\nASLA 2015 Professional Award of Excellence, Residential Design Category. Cedar Creek by Hocker Design Group. Photo Credit: Hocker Design Group, Robert Yu, Justin Clemons<\/p>\n

Sustainable design is the big trend for residential landscapes, according to the 2016 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).<\/p>\n

The top trend\u2014rainwater\/graywater harvesting\u2014reflects a growing consumer demand for beautiful residential landscapes that also save water. Landscape architects were asked to rate the expected popularity of a variety of residential outdoor design elements in 2016. The survey was fielded February 4 through February 18, 2016, with 803 responding.<\/p>\n

Respondents expected the greatest demand for outdoor living spaces that are environmentally sustainable, reduce water costs and are low maintenance.<\/p>\n

Here are the top ten project types with the expected highest consumer demand:<\/p>\n

\n
• Rainwater\/graywater harvesting \u2013 88%<\/li>\n
• Native plants \u2013 86%<\/li>\n
• Native\/adapted drought tolerant plants \u2013 85%<\/li>\n
• Low-maintenance landscapes \u2013 85%<\/li>\n
• Permeable paving \u2013 77%<\/li>\n
• Fire pits\/fireplaces \u2013 75%<\/li>\n
• Food\/vegetable gardens (including orchards, vineyards, etc.) \u2013 75%<\/li>\n
• Rain gardens \u2013 73%<\/li>\n
• Drip\/water-efficient irrigation \u2013 72%<\/li>\n
• Reduced lawn area \u2013 72%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  Water-focused design elements dominated this year\u2019s top ten list and reflect consumers\u2019 growing commitment to landscapes that reduce water use and stormwater runoff, says Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA.<\/p>\n

  \u201cWater issues are hot topics for many communities, and many people are turning to landscape architects for creative green infrastructure solutions,\u201d said Somerville. \u201cSustainable residential landscape architecture, if part of a broader integrated site design, can dramatically reduce water usage and stormwater runoff over the long term while creating a healthy residential environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

  Read more: Bringing the Living Room Outside from Turf Design Build Magazine<\/small><\/em><\/p>\n

  The top three most popular outdoor design elements include fire pits\/fireplaces (75 percent), lighting (67 percent) and wireless\/internet connectivity (66 percent).<\/p>\n

  The top landscape and garden elements include native plants (86 percent), low-maintenance landscapes (85 percent) and food\/vegetable gardens (75 percent). Pergolas (51 percent), decks (47 percent), arbors (44 percent) and fencing (44 percent) are expected to be the most popular outdoor structures.<\/p>\n

  The hottest sustainable design elements include rainwater\/graywater harvesting (88 percent), native\/adapted drought tolerant plants (85 percent) and permeable paving (77 percent).<\/p>\n

  The most popular outdoor recreation amenities for 2016 will include sports courts (41 percent), spa features (40 percent) and swimming pools (36 percent).<\/p>\n

  Outdoor Design Elements<\/h4>\n

  Ranked in expected order of popularity for 2016<\/p>\n

  Fire pits\/fireplaces \u2013 75%<\/p>\n

  Lighting \u2013 67%<\/p>\n

  Wireless\/internet connectivity \u2013 66%<\/p>\n

  Seating\/dining areas \u2013 64%<\/p>\n

  Outdoor furniture \u2013 63%<\/p>\n

  Planters, sculptures, garden accessories \u2013 56%<\/p>\n

  Grills \u2013 54%<\/p>\n

  Counter space \u2013 50%<\/p>\n

  Outdoor heaters \u2013 47%<\/p>\n

  Stereo systems \u2013 40%<\/p>\n

  Movie\/TV\/video theaters \u2013 38%<\/p>\n

  Utility storage \u2013 35%<\/p>\n

  Sinks \u2013 33%<\/p>\n

  Refrigerators \u2013 31%<\/p>\n

  Outdoor cooling systems (including fans) \u2013 29%<\/p>\n

  Showers\/baths \u2013 29%<\/p>\n

  Hammocks \u2013 21%<\/p>\n

  Bedrooms\/sleeping spaces \u2013 11%<\/p>\n

  Outdoor Recreation Amenities<\/h4>\n

  Ranked in expected order of popularity for 2016<\/p>\n

  Sports courts (tennis, bocce, etc.) \u2013 41%<\/p>\n

  Spa features (hot tubs, Jacuzzis, whirlpools, indoor\/outdoor saunas) \u2013 40%<\/p>\n

  Swimming pools \u2013 36%<\/p>\n

  Labyrinths \u2013 11%<\/p>\n

  Landscape\/Garden Elements<\/h4>\n

  Ranked in expected order of popularity for 2016<\/p>\n

  Native plants \u2013 86%<\/p>\n

  Low-maintenance landscapes \u2013 85%<\/p>\n

  Food\/vegetable gardens (including orchards, vineyards, etc.) \u2013 75%<\/p>\n

  Rain gardens \u2013 73%<\/p>\n

  Water-saving xeriscape or dry gardens \u2013 68%<\/p>\n

  Organic gardens \u2013 64%<\/p>\n

  Plant walls\/vertical gardens \u2013 61%<\/p>\n

  Rooftop gardens \u2013 55%<\/p>\n

  Decorative water elements (ornamental pools, fountains, splash pools, waterfalls, grottos, water runnels or bubblers) \u2013 46%<\/p>\n

  Ponds\/streams \u2013 29%<\/p>\n

  Outdoor Structures<\/h4>\n

  Ranked in expected order of popularity for 2016<\/p>\n

  Pergolas \u2013 51%<\/p>\n

  Decks \u2013 47%<\/p>\n

  Arbors \u2013 44%<\/p>\n

  Fencing \u2013 44%<\/p>\n

  Porches \u2013 40%<\/p>\n

  ADA accessible structures (ramps, bars, shelving, etc.) \u2013 38%<\/p>\n

  Pavilions \u2013 33%<\/p>\n

  Play structures (treehouses, swing sets, etc.) \u2013 31%<\/p>\n

  Utility sheds (tool sheds, garden sheds) \u2013 28%<\/p>\n

  Gazebos \u2013 24%<\/p>\n

  Sustainable Elements<\/h4>\n

  Ranked in expected order of popularity for 2016<\/p>\n

  Rainwater\/graywater harvesting \u2013 88%<\/p>\n

  Native\/adapted drought tolerant plants \u2013 85%<\/p>\n

  Permeable paving \u2013 77%<\/p>\n

  Drip\/water-efficient irrigation \u2013 72%<\/p>\n

  Reduced lawn area \u2013 72%<\/p>\n

  Recycled materials \u2013 61%<\/p>\n

  Solar-powered lights \u2013 56%<\/p>\n

  Compost bins \u2013 45%<\/p>\n

  Geothermal heated pools \u2013 28%<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  ASLA 2015 Professional Award of Excellence, Residential Design Category. Cedar Creek by Hocker Design Group. Photo Credit: Hocker Design Group, Robert Yu, Justin Clemons Sustainable design is the big trend for residential landscapes, according to the 2016 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). The top trend\u2014rainwater\/graywater harvesting\u2014reflects […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nursery"],"yoast_head":"\n