Experiential and Eco-Friendly: The Top Landscaping Trends of 2018
By Lana Hawkins
Sustainability has become a standard in every aspect of design, from indoor spaces to outdoor havens. The year 2018 has brought new and exciting ways to bring eco-friendliness and style to a higher level. In landscaping, the focus is on fun, exciting and sustainable designs that benefit the environment and embellish the properties themselves. Landscapes of 2018 are stunning, eco-friendly and built to last for the years to come. And these top trends are what landscaping is all about in 2018.
Landscaping with the climate in mind
With global warming taking its toll, weather patterns are becoming more and more unpredictable. Thus, one of the landscaping trends for 2018 is preparing for the unexpected and designing outdoor spaces and gardens with climate’s unpredictability in mind. Landscapes and outdoor spaces are designed with the aim of enabling homeowners to enjoy their havens even on those unusually hot or cold days. Outdoor spaces feature high-quality, hardy materials that can withstand temperature fluctuations, beautiful pergolas with retractable canopies for windy and rainy days and stylish fire features and heaters for those chilly evenings.
Water conservation as a priority
Water shortages and drought are a major concern, especially in some parts of the world, which is why water conservation has become one of the priorities of modern landscaping. Water conservation and management have redefined and brought about numerous changes in landscaping designs. In 2018, landscaping focuses on the implementation of smart irrigation systems and water-saving practices. Xeriscaping will also be under the spotlight as it entails planning landscapes that will include low-water-use plants. Furthermore, beautiful gardens will embrace more and more plants native to a specific region. This is a major trend in landscaping since native plants are suitable to a region’s climate and more drought-resistant while exotic species require more water to survive.
Experiential landscaping for an authentic experience
The modern age has laid emphasis on enriching experiences, which is reflected in landscaping, as well. This has put experiential landscaping into focus as a way to provide homeowners with comfort and relaxation they need. Modern landscape designs are playful, enjoyable and functional, offering truly authentic outdoor experiences. Residential designs bring form and function together in stunning outdoor spaces, such outdoor dining, cooking, and entertainment areas. Indoor comforts, including high-tech audio-visual systems and fully integrated lighting, are introduced to landscape designs to make the entire outdoor experience complete and more enjoyable.
Furthermore, outdoor designs are created to meet individual needs and preferences. Professional landscaping services, such as the reputable experts from Manna Landscapes, focus on customized designs that meet the needs of each homeowner. Such a personalized approach enables these experts to provide homeowners with truly enticing, dream gardens. Furthermore, since multisensory experience is a must in 2018 landscapes, stunning gardens will feature creative designs and play structures that will enable owners to interact with their environment.
Outdoor equipment and technology: smart and eco-friendly
Eco-friendliness is a trend implemented in every aspect of landscaping, including smart gadgets, equipment, and technology. Thus, the year 2018 has brought eco-friendly landscaping tools, such as leaf blowers and lawn mowers, with low or no gas emission and battery-generated power. Furthermore, functionality, storage, and ease of use are all important factors that enhanced outdoor equipment integrates. This has led to innovative improvements, such as tools that can be folded and stacked for more practical storage. When it comes to landscaping technology, 3D modeling, drones and mobile apps are gaining more and more popularity in landscape planning.
The playfulness of plants
The year 2018 is all about colors and patterns when it comes to plants, focusing on visual interest and authentic designs. Modern gardens will include colorful, vibrant plants that will bring a sense of playfulness. Soothing purple, Pantone’s color of the year, will be under the landscaping spotlight, bringing stunning plants, such as irises, verbena, violets, and clematis, to 2018 landscapes. This royal color will transform gardens into whimsical, dreamy sanctuaries.
While simplicity and subtlety was the defining feature of 2017 greenery, this year is focusing on intricate, stunning plants. Plants with colorful lines and unusual patterns will embellish and accentuate the landscapes of 2018.
The year 2018 has brought sustainability and playfulness of modern landscape designs another step forward, focusing on eco-friendly plants and equipment, intricate designs and multisensory outdoor experience.
