Update your Outdoor Living Space for 2024

March 7, 2024

Outdoor Living

House with modern pool and extensive patio

2024 Trends for Revitalizing Your Outdoor Space

As we step into spring, nature and the allure of being outside beacons with renewed vigour, the smell of cherry blossoms sparking ideas of increasing our outdoor living in the coming months. It’s the time of the year when we want to explore new possibilities for our backyard space.

Trends in outdoor living space design can be big and bold, or subtle and nuanced—especially when they involve landscaping and the garden. But regardless of your preferred style, 2024 promises to bring us in touch with our outdoor spaces: nature-infused design will invoke our surrounding environments to inspire comfortable and exciting outdoor spaces created with a sustainable ethos.

At Flintstones, we have completed hundreds of outdoor living space renovations on the West Coast, where, from early on, the general trend has always been to embrace outdoor living. We’ve worked with many clients to transform their outdoor spaces, and have had the pleasure of observing trends in how people want to connect their backyard with nature, what they want to do in their outdoor spaces, and what works, and what doesn’t work to make an outdoor living space that you enjoy. Hint: there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

With each passing year, trends in outdoor living evolve, offering fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and new designs for outdoor living areas. Flintstones has rounded up some of our favourite anticipated trends for 2024, encompassing style, plant selections, spatial arrangements, and construction considerations for an updated or new outdoor living space.

Fusion-Forward: Functionality and Aesthetics

IMAGE: Wildflower

outdoor fire pit — *A chef’s kitchen sits beside a gas fire pit to extend entertaining throughout the evening.*

Outdoor living spaces can become seamless extensions of indoor living areas, accessed with ease and designed to bring the outdoors in, and vice versa. The trend leans towards creating multifunctional outdoor living zones that cater to diverse activities, from outdoor dining and relaxation to recreational pursuits like gathering around a fire pit. Regardless of the size of your existing outdoor space, there are many innovative ways you can add dynamism to your backyard space.

Key elements include:

Outdoor Kitchens and Dining Areas:

Equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and ample seating, outdoor kitchens and dining areas are focal points for social gatherings and culinary adventures.

Cozy Retreats:

Intimate seating areas adorned with comfortable furnishings, fire pits, and ambient lighting offer tranquil retreats for relaxation and contemplation.

Broaden Your Horizons With Hardscaping:

IMAGE: Valdez

*An expansive stone patio gives this home a new lease on life*

Hardscaping elements can define the structure and character of a backyard space. It literally lays the groundwork for anything from a fire pit to multiple seating areas or an outdoor kitchen. In 2024, the trend leans towards harmonious integration, where hardscape features seamlessly complement the natural landscape rather than overpowering it.

Trending hardscape elements include:

Natural Stone Patios and Pathways:

Versatile and timeless, natural stone is an elegant way to structure outdoor living spaces, providing durable surfaces for everything from al fresco dining to lounging by the pool.

Water Features:

From gushing waterfalls to idyllic ponds, water features add atmosphere and visual interest with little intervention to the existing landscape.

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Outdoor Entertaining

IMAGE: Coastal Cabana

Modern backyard pool — *Build alongside this new pool and integrated spa the poolhouse houses a gym, yoga studio and sauna. Beside it is a full outdoor kitchen and dining space.*

A happy hangover of the pandemic lifestyle is the ease with which people came together in outdoor spaces, adding multiple seating areas, outdoor furniture, fire pits or pools. Trends see homeowners investing in outdoor living spaces that rival indoor counterparts in comfort, functionality and fun. The trend for 2024 focuses on elevating outdoor living through innovative design features and well-chosen amenities.

Noteworthy features include:

Swimming Pools:

Whether it’s a sleek lap pool or a lavish spa retreat, places for physical activity continue to give homeowners a return on their investment, providing opportunities for leisure, exercise and socializing.

Saunas:

Cold plunge and heat therapy trends are here to stay. The Nordic tradition is coveted for bringing people together to unwind with company. Thanks to the trend, a wide range of saunas and plunge pools are available to accommodate different outdoor configurations.

Sustainable Practices and Materials

IMAGE: Promenade

*Framing the patio are stairs that access the raised garden while acting as a retaining wall to control the water from the lawn, with drainage added to redirect water flow.*

In alignment with the growing awareness of environmental conservation, sustainable landscaping practices and materials are gaining momentum. From water-efficient irrigation systems to recycled building materials, homeowners are embracing eco-friendly solutions to minimize their ecological footprint.

Sustainable considerations include:

Drought-Tolerant Landscaping:

Xeriscaping principles—the practice of including drought-tolerant plants and efficient irrigation techniques—conserve water resources while maintaining aesthetic appeal.=

Permeable Paving:

Permeable surfaces, such as pavers or gravel, reduce stormwater runoff and replenish groundwater, mitigating the impact on natural hydrological cycles.

Going Undercover with a Pergola

IMAGE: Himount

Outdoor patio under overhang of house with seating area and modern fire pit — *The homeowners wanted an outdoor living space that would protect them from the elements and allow them to entertain outdoors all year round.*

Nothing allows you to extend your outdoor living space more than a covered outdoor structure or pergola. The increasing range of technological features makes the pergola a popular trend for 2024. For technology-loving homeowners, louvred pergolas let you control sunlight, ventilation and heat. These innovative and practical structures provide versatility to any outdoor space. Whether seeking shade on scorching days or inviting a gentle breeze, a louvred pergola allows you to control sunlight and ventilation with adjustable louvres.

Alternative options include:

Classic Pergola:

A well-built pergola can add a distinct architectural feature to your outdoor living space. On the West Coast, wood is a favourite for its natural qualities that give way to the surrounding outdoors.

Louvred Pergola:

Innovations include adjustable louvres controlled using smart technology for optimal shading and ventilation. Cutting-edge structures integrate weather sensors, LED lighting, and remote operation, enhancing outdoor living spaces with versatility and ease of use.

Embracing Ecological Diversity

IMAGE: Rogers

*A pair of experienced, passionate gardeners wanted a space to entertain and showcase their planting.*

In 2024, the emphasis on biodiversity and ecological sustainability continues to shape landscaping trends in outdoor spaces. Gardens designed to support local ecosystems and promote biodiversity are, not surprisingly, gaining traction as homeowners realize the role their gardens can play in supporting local ecosystems. Native plant species remain a cornerstone, celebrated for their resilience and ability to thrive in their indigenous environments while attracting pollinators and beneficial insects.

Popular choices include:

Native Grasses and Wildflowers:

From native grasses like California brome and tufted hairgrass to vibrant wildflowers such as purple delphinium and Camus, native flora adds texture, colour, and ecological value to outdoor spaces.

Pollinator Gardens:

Deliberately planting species that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators not only enhances the beauty of the garden but also contributes to the vital role these creatures play in ecosystem health.

What’s Next

Outdoor living trends for 2024 reflect an ecological consciousness characteristic of the West Coast, functional design as expressed in well-selected features, and an overall harmonious aesthetic. This year, homeowners will transform their outdoor spaces by embracing native flora, creating multifunctional spaces, and prioritizing sustainability.

The most important thing about any outdoor space renovation is that the design is deeply rooted in how you live, what you like to do, and how you want to enjoy your space outside. We’ll work closely with you to create a plan that encompasses some of these trends in a way that works for you and your lifestyle.

Book a call with Flintstones to find out what is possible in your outdoor space.

What our clients say about our renovation services

We hired the Flintstones team to fulfil my dream of a front porch. The end result is beautiful, and we are very happy with the entire process. Flintstones listened to our needs and gave us a very thorough budget breakdown prior to the start.Their timeline was accurate and they did right by us when things did not go as planned. Trey was always very quick to respond to any of our on-site questions. And Max and Mike were also always on top things from the office. Everything was explained thoroughly throughout the process. The sub contractors that they used were professional and managed appropriately and we really grew to enjoy our build crew! Thanks to Jared, Landon and Dan for a job well done!

Karen Esterly
Excellent customer service and support. So I haven’t actually had the chance to work with Max yet but I just have to say a few words. It was an excellent introduction to Victoria for me, I left a message in the morning and by late morning he returned my call, Max was kind and humble ( I’ve seen his work and reviews) he was very clear that they were on the more of the expensive end , but I can see why. He even called back after a message explaining my situation again and that I was in need of a quote. He then actually checked on me the next day to see if it was resolved. I can tell you , this is who I would want to do a big renovation with . Not once did I feel uncomfortable with not knowing how to explain things and he just got it. I can see why his company does so well. Thank you Max

Coleen Campbell-Olwell
Just completed our first large project with Flintstones Construction. Allied Glass subcontracted the glass railings and canopy. We were extremely impressed with the level of professionalism, quality and how smoothly the job ran. Flintstones is an excellent contractor with the know-how to complete large and small projects with attention to detail. We look forward to working with them on many more projects in future.

Jeff Devine
From start to finish working with Flintstones was an excellent experience. From the beginning we were impressed with the way Mike and his team approached understanding our goals for the replacement of our driveway and updating the stone facade of our home. They listened to what we wanted and helped us work through all the possibilities to create a project that fit both our aesthetic goals and the budget. Throughout the project the team did a great job of communicating what to expect with each phase of construction, anticipating many of our questions before we could ask and promptly responding to any questions that came up along the way. The crew were fantastic, professional and polite, keeping the project moving with no wasted time and leaving the space clean and tidy at the end of everyday. Finally the attention to detail and workmanship shows in the final results. We are so happy with the quality of work and the integrity of the construction. We've been through a few renovations with a few different companies in the past and the work done by Flintstones is the best we've seen. It's been our pleasure to recommend Flintstones to several of our friends.

Tracy McMicking
Flintstones helped us with a major overhaul of our house, they did all the heavy lifting including steel beams, footings, and all new windows and doors. They were amazing to work with, professional, knowledgeable, and got the job done through many challenges. I appreciated their transparency and incredible network of professionals who you can count on.

Joe Day
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of producing a TV commercial for Flintstones. Their entire team great to work with. They were warm, inviting and very open to collaboration. Easily one of my favourite clients of the past year. I will happily reach out to them the next time I need construction services.

Dave Wallace