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

Several cracks in the foundation of our 102-year old Fairfield home, too much surface runoff, and the general trend towards wetter winters led us to Flintstones’ website. But it was the immediate response to our request for an inspection and the thoroughness of our initial consultation that made us decide to work with this company. The Flintstones crew, after some digging, discovered that we had no perimeter drains, as is common in our neighbourhood, so it was a big job that we soon agreed upon. Thankfully, all digging was done by hand, resulting in minimal disruption to our garden, which was very important to us. We were impressed by the number of skilled, hard-working men Flintstones brought to the task and by the co-ordination of the job by the project manager. Good communication, a high-level of professionalism, and completion of a project to a standard above-and-beyond what is to code, kept the City inspectors happy and ourselves delighted. We highly recommend this company.

Dorothy Kennedy
A slightly different review, but an important one. Yesterday I was walking my dog along Mayfair Drive (Mt Tolmie), where some Flintstones Constructions workers were working at a house (as evidenced by a sign). My dog stopped to sniff, and I overheard a conversation roughly as follows: A newer employee consulting his coworker on the best way to accomplish a task, and his co-worker replying with 'whichever method allows you to do the job to the best of your ability'. Next, the newer guy asked his colleague advice about doing something and putting a tarp down first. The more seasoned guy mentioned it could cause a hole in the tarp, and the newer fellow replied 'I thought I'd double-fold it first'. Instead of telling his colleague not to, the more experienced guy says "The thing that's great about this company is that it's not about how long it takes to do the job, it's about how long it takes to do it properly, without damaging anything and to the best of your ability. So take your time, and really take pride in your work, and that will make everyone happiest". Neither of these guys knew I was listening, and it was really wonderful to hear that "do it once, do it right" is more than just a slogan, it's company ethos.

Rayna C
We couldn't be happier with the work we had performed by Flintstones. In addition to their quality work, their professionalism and customer service are second to none. Whether it was the owner, or a front line worker with a shovel in hand, they were always available to answer my questions and explain things as the work moved along. Our home is by far our biggest investment, and we had some significant work done to the perimeter draining, garage, driveway and front porch , but we had great peace of mind knowing that they always had our best interests at heart.... And of course the final product turned out awesome. Thanks Flintstones !!

Dean Skinner
Fantastic professionalism and work ethic from this company. From the beginning right through to the end, they ensure a project is done correctly, efficiently and they stand by high-quality product. It's been an absolute pleasure working on projects with Flintstones and I am proud of all the beautifully finished spaces we've created. I highly recommend Flintstones!!

Stefanos Mavrikos
Flintstones replaced our old drainage tiles, repaired foundation cracks and waterproofed our basement walls using top of the line materials and workmanship. The workers were very polite and extremely accommodating throughout the entire project. Darryl made sure every question about the process was answered to our satisfaction. The attention to detail and work safety was top notch. We highly recommend this professional company. They live up to their motto: "do it once, do it right!"

T Edwards
We worked with Flintstones for over 6 months on a major house renovation and they were superb. I was most impressed with their clarity of communication and their flexibility and adaptability when the inevitable project changes came about - either initiated by us or as a result of unexpected surprises during the work. Communication and planning on the project was excellent, they were very responsive to our needs around budget. They completely understood where our priorities were and made great suggestions to help us stay on budget while prioritizing the work that matter most to us. The resulting work was very skillfully done, despite covering a wide range of disciplines from hazardous materials removal to energy improvements. We are incredibly happy with what they did and the care they took in renovating our home.

Aurora Walker