This time of year, we hear a lot about trends for the coming seasons, from top colors to major design shifts. Nate Fox, lead designer at Southern California-based landscape design firm Foxterra Design, and founder and CEO Justin Fox gave us insight on some of the top trends for outdoor spaces in 2026.
Social seating
Seating that accommodates larger groups or allows for luxurious lounging while enjoying the company of others ranks high on the list for 2026. Daybeds — both stationary and swinging — create relaxing resort vibes that work for outdoor entertaining as well as stretching out solo with a good book. And the Foxterra team said they’ve seen greater interest in creating sunken seating areas in landscape projects.
“We’re designing subterranean conversation pits that completely transform how people experience their outdoor space,” Justin said. “Being at that lower level creates an intimate, highly custom feeling you can’t achieve any other way. Less than 1% of homes have this feature, and it’s visually stunning even without a pool.”
Luxe lighting
Proper outdoor lighting not only extends the time you can spend in exterior spaces, but it also can enhance the look and feel of those areas. The Foxterra team suggests strategic placement — under steps, around firepits, beneath seating and within pergolas — to transform an outdoor space into a 24-hour destination.
Water features
From simple fountains to multilevel waterfalls, water features can heighten the ambience and beauty of outdoor spaces.
“Water features add sensory richness through sound and motion, turning even the smallest yard into a multidimensional retreat,” Nate said.
Off-season enhancements
While some see outdoor spaces as seasonal, the team at Foxterra believes incorporating heat in a multitude of ways can extend the use of an exterior retreat. Adding everything from firepits and other flame features to heated decks and bubbling spas can make exterior spaces just as inviting during the colder months as they are in spring and summer.
“We designed this spa (above) to be irresistible even on the coldest, snowiest days by positioning it just steps from the door on a generous heated stone deck,” Nate said. “The seamless indoor-outdoor flow celebrates winter rather than fights it, creating a luxurious retreat that transforms harsh weather into the perfect backdrop for relaxation.”
Ultimately, Justin and Nate said trends can serve as inspiration, but if they don’t make sense for a customer’s space or lifestyle, they’re not worth the investment.
“Invest in features that create unique experiences, extend usability or deliver daily pleasure and skip anything that requires constant maintenance, energy or cleaning to enjoy,” they said.
