container gardening is a great option for city dwellers who want a vegetable or herb garden but also exciting for people with outdoor garden capability. After all, you can "redesign" you garden anytime simply by rearranging containers.

5.) Less Land Does Not Mean Landscaping Style
With less space up for grabs many landscape designs incorporate formally separated types of gardens (herb, flower, vegetable etc.) in exciting new pairing s to preserve space but also because different plants bloom at different times. This means you can prolong interest in more areas of the garden, with less dead spots there to bum you out when your plant is seasonally out of commission. Pairing different types of plants also add color and interest.

6.) Garden Plans Outside Of The Box
Plants grow, twist and sway in the breeze so why do so many gardens have such rigid lines and angles? That's the question your garden plan should be asking today. Arrange your plants in a way that is as free flowing and organic as they are or should be. That doesn't mean a big messy presentation it means grouping flowers in interesting height, width and color combinations so you are not looking at a box shape of short blue plants next to a box shape of short white plants as an example.

7.) Go on a Global Vacation In Your Backyard
One sure way to make your outdoor environment look more polished and pulled together is to have a few key accessories loosely based around a centralized theme. While that is not a new concept, the major trend in garden "themes" is go global or at least travel to another state in your backyard. For instance, if one lives in a rural area filled with gardens that have country knickknacks and rustic wooden benches, why not show your worldliness and personal style preferences with a Mediterranean tile mosaic piece, a Roman fountain, an Indian inlayed wood chest, and so on. Surround yourself with what truly inspires and don't let what they neighbors find "cute" limit your imagination.

8.) "24 Hour Garden Party People"
It's your outdoor party and you can enjoy it whenever you want too. Whether it's a garden reading nook you desire or a place to entertain, people are finding ways to prolong their experience outside. Exterior lighting is becoming more important whether you have a hard wired electrical system or strings of lantern lights, proper illumination is essential for nighttime activities and to keep everyone safe. People are also upping the luxury factor with outside amenities such as fireplaces, wet bars and full kitchens. Outside structures that recreate the experience of indoor living, game, bedroom and meditation spaces are also becoming more and more popular as people increase their connection with nature.

9.) Fall And Winter Foliage
Flowers may fade but foliage is forever if you plant ahead you can have lacy, ornamental, or variegated foliage to keep garden interest (and your garden) alive during the chillier months. If people have to keep our spirits up all year long, so should your garden.

10.) Hardscaping For Color Rhythm
Arbors, Trellises, Walkways, Awnings etc. have always been popular in garden design but what is fresh for right now is incorporating color (even if it's just an accent for the shy) into your hardscape elements. It's particularly in vogue to mirror the color in your hardscape to your softscapes. Whether your arbor is bright blue or there is a terracotta stain to your walkway, place flowers in analogous color families nearly to illustrate the rhythm of your color scheme or to make a specific area of your garden "pop."

11.) Landscaping For Children (Or At Least Your Inner Child)
Children's garden elements such as plastic ready made houses and benches shaped like cartoon characters are now considered passé. But, a more delightful trend has emerged, that incorporates childlike elements into landscaping that every age group can enjoy. Natural structures that form "caves and houses" built out of twisted wood or cement that fit kid size furniture is a popular trend. Making mazes from grasses, shrubs and/or arbors are fun for everyone and are aesthetically pleasing. Or if you are adventurous you can make tubes covered in cemented because kids love running through tunnels. The natural world presents opportunities to stimulate a child's imagination and should not be ignored in landscaping for a family home.