Create a cool outdoor living space with the year’s hottest trends

Now that you are getting settled into your new log home or timber frame home, it’s time to set your sights on landscaping your outdoor living space. Today’s landscaping is far from what it has been even just a couple of years ago. Today’s homeowners are creating another living space right outside their back door. This space combines comfortable seating, modern amenities and natural vegetation.

Just like the experts at Timberhaven know wood, landscaping professionals know what’s hot in the landscape arena. This year, there are some fun, new trends that many are embracing. Following are a few ideas you might consider for your “outdoor oasis” this year!

Hot Trends for a Cool Outdoor Living Space

Hygge: (“hoo-gah”) This Danish concept that revolves around “feeling cozy” is moving outdoors. This trend revolves around creating an intimate setting that encourages closeness and intimate conversation. Some of the more popular ideas surfacing this year are adding circular seating areas instead of square tables (below, left), incorporating some kind of water feature that produces soothing sounds (below, right). Most of these spaces have a fire pit that could serve as the focal point, again encouraging a “gathering” spot of sorts. Use a timber frame pavilion, gazebo or pergola to augment additional coziness.

Outdoor Kitchens:The traditional backyard grill is being replaced by full-blown outdoor kitchen areas with “Smart” technology. Imagine throwing your steaks on your outdoor stainless cooking appliance while listening to music that you control on your smart phone. Trendy LED lighting is another big part of the outdoor kitchen trend this year.
Plants/flowers trends: This year’s buzz in the plant and flower category is all about pollen-rich and nectar plants. The main reason is that these types of plants attract beautiful butterflies and popular birds such as the hummingbird. These creatures are fun to observe, but pollen-rich plants will also attract insects and bees (that also like wood) — so situate these plants on the periphery of your site.

Outdoor Living Space: Getting Started….

As you continue to make your house a home, we at Timberhaven Log & Timber Homes hope these ideas might have sparked some ideas for you to make your outdoor living space uniquely yours! There’s no better time than now to get started on your outdoor “destination living” scenario.