Raboine’s team processes plans from contractors across North America and says that as more people have seen their outdoor spaces as a destination for activities other than just hosting alfresco dinners, they are becoming daily retreats to work, play, meditate, unwind, eat and build relationships.
“People are thinking much more about using these spaces to impact their overall health, wellbeing, and add value to their lives, and that’s a radically different way than we are used to thinking,” says Raboine. “It used to just be, ‘how can I accommodate 20 people on a weekend afternoon out here.’ The features we’re seeing a lot of right now are yoga and meditation spaces, outdoor offices—spaces that are much more individual than just community based. Because of that it, the size of our usable outdoor space has increased significantly as we are doing so much more there.” This means people are doing more to integrate important aspects of their indoor living outside, and he says one of the top requests his team gets is improving outdoor lighting options to ensure families will be able to enjoy these spaces long after Daylight Savings hits.
“We’ve said for a while that we need to move the indoors out and it really has become like we are building houses for people outdoors with all these features,” says Raboine. There’s so much technology specifically designed for outdoor living now, with Bluetooth and WiFi. Outdoor kitchens, fire features, and pergolas are the top requests we are getting right now, and all of this is really an indicator that people are still looking to use their outdoor spaces year-round.”
What to Consider Before Creating a Fall Landscape Plan
Grace’s mantra is “dream, research, design, build, live,” which requires clients to get creative dream up their perfect outdoor space for their specific needs.
HOLLY LEPERE
Raboine says now’s the time to schedule a fall landscaping plan with a trusted expert or on your own, as labor is in such high-demand right now. He advises coming in with a clear understanding of your vision for your landscape and outdoor spaces, being clear on the size and scale of your project, along with the colors and textures you’re looking for to streamline the process.
“The top of the list is always asking yourself the question: how do you see yourself or your family using this space?” says Grace. “How do you want to feel in the proposed space? Think through the resources, time, and budget you’re willing to commit to the project. As always, with any project, the steps for creating a new space are: dream, research, design, build, and live.”