Outdoor Living Trends for 2012

If you love to spend a lot of time in your backyard, you are not online. A recently conducted survey by the Americans Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) shows that the trend goes towards an undemanding outdoors space for lots of entertainment.

According to the 2012 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends survey gardens and landscaped spaces are popular with 94.9 percent of all respondents, for 92.5 percent an outdoor living space, such as an outdoor kitchen or entertainment space, is as important.

Dining and Sitting Outside
Not surprisingly a grill was with 97.4 percent the most in-demand feature for 2012, followed closely by low-maintenance landscapes (96.6 percent). 95.8 percent would not want to miss their fireplace or fire pit and 95.7 percent of all respondents want to take their dinner on a nice dining area outside. 86.9 percent prefer installed seating, such as benches, seat walls, ledges, steps and boulders, to weatherized outdoor furniture (81.2 percent).

Extending the Entertainment Space
Lighting features are also a popular choice, with 91.1 percent of Americans planning to extend the use of their outdoor space in the evenings and at night. 39.9 percent also install outdoor heaters, while 33.1 percent use outdoor cooling systems. Televisions or projections screens and stereo systems are popular with more than half of all Americans.

“The economic recovery remains tepid, but the skilled services of landscape architects and demand for outdoor spaces outfitted with defined amenities remains high,” says ASLA Executive Vice President and CEO Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA.

More Art than Playgrounds in Americas Backyards
Outdoor structures are also in demand. 95.7 percent of Americans enjoy a terrace, patio or deck, 70.3 percent rate outdoor kitchens or ovens as popular. Pergolas are popular with 85.2 percent of all Americans, and about half of all Americans enhance their outdoor living space with a Pavilion. According to the study there is more art in Americas backyards than there are play structures. 60.2 percent rated sculptures and murals as popular whereas just 54.7 percent enjoy tree houses, swing sets and other child friendly back yard features.

Swimming Pools and Water Features in Demand
Americans also love their pools (79.2 percent), but not quite as much as their spas (80.4 percent), including hot tubs, Jacuzzis, whirlpools and saunas. Decorative water elements such as waterfalls, grottos, splash pools or bubblers are popular with 89.9 percent of the respondents.

Contact Jamie Snyder of Albert Group Landscaping to discuss your outdoor living dreams. We specialize in landscaping projects, such as retaining walls, walkways, patios and swimming pools as well as all related features, such as waterfalls, fire pits and outdoor kitchens.

To read more about the outdoor living trends of 2012 go to the website of the American Society of Landscape Architects.