Calgary homeowners are always on the lookout for ways to improve their property. Whether it’s a small backyard in Calgary’s newer neighbourhoods like Belmont or Rockland Park in the deep SW or, an expansive acreage closer to Okotoks, landscaping can have a significant effect on your home. From simple changes like installing a stone walkway to more elaborate projects such as building retainer wall and pergola, there are many ways to make your home look great.
However, trends in landscaping change over time. Be sure to talk to your landscape contractor to see if your terrain is suitable to the trends you like. There are certain types of landscape that go out of fashion and other design styles become more popular over time. These trends come and go with the ever-fluctuating world of home design. You may notice that the new communities under development in Calgary have smaller backyards and almost no room between the next house. Urban density is going up as is a push to be more eco friendly. To help you stay ahead of the curve when it comes to landscaping, we’ve outlined some of the top trends that you can expect to see in the coming years.
Before we begin, you may find these maps on Calgary’s density compared to major world cities very interesting:
The original images can be found at https://imgur.com/a/x7VOK and the original conversation on Calgary urban planning started on Reddit here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Calgary/comments/283ae4/calgarys_size_if_it_had_the_density_of_other/ . Even with only a couple meters between Calgary’s newer homes, we still have a lot more space than Paris!
Eco-Friendly Landscaping
First, let’s talk about eco-friendly landscaping. This trend is growing in popularity, not just because it’s a nice thing to do for the environment, but because it makes financial sense too. It’s estimated that around 25% of household water use is dedicated to landscaping. That’s a significant chunk of water that could be going towards other uses. Eco-friendly landscaping uses different plants that require less water to thrive. This includes grass that is drought-tolerant, as well as native species of plants. While you might not be able to fully eliminate your need for irrigation, eco-friendly landscaping will help you reduce your household water use. This is important because municipalities are cracking down on homeowners who waste water. Those who are found guilty of water overuse could be forced to pay hefty fines or face having their water supply shut off entirely.
Here’s a Calgary SE landscaping projects that could cut down landscaping water use in Calgary by 90 percent.
Greener Living Spaces
Another trend to expect in the future is a greener living space. While we’ve already discussed eco-friendly landscaping, a greener living space goes beyond just the plants that are included in your landscape. This trend focuses on the overall sustainability of both your home and the surrounding area. Eco-friendly landscaping is just one part of this trend. There are many other options for adding greenery to your home and surrounding areas. And, it’s not just about adding plants and flowers to your house. In fact, some homeowners are choosing to get rid of the grass in their yards altogether. Eco-friendly materials that can be utilized inside and outside of your home are also becoming more common and acceptable. Even something as simple as choosing wooden furniture over metal or plastic can add to this trend.
More Natural Outdoor Rooms
Another trend that you’re likely to see more of in the future is creating more outdoor rooms. This is the perfect way to blend your outdoor spaces with the indoors. Traditionally, outdoor living spaces tend to be more functional than they are beautiful. Now, homeowners are creating more outdoor rooms that feel just as comfortable and welcoming as indoor spaces. This trend is particularly valuable for those who live in areas where snow and ice are common. For example, some homeowners are choosing to put in outdoor fireplaces or installing retractable roof panels on their patios. Other homeowners are creating outdoor rooms with retractable glass walls. This trend allows you to fully enjoy your patio or deck even when the weather isn’t ideal. It also makes your outdoor living spaces feel more like indoor rooms.
Smart Gardens
Yet another trend that you may notice in the coming years is the rise of smart gardens. If you’ve been gardening for a long time, you’ve likely heard the term “organic gardening” before. Organic gardening is a method of growing that relies entirely on natural processes. While organic gardening is certainly a relevant trend, it’s not exactly new. But, what is new is that smart gardening systems are becoming increasingly popular. Smart gardening systems are basically indoor gardens that rely on technology to regulate their environment. Some of these systems use sensors and automated controls to regulate factors such as soil moisture, temperature, and fertilizer levels. These systems are designed to be fully automated and require little to no interaction once they are set up. That makes them perfect for those who love gardening but don’t have the time or energy to manage a garden the old-fashioned way.
Conclusion
If you’re a homeowner, it’s likely that you have big plans for your property. Maybe you want to add a swimming pool or maybe you’re looking to build a deck. Regardless of what you want to do, landscaping is the first step in bringing your ideas to life. However, landscape trends change over time. There are certain types of landscape that go out of fashion and other design styles become more popular over time. These trends come and go with the ever-fluctuating world of home design. To help you stay ahead of the curve when it comes to landscaping, we’ve outlined some of the top trends that you can expect to see in the coming years.
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