June 3, 2025

10 must-have backyard design ideas for 2025

Getting ready to open up your backyard for the season? Here’s the best (and most fun) part: dreaming up the layout and choosing the decor. This is your moment to create a space that feels like a true extension of your home: equal parts comfortable and cool. Ready for inspiration? Here are the hottest backyard trends for 2025.

1. Outdoor furniture that belongs on a magazine cover

This year’s outdoor furniture looks as refined and design-forward as anything you’d find inside the home. Organic shapes with gentle curves and clean lines are all the rage for patios and decks. Think pieces that are so stylish they could be in the living room as easily as on the patio.

Daybeds, perfect for lounging, are having a moment. Modular sectionals offer flexible, personalized arrangements. Side tables are replacing the traditional coffee table, adding versatility and a lighter touch. Mixing and matching pieces is also huge this year, with curated combinations that feel individual, layered and full of personality.

2. Italian flair takes centre stage

In 2025, Italian style is everywhere outdoors, turning regular backyards into Mediterranean getaways. Terracotta tones set the vibe, especially for planter pots overflowing with greenery. For cushions and decor items, beige and ochre tones are a top choice. Add a striped umbrella in vibrant orange or green for a playful highlight. Handmade ceramics or stone walkways bring an authentic touch, evoking the rustic elegance of Tuscan villas. It all comes together for a warm, and charming ambiance—perfect for enjoying la dolce vita in outdoors.

3. A nature-first approach to landscaping trend: the English garden

Forget restrained, minimalist flower beds. In 2025, it’s all about lush, layered landscaping inspired by English garden. So what is an English garden? It’s a garden with a touch of wildness: lushness, asymmetry and a joyful mix of textures, colours and species. Native plants and grasses mingle and grow freely. The result is a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape that attracts pollinators and boosts biodiversity, creating a vibrant ecosystem right in your backyard.

4. Checkerboard chic

The checkerboard pattern is back in a big way, adding graphic structure and timeless elegance. You’ll see it on terrace floors, with mixes like concrete slabs in different shades (light grey and dark grey, or grey and charcoal) or natural stone tiles. It’s also showing up more subtly on outdoor cushions, rugs, and even planters. Whether bold or subtle, this motif brings striking visual contrast and adds an engaging sense of structure to an outdoor space.

5. Privacy screens and pergolas that elevate the space

Screens and pergolas are doing double duty in 2025, offering shade and privacy while anchoring the design. Opt for slatted wood panels with modern patterns, lush green walls or metal screens for an industrial sensibility. These functional elements double as design features while creating inviting areas for people to gather.

Whether freestanding or attached, pergolas can have retractable canopies or adjustable slats to control shade and light. They’re perfect for dining outdoors, sheltering a kitchen or creating a shady spot to lounge in.

6. Inviting gates that make a design statement

In 2025, the gate takes its rightful place in the backyard layout. Gone are the days of mere functionality: elegant gates are catching the eye while marking the boundaries of an outdoor space.

Bold choices are in, with contrasting materials and striking structures: for instance, solid wood gates with strong, elegant lines, metal gates with intricate patterns, or sliding models, perfect for tight spaces. Add an arch, built-in lighting, or climbing plants for an extra welcoming touch.

In 2025, the gate is a key landscaping feature: an invitation to explore what lies beyond.

7. Built-in benches: subtle yet charming

Low-profile, built-in benches are making waves this year. Integrated into walls, planters or retaining structures, they easily create natural and harmonious seating areas.

Materials like stone, warm wood or smooth, contemporary-style concrete add a pleasing practicality, inviting you to relax, read and gaze upon the garden. More than just seating, they contribute to the visual balance of the space and enhance the overall outdoor experience.

8. Natural materials: rattan, woven fibres and rope

Natural materials are taking centre stage in outdoor design, infusing spaces with warmth, rich textures and an authentic feel. Rattan, wicker, rope, and other woven fibres are showing up in everything from furniture to lighting to small decorative pieces. They’re perfect for creating an atmosphere that’s relaxed yet refined. These raw, durable materials create a calming connection with the surrounding natural environment while adding an artisanal feel that celebrates handmade craftsmanship. A trend that embraces simplicity, without sacrificing elegance.

9. Designer gas fire pits

Gas fire pits are rapidly gaining fans for their aesthetic charm and practical appeal. Easier to use than wood-burning models, they provide instant warmth without smoke or complex maintenance, and are more eco-friendly due to their clean combustion.

Available in styles ranging from sleek and minimal to bold, they make a striking centerpiece for an outdoor space and can even double as coffee tables. A gas fire pit is an elegant way to extend your evenings outside while bringing a note of sophistication to your space.

10. Small in-ground pools: compact luxury

Tiny but bursting with style, small pools are redefining luxury in urban neighborhoods and backyards with limited space. Their smaller footprint doesn’t lessen their visual impact: with clean lines, premium finishes and seamless landscaping, they can create a striking statement without overwhelming the space. They’re the perfect option for a refreshing spot to cool down, while enhancing both the look and functionality of your outdoor area. A smart way to balance design, relaxation, and space efficiency.

Bonus: a tiny house in the backyard for multigenerational living

With municipal regulations evolving to meet new needs, more and more municipalities are allowing the addition of a secondary dwelling (or accessory dwelling unit) on residential lots. This opens the door to backyard tiny houses: smart solutions that create independent living spaces. Whether for an elderly relative, a young adult or visiting guests, these compact units offer privacy and flexibility while keeping family close. A way to make the most of your space, encourage connections across generations and boost your property value.

Design your dream outdoor space

A well-designed backyard isn’t just a bonus—it’s a lifestyle upgrade. With a little planning and a few thoughtful choices, you can shape an outdoor space that’s stylish, functional and uniquely yours. Whether you’re hosting summer parties or enjoying your morning coffee in peace, every detail helps make the season feel a little more special.

We’ve shared some of the top trends, but there are countless ways to find inspiration, including exploring the backyards of properties for sale. And remember, the best design is always the one that reflects your style.