When meeting with new residential clients about their outdoor spaces, some people ask me what outdoor elements are most requested these days. For my clients, it’s a wide range from outdoor kitchens to swimming pools to shade gardens. My goal is always to design outdoor spaces that will enrich my clients’ individual lifestyles, not necessarily follow trends. But it is an interesting question, so here’s what one survey found. 
 
From American Society of Landscape Architecture (ASLA)*
Outdoor Design Elements 
Ranked in expected order of popularity:

Fire pits/ fireplaces – 66.0%
Lighting – 65.4%
Seating/dining areas – 64.0%
Outdoor furniture – 59.1%
Outdoor kitchens – 58.8%
Decking (i.e., rooftop decking, etc.) – 53.6%
Grills – 50.0%
Movie/TV/video theaters, wireless/internet, stereo systems – 48.0%
Outdoor heaters – 40.5%
Stereo systems – 36.9%
Pools and spa features (hot tubs, Jacuzzis, whirlpools, indoor/outdoor saunas) – 36.9%
Utility Storage – 32.3%
Hammocks – 29.2%
Outdoor cooling systems (including fans) – 28.5%
Showers/baths – 22.9%
 
Have you been thinking about adding any of these elements to your outdoors spaces? If you need some design ideas, give me a call!

*Source:  https://www.asla.org/NewsReleaseDetails.aspx?id=53135. Accessed 11/19/18.