Current Residential Landscape Trends

Words by Lisette and Colin Marchant Costata Landscape Design

Current Residential Landscape Trends

The construction industry seems to have exploded over the past 18 months with so much building work under construction, or under approval or under design. As a landscape and building design team, we are feeling the load along with our colleagues and the trades in the industry. And along with the increase in projects, comes a change in the type of work we are taking on.

What we have noticed in landscaping over the past 2 years particularly, is that residential clients are investing more into their own properties, they are looking to create the resort they can’t travel to, in their own backyard. Of course, it adds value to their property in the long run as well.

To highlight 3 currently popular elements within landscaping, most of our projects now include a swimming pool or spa, a pool cabana with outdoor cooking area and a firepit. These all provide destinations and sites within the garden for family to entertain with friends and relax together. The strictures of COVID seems to have affected our clients with a need to celebrate close friends and family more than ever.

The garden design and plant material are also of high priority to provide a softening of the structural elements with places to wander and gardens to tend.

The location of the pool pump, filter and any heating equipment must also be planned from the start.

Swimming Pools and Spas

We are seeing a wide range of required sizes and locations for our clients’ pools. Siting is important for structural, services and access reasons. We always design the pool fence as a vital part of the overall garden design and ensure it complies with AS 1926.1(2012).

Pool covers provide savings in heating and cleaning and are worth designing into the initial design also. Concrete in-ground or Fibreglass pools can be integrated into the landscape with connecting timber decks, natural stone finishes, honed concrete or recycled bricks. The location of the pool pump, filter and any heating equipment must also be planned from the start.

Pool Cabanas

These vary and depend upon the requirements of each client. Some are simple shade structures whilst some require full kitchens, bar, lounge, dining, music and TV integrations. Outdoor showers and toilets nearby are also very popular. No matter what form it takes, the cabana provides a destination for people to gather.

We are seeing these projects, and these trends extending well into 2022 and beyond

Firepits

A firepit in each garden seems to now be pre-requisite within our landscape designs. The romance of sitting under the stars, gathered around the warmth and flicker of the fire is an appealing concept for most of our clients. Again, they can take many forms. A simple positioning of sandstone boulders with crushed granite base and a corten-steel bowl. Or a more permanent semi-circular masonry and timber structure with bluestone underfoot and large steel fire pit with cooking grills and lid.

All projects designed and managed by Costata Landscape Design