10 Outdoor Space Styles Showing Up In Washington Homes And 4 That Are Starting To Disappear
Washington homeowners are reimagining their outdoor spaces in exciting new ways. The rainy Pacific Northwest climate has always presented unique challenges for outdoor living, but recent design innovations are changing how we enjoy our yards year-round.
I’ve noticed some fascinating shifts in what’s popular and what’s fading away in outdoor spaces across the state.
1. Rain Gardens That Work With Nature
Rather than fighting our famous Washington rain, homeowners are embracing it with beautiful rain gardens. These smart landscape features collect stormwater runoff and allow it to slowly soak into the ground.
Native plants like sword ferns and red-twig dogwoods thrive in these spaces while helping filter pollutants. Your yard becomes both functional and gorgeous!
Many counties now offer rebates for installing these eco-friendly features, making them even more attractive for budget-conscious homeowners looking to solve drainage issues naturally.
2. Covered Outdoor Living Rooms
Gone are the days when a simple patio set would do. Washingtonians now want true outdoor living rooms they can enjoy regardless of weather. Picture a covered space with comfy furniture, outdoor rugs, and even TV mounting areas.
Solid roofs or retractable awnings protect against our frequent drizzles. Add in some outdoor heaters and weather-resistant fabrics, and you’ve got a space usable nearly year-round.
My neighbors recently added string lights and a small outdoor fireplace to their covered patio, creating a magical spot for evening gatherings even in October!
3. Edible Landscapes
Food gardens disguised as beautiful landscapes are popping up everywhere. Blueberry bushes serve as ornamental hedges, while espaliered apple trees create living fences with a purpose.
The farm-to-table movement has reached our backyards in a big way! Homeowners mix edibles with ornamentals for spaces that look great and provide fresh produce.
My favorite approach combines raised vegetable beds with flowering herbs like lavender and rosemary. The pollinators love it, and I get fresh ingredients just steps from my kitchen door.
4. Outdoor Kitchens Built For Northwest Weather
The outdoor cooking trend has evolved to match our climate with weatherproof cabinets, sealed countertops, and covered cooking areas. These aren’t just summer grilling stations – they’re fully functional kitchens designed to withstand our damp conditions.
Marine-grade stainless steel appliances resist corrosion from our salty western air. Many homeowners include pizza ovens and smokers alongside traditional grills for year-round outdoor cooking options.
Storage solutions keep utensils and supplies dry between uses, while nearby dining areas often feature retractable covers for unexpected showers.
5. Native Plant Meadows
Lush, wild-looking meadows filled with native plants are replacing traditional lawns across Washington. These low-maintenance landscapes need minimal watering once established – perfect for our increasingly dry summers.
Camas, lupine, and other indigenous flowers create stunning seasonal displays while providing crucial habitat for local wildlife. The meadow approach works wonderfully in both rural properties and urban yards.
Water bills drop dramatically compared to conventional grass lawns. Plus, these meadows connect us to Washington’s natural heritage, bringing a sense of place that generic landscaping simply can’t match.
6. Japanese-Inspired Rain Retreats
Our Northwest rain has inspired many homeowners to create contemplative Japanese-style gardens designed specifically for rainy day enjoyment. The gentle patter of raindrops on special water features enhances the meditative quality of these spaces.
Stone pathways lead to small sheltered seating areas where you can watch the rain create ripples in carefully placed water basins. Japanese maples and moss gardens look their most vibrant when wet, making rainy days special rather than disappointing.
Many include covered tea house structures for enjoying the sensory experience of rain while staying comfortably dry.
7. Backyard Wildlife Habitats
Many Washington homeowners are transforming their yards into certified wildlife habitats with native plants, water sources, and shelter for local creatures. Bird watching areas with strategically placed feeders and baths have become popular focal points.
Butterfly gardens featuring milkweed and other host plants attract both migrating and resident species. Some families even install wildlife cameras to document their nighttime visitors like raccoons and opossums.
Children especially love these living classrooms right outside their doors. The National Wildlife Federation offers certification for yards that meet habitat requirements – a badge of honor many Washington homeowners proudly display.
8. Year-Round Vegetable Gardens
Cold frames, hoop houses, and other season-extending structures are transforming Washington vegetable gardens into year-round growing spaces. Our mild winters allow for cool-season crops like kale, carrots, and spinach to thrive with minimal protection.
Raised beds with covers prevent waterlogging during our rainy season. Many gardeners use soil heating cables to give spring plantings a head start when temperatures are still cool.
The locavore movement has inspired even apartment dwellers to grow food on balconies using vertical systems. Fresh salads in January have become a point of pride for many Washington gardeners!
9. Smart Outdoor Lighting Systems
Programmable, energy-efficient lighting has revolutionized how we enjoy Washington outdoor spaces after dark. Solar-powered path lights automatically activate at dusk, while app-controlled systems adjust to seasonal changes in daylight hours.
Subtle uplighting highlights our magnificent evergreens and creates dramatic shadows. Many homeowners program lighting scenes for different occasions – bright for outdoor dining, softer for evening relaxation.
The dark sky movement has influenced designs that minimize light pollution while still providing necessary illumination. Motion sensors add security without keeping lights blazing all night, saving energy and preserving our ability to stargaze.
10. Outdoor Work-From-Home Spaces
The remote work revolution has spilled into our gardens with weatherproof workstations featuring Wi-Fi extenders and covered desk areas. These outdoor offices help beat the cabin fever that’s especially challenging during our gray winters.
Many include sound-dampening features and privacy screens for video calls. Rainproof power stations and heated seating make working outdoors comfortable even on chilly days.
I’ve seen creative solutions like converted garden sheds with large windows and insulation. The mental health benefits of working surrounded by greenery have made these spaces a priority for many Washington professionals.
11. Formal English Gardens
Once a mainstay of Washington’s older neighborhoods, formal English gardens with their geometric hedges and rose collections are fading from popularity. The high maintenance requirements and water demands don’t align well with today’s sustainability goals.
Many homeowners are replacing these structured landscapes with more naturalistic designs. The formal look also struggles in our casual Northwest culture where easy outdoor living takes priority over manicured perfection.
Those who still appreciate this classic style often scale it down to a single formal element – perhaps a small knot garden or rose bed – rather than designing their entire landscape around rigid symmetry.
12. Expansive Lawns
The wall-to-wall grass lawn is rapidly disappearing from Washington properties. Water conservation concerns, maintenance time, and growing awareness of ecological impacts have all contributed to this shift.
Homeowners now reduce lawn areas to just what they actively use for recreation. The rest transforms into diverse plantings, vegetable gardens, or meadow areas that support pollinators.
Chemical-free lawn care has also gained traction, with many families accepting a few dandelions in exchange for safer play spaces for children and pets. The perfect emerald carpet is increasingly seen as an outdated ideal rather than a landscaping goal.
13. Exotic Plant Collections
Collections of non-native, high-maintenance plants are becoming less common in Washington gardens. Growing awareness of invasive species risks and increasing water restrictions have shifted preferences toward native and adapted plants.
Tropical-looking gardens requiring winter protection and constant care are giving way to climate-appropriate alternatives. Many gardeners have experienced heartbreak watching beloved exotics die during extreme weather events.
Instead, homeowners now seek plants that naturally thrive in our conditions without special coddling. The new approach focuses on right plant, right place – working with our environment rather than against it.
14. Single-Purpose Patios
The basic concrete slab patio with a standalone grill is vanishing from Washington backyards. These single-purpose spaces don’t meet modern expectations for outdoor living in our variable climate.
Homeowners now want flexible areas that serve multiple functions throughout the year. The new approach incorporates zones for cooking, dining, relaxing, and even working or exercising outdoors.
Materials have evolved too, with permeable pavers replacing solid concrete to address drainage issues. The standalone grill has given way to complete outdoor kitchens, while simple patio sets have been upgraded to full outdoor furniture collections with weather-resistant fabrics.
