In 2024, backyards are becoming an extension of our living spaces, with a focus on a seamless transition between the indoor and the outdoor.
Unsurprisingly, sustainability is the other main principle instructing all backyard transformations, and it is here to stay. It can be seen in our choice of materials, plants, and colors.
The third principle guiding all transformations this year is personality, as we move away from cold, minimalist styles and enter a cozier, more fun era of backyard design.
Finally, there is a focus on building spaces that connect people, from outdoor kitchens and dining areas to pergolas with inviting, comfy outdoor furniture.
Let’s see how these trends manifest themselves in garden and backyard design.
Pergolas
Pergolas add a touch of the exotic into every backyard, letting your friends feel regal while they sip on cool wine under their shade. Their purpose is to create a communal space perfect for entertaining guests, while their tall, vertical design adds elegance to your backyard.
To maximize their cooling potential, and add an air of dreaminess, pergolas are usually covered with canopies and breezy fabrics this year.
Arbors
If you have a smaller backyard, an arbor, the pergola’s smaller cousin, provides a similar visual effect without taking up too much space (that should be kept for vegetation or water elements).
However, as it’s a smaller transitional element, you probably won’t be entertaining guests underneath the arch.
If that made you sigh, don’t worry there’s a third option. By adding a bench, swing, or armchair underneath the arbor, you get the best of both worlds.
Garden Rooms
For clarity, when we say garden rooms, we mean secluded or isolated outdoor areas, with a private, comfortable atmosphere of a room (we talk about garden houses later).
They are a gorgeous example of transitioning from indoor to outdoor spaces. Create privacy through stucco half-walls, hedges, wooden elements, or vertical gardens — the ideas are endless.
Garden rooms have been around for centuries, but what makes them 2024 is how you connect them to your indoor spaces. Make them an extension of your home through color, lighting, furniture style, or decorative elements.
Cabins and Garden Houses
Garden houses and cabins let you watch the seasons change without sacrificing comfort. They can be used as offices, in-law quarters, guest houses, and art studios.
Depending on your home and garden’s style, you can find everything from more modern garden houses to log cabins. Besides utilizing your plot better, garden houses also increase your property’s value.
When it comes to building them, you can DIY from scratch, buy a kit, or even find park model homes for sale that you can haul into your backyard or a forest plot.
Outdoor Kitchens and Fire Features
You know we’re all about enjoying a homemade dinner in the garden, but this is not the only reason we’re mentioning outdoor kitchens. This year, outdoor kitchens, pizza ovens, dining areas, and fire pits combine all major outdoor design trends.
First, we have sustainability (cooking outside in the summer can cut your electricity bill), indoor-outdoor elements, and another space to bring family and friends together.
Multifunctional Lighting and Accessories
Lighting is becoming more than just a functional element in garden design; it's a way to extend the enjoyment of your outdoor spaces well into the night. 2024 sees a surge in smart outdoor lighting systems that can be controlled via smartphone apps, allowing homeowners to customize the ambiance of their backyard at the touch of a button. Accent lighting along pathways, spotlighting for trees and garden features, and string lights overhead transform these spaces into magical evening retreats. Adding to this, accessories like weather-resistant rugs, art pieces, and decorative pillows enhance the comfort and style, making the backyard a true extension of the home’s interior.
Water Features and Zen Spaces
As the focus on wellness grows, so does the incorporation of water features and zen spaces in backyard designs. From simple tabletop fountains to elaborate waterfalls and koi ponds, water features create a soothing atmosphere that encourages relaxation and mindfulness. These elements are not only visually appealing but also add a calming sound backdrop, perfect for meditation or unwinding after a busy day. Additionally, dedicated zen gardens, featuring sand raking areas and rock formations, provide a spot for contemplation and reconnecting with nature, cementing the backyard as a sanctuary for mental and emotional well-being.
Edible Plants
This trend is likely not going anywhere, as once you taste the literal fruits of your labor, it’s hard to go back to store-bought only. Depending on your climate, and the size and position of your garden, you can grow various fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
A box garden with tomatoes and basil or a joyful lemon tree is not only a practical choice, but it also brings charm, visual appeal, and, more often than not, appetizing scents to your backyard.
A Variety of Native Plants
Water-guzzling lawns trimmed into oblivion are slowly making an exit. More people focus on incorporating their gardens into the local ecosystem to make them more resilient, useful, and eco-friendly.
Find local plants that attract butterflies and native bees, such as butterfly weeds, wild bergamot, or even trees such as Southern Magnolia. You will not only help the pollinators but also spend less water, money, and time tending to your garden.
