6 Must-Know Outdoor Living Trends for 2025
As we look forward to the new year, it’s crucial to understand the latest design trends and design choices to keep outdoor space current. Our research has identified six key 2025 outdoor living trends that will shape decisions and demand for products, design elements and services.
Trend 1: Microspaces
In the coming year, we will focus on improving outdoor spaces. More people want outdoor areas that are easy to access. These spaces should still have the beauty and features as indoor areas and act as extensions of the home.
Check out four design ideas that can make a significant impact in a small space.
Create multifunctional outdoor spaces.
As more people plan to make the most out of their outdoor living spaces in the coming year, they need areas that can extend their home’s living space into the outdoors. No matter the size of the outdoor space, it can be transformed into a multifunctional outdoor space that’s versatile and offers an area that can be used in several ways. For example, Belgard Rooms includes pre-designed functional outdoor spaces that can be customized.
These rooms are designed for multiple uses, such as work, play, lounging and living. The Highland Multi-Use Room is one such room that offers a fire pit, pergola and seating areas, which make it versatile for different activities.
Craft a tailored fire pit with built-in seating.
Fire features continue to be one of the top must-haves in outdoor living. They bring warmth and beauty to everyone’s favorite gathering spots, no matter what time of year it is. Built-in seating can be an efficient way to incorporate as much seating as possible around the fire pit while still allowing walking space. Constructed from a modular panel system like Artforms™, a fire pit and built-in benches offer size flexibility and various configurations to make it easy to fit both features into the layout of any outdoor space. Benches maximize seating capacity without a need for additional furniture. They can also be built to offer storage underneath for firewood, cushions and blankets.
Maximize outdoor cooking areas.
Thoughtful planning and a purposeful layout can make a small space feel larger. By optimizing the flow and ensuring enough room for movement, comfortable and efficient outdoor kitchens can be created. Built-in appliances and features save space. For example, a built-in grill with side burners, pizza oven, a sink with ice storage, or a compact island that serves as both a prep and seating area can provide simple uses in minimal space.
Go vertical.
If an outdoor space is limited, it can still be made to feel more dynamic and engaging. You’ll need to be efficient with every square foot you have. Take advantage of vertical space. This involves adding dimensional looks with appealing features like vertical gardens, fire features and wall panels. These features help with creating dramatic visual effects in limited space.
Biophilic design continues to be a trend in both indoor and outdoor design. This design technique helps us to reconnect with nature and is important to both mental and physical well-being. In outdoor design, this can be accomplished by creating sustainable, resilient spaces that include plants, water features and natural materials. These features can help reduce stress, improve cognitive function and enhance one’s overall well-being. Hardscape products like Belgard’s Highland Stone® wall with natural stone aesthetic texture pairs well with vegetation to soften the look and provide a calming, grounding effect.
When incorporating biophilic design in your projects, include gardens with free-flowing, sporadic plantings. Source plants, preferably native plants, that support your local ecosystem and appeal to the senses. Fragrant plants, like herbs, and textured plants, such as ornamental grasses or moss, are ideal choices.
Once the resources are sourced, work can begin on creating environmental harmony for an outdoor space. For example, paths can be installed in such a way so that they follow natural curves. Then, gardens or planters can be integrated into the design. When adding plants, look for irregular shaped ones to help create captivating looks, especially when they’re planted in planter boxes like those created with Artforms™. Keep in mind that the goal is to bring a natural, organic flow to spaces, which includes a sense of spontaneity.
Trend 3: Beautiful Sustainability
The strong focus on efforts to protect our environment will continue to be top-of-mind in the coming year. Eco-friendly materials, such as Permeable Pavers that can alleviate the negative effects of stormwater runoff, will be popular choices for completing driveways, patios and walkways. Offering a smart and sustainable approach, they not only look fabulous, but they improve drainage by allowing stormwater to infiltrate through the joints and an underlying bed of gravel that filters contaminants before gradually releasing the water back into the environment.
By eliminating standing water on the surface, mosquitoes can’t breed, soil erosion is reduced, and the pooling of water and pollutants can be prevented.
Other popular choices for sustainability include concrete pavers. They reduce environmental impact because of their incredible strength and longevity, which eliminates the need for frequent replacement. Unlike wood, they also don’t require yearly sanding and sealing, which limits toxins from being released into the air. Permeable interlocking pavers are also a sustainable choice. They filter and direct stormwater to underground aquifers. Their design can help reduce soil erosion and filter pollutants from stormwater, which improves water quality. LED lighting is yet another great sustainable choice. LED lights are designed to minimize environmental harm through their extensive lifespans and energy efficiency. They reduce power usage, lower greenhouse gas emissions and are recyclable.
Trend 4: Colorfully Bold
While minimalism will remain a popular trend, we’re seeing a shift back to a classic style in design.Mixed materials and bold colors will be re-emerging through more traditional aesthetics. An example of this can be found where oversized pavers and vibrant colors are combined to create design focal points. Unique pieces can make a bold visual statement, especially when there is limited space.
Tranquil colors, especially those that celebrate biodiversity like various hues of green, beige and sepia will be common choices. Complementing this look will be pops of naturally vibrant colors, such as sunflower yellow, lavender and coral that bring natural energy. Popular color tones are predicted to be warmer versions of these perennial favorites.
Trend 5: Mixed-Material Design
Outdoor designs will be enhanced by using a mix of materials to complete projects. For example, it will be popular to combine pavers with complementary materials like composite decking, faux turf or decorative stone. Outdoor flooring like InstaDeck® easily provides a seamless transition by using a snap-together tile system that installs MoistureShield® deck boards at the same height as pavers. Another option is to use a combination of concrete and porcelain pavers. This creates a visually striking look.
These combinations of contrasting outdoor materials add texture and dimension, while enhancing aesthetic appeal, especially in tight outdoor spaces.
Other examples to look for in this trend include mixing traditional paver textures and patterns with bolder designs and accessories, as well as using the same material in unconventional ways. For example, stone can be used for both pathways and garden walls. This offers a fresh look full of texture that can vary depending on light angles and the environment it is in.
Trend 6: Outdoor Retreats
With a focus on personalized health, wellness retreats are expected to be a hot commodity in 2025. Creating personalized, tranquil environments will be in demand. This can include features like meditation nooks, yoga platforms and outdoor spas. Other popular ideas focused on relaxation will feed into this trend. These include the addition of fire pits, fire tables, outdoor fireplaces, water features and soft lighting.
With these anticipated trends for 2025, you now have some helpful insights for updating designs and planning for the materials needed to keep you on the cutting edge in the coming year. You’ll meet expectations by creating outdoor spaces that are stylish, functional and aligned with current market demands.
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