Another Utah summer is just around the corner, and as 2015 heats up, you dream of backyard barbecues and relaxing days by the pool. But there are just a few problems: your backyard is in disrepair, and you don’t actually have a pool.
You want to revamp and refresh your backyard, but you don’t know how to do so. Even worse, you don’t have any ideas to get your project off on the right foot.
Never fear. To help you envision your backyard’s potential, we’ve put together a guide to the top seven design trends of 2015. Browse this list for inspiration on how to breathe new life into your landscape.
1. Plant Low-Maintenance, Sustainable Plants and Grass
Rather than delicate flowers and high-maintenance fruit trees, homeowners are opting for more sustainable gardens. Low maintenance, sustainable plants and grass species will save you time, water, and money during all seasons.
If you want your garden to endure Utah’s dry summers and harsh winters, opt for plant and grass species that are native to the area.
Flowering Plants
Desert marigolds are highly resistant to droughts. Their bright, bold yellow flowers will also attract attention to your yard. Evening primroses are best known for their beautiful pink and white blossoms. However, they’re also fragrant and resilient whether they encounter drought or moisture.
Prairie asters have long blooming seasons, which means you can enjoy them even during the fall.
Grass
There are a wide variety of grasses native to Utah. You’ll need to consider whether you want a warm season or cool season species.
Warm season grasses thrive in even the hottest, driest summers. Warm season grasses include:
Side-oats Grama
Saltgrass
Blue Grama
Galleta
Alakali Sacaton
Sand Dropseed
Cold season grasses are resilient enough to withstand months of snow and frost. They won’t turn brown after the first-or fortieth snowfall. Cold season grasses include:
Desert Needlegrass
Great Basin Wildrye
Indian Ricegrass
Needle and Thread
Prairie Junegrass
2. Grow Edible Plants in Your Garden
While you’re selecting plants and grass to use in your yard, why not take your garden to the next level with a few edible plants? One of the most popular trends in home landscaping is blended gardens.
Rather than separating your flowers from your fruits, line them up next to each other. Place tomato plants next to rose bushes. Tuck some asparagus in next to your raspberry bushes. And don’t forget to brighten up your garden by planting some chili peppers!
3. Let the Indoors Venture Outdoors
The last thing you want to do is stay inside all summer. If rickety patio furniture or worn fabrics keep you from enjoying your yard, you’re in luck. You can make your outdoor space just as comfortable as your home’s interior with outdoor fabrics and materials that are waterproof, fade-resistant, and more beautiful than ever.
If you want to make your backyard extra comfortable, have a landscaping contractor construct a deck, fireplace, or outdoor kitchen right outside.
4. Use Durable, Understated Materials
During the early 2000s, homeowners often used flashy, flamboyant building materials in their yards. Now, designers and homeowners agree that natural, understated materials have more visual appeal. Rather than painting your gazebo gold, let beautiful woods stand on their own. Cedar, stone, and simple details make bigger statements than bling.
5. Install Soothing Water Features
Few things are more relaxing than the sound of a trickling fountain or a babbling brook. If you want the backyard to be the most popular space in your home, install a water feature. The nice thing about water features? There is one to suit every taste and every budget.
Pools and hot tubs can last for several decades. You can even install a resistance pool to boost your family’s health. If a pool doesn’t suit your taste, consider a installing a water wall or portable fountain.
6. Bring in the Birds and the Bees
Have you always wanted a pet but don’t want to clean up after a dog or cat? You’re not alone. More and more homeowners are incorporating chickens and bees into their home landscapes. Chickens provide food, while bees help pollinate plants and flowers.
Before you set up a chicken coop or bee farm in your yard, check with your neighborhood homeowners association to avoid any legal trouble.
7. Brighten Your Space with Light Fixtures
As any summer-enthusiast knows, daytime isn’t the only time to enjoy your home’s landscape. In fact, nights and evenings are perhaps the best times to relax in your backyard oasis. Whether you plan to host parties or take evening swims, you’ll need lights to illuminate your yard.
But don’t just run to the hardware store and pick out a few tiki torches. Instead, install custom lighting to highlight your yard’s best features. Custom outdoor lighting casts the perfect amount of light on your garden, water features, and deck.
Don’t let this year’s hottest landscape trends pass you by. Whether you want a hip, modern extension to your home or a quiet, natural escape from the outside world, you can transform your yard from ordinary to extraordinary. Contact a landscape company near you to start revamping and refreshing your backyard today.