As the summer transitions into the crisp days and cool nights of fall, there’s no reason to move outdoor activities indoors. All you need is a few key elements, and your outdoor space will be cozy and welcoming. Here are five landscape design trends we’re following this fall in Dix Hills and Mt. Sinai, NY.
Related: DON'T IGNORE THESE 2021 LANDSCAPE DESIGN TRENDS FOR YOUR NEXT HUNTINGTON, NY, LANDSCAPING PROJECT
Multi-Level Patio Living
The patio is the hub of backyard activities, and these activities aren’t necessarily all the same for everyone in the household at the same time.
Installing a patio with separate “rooms” could be an answer. One trending design theme is a patio built at a few different elevations. This approach can work whether your property is sloped or flat. Changing up the horizontal plane is an opportunity to create distinct activity zones (“rooms”), each with its own character. You could even use different materials in each of these zones: for example, placing an outdoor kitchen/dining space on the main patio, with an elevated deck (just one or two steps higher) for a commanding view of the landscape, and a sunken fire pit area.
When it comes to patio materials, many homeowners are choosing large format patio pavers. Larger pavers enhance the look of a paver (this applies to natural stone as well), and they create a more expansive, less cluttered look on the patio. Large format pavers are often chosen even for very small patios, to give the illusion of size.
An Outdoor Kitchen
If you enjoy preparing meals for friends and family, a customized outdoor kitchen will be one of the most valuable additions to your patio. Whether you enjoy simple grilled meals or gourmet meals, having the amenities that make cooking more enjoyable. A popular outdoor kitchen design is L-shaped with bar seating, with a BBQ grill, refrigerator, wine cooler, or a wood-fired pizza oven. Keeping your guests engaged and “in the action” creates a social center on the patio that also allows for quieter zones on the patio for relaxation.
Smaller Lawns with More Native Landscaping
Designs for gorgeous landscapes are also changing, away from thirsty lawns to more varied and interesting plantings that favor natives. Imagine a multi-level patio that spreads out into the landscape: instead of a sea of lawn separating the patio from shrubs, flowers, and trees, these natural elements are much closer to the outdoor living space—giving you the feeling of being in nature, instead of separate from it. Natural landscaping elements such as ponds, creeks, and waterfalls are also elements that bring nature closer.
A Sheltered Space
Weather can be unpredictable. Adding a permanent shelter structure to your backyard is one way to keep the fun outside longer. A pergola will offer shade on the hottest summer days, but it’s nice to also have the shelter of a pavilion’s solid roof. Adding an outdoor fireplace along one side of a pavilion—or a gas-fueled fire table under the roof itself—will establish an element of coziness that will encourage many outdoor gatherings well into the colder months.
Updated Outdoor Lighting
Like a zoned approach for outdoor living, landscape lighting has also seen tremendous improvements over the years. Today’s landscape lights typically feature light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, which are small, extremely long-lasting, and energy-efficient. When it comes to creativity, these fixtures can be placed virtually anywhere—unlike old-fashioned incandescent or halogen bulbs that require frequent replacements.
One of the most interesting lighting strategies involves creating a layered approach that minimizes the stark contrast between a well-lit patio and a dark landscape. Placing a few fixtures among the landscaping adds dimension and a welcoming atmosphere.
Related: HOW TO INCORPORATE OUTDOOR LIGHTING INTO 7 PATIO DESIGNS IN OYSTER BAY, NY AREA
