HomeBeautiful
  • Open Homes
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor
  • Decorate
  • Hamptons
  • Podcasts
  • Beach House
  • hacks
HomeBeautiful
  • Open Homes
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor
  • Decorate
  • Hamptons
  • Podcasts
  • Beach House
  • hacks
Subscribe
Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
Watch 2:03

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right

{headline}

{headline}

8 amazing ideas to get your outdoor space ready for the festive season

8 amazing ideas to get your outdoor space ready for the festive season

The warning about artificial grass all parents need to read

The warning about artificial grass all parents need to read

The latest landscaping trend to take over outdoor pavers

The latest landscaping trend to take over outdoor pavers

6 outdoor style tips to upgrade your summer entertaining

6 outdoor style tips to upgrade your summer entertaining

{headline}

{headline}

How to get your garden winter ready

How to get your garden winter ready

Soak up the last of summer with Aldi’s latest outdoor range

Soak up the last of summer with Aldi’s latest outdoor range

Outdoor lighting ideas

Outdoor lighting ideas

{headline}

{headline}

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

6 simple Christmas decorating ideas

6 simple Christmas decorating ideas

Give your kids’ cubby house a fabulous facelift for summer

Give your kids’ cubby house a fabulous facelift for summer

5 tips to make your outdoor space even more inviting

5 tips to make your outdoor space even more inviting

2 simple and stylish outdoor hacks to try this weekend

2 simple and stylish outdoor hacks to try this weekend

3 chic, clever outdoor hacks to make your entrance gorgeous

3 chic, clever outdoor hacks to make your entrance gorgeous

7 great ideas for using decorative outdoor screens

7 great ideas for using decorative outdoor screens

  1. Home
  2. Outdoor

Trend alert: the landscaping item for 2018 we’re seeing everywhere

Welcome to summer! As the year draws to a close, summer beckons us to extend our living spaces outside - by Diana Moore
  • 30 Nov 2017
Trend alert: the landscaping item for 2018 we’re seeing everywhere
Jason Busch for Landart Landscapes

We talk to landscaper, designer, horticulturalist and co-founder of Landart Landscapes, Matt Leacy for the low down on the trends we can embrace in our outdoor landscape this year.

What are the newest trends we can expect to see?

Trend alert: the landscaping item for 2018 we’re seeing everywhere
Jason Busch for Landart Landscapes

Texture

Moving away from minimalism, there is a trend away from larger formats and clean lines towards smaller tiles more textural finishes, particularly in flooring. “Texture in flooring is definitely coming back into vogue,” says Matt. “We expect to see different stones being used for flagging and cobbles to break up large areas. There are lots of exciting new stones on the market including different variations on porphyry, limestone and granite.

The shapes, sizes and finishes of stones are changing too. “Cobblestones will be used in interesting ways, mixing linear lines with rounded shapes and the like,” Matt suggests.

Trend alert: the landscaping item for 2018 we’re seeing everywhere
Jason Busch for Landart Landscapes

Fire-pits

Once a luxury designer item, firepits are becoming the norm in homes, driving the availability of a larger range of products and prices on the market, making them single biggest item we’re seeing pop up in outdoors. “Over the past year, we’ve really seen consumer demand for fire pits reach an all-time high,” says Matt.

“I think firepits will be a trend that sticks around; they can be super stylish and multifunctional – and they’re a great way to generate outdoor heat, light and ambience, whilst saving on electricity. They basically keep you out in the garden chatting with friends and family instead of retreating indoors.”

“Obviously, you’ve just got to be wary of weather conditions and any fire bans that might be in place when you’re using them.”

“I think 2018 will see firepits reach their peak popularity as more and more people recognise them as the norm.”

Matt Leacy Landart Landscapes
Trend alert: the landscaping item for 2018 we’re seeing everywhere
Jason Busch for Landart Landscapes

Outdoor rooms

Outdoor rooms continue to be popular. “The whole idea of creating outdoor rooms that mirror the functionality of traditional indoor spaces will continue to pick up steam in 2018,” says Matt.

“Outdoor kitchens, daybeds, outdoor showers, sunken lounges, comfy outdoor furniture – they’ve all become an expectation rather than a luxury in many of the markets we’re working in.”

Strip lighting

Strip lighting enhances both the functionality and detail of an outdoor landscape and is being used in more and more designs.

“Strip lighting under steps, seats and bench tops creates an amazing feel and is becoming increasingly popular,” says Matt.

Landscaping trends for 2018 | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
Jason Busch for Landart Landscapes

Plant trends

Succulents & cactuses continue to feature in our urban landscape but as they’re slow growing, mature plants that make a statement are becoming increasingly difficult to find. “The architectural structure they can provide to any garden is impressive,” says Matt.

“Cloud and sphere pruned plants are a favourite of mine and we have been using them for many years and can see them growing in popularity. They go well in most styles of gardens we do.”

Landscaping trends for 2018 | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
Jason Busch for Landart Landscapes

What design trends are being phased out? 

 “What we should say goodbye to in 2018 is metal imitating timber,” says Matt. “The main offenders are front boundary fences where metal slats or pickets are used.”

“Metal is metal and timber is timber; it never works when you try to pass one off as the other.”

Timber remains at the forefront of materials used in our outdoor spaces. “It can fit into any design aesthetic,” says Matt. 

Landscaping trends for 2018 | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
Jason Busch for Landart Landscapes

For more on landscaping click here.

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

by Royal Albert, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

by Royal Albert, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug

Recommended to you

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
Watch 2:03

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right

{headline}

{headline}

8 amazing ideas to get your outdoor space ready for the festive season

8 amazing ideas to get your outdoor space ready for the festive season

The warning about artificial grass all parents need to read

The warning about artificial grass all parents need to read

The latest landscaping trend to take over outdoor pavers

The latest landscaping trend to take over outdoor pavers

6 outdoor style tips to upgrade your summer entertaining

6 outdoor style tips to upgrade your summer entertaining

{headline}

{headline}

How to get your garden winter ready

How to get your garden winter ready

Soak up the last of summer with Aldi’s latest outdoor range

Soak up the last of summer with Aldi’s latest outdoor range

Outdoor lighting ideas

Outdoor lighting ideas

{headline}

{headline}

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

6 simple Christmas decorating ideas

6 simple Christmas decorating ideas

Give your kids’ cubby house a fabulous facelift for summer

Give your kids’ cubby house a fabulous facelift for summer

5 tips to make your outdoor space even more inviting

5 tips to make your outdoor space even more inviting

2 simple and stylish outdoor hacks to try this weekend

2 simple and stylish outdoor hacks to try this weekend

3 chic, clever outdoor hacks to make your entrance gorgeous

3 chic, clever outdoor hacks to make your entrance gorgeous

7 great ideas for using decorative outdoor screens

7 great ideas for using decorative outdoor screens

HomeBeautiful
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
HomeBeautiful Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Instyle
  • marie claire
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Health Engine
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • Airtasker
  • Society One
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

Shop This Offer
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug