Backyard Trends for 2012

Since the economic downturn of 2008, the house has become an increasingly popular entertainment venue. Families have replaced expensive vacations and outings to restaurants and bars with more intimate and affordable outdoor cookouts and gatherings. With this change, patio and backyard space has become increasingly important and many families are choosing to strategically invest in their outdoor space for maximum enjoyment and increased home value. Many families have been pleasantly surprised to find that an improved yard and garden space significantly improves the overall quality of life.

If you’re looking to upgrade your outdoor entertaining space this year, here are the top 5 backyard trends for 2012.

1. The backyard as a destination
Instead of spending money on expensive vacations, many homeowners are making their backyard a destination in its own right, by installing water features, sculptured pools with water slides, outdoor kitchens and lavish garden details like bridges. and porches. When making your garden a destination, it’s important to first decide what kind of environment is compatible with your climate and, of course, what kind of space appeals to you and your family. From Japanese Zen gardens to a circa 1960 Miami retreat, there are a number of wonderful themes you can use in your garden in amazing and surprisingly affordable ways. The trick is careful planning and ingenuity.

2. Embrace the natural world
Part of the recent cultural shift is a return to meaningful connection and simplification. This includes a conspicuous move toward embracing nature and the environment, a shift that is decidedly reflected in the modern American backyard. Many American homeowners are opting for a more natural-looking outdoor space…a space that’s less manicured and decidedly lush…maybe even a little wild.

Patios are using more natural looking materials such as slate, rock and gravel. Likewise, more and more families are choosing to incorporate edible vegetation into their spaces, from aromatic herbs and vegetable gardens to fruit trees or olive trees. Some particularly committed people have even started raising chickens, complete with decorative chicken coops! The result is a charming space that has a comforting agricultural feel.

3. Strategic Courtyard Sculpture
Courtyards are taking on very unique shapes these days, with two extremes being the most popular: sharp, mid-century Mad Men-esque lines and more organic, gently curving spaces that blend in with their natural surroundings. If you choose to go mid-century chic, choose patio furniture and features that complement that area. Remember that traveling to Miami and Cuba was all the rage in the ’50s and early ’60s, so these kinds of accents can be really fun additions. Check out your local thrift stores for fun, period-appropriate ceramics that will add a lot of character for a very small cash investment. If the pottery looks a bit worn, feel free to spray paint it super bright or metallic colors, an easy trick that gives old pieces new life for less than $3.

If you prefer a more curvy organic design, it’s important to focus on ways to make the space spill into the natural space effortlessly. Use a variety of small potted plants to blend hard lines and add texture. Incorporate outdoor patio products that have an elemental feel, like water features or outdoor fire pits and fireplaces. Choose patio furniture in materials that match the natural tone, such as teak.

A very easy and inexpensive third option combines the two styles mentioned above. Instead of one solid patio, use several large square pavers to define the patio space. These pavers will allow grass, moss, or gravel to peek through, merging the highly structured mid-century aesthetic with a more natural feel, giving you the best of both worlds!

4. A hidden patio location
Not too long ago, the patio was always located immediately outside your back door. This is not the case. Many homeowners choose to create “getaway patios” slightly set back from the house, creating a kind of escape destination from the house. These types of patios can exist as small islands in a shady corner of the garden, or be connected to the house with a charming path. In some cases, homeowners screen the area or strategically place plants or water features so that the space is shielded from view and truly feels remote.

5. Incorporating patio shelters
Since we spend more time outdoors, it makes sense that we are also incorporating shelters into the space, including gazebos, pergolas, pergolas, canopies, and even cabins or small cabins. A sheltered area will extend the use of your patio space, providing shade in warm months and head coverings in cooler or wetter months. The structure you choose will depend on your climate, personal needs, outdoor space, and overall budget. If you live in a cooler climate and don’t have room for a cabin or cabin, consider outfitting your space with outdoor patio heaters that will keep everyone warm and comfortable in the colder months.