According to the 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study, homeowners are transforming their backyards into destinations for gathering, unwinding, and enjoying the outdoors. The study found that 25% of homeowners are motivated by making their spaces more accommodating, while those renovating to improve resale value fell to 15%.
Outdoor Design Trends
Houzz shares five of the biggest outdoor design trends shaping homes in 2026. Today’s outdoor spaces are designed to support an array of activities, with distinct zones that turn backyards into multifunctional extensions of the home. Lounge or seating areas are the most common outdoor living space, included by more than four in five renovating homeowners (83%), followed by dining areas (55%), quiet retreats or reading areas (53%), gardening areas (49%), and outdoor cooking areas (48%).
Homeowners are also investing in features that extend the usability of these spaces beyond daylight hours. Two-thirds (66%) of lounge areas incorporate outdoor lighting, creating inviting environments for evening relaxation and entertaining.
Low-Maintenance Yards
Houzz research points to a growing preference for lower-maintenance yards and more climate-conscious planting choices. The share of homeowners replacing their original lawn with natural grass has dropped to 63%, down 9 percentage points since 2024. Meanwhile, hardscape, mulch, and synthetic turf are becoming increasingly popular alternatives.
Plant selections are shifting as well. Nearly three-quarters of homeowners (73%) choose low-maintenance plants, while more than half opt for native (55%) and pollinator-friendly (56%) varieties. Drought-resistant plants are also on the rise, selected by nearly half of renovating homeowners (49%).
Outdoor Kitchens
According to Houzz’s research, 1 in 6 of homeowners upgrading an outdoor structure added or renovated an outdoor kitchen (12%), while 8% added or upgraded a built-in bar. Outdoor kitchens are also becoming more elaborate, with more than two-thirds of homeowners (68%) incorporating infrastructure improvements such as plumbing, electrical, or heating systems.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
