The essentials for outdoor living

While outdoor living continues to grow in popularity, expect fewer frills this year as homeowners get back to the basics in a cool economy, according to an American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) survey of residential landscape architects.

Overall, 94.4 percent of residential landscape architects rate outdoor living spaces like kitchens or entertaining space as somewhat or very popular for 2010. Among kitchen features, the most popular include the classic outdoor grill (94.4 percent) and counter space (73.5 percent). More elaborate kitchen elements like outdoor refrigerators (52.8 percent) and sinks (50 percent) were much less popular.

Following a similar trend, the most-popular outdoor entertainment features eschewed more expensive, elaborate items in favor of the essentials. For 2010, expect the continued interest in seating/dining areas (95.6 percent) using installed seating like benches and seatwalls (90.6 percent) or weatherized outdoor furniture (77.1 percent), along with the ever-popular fire pit/fireplace (94 percent). Landscape architects anticipate less enthusiasm for items like stereo systems (57.2 percent), outdoor heaters (43.9 percent) and TVs (35.5 percent).

“Homeowners want to create a sense of place for their family, friends, and neighbors to enjoy outside, but an uncertain economy means many will dial back some of the extra features we’ve seen in past years,” said ASLA executive vice president and CEO Nancy Somerville.

Among landscape and garden features, 2010 will feature an increase of design elements that reduce time and money.

Topping the list are low-maintenance landscapes (94 percent); drip/water-efficient irrigation (85.2 percent); native/adapted drought tolerant plants (85.2 percent); and less lawn (73.9 percent). Other popular features include fountains/water features (87.8 percent) and food/vegetable gardens (78.5 percent).

Additional information on residential landscape architecture is at www.asla.org/residentialinfo.