Sustainable design is the big trend for residential landscapes, according to the 2016 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). In fact, survey respondents expect the greatest demand for outdoor living spaces that are environmentally sustainable, reduce water costs and are low-maintenance.
Top 10 project types with the highest anticipated consumer demand
Rainwater/graywater harvesting – 88%
Native plants – 86%
Native/adapted drought-tolerant plants – 85%
Low-maintenance landscapes – 85%
Permeable paving – 77%
Fire pits/fireplaces – 75%
Food/vegetable gardens (including orchards, vineyards, etc.) – 75%
Rain gardens – 73%
Drip/water-efficient irrigation – 72%
Reduced lawn area – 72%
Most popular outdoor design elements
Fire pits/fireplaces – 75%
Lighting – 67%
Wireless/internet connectivity – 66%
Most popular landscape and garden elements
Native plants – 86%
Low-maintenance landscapes – 85%
Food/vegetable gardens – 75%
Pergolas – 51%
Decks – 47%
Arbors – 44%
Fencing – 44%
