Products, Vendors, CAD Files, Spec Sheets and More...
Sign up for LAWeekly newsletter
According to the 2014 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), residential design is the largest market for ASLA members' services, constituting nearly 40 percent of private firms' billable hours annually. Landscape architects who specialize in residential design across the country were asked to rate the expected popularity of a variety of residential outdoor design elements in 2014. The percentage number in each category indicates the surveyed LAs considered the outdoor element/features "popular" or "somewhat popular." Outdoor Design Elements Gardens/landscaped spaces: 94.2% Outdoor living spaces (kitchens, entertainment spaces): 92% Outdoor recreation amenities (pools, spas, tennis courts): 75.8% Sustainable design practices: 74.2% Vegetable/fruit gardens: 72.4% Turf lawns: 54% ADA/accessible design: 29.7% Outdoor Living Features Decorative water elements: ornamental pools, splash pools, waterfalls, grottos, water runnels or bubblers: 86.1% Spa features (hot tub, Jacuzzi, whirlpool, indoor/outdoor sauna): 76.4% Swimming pools: 73.8% Sports/recreational spaces (tennis courts, bocce ball, etc.): 58.6% Movie/video/TV theatres: 42.3% Landscape/Garden Elements Low-maintenance landscapes: 95.4% Native plants: 84.5% Fountains/ornamental water features: 83.9% Food/Vegetable gardens (including orchards/vineyards etc.): 76.4% Xeriscaping or dry gardens: 69.1% Organic gardens: 64% Ponds/streams: 60% Rain gardens: 58.3% Rooftop gardens: 53.1% Plant walls/vertical gardens: 49.7% Sustainable Design Elements Native/adapted drought-tolerant plants: 88% Drip/water-efficient irrigation: 84.5% Permeable paving: 78.9% Reduced lawn: 72.6% Recycled materials: 65.1% Rainwater/graywater harvesting: 60.6% Compost bins: 51.2% Solar-powered lights: 42.7% Geothermal-heated pools: 27.2% Outdoor Structures Terraces/patios/decks: 97.7% Fencing (includes gates): 88.5% Pergolas: 82.8% Decks: 82.3% Ornamental water features such as fountains or splash pools: 81.6% Arbors: 81.1% Steps: 77.7% Porches: 74.4% Kitchens/ovens: 71.4% Art (sculptures, murals etc.): 64.4% Play structures (tree houses, swing sets, etc.): 60.6% Utility sheds (tool sheds, garden sheds, etc.): 59% Pavilions: 56.6% Gazebos: 48.5% Awnings, including retractable: 47.7% Columns: 45.4% ADA-accessible structures (ramps, bars, accessible shelving, etc.): 33.1% Editor's note: One amenity is missing from this list: fire pits and other fire elements, which seem to be pretty popular.
Francisco Uviña, University of New Mexico
Hardscape Oasis in Litchfield Park
Ash Nochian, Ph.D. Landscape Architect
November 12th, 2025
Sign up to receive Landscape Architect and Specifier News Magazine, LA Weekly and More...
Invalid Verification Code
Please enter the Verification Code below
You are now subcribed to LASN. You can also search and download CAD files and spec sheets from LADetails.