'Hardscaping' grows in popularity as outdoor living ranks high in landscape architects' survey

By BRAVETTA HASSELL World Scene Writer on Apr 30, 2013, at 2:21 AMUpdated on 4/30/13 at 6:30 AM

A home in Bixby includes a fire pit as part of its outdoor renovations. Fire pit/fireplace is the top-ranked design element in a survey about popular outdoor-living features. MATT BARNARD / Tulsa World file

As part of the 2013 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends survey, the American Society of Landscape Architects asked landscape architects who specialize in design to rate the expected popularity of a variety of residential outdoor design elements this year.

Among the results, 94.5 percent of respondents ranked outdoor living spaces, defined as kitchens and entertainment spaces, as somewhat or very popular, tying with gardens and landscaped spaces at 94.4 percent.

Across all categories, 97 percent of landscape architects reported fire pits and fireplaces as somewhat or very in-demand for 2013, followed by grills, seating and dining areas, and lighting.

"In this uncertain economy, homeowners want to get more enjoyment out of their yards," said ASLA Executive Vice President and CEO Nancy Somerville. "They want attractive outdoor spaces that are both easy to take care of and sustainable."

It's a trend Kevin Randol, owner of Randol's Complete Outdoor Living, has been seeing for the past four to five years.

"More hardscaping, less landscaping."

In addition to outdoor kitchens, fire pits and fireplaces, water features are extremely popular - especially waterfalls.

This mirrors the broader trend, in which more than 90 percent of respondents forecast decorative water elements to be in high demand this year.

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'Hardscaping' grows in popularity as outdoor living ranks high in landscape architects' survey