A Look Back at 2018’s Hottest Backyard Trends

Traditionally, backyard dining areas have been set up right off the house, near the kitchen and with access to the inside of the home. Gaining in popularity, however, is the notion of pushing your alfresco dining area further out into the yard. While the convenience to the kitchen is reduced a bit, having this area further from the home offers a charming backyard oasis that makes outdoor entertaining all the more special.

Related: Check out this magical backyard hideaway int he middle of the city.

Adding some hand-crafted elements to your backyard adds an eclectic charm and a sense of personal style that you won’t find with mass-produced pieces. Whether it’s a thrift shop find or something you have custom-created by a local artisan, something that’s been created by hand will result in a backyard that’s far from ordinary.

Another trend that’s making headway in 2018 is adding a hit of colour. Whether it’s bright, colourful ornamental items, planters, furniture or whatever you can think of, adding colour to your backyard banish blandness, creating a vibrant, inviting outdoor area bursting with visual interest.

See how this shipping container doubles as a backyard living space.

While not for everyone, turning over part of your backyard to serve as a play area for children not only encourages kids to get off their screens and head outside, but can also unleash your own hidden child, giving parents an opportunity to play with the kids.

Long a tradition in Japan, the zen garden is becoming increasingly popular in North America by those who seek serenity and peace in their backyards. Typically, a zen garden features such elements as succulents, a simple water feature, and stones or sand – whatever helps to encourage an atmosphere of mindful meditation.

See how this couple turned their city backyard into a cottage retreat.

Water features continue to remain popular in backyards by those who enjoy the serene, soothing sound of water. Whether it’s a small, simple pond or an elaborate fountain, a water feature is a great way to add interest to any backyard.

New technology can be a game changer for backyards. Remember when an outdoor sound system was an expensive, elaborate proposition? No longer, with wireless Bluetooth speakers getting better and smarter (some even blending into the landscape), allowing you total control via smartphone. Smart LED lights allow you to customize your outdoor lighting, while the notion of creating an outdoor home theatre has never been easier. Tech innovation is touching every aspect of our lives – including backyards.

Backyard fire pits have never been hotter, while outdoor fireplaces are also becoming increasingly popular backyard additions. Fire pits in particular are relatively inexpensive, and create a focal point for backyard relaxation.

Related: Couple builds an epic amphitheatre in their own backyard.

Creating a covered living space in your backyard transforms otherwise unused space into what is essentially and outdoor living room. As L.A.-based landscape designer tells the Gardenista website, “if you have the great fortune of living in a house often the backyard is the biggest room of your home.”

Outdoor lighting is nothing new, but 2018 is seeing an uptick in the popularity of softer, less-harsh lighting. Creating ambience via lighting isn’t just for indoors!

The classic garden trellis has been making a big comeback, and one backyard trend for 2018 is using a trellis to showcase flowers and plants, especially colourful ones.

Throw away those folding lawn chairs – in 2018, the trend is all about bringing indoor-style comfort to outdoor furnishings. Much like camping has evolved into glamping, homeowners are seeking outdoor furniture that is both functional and comfortable, a trend that dovetails with the increased interest in creating outdoor “rooms.”

Architectural planters in unique geometric shapes allow an array of options to enhance backyard living spaces, allowing the beauty of the plants themselves to capture focus.

In recent years, uniform-sized bricks were favoured for backyard paving, but that’s giving way to a more organic, rough-hewn look, with pathways created by various stones of differing shapes and sizes.

When summertime begins to wane, think about how you’d like your backyard to look in the winter. Homeowners are beginning to place more value on winter landscapes, as the same yard that looks lush and blooming in the spring and summer can look barren and dreary in the winter. Look for plants such as winter-flowering heathers, camellias, ornamental kale and cabbage, for example, to add some colour to your backyard during the colder months.