Our Favorite Outdoor Trends For 2023

Our Favorite Outdoor Trends For 2023

For the Reno/Lake Tahoe region, summer and outdoor living are in full swing. From revamping garden beds to creating a new design, having an open-air space that reflects your lifestyle is an extension of what “home” means. That’s why, at Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty, we’re sharing hot trends to encourage you to make the most of your patio, yard, and garden. Here’s to grabbing every minute of summer.

 

SEEDS OF INSPIRATION

Before making changes or additions to your outdoor living area, it’s worth considering how you want to utilize the space. 

  • Measure areas for furniture placement to preserve a sense of flow and scale.
  • Select products compatible with wind patterns, sun direction, or early frost.
  • Visit local nurseries for ideas and resources. 
  • Do you want to create a multi-purpose or central living space?
  • How will the area work with pets, children, dining, or entertaining?
  • Start simple — you can always add more later.
  • Utilize a professional designer and landscaper to bring your vision to reality.

 

 

ECO-FRIENDLY | ORGANIC | REPURPOSE 

A Lake Tahoe/Reno garden is a water-wise garden. Promote sustainability with drought-tolerant native plants. To encourage natural drainage, choose decomposed granite or bark over grass and paver stones over concrete. Incorporate products made from recycled materials, such as outdoor rugs or Envirowood furniture. Add a hint of surprise with a repurposed accent piece or eye-catching flower pot. It all adds up to a beautiful space to extend your outdoor time.

 

 

PIECE IT TOGETHER

Utilize components that come together into a sectional seating area or can be divided to create multiple chairs. As Megan Bristol, Cofounder and Principal Designer of Tahoe Modern, shared, “Modular furnishings allow flexibility to get the most from your outdoor space.” With more people staking their claim to work remotely, you can expect an increase in interchangeable furniture components, including functional workstations. 

 

 

CATCH A BUZZ

Trends are shifting away from expansive lawns (especially in our high-desert climate) to natural yards emphasizing native habitats. Protecting our fragile Lake Tahoe/Reno eco-system includes practicing Earth Day; every day. Use natural fertilizers and eliminate harsh chemicals. Create an environment where pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and insects visit your garden or patio. Lend Squirrels, Chipmunks, and native birds a helping hand in the form of an artistic feeder or birdbath. Your reward will be sweet chirps and bird songs to fill your day. 

 

 

 

JOY | SERENITY | ZEN 

In recent years, there’s been a significant emphasis on physical and mental wellness. Engage a sense of balance with clean lines and minimalistic spaces. Promote tranquility by adding a water feature, striking Japanese Maple, or Pagoda lantern. Incorporate decorative Bonsai and potted Bamboo into your oasis of calm.

 

 

 

GET IN THE MIX

A stylish yet eclectic variety of design materials can add a pop of the “unexpected” to your outdoor space. Megan Bristol encourages clients to “extend their indoor experience to the outdoors…layering pieces with different materials, textures, and sourcing from various collections for a more design-forward aesthetic.”

 

 

 

MAKE IT EDIBLE

Whether you choose a dedicated garden zone or incorporate leafy greens, herbs, and flowers into your outdoor space, planting edibles is a great way to get your hands dirty. Make it a family affair. Lop off Rosemary sprigs to season a celebratory BBQ, or get family and friends into the mix by asking them to snip leafy greens for the freshest salads. A mobile vertical garden can give a sense of nurturing and yummy goodness, even in small spaces.

 

As Jenny Johnson, President and Corporate Broker for Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty, stated, “Buyers and sellers alike want homes that blur the line between indoor and outdoor living. Creating outdoor spaces that reflect your personality provides a sense of accomplishment and joy.”  We hope these trends inspire you to create your outdoor slice of Eden — a place where family and friends gather, mother nature flourishes, and the joys of summer abound.