Backyards a true extension of the home
Designs heat up with fire features, outdoor kitchens and pools.
People began building pools more than 5,000 years ago for reasons we can still appreciate today: recreation and relaxation. Pool design was fairly cookie- cutter until recently, but that’s changing as backyards evolve into outdoor living spaces with smart technology that monitors and controls everything from our pools to our grills.
“We’re definitely seeing a trend towards the ‘ lifestyle backyard,’ which is a backyard that’s good for day or night, regardless if it’s sunny or rainy; if it’s too hot or a little chilly,” says Marc Luff, owner of Betz Pools in Stouffville. “Most people are trying to achieve the bulk of a wish list that includes a living room, cooking centre, dining room, fire feature and body of water.”
For many homeowners, creating a backyard oasis replaces the need for a cottage, and for years they decked out their spaces accordingly, with kidneyshaped pools, natural rock waterfalls and rustic cedar cabanas. But the trend has been shifting towards a decidedly resort- like feel with rectangular pools, pergolas with aluminum louvres, and the pièce de resistance: fire bowls.
Winter may be on the horizon but it’s not too soon to begin planning your lifestyle backyard for next spring. “The time is now,” says Matthew Wieske, sales manager with Partridge Fine Landscapes, which works across the Greater Toronto Area. “We build pools so you can enjoy them for the next 20 to 30 years, so it’s worth planning in advance rather than rushing through it and having regrets down the road.”
Let’s dive into some lifestyle backyard trends.
OUTDOOR STRUCTURES
Today’s preferences include stone and stucco cabanas, brick cabanas or cabanas made with exotic Brazilian Ipe ( pronounced “ee- pay”) hardwood, which is also a solid choice for decks and patios. Cabanas might feature bifold doors, motorized retractable insect screens, high- powered fans and radiant heaters. An aluminum pergola with a motorized louvred roof and insulated panels is very modern, but you can transform it into a more traditional structure with carpentry.
Partridge has even been fielding requests for backyard home offices. “People working from home are getting distracted because there’s only so much room inside the house to create an office,” Wieske says.
POOLS
The watery gems that entice us to our backyards have traditionally been designed using a two-to-one ratio (e.g. 36 feet long by 18 feet wide), but elongated rectangular pools (36 by 16) are making waves. They’re sleeker and also more energy-efficient.
“The more water surface area that touches the air, the more evaporation and the more chemicals you need,” says Luff.
When it comes to size, small pools trump large pools, even in backyards that can comfortably accommodate a substantial body of water, Wieske says.
Betz reports some demand for insulated pools because it reduces heat loss through the floor of a pool due to colder ground temperatures. Paired with automated covers that open and close at the touch of the button and encourage heat retention, insulation allows you to extend your swimming season.
PATIOS
Interlocking stone, stamped concrete or flagstone are hardly the only options when it comes to patios. “People are getting very creative and are looking for things like large-format stones cut into brick or other patterns,” says Luff. Though a tanning ledge lands near the top of many wish lists among those installing a pool, it requires an additional nine feet to accommodate a couple of lounge chairs. Investing in your patio might be a better option, he advises.
AL FRESCO DINING
The humble barbecue has morphed into an outdoor kitchen that has become the focal point for outdoor activities. In addition to all the conveniences of an indoor kitchen, it might feature a grill, a smoker and even a pizza oven. Take cues from the aesthetic of your home to make the transition between interior and exterior feel seamless.
FIRE FEATURES, LIGHTING
“Fire and water go hand in hand,” says Luff. Fire bowls, linear fire flames and tiki torches create a resort vibe. Fire coffee tables or built- in fire features invite conversation, while landscape lighting adds comfort to dark nights.
LANDSCAPING
Low maintenance is typically top of mind when landscaping, reports Wieske. In addition to proper irrigation, pay attention to the number and size of your gardens and the kinds of plants you choose. “We often plant cedar hedges when people are looking for privacy because they don’t shed their leaves,” he says.
Beech and Hornbeam trees are also in favour, reports Luff. “The trend is to get trees that shed their leaves the furthest away from summer as possible. Hornbeams don’t start dropping leaves until maple trees have shed theirs.”
SOUND SYSTEMS
Though many people still request water features, the sound of cascading water can distract from conversation. If you want to buffer sounds like traffic, lawnmowers and the neighbours’ kids at play, Luff recommends a quality sound system. “Even at a low volume, it fills the air evenly throughout the backyard. Direct it inwards so you’re not disrupting your neighbours and you’ll enjoy a sound that’s much more soothing than a waterfall.”