Outdoor Living Continues To Grow In Popularity

Photos courtesy of Richard Cohen Landscape and Construction, Inc.

While outdoor living continues to grow in popularity, expect fewer frills this year as homeowners get back to the basics in a cool economy, according to an American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) survey of residential landscape architects.

Overall, 94.4 percent of residential landscape architects rate outdoor living spaces like kitchens or entertaining space as somewhat or very popular for 2010. Among kitchen features, the most popular include the classic outdoor grill (94.4 percent) and counter space (73.5 percent). More elaborate kitchen elements like outdoor refrigerators (52.8 percent) and sinks (50 percent) were much less popular.

Following a similar trend, the most popular outdoor entertainment features eschewed more expensive, elaborate items in favor of the essentials. For 2010, expect the continued interest in seating/dining areas (95.6 percent) using installed seating like benches and seatwalls (90.6 percent) or weatherized outdoor furniture (77.1 percent), along with the ever-popular fire pit/fireplace (94 percent). Landscape architects anticipate less enthusiasm for items like stereo systems (57.2 percent), outdoor heaters (43.9 percent) and TVs (35.5 percent).

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Among landscape and garden features, 2010 will feature an increase of design elements that reduce time and money. Topping the list are low-maintenance landscapes (94 percent); drip/water-efficient irrigation (85.2 percent); native/adapted drought tolerant plants (85.2 percent); and less lawn (73.9 percent). Other popular features include fountains/water features (87.8 percent) and food/vegetable gardens (78.5 percent).

Photos courtesy of Richard Cohen Landscape and Construction, Inc.

Additional information on residential landscape architecture can be found at www.asla.org/residentialinfo.

Outdoor Living Features
(Percent rating somewhat or very popular for 2010)

Seating/dining areas ?EUR??,,????'?????< Grills ?EUR??,,????'?????< Fire pits/fireplace ?EUR??,,????'?????< Lighting ?EUR??,,????'?????< Installed seating (benches, seatwalls, ledges, steps, boulders) ?EUR??,,????'?????< Weatherized outdoor furniture ?EUR??,,????'?????< Counter space ?EUR??,,????'?????< Utility storage ?EUR??,,????'?????< Stereo systems 57.2%
Refrigerators ?EUR??,,????'?????< Sinks ?EUR??,,????'?????< Wireless/Internet connectivity ?EUR??,,????'?????< Outdoor heaters ?EUR??,,????'?????< Showers/bathing ?EUR??,,????'?????< Outdoor cooling systems (including fans) ?EUR??,,????'?????< Televisions/projection screens ?EUR??,,????'?????< Bedrooms/sleeping spaces ?EUR??,,????'?????<