10 Backyard Wellness Trends Perfect for Canadian Homes

Embracing an easy breezy attitude in your backyard has never been more desirable. The inspiration for a less contemporary look comes from an English cottage garden with shrubs, wild flowers, gravel paths and a laid back antique aesthetic.  The numbers don’t lie! According to Yardzen, there has been a 100 per cen increase in requests for “cottage gardens.”

Homeowners have the environment on their mind and have turned to Yardzen for ways to reduce their environmental footprint. Drought-tolerant yards and low-water grass species is a trend we can get behind! Some homeowners have opted to remove their lawn altogether and opt for artificial turf or a balance between lawn and plantings with ornamental grasses and mulch to create a more climate conscious yard. If you live in an area that’s prone to water restrictions and drought these ideas could solve your water woes.

Since the pandemic began and working from home became much more commonplace, leaving work at work has become more challenging. Creating a peaceful respite to get some good ol’ R&R has become top of mind for many of us, and Yardzen’s data shows searches for saunas are up 45 per cent and hot tubs are up 34 per cent among other wellness related products.

Outdoor spaces devoted to relaxation is a clever way to extend and utilize square footage while optimizing your health and wellness.

Requests for plunge pools are up 15 per centyear-over-year and it’s obvious why! They are a less expensive, low maintenance and smaller alternative to traditional pools. For those of us looking to beat the heat this summer, a plunge pool is a practical and beautiful option.

Yards devoted to play may be the cutest data point coming out of Yardzen’s report. Canadians know that when the warm weather hits we have to make the most of it, especially for those who have kids. Creating a magical and grounding space that not only extends the square footage of your home but gets the kids to connect with the outdoors is picture perfect in our story books.

Planters and greenhouses have been trending more and more as people are eager to eat well, save money and live more sustainably. Who knew green thumbs could be so trendy? Many veggies, like lettuce, cucumbers, herbs, and tomatoes, will grown easily in planters. Just be wary of neighbours (the furry variety) stealing from your stock!

Another creative solution unearthed by Yardzen clients that extends square footage, is adding a shed to your outdoor space. Sheds are a great option if you need a quiet space to work or be creative, or provide extra storage.

As the desire grows to spend time off screens and outdoors, we still like to have our creature comforts. Enter indoor-outdoor integration: the outdoor living room. Yardzen reports a 40 per cent increase in designs with outdoor fireplaces. It doesn’t get cozier than stargazing with the warm blaze of a fire to keep you cozy.

Looking to create a relaxing and rejuvenating oasis? An outdoor shower is an easy way to transform your home into a luxury resort.  According to the Yardzen report, there has been an 28 per cent increased search in outdoor showers this past year.

Think outside of the box when creating a backyard that encourages wellness. Yardzen reminds homeowners that sound can instantly cue relaxation, like the gentle ting-a-ling of a windchime, or even a babbling water feature. Windchimes are just about the easiest way to introduce an audio element to your yard, porch, or even a condo deck!