Every year, home and landscaping trends come and go. Not all trends are built the same. Some stand the test of time, others don’t (remember when everyone was decorating their kitchens with roosters?) Our team at Torchwood Landscaping has been around the block a few times, and we’ve seen lots of different types of outdoor living trends. In this blog, we’re going to look at some of the best trends for 2024 that you can use to inspire your outdoor living space design!
Why Trends Matter
Trends matter to a point. We don’t recommend our clients follow every landscape design trend—that’s a lot of time and money! However, trends can keep your home and landscape looking modern and fresh, increasing curb appeal. It shows that you care about your space enough to take care of it and keep it updated.
But what matters most when you create an outdoor living space design is what you want. Your space should be beautiful and functional. It should be a space you and your family can enjoy. So not every trend is going to fit with your style and your needs, and that’s okay!
Let’s cover some outdoor living space design trends that we’re seeing for 2024. Along the way, we’ll provide tips for how to implement these trends into your space.
Outdoor Living Space Design Trends to Watch in 2024
General trends that we are seeing in 2024 are a natural, lived-in feel to both people’s homes and landscapes. People want space that’s useful (not random, inaccessible entryway landings that don’t serve a purpose!) and that they feel comfortable in. This means natural colors and textures, homey vibes, and multi-use spaces.
Neutral Colors and Materials
Neutral colors are timeless and fit with any home style. We’re seeing a lot of darker tones, like gray and black, used in outdoor spaces. Darker tones can be a great contrast to neutral colors, especially if you’re working with a new home build since new homes emphasize clean lines and geometric shapes. Cool colors like gray and off-white can also make your landscape flowers and shrubs pop with color in the spring!
Neutral colors and materials include:
- Crushed granite (adds a neutral tone along with texture)
- Cedar decking (grays over time while still retaining its character)
- Concrete pavers (durable and simple)
- Neutral-toned containers (they will make your blooms pop!)
Torchwood tip: Be aware that some neutral colors are lighter, so stains and dirt will be easier to see. We also recommend using some accent colors with neutral tones. Warm earth tones like red or brown and neutral grays can add a dynamic touch to your hardscape.
Cozy Outdoor Fireplaces
Michigan winters can be long and dreary—a cheerful outdoor fireplace can bring warmth and joy to any season! We’re seeing fireplaces that go beyond a run-of-the-mill burn pit or hole in the ground.
Our clients often choose from gas, charcoal, or traditional wood-burning fireplaces that fit the style of their homes. While a firepit can keep you warm, a fireplace is a more permanent fixture and can match the rest of your landscaping. Plus, they’re endlessly customizable—did someone say brick oven pizza?
Cozy outdoor fireplace ideas include:
- Built-in wood storage (no need for a tarp!)
- Crystal fire burner (liquid propane or natural gas)
- Natural stone or concrete (match the style of your home and backyard)
- Fixed or movable seating (create your outdoor living room!)
Torchwood tip: Our clients particularly love gas fireplaces because maintenance is easier—no ash to clean up and no wood to buy or haul. Animals are also much less likely to set up shop in a gas fireplace as well!
Eco-Conscious Materials
Most people are moving away from plastic lawn chairs and flimsy furniture and opting for more permanent, eco-friendly furniture. You can also have eco-conscious patio material that helps with water absorption, or even create a rain garden that catches excess rainwater and prevents flooding in your yard.
Here’s what to look for when choosing eco-conscious landscaping materials:
- Edible landscaping (herb garden, anyone?)
- Using native plants instead (invasive species can rob the ecosystem of valuable nutrients)
- Permeable hardscapes (like loose gravel or sand)
- Organic mulch (like straw or wood chips)
Torchwood tip: Use permeable base stone underneath your hardscape. This can filter out any pollutants that seep through your hardscape before they enter the groundwater or sewer system. Permeable base stone can also save you on your water bill—and from getting cracks in your beautiful hardscape.
Multi-Use Spaces
Space is important in any home, especially if you have growing kids or love to host. Your backyard can become another beautiful hosting space! Homeowners are going beyond aesthetics for their backyard these days. They also want their backyard to be functional—a space to enjoy year-round.
Multi-use spaces can be as simple as adding an outdoor kitchen or as complex as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) as a guest house or Airbnb. At Torchwood, we specialize in helping our clients create a backyard that’s perfect for grilling, chilling, playing lawn games, or even hosting a backyard wedding!
Here are some great ideas for a multi-use backyard:
- Movie screen or projector (a drive-in without the car!)
- Audio equipment and speakers (karaoke doesn’t just have to be inside)
- Artificial turf (it’s getting more popular among our clients, and great for lawn games)
- Outdoor heaters (that go beyond the clunky, portable propane ones)
- Outdoor fans (it’s not always wintertime in Michigan)
Torchwood tip: An outdoor hardscape can bring a multi-use space together, no matter what elements you add. Have a pool? Add a comfortable sitting area with a fireplace. Using your backyard for lawn games? Add an outdoor kitchen to fuel up after your volleyball tournament. Our experts at Torchwood can help you craft a backyard that you can enjoy year-round.
Outdoor Kitchens
Lots of homeowners are sick of being left out of the party, prepping salads and kebabs inside while everyone is out on the patio enjoying the sunshine. Not to mention the energy bill after opening and closing the slider door a million times. Outdoor kitchens are a great solution!
Outdoor kitchen designs are trending toward higher-end appliances like Traeger and Blackstone grills, which can be used year-round for cooked-to-perfection dinners no matter the season. Enjoy Michigan summer to the fullest using an alfresco kitchen with an oven, grill, sink, and even a refrigerator.
Here are some of our favorite ideas for outdoor kitchens:
- Stainless steel appliances (goes great with neutral colors!)
- Outdoor fireplace (pair your kitchen with a cozy place to mingle!)
- Outdoor TV or projector (don’t miss a second of the game)
- Pergolas or awnings (keep the patio cool while keeping the grill hot)
Torchwood tip: Outdoor kitchens can be pricey and require a lot of upkeep. They are usable in the winter (especially with a fireplace!) but you may want to winterize them if you don’t plan on grilling in the winter. Make sure gas lines are turned off and electrical appliances are protected or stored in a safe area.
Modular Lighting
Gone are the days of blinding floodlights being your only source of outdoor light. While they are useful for home safety, they don’t really set great ambiance for a quiet evening in your backyard. Lots of manufacturers provide innovative, modular lighting that fits your outdoor space. They go beyond just solar lights, too. You have so many options available, like:
- Pathway lights (to prevent tripping up the stairs)
- Well lights (that blend seamlessly into your landscaping and don’t pose a trip risk)
- Lanterns and sconces
- Industrial pendant lights (weatherproof and perfect for neutral tones)
- String lights (add a twinkly, bistro-like feel to your back patio)
Torchwood tip: Look for lighting with astronomic timers—or purchase one for your solar lighting. An astronomic timer will self-adjust to sunset and sunrise so they turn on as it gets dark and turn off as the sun rises. When you install your lighting, make sure it is outdoor-grade and doesn’t pose a fire risk.
The Best Outdoor Living Design Trend is Your Design!
Dreaming up a new outdoor space is fun—but making it a reality is even better! These trends are just the tip of the iceberg for what you can do to transform your backyard. Not only that, but you have an expert you can call on to help. Let us help you make your outdoor living design a reality! Contact Torchwood Landscaping today for a free estimate.
