During the fall, many Americans look forward to spending time outdoors. This means millions of people are also looking to update their home’s outdoor areas.
A striking outdoor space dramatically improves the home’s curb appeal and real estate value. In fact, 99 percent of Realtors in the U.S. believe that curb appeal is one of the most important factors house hunters consider when looking for a property.
Regardless of whether your goal is to attract homebuyers or you are merely trying to improve your home’s curb appeal, this post will help you create the charming home exterior you have always dreamed of.
Read on to learn the top landscape design trends that are already on the wish list of most homeowners in your neighborhood. These trends will enable you to smarten up your outdoor space for the fall, extending your ability to entertain your loved ones.
1. Edible Landscaping
Who doesn’t want to have a snack handy in their yard? The idea of edible landscaping can be exciting as certain plants render a bountiful (and ebible) appeal to the landscape. No wonder, homeowners with limited space and large yards are trying their hand at growing edible plants instead of ornamental ones. Many landscape designers are also considering the principles of organic gardening when designing a landscape.
The biggest caveat here is to choose the right type of plants that can survive the varying weather conditions in the fall season. Use this USDA plant hardiness zone map to determine which plants are most likely to thrive in your region.
You can’t go wrong with blueberry bushes, tomatoes, peas, beans, edible flower plants like calendula, borage, and nasturtium. Herbs like parsley, basil, rosemary, lavender, and cilantro are another edible garden favorite.
But humans are not the only ones who love edible landscapes. Squirrels, deer, groundhogs, and rabbits are attracted to them too! Try adding a few plants with scratchy or thorny textures or a repelling scent to ward off the wildlife naturally.
For instance, growing garlic, onions, or scallion around your edible yard can keep squirrels away. Similarly, daffodils and geraniums are known to deter rabbits, squirrels, and deer.
2. Landscaping with Hardscapes
Incorporating durable and low-maintenance materials like wood, natural stone, or bare bricks adds dimension to an otherwise flat and open yard. Combine these materials with ornamental plants to create a focused entertaining area for your visitors. A backyard hardscape, for instance, can significantly improve your family’s outdoor experience, giving them more room to relax and enjoy the beauty of the fall.
Furthermore, if your yard has elements, such as paved roads, driveways, fountains, patios, and decks, you can use hardscape materials like concrete, wood, stone, brick, gravel, or boulders to highlight them.
Hardscapes are an emerging trend in modern landscape design. Most landscape designers opt for natural stones like porcelain or limestone and wood and pair it with ornamental fall-specific plants to add interest to the home exteriors. Improve your home’s curb appeal by blending hardscapes with a few fall classics like boxwood, maple, and chrysanthemums. Top this with outdoor accent lighting to highlight these landscape architecture elements. You can also consider hiring an outdoor hardscape contractor to add hardscapes to your backyard design for a better outdoor experience.
3. Outdoor Fire Features to Add Warmth
We know the fall season is here when we see plants getting dormant, the foliage changing its color, and the weather getting cooler. Fall is also the perfect season for grilling and cooking outdoors for many areas around the country. As a result, attractive fire features such as a hearth, a fire table, fire pit, or even an outdoor kitchen are becoming a popular landscape design trend among American homeowners.
Imagine hosting a dinner in an outdoor space with a sophisticated cooking area. An outdoor kitchen equipped with glass kitchen countertops, gas grill, fireplace, ice-maker, refrigerator, and patio loungers or deck chairs can be a great conversation starter for your visitors. What else does one need to create a cozy outdoor space during the fall?
In order to keep up with the home automation trend, landscape designers are incorporating technologically-advanced smart fire features that can be remotely controlled using a smartphone.
Installing such modern outdoor fire features can create a perfect ultra-cozy outdoor space for all your fall gatherings.
4. Mesmerizing Metal for a Whimsical Touch
Landscape design is not limited anymore to merely adding plants or water elements like a fountain or pond. Modern landscape designers are using metals in most landscape projects to make a bold statement and add dimension to the outdoor space. The addition of these metals creates a striking focal piece, that make the outdoor space look warm and inviting.
Metals like steel, aluminum, zinc, and copper are not only cost-effective but also add contrast, texture, and a contemporary vibe to the area. Further, they are low-maintenance and can brave the changing weather conditions during the fall season and beyond.
Check out how adding a simple galvanized or weathered metal bench adds an element of interest to the home exterior. Similarly, zinc planters, birdbaths, and statues give the home a timeless and aesthetic appeal.
5. The Outdoor Sanctuary: Pergolas
Pergolas, the iconic arched structures often covered with trailing plants are very much in style. When added to an outdoor deck area they can add immediate sophistication to an outdoor space.
Pergolas have been used by American homeowners to give a distinct personality to their home exteriors for years. The use of sophisticated elements like space heaters, a luxury outdoor kitchen, rolldown windows, and outdoor accent lighting in this area make pergolas another top landscape design trend for the fall.
Summing Up
The fall season is finally here to give you a welcome break from the hot summer months. This season allows you to enjoy the cool weather and the changing foliage colors. For many Americans this is the perfect time to undertake landscape projects and create the perfect entertaining and relaxing space for you and your loved ones.
Use the aforementioned landscape design trends to transform your outdoor space and make it stand out in your neighborhood.
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Author Bio:
Vladimir Fridman is the founder of CBD Glass Studios, a company specializing in glass countertops & other custom glass products. He enjoys writing about new techniques, textures, finishes, and machinery in the glass industry.
