Landscape Design Trends for Creating Comfortable and Functional Spaces

Landscape design trends frequently change as people interact with their homes and outdoor spaces in new ways. Previously, landscape design focused heavily on large expanses of lawns, a wide variety of plant species, typically non-native, and eye-pleasing backyard gathering spaces.

However, landscape design trends have veered away from some of the previously trendy landscaping features. Below, we’ll cover the top five landscaping trends that homeowners follow to create more comfortable outdoor environments and highly functional spaces.

Top 5 Landscape Design Trends for Creating Comfortable and Functional Spaces

In light of the pandemic, landscape design trends shifted away from eye-pleasing but unusable landscaping elements and catered more closely to adding functional spaces for all to enjoy. From outdoor kitchens to peaceful water features, check out some of the biggest trends in landscaping for this year below.

1. Maximizing Space with Outdoor Kitchens

Adding an outdoor kitchen to your property is one of the most popular landscape design trends this year.

Outdoor kitchens allow homeowners to maximize their outdoor space and easily host backyard gatherings. One of the biggest trends for outdoor kitchens is adding hardscaping features like pergolas to create some shelter from the elements as you cook or sit and enjoy a meal outside.

Even those who live in climates that don’t offer year-round outdoor cooking weather can benefit from this landscape design trend by installing counter space and using portable appliances like a hot plate in the summertime.

Another huge trend this year for outdoor kitchens is switching out a huge expanse of grass and planting functional plants like vegetables and herbs instead. This landscaping trend not only adds a lush setting to your spaces but also provides nutritious ingredients you can pick and cook in your outdoor kitchen without leaving for the grocery store.

2. Giving a Second Life to Materials

One of the interesting landscape design trends we’re seeing more and more of is homeowners using recycled materials as eye-catching outdoor decorations. DIY projects for gardens have been a popular trend in landscaping for years, but this trend doesn’t seem to be tapering off anytime soon.

Instead of throwing away old tires or glass bottles, homeowners are opting to place them in their gardens. By giving a second life to materials that would’ve gotten sent to a landfill, homeowners create beautiful and comfortable spaces while doing their part for the planet .

Popular DIY landscape design trends this year include the following:

  • Using old kitchen utensils for wind chimes
  • Creating succulent walls with old photo frames
  • Taking used nightstands and filling draws with plants
  • Repurposing armoires into small greenhouses
  • Using bottles or used paint cans as planters
  • Creating vertical gardens with repurposed wooden pallets

3. Opting for Native Plants

In the past, using non-native plants was an extremely popular landscape design trend. Non-native plants are beautiful to look at and add a unique touch to a home’s exterior. However, the new trend in landscaping is opting for native plants.

There are so many benefits to landscaping with plants that are native to your region. Not only are native plants hardier, but they also need less watering, fertilizing, and pesticides . By planting native plants on their property, homeowners get to enjoy their outdoor spaces with less maintenance and garden work. 

What’s more? Native plants are less expensive than non-native species. First, you’ll benefit from the savings at your local nursery or garden center. Next, you’ll see reduced costs on your water bill since the plants’ moisture needs are based on your climate’s rainfall and humidity levels. 

4. Installing Water Features

One of the most popular landscape design trends this year is adding a water feature to your garden.

While adding greenery helps to make an outdoor space feel more peaceful and relaxing, installing a water feature adds something extra. The soothing sounds of running water make your outdoor space into an oasis.

Water features range from water fountains to ponds to bird baths and waterfalls. Depending on your aesthetic preferences and the size of your space, a water feature can help make your backyard more comfortable to enjoy.

This landscape design trend reveals how homeowners crave more peaceful, comfortable, and functional spaces for working from home or spending time with loved ones in open-air settings.

5. Using Alternatives to Grass

One of the popular landscape design trends this year is switching big expanses of grass for a lower-maintenance alternative that’s still visually pleasing and functional.

Artificial turf is a popular trend for lawn alternatives, especially in areas that are prone to droughts or areas that get blanketed in snow for half the year. This landscape trend will make it obvious that the grass isn’t greener on the other side because your lawn will always be vibrant without investing in a sprinkler system.

Instead of having grassy backyards or front lawns, many homeowners prefer pea gravel. Pea gravel is small, rounded stones placed on the ground instead of real turf or sod. While this option doesn’t mimic the lushness that grass offers, it provides an eye-catching contrast that brings attention to the statement features in your garden.

This trend has become popular because homeowners want to enjoy their time relaxing outdoors instead of tugging at the strings on their lawnmowers.

Make Your Property Trendy with KG Landscape

Now that you know the top landscape design trends that are taking the world by storm, you’re ready to revitalize your outdoor spaces to make them more comfortable and functional.

At KG Landscape, our team of expert landscape artists, designers, and contractors are here to help spruce up your outdoor spaces so you can enjoy them to the fullest.

Contact our team today to get started on your next landscaping project. We pride ourselves on our professionalism, keen eye for design, and relationships with our clients. Our goal is to make your property reflect your style, personality, and landscape design trends so that you’re proud to look at it and use it every day.


Ready to Start on Your Next Project?

Call us at (763) 568-7251 or visit our quote page.

How to Spot and Solve Drainage Problems in Plymouth Yards

By Kent . • October 16, 2025
Plymouth’s clay soil causes soggy lawns, sinking patios, and constant sump pump issues. Learn how smart drainage design fixes it for good.

Beyond the Plow: What Snow Removal Really Means in Minnetonka

By Kent . • October 14, 2025
Minnetonka snow removal done right means safety, efficiency, and property protection—not just plowing. Learn how true winter care works.

Investing in Comprehensive Drainage Systems in Medina

By Kent . • October 11, 2025
Plymouth drainage problems? Fix soggy clay soil and prevent foundation and patio damage with smart drain tile, grading, and discharge solutions.

Seasonal Fertilization Plans That Work for Edina Lawns

By Kent . • October 5, 2025
Edina lawn fertilization: seasonal strategies for lasting color and health. Expert insights on timing, topdressing, and soil care.

Outdoor Kitchens That Work in Almost Every Season: Minnetonka’s Approach to All-Weather Living

By Kent . • October 2, 2025
Design a Minnetonka outdoor kitchen built for all seasons — cedar, stone, and smart drainage make year-round living effortless.

Weed Control Programs That Keep Medina Lawns Clean

By Kent . • October 1, 2025
Medina lawn experts explain how healthy soil—not chemicals—creates lasting weed control through aeration, overseeding, and topdressing.

French Drains That Actually Work in Medina’s Clay Soil

By Kent . • October 20, 2025
Medina drainage experts explain how French drains and drain tile systems fix clay soil water issues and prevent muddy lawns and shifting patios.

Smart Drainage for Patios and Pools in Edina

By Kent . • September 29, 2025
Edina patio and pool drainage: protect your investment with smart design and precision installation that keeps surfaces beautiful, safe, and stable year-round.

Designing Pergolas in Medina That Withstand Minnesota Weather

By Kent . • September 28, 2025
When Pergolas Don’t Last, There’s Always a Reason After nearly two decades of building outdoor spaces across Medina, I’ve seen what happens when pergolas aren’t designed for Minnesota’s conditions. You can spot them a mile away—posts that lean, beams that twist, and concrete pads that have heaved out of level after just a couple of winters. It’s not because homeowners cut corners intentionally. It’s usually because whoever built it didn’t account for what our climate really does to structures that aren’t anchored right. Medina’s heavy clay soil doesn’t drain well. It holds moisture, freezes solid, and then expands like a hydraulic press pushing on everything above it. When pergolas are set on surface-level post bases, that pressure has nowhere to go but up—and the whole thing moves. Even small shifts can cause joints to separate, wood to crack, and hardware to loosen. That’s how a $15,000 structure starts looking tired after a few years instead of standing straight for decades. The truth is, pergolas here aren’t just about shade or looks. They’re about structure, drainage, and how every piece ties into the patio beneath it. A pergola that stands tall through Minnesota winters is built on the same principles as a good foundation—it’s only as strong as what’s underneath it. If you live in Medina and want to enjoy your backyard without worrying about your investment warping or sagging, start with design that respects the environment it’s built in. That means thinking beyond lumber and stain colors. It means understanding soil movement, water management, and the importance of integrating your pergola with the patio below it.

Drainage Solutions for Sloped Properties in Minnetonka

By Kent . • September 27, 2025
Solutions for Properties in Minnetonka You can always tell a Minnetonka yard that’s fighting its slope. Water doesn’t lie, it finds the weak spots every time. I’ve walked plenty of properties where a backyard starts beautiful in June, but by September, the patio is heaving, the grass near the pool looks like a marsh, and the homeowner is wondering how it got so bad so fast. The truth is, when you’re dealing with rolling terrain and heavy clay soils like we have around Minnetonka, you can’t just move dirt and hope gravity behaves. You need a plan that manages water from the surface all the way down through the subsoil. This is what I’ll walk you through here. You’ll see what actually causes drainage issues on sloped properties, how poor planning leads to cracked patios and shifting pool decks, and the smart drainage systems that can stop those problems for good. Whether you live near Lake Minnetonka or up in the higher ridges closer to Deephaven or Woodland, understanding how your yard sheds water is the difference between a property that lasts and one that’s constantly under repair. The Real Challenge of Sloped Minnetonka Yards Minnetonka is known for its hills, lakefront properties, and mature trees, but all that beauty comes with a set of challenges below the surface. Most of the soil here is dense clay. It holds water like a sponge and drains slowly, which means after every heavy rain, that water looks for a way downhill. If it doesn’t have a proper outlet, it ends up collecting right where you don’t want it, like along your patio, at the base of a retaining wall, or near your pool deck. I see this every season: homeowners trying to solve slope problems with a quick regrade, a layer of rock, or a simple surface drain. Those things might help for a while, but they don’t address what’s really happening underground. Clay soil doesn’t just get wet—it becomes saturated, expanding and contracting with every freeze-thaw cycle. When that happens under a patio or wall, it doesn’t matter how well-built the surface looks. The ground will move, and that movement cracks stone, shifts pavers, and slowly tears apart everything on top. The other challenge with sloped lots is how water interacts with gravity. It accelerates downhill, gaining momentum as it goes. When it hits a flat area like a patio, the water loses speed but not volume, pooling instead of flowing. That’s why I tell clients that “flat spots” on a sloped property are both an opportunity and a responsibility. They’re the best spaces to create usable outdoor areas, but they have to be engineered to handle water movement. I’ve worked on plenty of Minnetonka yards where the backyard has a beautiful view but terrible grading. You can have a perfect slope on paper, but if it directs water toward your house or creates a bowl effect between structures, you’ll end up with soggy soil and standing puddles that never dry. The goal is to move water off and away while keeping the surface level enough for comfort and usability. It’s a fine balance, but when it’s done right, it completely transforms how a property functions.