Fresh Concept

Dreamscape Your Hardscape

Yard Transformations

By Janette Calabro

Outdoor living is trending in 2021 as millions of Americans place more importance on leisure time outside. Backyards are morphing into living rooms and kitchens, and creating luxurious, fresh-air living space is definitely having a moment. Outdoor kitchens are in high demand. More spacious patios and decks, bigger firepit areas, and enhanced outdoor seating are also popular. To achieve that airy, alfresco living space, homeowners’ expectations go far beyond the norm this year—loftier changes equal greater transformation. Think pool houses, cabanas, pergolas, outdoor televisions, and patio bars, among other creature comforts. Let’s take a closer look at the old, the new, and the latest outdoor hardscape ideas, along with who can help you achieve your outdoor dream space.

Time spent in isolation indoors is driving us to an outdoor refuge away from the world, and the desire for private space is increasing. Homebuyers in 2021 are looking for bigger backyards with more personal space. Backyard cottages are a hot commodity this year. They don’t have to be big or expensive—there are options for the smallest of structures in smaller spaces, depending on what local building codes will allow. A bigger cottage can add a work-from-home office space or a spare bedroom and bath for guests. A smaller cottage can be a place to meditate, a small space to get in a daily yoga class, or a hideaway to cuddle up with a good book in the rain. The options are endless.

While you’re planning your space, consider the benefits of hiring a professional landscaper or designer. These pros can save you time and money by taking away your worry about what materials to buy, how to install them, and what plan works best for your outdoor space. Leave the logistics to them! The polish of a landscaper will leave you with a dream escape in your own backyard, increase your home’s value, and add curb appeal. Landscapers are lifesavers when it comes to maintaining the beauty and function of your dreamscape, too. They have the experience, the tools, and the knowledge to get the job done right and keep it looking great.

Maybe your focus is on upgrading your patio. Backyard patios as we know them grew in popularity after World War II. While the smell of barbecue and mesquite wafted among family and friends, the suburban outdoor living space changed our lives. Though backyard patios are still popular, we’re no longer satisfied with a plain concrete slab. Irregularly shaped flagstone is popular this year, as are easy-to-maintain brick pavers. Another idea is to dress your patio space with Ashlar sandstone pavers, which can also neatly define your garden’s borders. Modernize your patio space for 2021 with colored gravel and pebbles in large decorative planters. Landscapers and designers can help match the gravel with specific plants that complement your patio pavers.

Newer this year is a refreshing take on outdoor seating— natural stone furniture. Natural stone slabs give elevated chairs the feel of sitting on a tree trunk, and they’ll stand up to bursts of rain or snow. To soften stone benches and patio furniture, toss in cushions, pillows, and warm throws.

Pathways often bring a whimsical vibe, and the right decorative walkway will beckon you and your guests to follow wherever it leads. Creating that walkway can be challenging, and it’s a job often best left to the experts. Ask your landscaper for advice when adding natural stone pavers among the garden’s blooms. There are many ways to dress up an existing pathway. Stepping stones along a white pebbled path with stone or concrete borders is a look that’s somewhat new for 2021. Narrow walkways that lead to a rounded patio bring a touch of elegance. Flagstone walks are popular this year, too—add a path straight toward the patio firepit for warmth on a cool night or have the path lead to your new pergola or raised garden beds.

A minimalist wood pathway is earthy and traditional, and aged wood pairs well with stone for romantic flair. Add playful wave patterns using an ombre stone pattern or line your path with fanciful Scandinavian-inspired stones of irregular shapes for a simple but catchy look. For a clean and simple path, there’s always semi-crushed gravel. Choose traditional red brick for a modern design with a twist of Old World flair. If you’re looking for a showstopper, try a stone mosaic walkway. Beautiful and dramatic mosaic designs are likely to leave your guests speechless.

What about outdoor showers? This luxe option is especially convenient for rinsing off after a dip in the pool. From modern to rustic, your private outdoor shower will change your life during the warmer months of the year. You can even lay a tile pathway from home to shower and hang up wall hooks for towels, bathrobe, or clothing. Life is good!

Retaining walls and garden borders help define your space. Tiered levels of stone or wooden retaining walls add interest and work nicely to raise flowerbeds. Use stacked stones to create sitting walls so you can enjoy the calm inside your garden landscape or set seated walls around a natural stone firepit for mood and atmosphere. Modernize your

garden borders with a well-designed scheme of river stones, using black, gray, and white stones for high contrast.

Lighted pathways can appear as though they’re straight out of a fairy tale, but an outdoor lighting system is actually a very sensible safety feature to discourage both stumbling and intruders. In fact, lighting is an integral part of any effective security system for your home.

Just because it’s sensible doesn’t mean it has to be boring! For stunning ambiance, lighting trends for 2021 mix distinctive materials, colors, and styles. Strings of patio lights, freestanding lanterns on tabletops, and fairy lights along the garden path are popular this year. Solar-powered spike lights can highlight water features, ponds, and swimming pools. Wired lighting can tastefully make a dark space light without the worry of replacing batteries. Ask your designer about wall-mounted lamps for smaller spaces or directional lights that are strategically placed to illuminate a stairway, a statue, or your favorite tree. Don‘t forget to light up the pergolas and walkways!

Pergolas are springing up everywhere this spring. These unique outdoor structures consist of columns that support a roofing grid with beams and rafters that can be left open or covered. Set your pergola along a garden pathway or as a sitting area on the patio to provide shade from the hot sun. Lounge in the open air with some protection from the elements, dine outside, or get some rest and relaxation away from the workday.

What else is popping up in our backyards? Accent rocks and boulders for our flowerbeds, patios, and water features. In the garden, stones merge with their natural surroundings to create an earthy, timeless look. Bury a larger boulder one third of the way into the ground for a naturally embedded effect. Go a little further and create a Zen garden. Who couldn’t use a little Zen in this world full of unknowns? Zen gardens have a calming aesthetic and are mostly made of gravel, pebbles, and stones or boulders.

Although indoor kitchens bring plenty of obvious advantages, there’s something about cooking outdoors that appeals to us as members of a species that has been cooking outside for millennia. The trend that started with a charcoal grill on the patio has expanded to today’s outdoor kitchen. A fresh-air kitchen with all the latest conveniences is perhaps one of the most sought-after outdoor improvements in 2021. Natural stone countertops can integrate a sink or an oven for full outdoor cooking. Mix in a dining table with comfortable chairs for gatherings or special occasions, and you’ve taken your entire culinary experience outside!

If you have enough land to combine your patio space with an in-ground swimming pool, extend the deck with flagstone to sit around the pool with a cup of coffee, a glass of iced tea, or your favorite tropical drink. Whatever your outdoor dreams are, open air living is what it’s all about in 2021. Whether you’re seeking peace and privacy or outdoor entertainment and gatherings, contentment from the inside out is here to stay!

Sources for this article included: forbes.com, bhg.com, homebnc.com, and houzz.com.