B4 • Friday, January 20, 2023
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Top 5 outdoor design trends for 2023 and tans together with greens are adding depth and dimension.” Patterns can also be created using modular designs, textured pavers and hardscaping features to make any outdoor space both calming and energizing. Outdoor lighting provides more visual interest to your space while extending its usable hours with color-changing lights turning any patio into party central.
BRANDPOINT The year 2023 will reveal a few new outdoor design trends, but two of them — mixed materials and bringing the indoors out — are maintaining their previous popularity into the new year. New trends landscape designers are anticipating include more interest in sustainability, expanding the use of outdoor spaces and maximizing cutting-edge technology. Growing from the pandemic, interest in outdoor living is now at an all-time high and the top 2023 trends in outdoor design reflect that continued interest, according to Joe Raboine, director of Residential Hardscapes at Belgard. Supporting sustainability Caring for the environment is an increasing priority for homeowners, especially those who love the outdoors and want to ensure the environment is preserved for future generations to enjoy. “Homeowners are asking designers to create spaces inspired by nature that also help conserve it,” said Raboine. “This can mean choosing long-lasting materials for hardscaping, finding products made from recycled materials and/or using permeable pavers to help reduce water runoff.”
BRANDPOINT / CONTRIBUTED
New landscape trends include more interest in sustainability, expanding the use of outdoor spaces and maximizing technology. Extending indoor spaces Bringing the indoors out is hardly new, but as more homeowners view outdoor spaces as extensions of their home, the trend is definitely here to stay. Creating outdoor spaces that reflect your lifestyle and design aesthetic is not only a goal for larger homes and lots, but also for smaller lots needing more privacy. Shade structures like pergolas, shade sails and screen panels offer seclusion as well as protection from the heat, helping outdoor spaces become more private and livable, no
Average long-term U.S. mortgage rate lowest since September 2022 ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON, D.C. — The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate fell this week to its lowest level since September 2022, a potential boost to the housing market which has been in decline for nearly a year. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average on the benchmark 30-year rate fell to 6.15 percent from 6.33 percent last week. A year ago the average rate was 3.56 percent. The average long-term rate reached a two-decade high of 7.08 percent in fall 2022, as the Federal Reserve continued to boost its key lending rate in its quest to cool the economy and tame inflation. The big rise in mortgage rates during the past year has throttled the housing market, with sales of existing homes falling for 10 straight months to the lowest level in more than a decade. Though home prices have retreated as demand has declined, they are still nearly 11 percent higher than a year ago. Higher prices and a doubling of mortgage rates have made homebuying much less affordable for many people, but recent rate declines could give some homebuyers new hope. “Rates are at their lowest level since September of last year, boosting both homebuyer demand and homebuilder sentiment,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “Declining rates are providing a much-needed boost to the housing market, but the supply of homes remains a persistent concern.”
matter the size. Today’s homeowners are also equipping spaces with fully operational kitchens, quality outdoor furniture, firepits and games to upgrade their outdoor living experience. The backyard is becoming the go-to spot for fun, with outdoor games including life-size chess, billiards, mini-golf and more. Exploring color and texture As outdoor spaces become extensions of the home, designers and homeowners see these spaces as more than just a place to
host barbecues. Mixing natural materials including wood, stone and plants (as in living walls) with manmade materials like glass and metal creates interesting variety in texture and color that transforms any space into a more attractive environment. Textured pavers are also becoming more popular, such as those that mimic natural stone or textile finishes. “Homeowners are becoming more adventurous with color and texture,” noted Raboine. “While shades of gray are still dominant, warmer tones like browns
owners to see small details in design down to plants, shadows and even animations. Today’s technology helps manage the growing popularity of outdoor living, with AR and mixed reality letting designers and homeowners visualize and communicate their plans. Belgard Rooms’ newest feature uses AR so homeowners and contractors can view a templated outdoor design plan in their backCreating multi-purpose yard, offering a better visual spaces representation of how their yard can look. Homeowners Today’s backyards fulfill multiple purposes, with Zen select their AR plans and drop them into their outgardens or labyrinths extending off traditional patios door space to view, walk through and scale the temfor additional relaxation or meditation areas. Gardening plated outdoor rooms, is also resurging, as homebringing the plan to life in owners are growing herbs, their own backyards. Homevegetables, fruits and flowowners can test various ers using raised and vertical rooms, features and styles, gardens, small greenhouses helping them bring their vior hot boxes. sion to life. Currently, 32 AR “You can add built-in seat- rooms can be viewed on any ing and benches to create a device. firepit area or mini theater,” “AR Rooms help turn Raboine added. “These can dreams into reality through be beautiful spots for resting a seamless design process,” or entertaining, plus a pracexplained Raboine. “Hometical dining area for your owners and landscape profamily.” fessionals have adopted the Optimizing technology technology quickly, helping homeowners envision differWith mixed-use spaces becoming more complex, us- ent outdoor living plans and simplifying the design ing augmented reality (AR) process for any project.” can streamline the design Ready to reimagine your process for homeowners outdoor space? Visit Rooms. and contractors alike. AR technology allows homeBelgard.com/ar-rooms.