What Will We Want in Our Gardens in 2024?
Discover the gardening trends homeowners will be bringing into their outdoor spaces this spring and summer
Gardens have really come into their own in recent years, with more and more of us embracing the abundant uses of our outdoor spaces. We increasingly see our gardens as a habitat for wildlife, a place that boosts our wellbeing, and a space to grow plants for food – and, if our trend predictions for 2024 are anything to go by, this shows no signs of waning.
Read on to find out what garden professionals on Houzz are forecasting for the year ahead.
Professional advice from: Claudia de Yong of Claudia de Yong Garden Design; Peter Reader of Peter Reader Landscapes; Natasha Nuttall of Natasha Nuttall Garden Design
Read on to find out what garden professionals on Houzz are forecasting for the year ahead.
Professional advice from: Claudia de Yong of Claudia de Yong Garden Design; Peter Reader of Peter Reader Landscapes; Natasha Nuttall of Natasha Nuttall Garden Design
Innovations to accommodate outdoor living will be on the wish list
“Comfortable outdoor spaces for living and entertaining in will still be the core of garden design trends in 2024, with all-weather furniture (including quick-drying cushions) and outdoor barbecue and cooking facilities sitting at the heart of them,” Peter Reader says.
“The wish to be outside almost regardless of the weather has increasingly been made possible by the burgeoning of design options for weather-proof pergolas. These modern and ever-more sophisticated structures now come equipped with tilting and sliding roof slats that can be positioned to allow the sun in or keep the rain out.”
Find reviewed landscape architects and garden designers on Houzz.
“Comfortable outdoor spaces for living and entertaining in will still be the core of garden design trends in 2024, with all-weather furniture (including quick-drying cushions) and outdoor barbecue and cooking facilities sitting at the heart of them,” Peter Reader says.
“The wish to be outside almost regardless of the weather has increasingly been made possible by the burgeoning of design options for weather-proof pergolas. These modern and ever-more sophisticated structures now come equipped with tilting and sliding roof slats that can be positioned to allow the sun in or keep the rain out.”
Find reviewed landscape architects and garden designers on Houzz.
We’ll be wanting to grow edibles in small spaces
Peter says the continued popularity of healthy living and eating will mean even more people will want to grow their own food and points to a focus on ideas for doing this in small spaces.
One way is to go back to the original cottage garden style of mixed flowerbeds and Claudia predicts this will become more popular. “[We’ll be] incorporating more edibles into traditional landscaping, as well as plants with medicinal properties due to the awareness of natural remedies and wellness,” she says.
She also sees a solution in upcycling and forecasts more “innovative ways to garden in containers, with repurposing items, as well as maximising and catering for those with limited spaces”.
Peter says the continued popularity of healthy living and eating will mean even more people will want to grow their own food and points to a focus on ideas for doing this in small spaces.
One way is to go back to the original cottage garden style of mixed flowerbeds and Claudia predicts this will become more popular. “[We’ll be] incorporating more edibles into traditional landscaping, as well as plants with medicinal properties due to the awareness of natural remedies and wellness,” she says.
She also sees a solution in upcycling and forecasts more “innovative ways to garden in containers, with repurposing items, as well as maximising and catering for those with limited spaces”.
We’ll be giving over more areas to biodiverse planting
All our experts agree that the trend towards wildlife gardening will continue to grow. In fact, this seems to be more the norm than the exception now, and not so much a trend as a shift in thinking.
“Planting schemes for pollinators, together with the acceptance of messy areas within the garden and leaving the stems of perennials over winter, will become increasingly the norm,” Peter says.
Natasha Nuttall sees a continuing trend for replacing a lawn with planting. “More clients are open to the idea of having a garden without a lawn, which allows more space for abundant planting that’s attractive to pollinators,” she says. “Being immersed in planting creates a lovely and inviting atmosphere for people to enjoy.”
All our experts agree that the trend towards wildlife gardening will continue to grow. In fact, this seems to be more the norm than the exception now, and not so much a trend as a shift in thinking.
“Planting schemes for pollinators, together with the acceptance of messy areas within the garden and leaving the stems of perennials over winter, will become increasingly the norm,” Peter says.
Natasha Nuttall sees a continuing trend for replacing a lawn with planting. “More clients are open to the idea of having a garden without a lawn, which allows more space for abundant planting that’s attractive to pollinators,” she says. “Being immersed in planting creates a lovely and inviting atmosphere for people to enjoy.”
Ideas for retaining water will be on our radar
“Within the wider garden designs, there will be a closer attention to managing drainage and slowing the flow of water through the landscape,” Peter predicts. “Quick-draining surfaces where required and spaces to hold and store water will become much more mainstream throughout garden design.
“Similarly, designs will encourage the holding of rain excess for use in the times of higher temperatures and less reliable rain,” he adds.
“As designers, we need to continue to be creative with surfaces that replace lawns,” Natasha says, “utilising all the gorgeous materials that are available to us now in a more environmentally friendly way, so they’re broken up with planting or other permeable options to allow water to drain into the ground below.”
“Within the wider garden designs, there will be a closer attention to managing drainage and slowing the flow of water through the landscape,” Peter predicts. “Quick-draining surfaces where required and spaces to hold and store water will become much more mainstream throughout garden design.
“Similarly, designs will encourage the holding of rain excess for use in the times of higher temperatures and less reliable rain,” he adds.
“As designers, we need to continue to be creative with surfaces that replace lawns,” Natasha says, “utilising all the gorgeous materials that are available to us now in a more environmentally friendly way, so they’re broken up with planting or other permeable options to allow water to drain into the ground below.”
We’ll be adding wellbeing zones to our gardens
Natasha predicts people will be using their gardens to harness the health benefits of combining cold water exposure and heat therapy.
“I can see an increase in people interested in finding space in a new garden design for a cold water plunge bath or pool and also for saunas,” she says. “There are a lot of beautiful saunas on offer now, some of which have a glass side that could be cleverly immersed within planting for a fabulous view.
“Small, cold water plunge baths or pools needn’t take up a lot of space, either,” she continues, “and if surrounded by gorgeous planting, this could provide privacy and really enhance the experience.”
More: How to Start a Garden Redesign
Natasha predicts people will be using their gardens to harness the health benefits of combining cold water exposure and heat therapy.
“I can see an increase in people interested in finding space in a new garden design for a cold water plunge bath or pool and also for saunas,” she says. “There are a lot of beautiful saunas on offer now, some of which have a glass side that could be cleverly immersed within planting for a fabulous view.
“Small, cold water plunge baths or pools needn’t take up a lot of space, either,” she continues, “and if surrounded by gorgeous planting, this could provide privacy and really enhance the experience.”
More: How to Start a Garden Redesign
We’ll be creative with our colour choices
Natasha believes garden owners are becoming braver with the colours they use in their outdoor spaces.
“Bringing more colour into gardens [through] furniture choices, painting walls, coloured tile accents and other items seems to be becoming more popular, with clients open to bold colour suggestions,” she says.
Natasha suggests choosing tones in your planting and furniture that complement each other to create a harmonious space.
Tell us…
Will you be embracing any of these trends in your garden this year? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Natasha believes garden owners are becoming braver with the colours they use in their outdoor spaces.
“Bringing more colour into gardens [through] furniture choices, painting walls, coloured tile accents and other items seems to be becoming more popular, with clients open to bold colour suggestions,” she says.
Natasha suggests choosing tones in your planting and furniture that complement each other to create a harmonious space.
Tell us…
Will you be embracing any of these trends in your garden this year? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Claudia de Yong predicts a greater focus on connection among gardeners. “Gardening in community and shared spaces will continue to expand, as individuals come together to cultivate and harvest,” she says. “Tech and online platforms and social media in gardening will see huge growth.”
She forecasts a rise in mobile apps and virtual garden communities, which will connect enthusiasts across the globe “sharing tips and fostering a sense of community for like-minded individuals”.