In 2024, homeowners are increasingly focusing on creating serene and tranquil outdoor spaces, driven by a desire for wellness and relaxation in their own backyards. As noted by experts like Blythe Yost of Tilly and Kendra Poppy of Yardzen, this year’s top outdoor living trends are all about disconnecting from the busy world and finding peace at home. Here are the five leading trends that encapsulate this movement.
- Sensory Pathways: Engaging the Senses in Nature
Sensory pathways are gaining popularity for their ability to create a space that stimulates the senses and promotes relaxation. Incorporating elements like bamboo wind chimes, water features, and a mix of textures such as wood and stone, these pathways offer a multisensory experience. They often include a variety of plants with different colors, shapes, and aromas, such as lavender, to engage the senses fully. These pathways are designed not just for visual appeal but to create an immersive experience that encourages mindfulness and connection with nature.
- Organic Modern Style: Blending Natural Elements with Contemporary Design
The organic modern style is extending from interiors to outdoor spaces, favoring organic shapes, natural materials, and softer landscapes. This style is characterized by gravel pathways, natural stone pavers, and elements like pergolas or trellises covered in heritage vines. The incorporation of wildflowers, ornamental grasses, and olive trees adds texture and color, while antique-inspired furniture and decor in materials like rattan and jute provide a contrast that enhances the space’s overall appeal.
- Outdoor Fitness Areas: Custom Spaces for Wellness Activities
Homeowners are now dedicating areas of their outdoor spaces to fitness and wellness. These areas are designed with shade in mind, utilizing pergolas, shade sails, or natural tree cover, and are set on level grounds suitable for various exercises. Wi-Fi access is also a key component, enabling streaming workouts or music. Beyond traditional exercise spaces, there is also an interest in larger installations like bocce courts, putting greens, and basketball courts, reflecting a desire to incorporate physical activity seamlessly into daily life.
- Front Yard Focus: Enhancing Curb Appeal for Relaxation and Welcoming Spaces
The front yard is becoming a key area of focus, with homeowners looking to make their exteriors as inviting and individualistic as their interiors. This trend involves transforming front doors and porticos and extends to creating welcoming outdoor living spaces in the front yard. Comfort is key, with updates like stylish outdoor furniture, porch swings, hanging chairs, and mood-setting lighting. Even small changes, like updating house numbers, door hardware, and adding container plants, can significantly impact the front yard’s ambiance.
- Relaxing Water Features: Creating Personal Rejuvenation Spaces
Water features are being embraced for their calming and rejuvenating properties. From fountains to plunge pools, these features are integral to creating a spa-like atmosphere in the backyard. The trend also includes the addition of saunas, hot tubs, and outdoor showers, mirroring the spa-like bathroom design trends seen indoors. These water features are about more than just aesthetics; they’re about creating personal spaces for relaxation and wellness at home.
These trends for 2024 highlight a shift towards outdoor spaces that are not just beautiful but also nurturing and restorative, offering a much-needed retreat from the fast-paced and stressful modern lifestyle.
