Three hot summer months have concluded in the Valley, and cooler temperatures not only provide a respite from the heat but also an opportunity for homeowners to improve their landscaping. It is hard to beat hanging out in a nice backyard during a mild Arizona fall and winter, so homeowners are keen to make a few backyard improvements. As a Phoenix Landscape Design Contractor I have seen what yard upgrades people want this fall. Here are the biggest landscape trends Phoenix homeowners are looking for this Fall.
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Neutral tone patio decks
When the temperature cools, Phoenix homeowners want to spend more time outside, and one of the best backyard upgrades you can make is installing a backyard patio. A neutral color patio is a big trend right now. Homeowners want an outdoor patio that matches almost any style of home. Gray, black, and white are the most popular patio colors we see Phoenix homeowners ask for this year. A modern and minimalist style is the most popular patio design. This means the space promotes clean lines, open spaces, and a focus on functionality. Fall is officially the start of outdoor season in the Valley, so homeowners are naturally going to be looking for patio upgrades.
Fire pits
Cooler weather means a chance to sit out in the cool night air under the stars; nothing goes with that better than a fire pit. Fire pits are all the rage this time of year as homeowners rush to get one designed before the colder winter months arrive. It is the perfect fixture for people to gather on a chilly night. Most homeowners are looking for gas fire pits with the same modern design as a new patio. Fire ordinances keep homeowners from making wood fire pits, so gas or electric have been more requested options. However, gas fire pits have been the preferred option for those who can afford one.
Artificial Turf and the new normal
Every year, we see more and more people switching from natural grass to artificial turf, and that shift has never been more evident this fall. After a hot summer that scorched even the most hardy natural grass, people are done with the hassle of maintaining a natural yard in Arizona. Homeowners are keen to install artificial turf this fall, and we don’t expect them to move away from that trend anytime soon. While installing artificial turf is expensive upfront, homeowners planning on living in their homes long-term are seeing the long-term benefits in water savings and maintenance. The last few summers, homeowners have had to water their lawns daily to maintain them. A homeowner favorite this fall is a small patch of artificial turf to go along with a predominantly desert landscape design.
Bye bye, solar lights
Every summer, people get the idea of buying and installing solar lights, and by the fall, they are looking to replace them with low-voltage string or other light fixtures. The reality is solar lights just don’t work that well, even in sunny Arizona. Low-voltage lights work great as outdoor fixture lights and use very little energy. Homeowners want to put up low-voltage string lights and other fixtures in their backyard to illuminate the space on those pleasant fall nights.
When Fall weather arrives in Arizona, homeowners feel the urge to improve their backyard landscaping. A beautiful patio, some nice lighting, a fire pit, and installing artificial turf are among the most popular landscape improvements Arizona homeowners are looking for this fall.
Author: Tom Smith is the Owner of Desert Designer Landscape and Development, a landscape design contractor in Tempe Arizona. They are experts in desert landscape design.
