Be Ready to Fulfill the Rising Interest in Modern Outdoor Design

Modern style is taking over the landscape design industry. Homeowners are asking about bringing clean edges and a simplified look to their outdoor living spaces, and manufacturers are responding with a myriad of related cutting-edge products. The missing piece could be landscape designers and installers if they’re not prepared to fulfill homeowners’ requests for modern designs.

Why Contractors Should Care About Modern Outdoor Living Design

A growing number of contemporary homeowners across the United States and Canada are asking for all things modern. It’s a trend that hit the interiors of many homes and is now spilling over into backyards, driveways, and patios. If contractors are not prepared with some ideas on how to help them or you lack the resources to do it well, you could risk losing an opportune project and creating some “word of mouth” issues on popular review sites.

Why Are Homeowners Going Modern?

Modern design has caught on through the proliferation of social media and home-design sites that make browsing and sharing new looks easy and entertaining. Homeowners who have embraced these tools and subscribe to the allure of modern design tend to want the following:

Uniqueness
Today’s homeowners crave authenticity. In this age where it seems every lawn and every pool is a carbon copy of the neighbors’, homeowners want an outdoor space that matches their unique lifestyle. A modern landscape stands out. Boxy structures, clean edges, and uncluttered spaces can feel fresh in many neighborhoods—and give homeowners bragging rights when it’s complete and maintained.

Furthermore, many homeowners who have brought the modern look into their homes want to bring it outside as well. By incorporating the style throughout their property, everywhere they look will reflect how they see themselves: sleek and efficient, with only the most impressive elements in clear view. Recently, the outdoor living industry has evolved to provide this sophistication that homeowners craving a modern look desire.

Minimalism
When it comes to modern landscape design, less is definitely more. Homeowners opting for this style not only find it visually appealing but also love it for the promise of less upkeep. Rather than overwhelming a space with flowery trestles and bushy shrubs, a modern design might call for a clean-lined patio, ornamental grasses in metal containers, and compact boxwood hedges. With fewer plantings to trim, flowers to water, and less grass to mow, a modern design requires less maintenance for today’s increasingly busy homeowner.

How to Be Ready for Modern Design Requests

It’s always wise to show potential clients that you’re up-to-date on the latest design styles and trends. Even if your business hasn’t had much experience in this area, a bit of education and preparation can help land a nice project and carry it out successfully.

Assess Your Team
Can you successfully complete a modern design that lives up to the Pinterest pins and renovation shows that your potential clients watch? The answer depends on the experience and expertise of your team—and your resources. Take note of which team member can help you out when this type of job comes your way and consider investing in training for him or her. A class on modern landscape design could be a clever employee retention technique and a solid investment in your company’s future.

Partner with Designers
Even if you don’t have much—or any—firsthand experience with this style, all you need to know is where to look for help. Many installation contractors partner with landscape architects or designers. Partnering with an experienced design professional can provide name recognition to your brand and set you up with a trickle effect for future referrals. It could also lead to a lasting partnership if all goes well; homeowners who begin their search for a modern outdoor living space may turn to a designer first, and your landscape construction company could be at the top of that designer’s referral list.

Be Flexible
Some clients may find the fully modern style they’re picturing won’t mesh well with the rest of their living space. The country and cottage style homes found in the New England area, for example, may need to adopt more of a mix between traditional and modern looks. Be prepared to present options that strikes the balance between your clients’ vision for their space and what they will likely be happy with in the end. This may involve consultation over how the changes will appear alongside the rest of their environment. For example, brick homes tend to respond to geometric or industrial lines, which mirror the gridded pattern and feeling of solidity that comes with brick. For country cottages, which have a tendency to be dark, you can brighten the space with crisp white elements that pull together both the modern and traditional styles.

View the modern-style outdoor space trend as an opportunity. It provides a chance to diversify your portfolio and references, strengthen the skills of your team, and differentiate yourself in your service area. Adapting to the changing whims of homeowners also shows you’re adaptable to every client’s needs. Staying aligned with the desires of potential customers will keep your business current and competitive, while broadening the creative range of your company overall.