American homeowners increasingly are drawn to adding outdoor
rooms for entertaining and recreation on their properties, according to the 2013
Residential Landscape Architecture Trends survey conducted by the American
Society of Landscape Architects. The results also show demand for both
sustainable and low-maintenance design.
Landscape architects who specialize in residential design
across the country were asked to rate the expected popularity of a variety of residential
outdoor design elements in 2013. The category of outdoor living spaces, defined
as kitchens and entertainment spaces, received a 94.5 percent rating as
somewhat or very popular. It all but tied with gardens and landscaped spaces at
94.4 percent.
Across all categories, 97 percent of respondents rated fire
pits and fireplaces as somewhat or very in-demand for 2013, followed by grills
(96.3 percent), seating and dining areas (96.3 percent), and lighting (95.1
percent).
“In this uncertain economy, homeowners want to get more
enjoyment out of their yards,” said ASLA Executive Vice President and CEO Nancy
Somerville, Hon. ASLA. “They want attractive outdoor spaces that are both easy
to take care of and sustainable.”
Decorative water elements—including waterfalls, ornamental
pools, and splash pools—were predicted to be in demand for home landscapes
(90.9 percent). Spas (81.5 percent) and pools (75.3 percent) are also expected
to be popular.
Terraces, patios, and decks are high on people’s lists (97.6
percent), as are fencing (89.6 percent) and ornamental water features (84.2
percent).
Americans still prefer such practical yet striking design
elements for their gardens as low-maintenance landscapes (93.9 percent) and
native plants (86.6 percent), with organic slightly increasing in popularity
(65.3 percent compared to 61.2 percent in 2012). In keeping with the local food
movement, more people are opting for food and vegetable gardens, including
orchards and vineyards (82.7 percent).
Besides planting locally and organically, other sustainable
elements continue their popularity with homeowners. Native or drought-tolerant
plants (83 percent), drip irrigation (82.5 percent), permeable paving (72.8
percent) and reduced lawns (72.6 percent) are making their way into outdoor
living spaces across the country.
Additional information on residential landscape architecture can be found at
www.asla.org/residentialinfo.
Outdoor
Design Elements (Overall rating for 2013)
Percent Rating Popular or Somewhat Popular:
Outdoor living spaces (kitchens, entertainment spaces) – 94.5%
Gardens/landscaped spaces – 94.4%
Outdoor recreation amenities (pools, spas, tennis courts) – 76.3%
Sustainable design practices – 74.8%
Vegetable/fruit gardens – 76.4%
Turf lawns – 52.2%
Outdoor Living Features (Overall rating for 2013)
Percent Rating Popular or Somewhat Popular:
Fire pits/fireplace – 97.0%
Grills – 96.3%
Seating/dining areas – 96.3%
Lighting – 95.1%
Installed seating (benches, seat walls, ledges, steps, boulders) – 90.3%
Weatherized outdoor furniture – 82.3%
Counter space – 74.4%
Utility storage – 64.4%
Stereo systems – 58.5%
Outdoor heaters – 50.6%
Sinks – 49.1%
Refrigerators – 48.7%
Wireless/Internet connectivity – 47.8%
Televisions/projection screens – 45.2%
Showers/baths – 43.3%
Outdoor cooling systems (including fans) – 31.1%
Hammocks – 24.1%
Bedrooms/sleeping spaces – 8.0%
Outdoor
Recreation Amenities (Overall rating for 2013)
Percent Rating Popular or Somewhat Popular:
Decorative water elements such as ornamental pools, splash
pools, waterfalls, grottos, water runnels or bubblers – 90.9%
Spa features (hot tub, Jacuzzi, whirlpool, indoor/outdoor
sauna) – 81.5%
Swimming pools – 75.3%
Sports/recreational spaces (tennis courts, bocce ball, etc.)
– 54.3%
Movie/video/TV theatres – 34.4%
Landscape/Garden
Elements (Overall rating for 2013)
Percent Rating Popular or Somewhat Popular:
Low maintenance landscapes – 93.9%
Native plants – 86.6%
Fountains/ornamental water features – 84.7%
Food/Vegetable gardens (including orchards/vineyards etc.) –
82.7%
Organic gardens – 65.3%
Xeriscaping or dry gardens – 63.8%
Ponds/streams – 58.3%
Rain gardens – 58.2%
Rooftop gardens – 50.4%
Plant walls/vertical gardens – 47.9%
Sustainable Design Elements (Overall rating for 2013)
Percent Rating Popular or Somewhat Popular:
Native/adapted drought-tolerant plants – 83.0%
Drip/water-efficient irrigation – 82.5%
Permeable paving – 72.8%
Reduced lawn – 72.6%
Recycled materials – 62.5%
Rainwater/graywater harvesting – 59.1%
Compost bins – 55.1%
Solar-powered lights – 40.6%
Geothermal-heated pools – 28.4%
Outdoor
Structures (Overall rating for 2013)
Percent Rating Popular or Somewhat Popular:
Terraces/patios/decks – 97.6%
Fencing (includes gates) – 89.6%
Ornamental water features such as fountains or splash pools
– 84.2%
Arbors – 83.5%
Pergolas – 81.6%
Decks – 80.9%
Steps – 80.6%
Porches – 71.5%
Kitchens/ovens – 67.1%
Utility sheds (tool sheds, garden sheds, etc.) – 64.8%
Art (sculptures, murals etc.) – 61.0%
Play structures (tree houses, swing sets, etc.) – 56.3%
Awnings, including retractable – 51.9%
Pavilions – 47.8%
Gazebos – 44.8%
Columns – 44.5%
ADA-accessible structures (ramps, bars, accessible shelving,
etc.) – 22.1%
About the Survey
The survey asked residential landscape architecture
professionals about the estimated popularity of various design elements for
2013. The survey was fielded January 28 through February 12, 2013, with 166
responding.