Gone are the days of outside living rooms and built-in kitchens being reserved for your HGTV dreams. The trends speak for themselves—an increasing number of homeowners are shifting their focus to creating an outdoor oasis made for TV. While the average residential lawn size in the United States has shrunk down to 10,871 square feet, the landscaping industry continues to boom. In 2019 alone, landscaping services climbed to a 99.9 billion dollar industry in the United States. Yard sizes may be decreasing, but the average Pennsylvania home still has roughly a quarter of an acre of lawn—that’s a lot of space to have some fun with! We sat down with some of the region’s top landscaping and remodeling companies to find out everything you need to know to create your dream backyard.
PHOTO COURTESY AQUAVISIONS, GARY KNAUB
THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU LIKE
It may seem simple, but one of the first steps in planning your dream outdoor living space is thinking about what you like. Hate to mow the lawn? Consider lots of stonework and hardscaping. Prefer takeout over from-scratch cooking? Maybe a built-in kitchen isn’t right for you. Want to watch the big game outside while soaking up the sun? An outdoor installed TV is a must! There are plenty of cookie cutter patio designs you can run with, but if you’re looking to get the most out of your yard, take the time to personalize it. President of Earth, Turf, and Wood, Jarod Hynson, believes this is truly what makes an outdoor living space complete. “Clients that truly make it their own. Clients that give a lot of feedback early on in the design stages and make their own outdoor area unique to their liking. Every project is different and each setting is unique. We always say, if we don’t make the client turn the knob and walk out their back door, we failed,” says Hynson.
MAKE IT FUNCTIONAL
Now that you’ve thought about what you like, think about the functionality of outside. The connection to outdoor living spaces has changed significantly over the past few years according to Ted Ventre, owner of Hively Landscape. “People want their outdoor spaces to be seamlessly accessible and fully integrated into the way they live their daily lives. Outdoor spaces used to be more event-based: a pool party, backyard dinner party, fire-pit night. Of course, these moments happen every day and don’t require the excuse of a special occasion. We live a fast-paced life and our outdoor spaces need to be ever-ready and infinitely flexible,” says Ventre.
Matt Lusk, President of Aquavisions, Inc., says it’s important to think of the entertaining logistics as well. Think about the number of people that may or may not be in the backyard at one time. Do you like to entertain and host the neighbors for cookouts? How much patio space will you need to accomodate an ideal amount of furniture?
Every project is different and each setting is unique.
—Jarod Hynson, Earth, Turf and Wood
PHOTO COURTESY EARTH, TURF & WOOD, GARY KNAUB
CONSIDER THE WEATHER
Mother Nature shouldn’t stop you from spending time in your backyard haven. When planning your designs, consider adding elements that will help make it multi-seasonal. “I would say the factor to consider when designing an outdoor living space is to provide adequate shade and shelter. There are many days when the sun is too intense, or there's a passing rain shower, and it's nice to have a place to go to get some relief from the elements without having to go inside,” says Jim Mirando Jr, President of Excel Remodeling. Pergolas, gazebos, and stylized awning covers provide the perfect protection from the scorching sun or a sprinkle.
ADD SOME CLASSICAL ELEMENTS
According to Bobby Kenyon of C.E. Pontz Sons Inc., there seems to be an increased demand in those homeowners who want to do it all. Basically the complete package—multiple patio areas, outdoor kitchens, some sort of fire feature, outdoor dining and living areas, low voltage lighting systems, outdoor audio systems, as well as some sort of water whether it be a pool, swimming pond, fish pond, disappearing waterfall, or fountain feature. “For me, personally, I believe fire and water features are both a must. There is no better way to relax and enjoy family than being surrounded by fire and water. It’s a tale as old as time,” says Kenyon.
While you can always go the route of a classic pool, the options for water features are well beyond above ground or inground. From multi-level waterfall ponds to splash pads with fountains, the unique ways to incorporate water continue to grow. Small water features can transform an entire area as seen with a recent project from Aquavisions, Inc. Lusk describes the project: “ It is a more formal, classic shaped pool with a ton of bells and whistles in and around it. The masonry wall with multiple water features spilling into the pool and two fire bowls reflecting onto the water is awesome, but it’s some of the spaces around it that truly make it one of a kind. There is a “splash pad” for the kids to enjoy at one end of the pool patio. The fountains and up-lighting at the splash pad reflect on some reclaimed architectural columns that lights up the whole space in some fun colors.”
PHOTO COURTESY AQUAVISIONS, GARY KNAUB
PLAN YOUR BUDGET
Once you have an idea of what you want for your space, seriously give your budget a think. Have bigger plans than your budget can handle? Consider planning your backyard renovations in phases. While you might not have the budget to do everything now, planning ahead could save you a lot of headaches and money! “If you think you might put a pool in five years later, show that on the plan when you build the first patio,” says Hynson. “It’ll be a lot more cost effective to do a master plan up front than to try and piecemeal it together later when it doesn’t work.” Still looking to do everything at once? Many landscapers offer special financing options for projects of different scales.
There is no better way to relax and enjoy family than being surrounded by fire and water. It's a tale as old as time.
—Bobby Kenyon, C.E. Pontz Sons Inc.
PHOTO COURTESY C.E. PONTZ
START PLANNING EARLY & BRING IN REINFORCEMENTS
Don’t wait until the warm months to start thinking about your patio dreams. Designers will not only bring a second vision to the table, but they can also help you with the underlying issues such as irrigation, plumbing, and more.
“Start planning early. This can never be stressed enough,” says Kenyon. “There is a lot of work that goes into designing an outdoor living space, and there’s almost endless possibilities for materials and products used. After the design phase there is significant time tied up in the construction of the project. Rome wasn’t built in a day! Start planning early fall/winter if this is something you plan on enjoying the following spring/summer.”
Be sure to do your research when hiring an outdoor landscaper—afterall, this is an extension of your home, so the same thought and precision should be put into your decisions. Ventre says, “Remember, good work isn’t cheap and cheap work isn’t good. A well-developed plan will not be inexpensive but will help you avoid costly problems mid-project. All projects must consider grading and drainage, future expansion, and possible upgrades like electrical and potential structures.”
SHINE SOME LIGHT
Lighting can serve much more of a purpose beyond preventing tripping. “Besides adding a measure of security and giving homeowners more time to enjoy their landscaped spaces, lighting adds another design dimension to any landscape through light and shadow,” says Ventre. “Well-designed lighting can literally showcase a landscape in a whole new light! Show off a beautiful home, light quiet pathways, showcase specimen plant material, and create mood spaces that can’t exist in daylight hours.” Ventre has seen an increased request for technology being woven into designs, specifically through lighting controlled anywhere via app interfaces.
PHOTO COURTESY HIVELY LANDSCAPES
MIX INDOOR AND OUTDOOR
If you truly want to make your outdoor living spaces be the complete package, consider adding indoor elements to your patio area. Whether it’s hanging a flat screen TV under a weather protected structure or installing an outdoor bar or stovetop, adding these elements can transform your entertaining experience. Looking for something on a smaller scale? Try using lush blankets and throw pillows to add an extra layer of coziness to your furniture set. We guarantee you’ll never want to go back inside.
Already have your outdoor oasis? Show us your photos on Instagram, and don’t forget to use #SusquehannaStyle
