2025 OUTLOOK Design Trends for 2025 Released

The 2025 ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) Trends Outlook Report highlights transformative trends for outdoor living industry professionals, emphasizing wellness, sustainability and adaptive design. As lifestyles evolve, there’s a growing demand for outdoor spaces that foster well-being, social connection and environmental harmony.

Key Insights for Outdoor Living Professionals

1. Outdoor Integration: The report underscores the seamless blending of indoor and outdoor spaces. Features like outdoor kitchens, biophilic design elements and multifunctional living areas promote a stronger connection with nature. Innova- tive materials now offer indoor aesthetics with outdoor durability, enhancing both residential and commercial projects.

2. Wellness & Neuro-Inclusive Design: Spaces are increasingly designed to support mental and physical health. This includes toxin-free materials, circadian-friendly lighting and sensory-friendly environments— principles easily applied to outdoor spaces for improved relaxation and mindfulness.

3. Sustainability & Cultural Narratives: Sustainable design practices, from using recycled materials to incorporating native plantings, align with consumer demand for eco-conscious living. Blending historical design elements with modern aesthetics adds cultural depth while reducing waste.

4. Technology Integration: Smart technologies, including energy-efficient outdoor lighting and automated irrigation, are reshaping outdoor environments, offering convenience and sustainability.

For outdoor living professionals, these trends signal a shift toward designing multifunctional, health-centric and eco-friendly spaces that meet the evolving priorities of today’s consumers.

What’s In & What’s Out

The 2025 Landscape Design Trends reflect a shift toward naturalistic aesthetics, multifunctional spaces and wellnessfocused environments. Homeowners continue to invest in their outdoor areas, favoring native plants and less manicured landscapes that promote ecological balance while maintaining an organic, untamed charm. Designers are moving away from cooltoned color palettes, embracing warmer hues like reds, oranges and earthy tones, aligned with Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse.

Vintage-inspired designs are making a comeback, with reclaimed sculptures and antique elements adding timeless character. There’s a growing trend of refreshing outdated landscapes to improve water conservation, biodiversity and curb appeal, alongside updates in lighting design—favoring intentional, integrated fixtures over dated LED strip lights.

Functionality is key, with front yards transformed into active spaces featuring patios, edible gardens and outdoor kitchens. Features like saunas, cold plunges, firepits and water features are gaining popularity, blending aesthetics with practical use. Wellness-oriented designs, including meditation gardens and serene retreats, reflect the increasing desire for outdoor spaces that support mental wellbeing. This holistic approach to landscaping caters to both visual appeal and lifestyle enrichment.

Contractor Outlook for 2025

The economic outlook for 2025 presents a cautiously optimistic forecast for outdoor contractors, marked by moderate growth, lower interest rates and easing inflation. The U.S. economy is expected to grow by 2.5 percent, signaling a stable environment that supports business expansion without the threat of recession. Contractors will benefit from projected interest rate reductions to 2.75 percent and inflation nearing the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target, easing financial pressures and improving profit margins.

A key highlight is the rebound in construction, with housing starts anticipated to rise by 6.2 percent, driven by lower mortgage rates and relaxed credit conditions. This surge offers opportunities for outdoor contractors involved in residential landscaping and site development. Additionally, large-scale public infrastructure projects, fueled by federal investments from acts like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will create avenues for contractors skilled in commercial outdoor projects.

While challenges persist—such as supply chain disruptions, high material costs and lingering labor shortages—the labor market is stabilizing, easing wage pressures. Contractors should stay agile, focusing on efficiency, strategic growth and capitalizing on new construction demands tied to housing and infrastructure developments. Overall, 2025 offers a promising landscape for outdoor contractors ready to adapt to evolving market dynamics.