Just as with home design and decorating trends, homes’ outdoor areas also go through style changes. Tastes evolve, different materials and techniques become available and, as a result, backyards are undergoing some changes (you can read more here). Currently, one concept that has been gaining popularity is planting indigenous plants. Previously, people often planted gardens based on which plants they liked, with little thought to how much environmental manipulation might be required to keep them alive. With increasing awareness of environmental issues (especially water conservation), people are moving toward planting things that are most likely to thrive in their existing habitats. This new sensitivity has even affected that most basic yard attribute: the green lawn. Similarly, there has been a shift in hardscaping materials to natural stone and other non-artificial surfaces. These spaces are also becoming less about impressing people with how beautifully manicured the grounds are and more about using the spaces. So play areas, comfortable seating, mixing old with new and creating a less formal space are becoming more prevalent as well.
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