When was the last time you took a good look at your landscaping? If it’s been a few years, you might be wondering how well your landscaping has aged.
Here are eight landscaping features that have fallen by the wayside. These former trends now make your home look dated and old-fashioned. Is it time for a landscape refresh?
If you’re looking to increase your home’s curb appeal or just trying to keep up with the Joneses (Hey, no judgment here.), keep reading.
1. Too Much Gravel, Especially White Marble Chips
Gravel and decorative stones were once the go-to options for low-maintenance yards. They’re easier to maintain than wood mulch, but they’ve become a bit of a cliché. Using decorative gravel in large expanses can leave your outdoor space looking cold, stark, and, worst of all, lazy when overdone.
And if you opted for white marble chips or tan pea gravel, the news gets worse. These look straight-up old-fashioned. Nothing says Grandma and Grandpa’s house more than an expanse of white marble leading up to the front door.
That doesn’t mean you need to give up the gravel, just go easy. Blend it with mulch and more natural plantings. You’ll get texture without the barren landscape feeling that comes from too much gravel.
2. Overly Symmetrical Gardens and Flower Beds
Back in the day, symmetry used to be the hallmark of “proper” landscaping. But these days it feels much too stiff and staged. Nowadays, landscaping tends to lean less toward perfect, symmetrical lines and more toward rounded organic shapes. The whole effect gives your yard a more relaxed, natural flow.
Likewise, use three or four-season plantings to add texture and organic beauty all year through. Make room for wild plantings, such as small meadows or wildflower beds. If you want to embrace a more natural look, allow a portion of your yard to rewild.
3. The Overuse of “Fake” Features
Fake rocks, artificial grass, plastic flowers and plastic planters are big no-nos unless you’re specifically going for a more retro landscape. These features tend to show wear from the elements faster than their natural counterparts.
It’s only a matter of a season or two before they look cheap and worn out. Instead, opting for the real thing will give you a nicer, longer-lasting look even if it means a bit more time or money up front.
4. Monolithic, Boxy Hedges
You know the ones I’m talking about. Perfectly trimmed, box-shaped hedges make you feel like you’re in a maze. This goes hand in hand with the symmetrical gardens and flower beds.
Softer lines and more free-flowing shapes will give your hedges a more organic form. Not to mention the entire mood shifts from strict and sterile to welcoming and relaxing.
5. Massive Lawns
A sprawling lawn used to be a status symbol, but in today’s eco-conscious world, they’re starting to feel wasteful. Lawns require a lot of water and upkeep, and they’re not exactly friendly to local wildlife.
Consider reducing the lawn space and replacing it with native plantings, pollinator gardens, or even a small food garden. (I know a good website that can help you get started.)
6. Going Overboard with Kitschy Lawn “Art”
Look, I love a good quirky garden gnome, and they’re definitely having a moment. But when the walk to your front door makes you feel like fifty pairs of cement eyes are watching you, it might be time to scale it back.
Too many knick-knacks and statuary can quickly go from tasteful texture to tacky and distract from the beauty of your plants. Of course, if you’re going for tacky, then by all means, do it up! Don’t forget a few pink flamingo statues, too.
7. Dyed Red Mulch
This stuff has never looked natural. And it only looks worse if you’re using it in large quantities. Instead of red mulch, choose a more natural color and don’t forget to mix it up with other textures, such as decorative gravel and your plantings. Large expanses of colored mulch can look just as bad as large expanses of decorative gravel.
8. Koi Ponds & Bulky Water Features
There’s something about those molded koi pond kits that screams “early 00s.” You know the ones with the fountain sold at every big box home improvement store.
Yeah, I know, this one hurts me, too. I have very fond memories of my mom’s koi pond, circa 2002.
But they can feel heavy and out of place in newer landscapes. A smaller, more minimalist approach is the order of the day. A sleek, modern water bowl or small, natural-looking water feature is much more current. Plus, you don’t have to fuss with the fish.
Of course, at the end of the day, it’s your yard. You’re the one who spends time in it. And if you love your white marble chips or you can’t imagine getting rid of your gnome army, then don’t. It’s your home, and you’re the only one who has to love it. (Well, you and your HOA.) If it’s a question of curb appeal, that can always be dealt with when you’re ready to sell.
And who knows, what goes around comes around, if you leave your landscaping as is long enough, it will likely be on trend again. Speaking of, I think it’s time we bring back the cement bird baths with the pedestal in the shape of three seahorses.
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