Top Ten Design Trends for Residential Landscape Architecture

Survey Reveals Top Ten Design Trends for Residential Landscape Architecture.

Sustainable design is the big trend for residential landscapes, according to the 2016 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). The top trend—rainwater/graywater harvesting—reflects a growing consumer demand for beautiful residential landscapes that also save water.

Landscape architects were asked to rate the expected popularity of a variety of residential outdoor design elements in 2016. The survey was fielded February 4 through February 18, 2016, with 803 responding.

Respondents expected the greatest demand for outdoor living spaces that are environmentally sustainable, reduce water costs and are low maintenance.

Here are the top ten project types with the expected highest consumer demand:

1. Rainwater/graywater harvesting 88%
2. Native plants 86%
3. Native/adapted drought tolerant plants 85%
4. Low-maintenance landscapes 85%
5. Permeable paving 77%
6. Fire pits/fireplaces 75%
7. Food/vegetable gardens (including orchards, vineyards, etc.) 75%
8. Rain gardens 73%
9. Drip/water-efficient irrigation 72%
10. Reduced lawn area 72%

Water-focused design elements dominated this year’s top ten list and reflect consumers’ growing commitment to landscapes that reduce water use and stormwater runoff, says Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA.

“Water issues are hot topics for many communities, and many people are turning to landscape architects for creative green infrastructure solutions,” said Somerville. “Sustainable residential landscape architecture, if part of a broader integrated site design, can dramatically reduce water usage and stormwater runoff over the long term while creating a healthy residential environment.”

The top three most popular outdoor design elements include fire pits/fireplaces (74.95 percent), lighting (66.67 percent) and wireless/internet connectivity (65.86 percent).

The top landscape and garden elements include native plants (86.02 percent), low-maintenance landscapes (84.55 percent) and food/vegetable gardens (74.95 percent). Pergolas (50.94 percent), decks (47.40 percent), arbors (44.32 percent) and fencing (44.07 percent) are expected to be the most popular outdoor structures.

The hottest sustainable design elements include rainwater/graywater harvesting (88 percent), native/adapted drought tolerant plants (85 percent) and permeable paving (77 percent).

The most popular outdoor recreation amenities for 2016 will include sports courts (41 percent), spa features (40 percent) and swimming pools (36 percent).

Outdoor Design Elements

Ranked in expected order of popularity for 2016

1. Fire pits/fireplaces 75%
2. Lighting 67%
3. Wireless/internet connectivity 66%
4. Seating/dining areas 64%
5. Outdoor furniture 63%
6. Planters, sculptures, garden accessories 56%
7. Grills 54%
8. Counter space 50%
9. Outdoor heaters 47%
10. Stereo systems 40%
11. Movie/TV/video theaters 38%
12. Utility storage 35%
13. Sinks 33%
14. Refrigerators 31%
15. Outdoor cooling systems (including fans) 29%
16. Showers/baths 29%
17. Hammocks 21%
18. Bedrooms/sleeping spaces 11%

Outdoor Recreation Amenities

Ranked in expected order of popularity for 2016

1. Sports courts (tennis, bocce, etc.) 41%
2. Spa features (hot tubs, Jacuzzis, whirlpools, indoor/outdoor saunas) 40%
3. Swimming pools 36%
4. Labyrinths 11%

Landscape/Garden Elements

Ranked in expected order of popularity for 2016

1. Native plants 86%
2. Low-maintenance landscapes 85%
3. Food/vegetable gardens (including orchards, vineyards, etc.) 75%
4. Rain gardens 73%
5. Water-saving xeriscape or dry gardens 68%
6. Organic gardens 64%
7. Plant walls/vertical gardens 61%
8. Rooftop gardens 55%
9. Decorative water elements (ornamental pools, fountains, splash pools, waterfalls, grottos, water runnels or bubblers) 46%
10. Ponds/streams 29%

Outdoor Structures

Ranked in expected order of popularity for 2016

1. Pergolas 51%
2. Decks 47%
3. Arbors 44%
4. Fencing 44%
5. Porches 40%
6. ADA accessible structures (ramps, bars, shelving, etc.) 38%
7. Pavilions 33%
8. Play structures (treehouses, swing sets, etc.) 31%
9. Utility sheds (tool sheds, garden sheds) 28%
10. Gazebos 24%

Sustainable Elements

Ranked in expected order of popularity for 2016

1. Rainwater/graywater harvesting 88%
2. Native/adapted drought tolerant plants 85%
3. Permeable paving 77%
4. Drip/water-efficient irrigation 72%
5. Reduced lawn area 72%
6. Recycled materials 61%
7. Solar-powered lights 56%
8. Compost bins 45%
9. Geothermal heated pools 28%