Outdoor Design Trends for 2015

The most recent survey highlighting top outdoor design trends for 2015 was released a couple of weeks ago by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and it reveals that sustainable and low-maintenance design is the top trend for residential landscape projects.

These trends have further developed from the 2014 survey results that had attractive spaces for entertaining and relaxing on the top of the list, demonstrating that outdoor places of leisure are most desirable when they require little to no labour to maintain.

The 2015 ASLA Design Trends Survey was redesigned, introducing a new methodology to more clearly rank the popularity of different types of landscape projects. While the top landscape project type was indicated as Native Plants (85 percent), the three most popular outdoor design elements include fire pits/fireplaces (78 percent), lighting (72 percent) and grills (63 percent). Spa features like hot tubs, Jacuzzis and swimming pools were indicated as the most popular outdoor recreation amenities (40 percent).

See Article: 4 Ways Pool or Hut Tub Areas Benefit from Duradek

Decks remain a popular design element in the increasing trend of outdoor space and are ideally included in design plans with the low-maintenance expectation in mind. Duradek has been a leader in this product category having introduced its low-maintenance deck waterproofing vinyl over 40 years ago.

In an article “Products for Creating an Outdoor Oasis” in Hanley Wood’s Remodeling magazine online, Steve Van Kouteren of Principia Consulting says, “The outdoor living trend has been talked about since the early 2000s. As the trend develops and more manufacturers produce products, more options and price points are available, so more consumers can take part. Synthetic decking used to be one or two products and now there are all types of products. When you add the new products and price points to a recovering economy, you get a growth in a trend.”

See Article: Overload of Options Cloud Decking Decisions

The Hanley Wood Remodeling article also features a slide show of New Products for Outdoor Living Spaces that support the trends most in demand and includes the latest Duradek vinyl deck membrane offerings in the all-new ‘Legacy’ line of its walkable roofing grade membrane. The Legacy line offers faux-natural finishes in Barnwood (brown), Driftwood (grey) and Pebble Beach in Duradek’s reliable low-maintenance waterproof vinyl.

See the Press Release: Duradek Introduces the Natural Choice for Deck Surfaces.

Builder magazine recently reported on the inclusion of outdoor living space in floor plans and Hanley Wood’s house plan sales group content director Hillary Gottemoeller states, “My general impression is that more plans are incorporating outdoor living space than previously.” Before, she says, “designers may have left this more to the discretion of the buyer, but now in response to consumer demand (or really expectation), they are at the very least showing it on their floor plans and even incorporating it into the footprint/design.”

So if a new or remodelled deck, patio or balcony is part of your residential landscape design plans, be sure to consult with a Duradek Dealer for your low maintenance waterproof deck surfaces.