Fashion trends are much easier for our customers to understand than trends for outdoor environments. While we are still neophytes when it comes to fashion, we’ve got you covered for three landscaping trends in 2018.
One trend is high tech, one trend involves exploring your inner chef and another trend comes all the way from Denmark to the shores of Lake Erie.
Trend #1: Outdoor Kitchens
Fifty-two percent of respondents in a recent survey stated that making better use of summer weather was the number one reason they built an outdoor kitchen (Source: Statista). Based on our experience working with customers designing, installing and maintaining award-winning outdoor kitchens, we agree with this assessment. But, let’s remember that in Northeast Ohio, we like to welcome spring early and say bon voyage to summer (then autumn) as late as possible. An outdoor kitchen allows you to stretch the time you use your outdoor living space, providing more value from your investment. Whatever the season, nothing beats an outdoor cooking space for enjoying quality family time and boosting your entertaining options. That’s invaluable.
Trend #2: Smart Outdoor Living
With the proliferation of the Internet of Things, it was only a matter of time before patios smartened up. Yesterday, patio decisions were focused on the type and layout of brick or stone. Now, patio decisions can get a bit more technical — like the type of app you want to control your outdoor lighting, light your fire pit, warm the stone on your patio or control the pressure on your water fountain. Indeed, the options today are endless for a smart patio.
But, the must-have smart option for patios is lighting. Over the past few years — as you’ve probably already witnessed in your home — LED lighting has become cost-effective. And, just as important, the temperature spectrum of LEDs has evolved from just cool white to now warm yellows. If you’re feeling a bit festive and adventurous, you can even incorporate color LEDs to help create an outdoor ambiance for the right occasions.
Trend #3: Hygge
Hygge (pronounced “hue-guh”) is the resurgence of the concept of all things cozy and has invaded America.
Hygge is such an important part of being Danish that it is considered “a defining feature of our cultural identity and an integral part of the national DNA,” according to Meik Wiking, the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen (Country Living). “In other words, what freedom is to Americans…hygge is to Danes,” Wiking says in his book The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living.
But how does hygge help an outdoor environment?
“Homeowners have become more interested in holistic landscapes that promote well-being. The Danish concept of hygge is all about creating an atmosphere of coziness by embracing the simple pleasures of life. Decorating with light, arranging seating for close-knit conversation, planting aromatic flowers and adding water features to encourage mindfulness are a few ways to integrate hygge into landscapes and to find more enjoyment and fulfillment in outdoor spaces.”
Integrating elements from the first two trends — by cooking outside and setting the mood with your outdoor smart lights — you can help you create that cozy and special hygge feeling.
Let’s discuss how we can make your outdoor environment trendy. Email us at info@newvistaent.com or just call 216-291-1100.
JD Drcar is production manager at New Vista Enterprises, Inc. Founded in 2000, New Vista designs, installs and maintains breathtaking outdoor environments for clients throughout Northeast Ohio. JD is a graduate of Ohio University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Horticulture/Environmental Health Sciences. Connect with JD on LinkedIn.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are outdoor kitchens one of the most popular outdoor living investments right now?
Outdoor kitchens are in high demand because homeowners want to make better use of their time outside — and they extend your season well beyond summer. In Northeast Ohio especially, an outdoor kitchen helps you welcome spring early and hold onto fall as long as possible. New Vista has designed, installed, and maintained award-winning outdoor kitchens throughout the region, and in our experience, nothing adds more value to your outdoor living space than the ability to cook and entertain outside.
What does a “smart” outdoor living space actually look like?
A smart outdoor living space uses technology to control lighting, fire features, water fountains, and patio heating — all from an app. The Internet of Things has transformed what’s possible outdoors, and today’s patios can be as connected as the inside of your home. At New Vista, we help clients integrate these smart systems seamlessly into their overall outdoor design, so the technology enhances the experience without overwhelming the aesthetic.
What is the best smart feature to add to an outdoor living space first?
LED lighting is the single most impactful smart upgrade you can make to your outdoor space. It has become cost-effective in recent years, and today’s LEDs span a full temperature spectrum — from crisp cool whites to warm, inviting yellows — with color options available for creating ambiance on special occasions. New Vista incorporates smart outdoor lighting into our designs as a foundation, because great lighting transforms how every other element of your space looks and feels.
What is hygge and how does it apply to an outdoor living space?
Hygge (pronounced “hue-guh”) is the Danish concept of creating coziness through simple, intentional pleasures — and it translates beautifully to outdoor environments. Think close-knit conversation seating, soft lighting, aromatic plantings, and the gentle sound of a water feature. New Vista designs holistic outdoor spaces with this sense of well-being in mind, layering elements together so your yard becomes a place you genuinely want to spend time — not just a space that looks good from a distance.
How can I create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere in my outdoor space?
Creating an inviting outdoor atmosphere comes down to layering the right elements thoughtfully together. Comfortable, conversation-friendly seating arrangements, warm LED lighting, aromatic flowering plants, and water features all work together to promote relaxation and connection. New Vista approaches every project with that holistic mindset — designing spaces that feel as good as they look, drawing on trends like hygge to ensure your outdoor environment supports real enjoyment, not just curb appeal.
How do I get the most value out of my outdoor living investment in a place like Northeast Ohio?
The key is designing your outdoor space to be usable across as many months as possible, not just peak summer. An outdoor kitchen extends your season by making cooking outside practical and enjoyable in spring and fall. Smart lighting and fire features do the same, drawing you outside on cooler evenings. New Vista specializes in building outdoor environments in Northeast Ohio that are built to perform year-round — maximizing the return on every dollar you invest.
