Are you looking to boost curb appeal in advance of a home sale? Did you recently buy a home that you want to make your own? You may simply want to love the house you are in a little better this gardening season. Whatever your reason, if you are looking for some inspiration for your outdoor space for the 2023 Spring/Summer season, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are 10 outdoor space and design trends that people are loving right now.
Privacy
As long as Peggy Hill has been in real estate, privacy has been a huge motivating factor for people wanting to move or invest in their backyard space. You may not be lucky enough to back onto environmentally protected land, so the next best thing is to make some walls. You can kick it old school by putting up fencing and latticework, but in 2023, the walls are green. Planting trees is one solution that provides both shade and privacy, while others are opting for green walls. There are so many ways to make a “living fence,” from privet plants to juniper to forsythia and more. You can even erect privacy screens in the form of artificial plants which have the added benefit of staying green even when there’s snow on the ground. The options are endless, but here’s one that’s local.
Living Small
According to the all-knowing, all-seeing eye of Google, small space design and container garden searches are trending up seasonally. If you’re 34-45 years of age, it’s the number one way you prefer to garden, according to The Great Grow Along survey. For those with a green thumb living with small outdoor square footage, vertical gardens are also a smart alternative. If you’re looking for suggestions, consider Petite Knock-Out® Roses which are hardy, easy to care for, smaller, cuter versions of their larger Knock-Out® cousins. If you’re trying to solve problems like finding a compact grill or bar solution for your small space, consider the Lumin Electric Grill by Weber or the Views Balcony Bar.
Tech & Innovation
People are investing in tech and innovations that will improve their homes and outdoor spaces. How do we know? Home Depot had its strongest first quarter sales on record in 2022 and the company is expecting sales to go up 3% and earnings per share to hit new heights as well. CEO Ted Decker attributes the growth to innovation as 90% of products on shelves at Home Depot are brand new. Decker says homeowners are trading up for products like electrified lawnmowers. Our personal favourite is the solar-powered Weeding Robot which lives in your garden, feeding on sunshine so it can chop up your weeds all day long. Yes, please. (Tell me that isn’t going to be requested as an inclusion on the offer.) Others just want to tech up their pergola by adding a TV to their outdoor living space.
Nostalgia For Down Agers
Down Aging is on trend. This is just a fancy way to describe people who are working hard to not look or act their age. Whether they’re watching Friends, buying vinyl (we’re looking at you Millennials) or attending Seniors Summer Camp and playing golf (Boomers) this trend is huge and spilling over into outdoor spaces. What does this look like? Mid-century modern inspired furniture featuring retro metal lawn chairs, pagoda umbrellas, and plants with a tropical flair like Royal Hawaiian® Waikiki Colocasia from Southern Living® Plant Collection.
Classic Greek Gardens
I know what you’re thinking, but this wasn’t Peggy’s doing. Believe it or not, according to the 2023 Garden Trends Report, a classic Greek garden is making a comeback. These are sturdy gardens that can take a beating from the elements. They’re made up of stone walls, archways and have pale-coloured backdrops. Throw in some sculptures, use plants to shade seating areas, elevate some raised beds and patios, stash a bottle of Windex somewhere if you’re a My Big Fat Greek Wedding fan, and you’ve nailed this aesthetic. Use plants like agapanthus and cyclamen, succulents, boxwood, and roses for this look.
Gravel Gardens
And speaking of Greek, gravel gardens are inspired by Greek design. They not only look stunning but also require around 80% less maintenance than traditional gardens. These gardens thrive solely on rainfall, without the need for fertilizers or additives. They are ideal for small spaces or can be extended to cover entire front yards. The choice of gravel can be tailored to match personal style and color schemes, as long as it is pea-sized. To add vibrant splashes of colour, incorporate containers. Jeff Epping, renowned for his expertise in gravel gardening, recommends starting with grasses like prairie dropseed, little bluestem, big bluestem, or switchgrass. Then, layering prairie plants such as pale purple coneflower, rattlesnake master, prairie baby’s breath, smooth penstemon, cup plant, stiff coreopsis, asters, and goldenrods creates a captivating effect.
Edible Gardens
This is another one where we ask…was this ever really out of style? Nevertheless, ever since the pandemic, it’s been a higher priority for people to learn to grow their food. This trend reflects a longing for self-sufficiency and a deeper connection with nature. Beginner gardeners often start with easy-to-grow vegetables and herbs that thrive in containers, like tomatoes or leafy greens. If you’re looking to step up your game, some advanced vegetable gardeners are grafting plants that bear both tomatoes and potatoes on a single plant!
Pollinator Gardens
One trend that continues to thrive is the establishment of pollinator gardens. A pollinator garden is a specially designed garden (or section of a garden) that aims to attract and support pollinators such as bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other insects or animals. The primary purpose of a pollinator garden is to provide a habitat that offers food, shelter, and nesting opportunities for these important creatures. With pollinator populations facing threats in urban areas across the globe, researchers consistently encourage people to find ways to support them. Pollinator-friendly gardens not only enhance the visual appeal of your backyard with an explosion of vibrant flowers and colours but also invite delightful activity from bees, butterflies, and other beloved garden inhabitants.
Bougie Garden Sheds
Long gone are the days of the dilapidated backyard shed. Today’s sheds double as office space or a room in which to dabble in creative pursuits. You may not be able to count it as square footage on your listing sheet but it’s effectively extra living space which is always a bonus.
Outdoor Lighting
We’re doing more than just putting together some cosy backyard living rooms with an outdoor area rug, now we’re looking at the finer details like the lighting. Not the fire hazard, three extension cord situation of your parents’ backyard, but more along the lines of this waterproof, rechargeable wireless globe with remote control.
Are you looking for help boosting the curb appeal in a home you’re considering selling? We can help. We’d love to speak to you. Book your free consultation now by clicking here.
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