Why Outdoor Living is the Future of Landscape Design
Landscape Design trends have been rapidly changing since the Covid-19 pandemic. Removed from their ordinary day to day lives, people got into nature and do not want to leave it. Now homeowners want to bring their favorite part of their lives — TV, cooking, relaxing, etc — outside. Outdoor living design represents this fundamental shift in how homeowners think about their landscapes. Rather than focusing solely on plants, lawns, and visual appeal, outdoor living design is about how people use their outdoor space and how those spaces support daily life, entertaining, and long-term enjoyment.
I sat down with experts from the outdoor living and pool company Stone Ridge Outdoor Experiences. They shared their insights into outdoor living and the top trends they see in the industry.
What is Outdoor Living Design?
What sets outdoor living design apart from traditional landscape design is intentional use. At its core, outdoor living blends traditional landscaping with architecture, hardscaping, and lifestyle planning. It includes elements like patios, outdoor kitchens, fire features, pergolas, seating areas, lighting, and integrated planting that are designed as one cohesive environment rather than isolated features.
This approach is trending because homeowners want their outdoor spaces to function as true extensions of the home. People are spending more time outside, hosting gatherings, working remotely, and looking for spaces that feel comfortable, intentional, and usable in multiple seasons.
Traditional landscaping often focuses on visual structure such as lawns, foundation plantings, and ornamental beds.
Landscaping often starts with the question, “What will make this space beautiful?”
Outdoor living design starts with the question, “How will I and my family use this space?”
Another key difference is vertical and spatial planning. Outdoor living design makes deliberate use of walls, trellises, screens, grade changes, and overhead structures to create outdoor “rooms.” These elements add privacy, shade, enclosure, and a sense of scale that make spaces feel comfortable and defined rather than open and exposed.
Ultimately, outdoor living design reflects a broader shift toward lifestyle-driven landscapes (https://designsbystoneridge.com/projects/). Homeowners are investing in spaces that support how they actually live, not just how their yard looks from the street. As a result, outdoor environments are becoming more functional, more personalized, and more integrated with the home itself.
Top Features in Modern Outdoor Living Design
Today’s outdoor living spaces are defined by features that prioritize comfort, function, and year-round usability. Here is a list of Stone Ridge’s top outdoor living features
1. Swimming Pools
Swimming pools act as the focal point of many outdoor living spaces, offering both recreation and visual appeal. Homeowners love pools for the resort-like feel they create and the way they naturally bring people together.
2. Outdoor Kitchens
Outdoor kitchens make it easy to cook, dine, and entertain without leaving the gathering. They’re popular because they keep hosts engaged with guests and turn patios into functional living spaces.
3. Fire Pits
Fire pits add warmth and atmosphere, extending the use of outdoor spaces into cooler evenings. They create a comfortable gathering spot that feels relaxed and inviting.
4. Outdoor Bar with TV
Outdoor bars with TVs and surround sound combine entertainment and social space in one area. They’re popular for casual gatherings, game days, and keeping guests outside longer.
5. Artificial Turf
Artificial turf provides a low-maintenance, always-green surface for outdoor living areas. Homeowners appreciate the clean look, durability, and reduced upkeep.
