SPECIAL HOME IMPROVEMENT SECTION
DECKS & OUTDOOR LIVING: Open-Air Luxury The outdoors continues its rise as the unofficial second living room. In 2026, major trends include:
• Composite and bamboo-based decking that’ s lowmaintenance and long-lasting
• Retractable walls and oversized sliding glass doors for seamless indoor – outdoor flow
• Statement fire features that anchor evening gatherings
• Weatherproof kitchenettes for seasonal entertaining
Homeowners are creating immersive environments where morning coffee and sunset dinners feel like a mini-vacation.
LANDSCAPING REIMAGINED: Regenerative and Edible Gardens
The landscapes are beautiful because they’ re functional, and functional because they’ re ecological. Sustainability is no longer an optional trend— it’ s a guiding principle. Yards are transforming with techniques such as:
• Native, drought-tolerant plantings
• Pollinator-friendly meadows
• Rain gardens that manage runoff
• Foodscaping— blending edible plants into ornamental beds
Another rising trend, the“ botanical bento box,” divides outdoor space into curated micro-gardens: an herb corner here, a floral square there, a mini orchard tucked beside a reading nook.
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