new year Archives

Outdoor Living Trends In 2017

Posted on January 20, 2017January 30, 2017 by Hidden Creek Landscaping

No longer is the backyard just a grassy area dedicated to energetic children and pets. For many, the backyard is an extension of the living space. More and more homeowners are creating comfortable outdoor spaces by incorporating features of the indoors. The outdoor living trends of 2017 are set to continue helping homeowners to create spaces that fit their lifestyles.

These trends include outdoor kitchens, decks and patios, lounge-worthy furniture and visually-appealing and functional lighting. These features can be combined to create the perfect setting. Creating a beautiful and comfortable outdoor space provides the ideal location to decompress and entertain family and friends.

Below are additional outdoor tips and trends to look for in 2017:

Resurgence of Natural Materials. Minimalistic designs have been dominating furniture, décor and hardscaping materials for years. However, you will notice a renewed focus on more natural, less geometric designs. Many homeowners are moving away from the clean and modern look and going for a more do-it-yourself, old-fashioned aesthetic. The year is trending towards features like swing seating, smaller outdoor furniture and free-form decks. These features create more organic and authentic spaces.

Hyper localism. Many landscaping designers are trending towards locally-sourced plants to bring greenery and color to the outdoor space. This includes both native and endemic plants; endemic plants are native to a specific ecosystem. This trend celebrates regionalism and helps to guard against the effects of climate change.

Color Blocking. Color blocking is now making a splash in landscaping designs. This fashion trend involves using discrete blocks of colors to make a bold statement. This is a trend you will see in features like color blocked patio walls. In addition, color blocking can be used to frame or highlight specific plants or areas around the yard.

These outdoor tips and trends can help you to make wise decisions about your landscaping projects.

Transform Your Backyard In 2016

Posted on January 7, 2016January 13, 2016 by Hidden Creek Landscaping

It’s a New Year, and with the New Year comes desires for many new things, such as a new you, a new home, and even new landscaping and outdoors designs. Check out these exciting ideas for transforming your landscaping into a new yard or outdoor space in 2016.

Sustainability. A recent, but growing, trend in landscaping is low maintenance sustainability. With this goal in mind, utilizing drought-resistant plants and shrubs while less grass can not only decrease the amount of water required, but it can be less expensive over time and provide you with more free time. The good news is that low-maintenance and drought-resistant plants do not sacrifice aesthetics. Many lend themselves well to gorgeous landscaping designs.
Edibles as Aesthetics. In the past, most people have kept their aesthetic and edible plants separated, with the aesthetics at the forefront of their landscaping design. Suddenly, edibles have moved their way to the front of many gardens, in plain sight. These blended gardens not only provide beautiful landscaping, but they also provide a harvest of fruit, vegetables, and herbs. These types of gardens are also ideal, as they can give a bountiful resource for many communities.
Quality Over Bling. Big showy landscapes are becoming so last year. Homeowners are now leaning towards quality materials that are natural and long-lasting. Good landscaping designs will incorporate scale and be more about practicality and longevity than trendy. Natural stone and wood elements are popular in many landscaping and outdoor designs.
Water is Always in. Water continues to be one of the biggest landscaping trends of 2016. While the way we work with water and the way it is used and displayed will change over time, using water in a landscaping design has stood the test of time. Self-contained water systems are now eco-friendly and inexpensive. Landscaping designs that feature water can fit nearly any budget; from a simple urn or fountain to a custom built waterfall or even a water wall.
Going Green. In addition to landscaping that requires less water and maintenance, outdoor landscaping trends now include outdoor spaces that do not require major regrading of the existing or natural land and the construction of retaining walls. This allows for a more natural look and feels and makes a home more eco-friendly than a conventional backyard. Decks and outdoor spaces can be built into the natural grading of the land, making for an eye-catching design.

Outdoor Living Trends In 2016

Posted on December 30, 2015January 6, 2016 by Hidden Creek Landscaping

Outdoor living space has become increasingly popular with homeowners, as people seek to add more usable space and add value to their properties. From decks to patios to gardens, there are many ways to transform an outside area and make it the perfect spot for relaxing and entertaining. Here are some hot outdoor living trends to look out for in 2016:

Fire Features. Fire features are becoming a must-have item for outdoor areas, serving as a focal point and a source of warmth and light in the evenings. From gas fire pits to traditional wood burning fireplaces, homeowners are seeking to create ambiance and add style. Fire features can be purchased and installed right out of the box, or they can be custom made to fit a specific area or achieve a certain look.

High Quality Furnishings. In order to make an outdoor living area a true extension of the home, it needs comfortable furniture. Homeowners should invest in quality furnishings that add style and comfort, allowing them to create a true living and dining space that the family can enjoy throughout the year. Ample seating also makes entertaining a breeze, giving guests plenty of spots to sit down and relax.

Edible Landscaping. With a beautiful patio or deck, it makes sense that homeowners would want the surrounding landscaping to look great, as well. However, maintaining the landscaping can be both costly and time consuming. One popular trend is edible landscaping, where gardens filled with herbs, vegetables, and other produce are combined with more traditional gardens of flora and fauna. Plant beds are both practical and convenient. Growing fresh herbs is a great way to add fragrance to outdoor areas, and they can also be grown in stylish pots and planters. Edible landscaping is low maintenance, making it an obvious choice for busy families.

Creating a comfortable, functional outdoor living area continues to be important for homeowners. From fire pits to fresh foods to stylish furnishings, there are many great ways to enhance outdoor spaces. These 2016 trends are likely to continue being popular with patio lovers for a long time to come.

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