It's the Pits, Fire Pits, That Is

Nowhere on the ASLA survey list do we see ''bar'' mentioned as a desirable outdoor amenity! This can't be right. Perhaps we can classify it under ''seating/dining areas,'' which at 94.1% was perceived as the third most popular outdoor addition. Photo: Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet

LASN began an Outdoor Living column last year, based on feedback from landscape architects and vendors about a residential trend in outdoor kitchens and backyard entertaining in general.

This trend is confirmed by a 2011 survey from the American Society of Landscape Architects. The ASLA survey asked landscape architects who design residential landscapes to estimate the popularity of various residential design elements for 2011. The survey was fielded February 8-24, with 245 responding.

The top-rated outdoor living features were: lighting, fire, food and a place to sit and enjoy those outdoor amenities.

Overall, 96.2 percent of respondents rated exterior lighting as somewhat or very popular for this year, followed by fire pits/fireplaces (94.2 percent), seating/dining areas (94.1 percent), grills (93.8 percent) and installed seating-benches or seat walls (89.5 percent).

The indications are that people also want to take the indoor electronic entertainments outside: stereos (58.3 percent), internet access (46.3 percent) and televisions (45.4 percent).

The survey shows that while people love hanging out in the back yard, only 10.4 percent of respondents thought outdoor sleeping areas would be the new fad.

Efficiency, Sustainability
The most popular landscape elements for 2011 include those with low maintenance requirements (94.2 percent), native plants (87.2), water-efficient irrigation (83.1 percent), ornamental water features (81 percent) and vegetable gardens (80.3 percent). Permeable paving (77 percent), reduced lawn areas (72.6 percent) and rainwater harvesting (63.6 percent) posted good numbers.

Outdoor Living Features (Percent rating somewhat or very popular for 2011)
Lighting - 96.2%
Fire pits/fireplace - 94.2%
Seating/dining areas - 94.1%
Grills - 93.8%
Installed seating (benches, seat walls, ledges, steps, boulders) - 89.5%
Weatherized outdoor furniture - 83.6%
Counter space - 74.2%
Utility storage - 61.3%
Stereo systems - 58.3%
Sinks - 54.7%
Refrigerators - 50.2%
Wireless/Internet connectivity - 46.3%
Televisions/projection screens - 45.4%
Outdoor heaters - 44.4%

Outdoor Recreation Amenities
Decorative water elements such as ornamental pools, splash pools, waterfalls, grottos, water runnels or bubblers - 84.7%
Spa (hot tub, Jacuzzi, whirlpool, indoor/outdoor sauna) - 75.9%
Swimming Pools - 69.4%
Sports/recreational spaces (tennis courts, bocce ball, etc.) - 47.7%

Landscape/Garden Elements
Low maintenance landscapes - 94.2%
Native plants - 87.2%
Fountains/ornamental water features - 81.0%
Food/Vegetable gardens (including orchards/vineyards etc.) - 80.3%
Organic gardens - 65.5%
Ponds/streams - 62.5%
Rain gardens - 56.6%
Xeriscaping or dry gardens - 56.3%

Sustainable Design Elements
Native/adapted drought-tolerant plants - 88.8%
Drip/water-efficient irrigation - 83.1%
Permeable paving - 77.0%
Reduced lawn - 72.6%
Recycled materials - 64.5%
Rainwater/graywater harvesting - 63.6%
Compost bins - 49.4%
Solar-powered lights - 48.8%
Geothermal-heated pools - 23.2%

Structures
Fencing (includes gates) - 85.1%
Arbors - 83.8%
Pergolas - 82.6%
Steps - 79.3%
Ornamental water features such as fountains or splash pools - 77.5%
Decks - 74.4%
Porches - 72.3%
Art (sculpture, etc.) - 60.7%
Utility shed (tool shed, garden shed etc.) - 59.3%
Play structures (tree house, swing set, etc.) - 58.9%
Pavilions - 52.9%
Awnings, including retractable - 49.6%
Gazebos - 49.6%
Columns - 40.9%
ADA-accessible structures (ramps, bars, accessible shelving etc.) - 23.5%