It's Time to Ditch the String Lights! 8 Outdated Backyard Trends Designers Want You to Abandon in 2026 – and What’s Replacing Them
Find out what to ditch, and what's dominating garden design in 2026
At the beginning of the year it's always a good idea to take a fresh look at your backyard to see what's working and what isn't. As part of this overview you might want to consider the most outdated backyard trends designers want you to ditch in 2026 and see if you can spot any of these in your own garden.
If you decide your backyard is in need of an overhaul, our expert-led ideas are here to breathe new life into your outdoor space. There is no better time to take action on any outdated backyard trends that no longer work for you, as you have more time to plan if you start well ahead of the summer season.
8 Outdated Backyard Trends to Ditch in 2026
One of the new backyard trends for 2026 is focusing on low-input landscaping which means relaxing and not trying to control every little detail.
High-maintenance landscaping designs with perfect flower beds and immaculate lawns are out of favor, being replaced instead by the soft modernism garden design trend.
Find out more about the eight outdated backyard trends to avoid in 2026 and want to replace them with.
1. Over-designed, Integrated Fire Pit Features
Instead go for something simple and elegant like this smooth stone bowl
There has been a trend recently for integrating backyard fire pit ideas into outdoor kitchens, as well as into areas for dining, entertaining and relaxation.
Fire pit tables have evolved into sophisticated outdoor furniture pieces with integrated areas for food and drinks. But according to experts these designs aren't necessarily a good thing.
'We are seeing some movement away from over-built fire pits,' says landscaping expert Dawn De Feo. 'They tend to dominate the outdoor space and rarely get used. Instead the trend is leaning toward simpler designs using natural materials like wood and decorative stone that age well over time. I think 2026 is looking like a year for a relaxed and functional look, not something industrial and over-designed.'
Over-built fire pits take up valuable space too. 'I've seen a big move away from gardens that try to cram everything in,' says garden designer Oliver Burgess.
'Additions like built-in fire pits are always a nice thought but in practice they end up underused and taking up a lot of space. Instead, many clients prefer a smaller fire bowl or chiminea, leaving more room for planting and seating.'
So the trend for 2026 is to forego huge fire pits in favor of smaller, warmer designs like this elegant Elementi Lunar Propane Fire Bowl from Walmart that naturally pull people closer together.
Dawn is the head of landscaping and gardening at Landscape Barn, which has branches in Utica, NY, Charlotte, NC, and Oxford, CT. With decades of landscaping, gardening, and exterior design experience under her belt, Dawn is an expert on everything landscape and garden related.
Oliver Burgess is a qualified garden designer, creating joyful, beautiful, and biodiverse gardens in the South East of England, and has 15 years' experience. He graduated with distinction from the London College of Garden Design, demonstrating his strong expertise, creativity, and dedication to professional excellence.
2. Outdated Decking
Zoned decking is in, with separate areas for lounging, eating and entertaining
The idea of one big, single‑level 'floating rectangle' style deck is one of the outdated backyard trends on the way out.
Instead multi‑level, clearly zoned decks with separate areas for dining, lounging, cooking, and fire features are a key trend in 2026.
'Instead of one massive deck with additions like a fire pit feature and an overbuilt kitchen, designers are breaking decks into flexible zones with dedicated spaces for fire, grill, dining, and lounging,' says decking expert Dave Kile. 'In 2026 deck ideas are less about a single showpiece structure and more about smaller features.'
Decking materials are getting a makeover too. 'There is a move away from harsh deck colors,' says Dave. 'Instead warm, matte, nature-inspired finishes that stay practical long after reveal day are trending.
'A softer, neutral, nature-inspired palette is taking over from high‑contrast black‑and‑white outdoor schemes featuring charcoal-colored decking paired with bright white.'
Low-maintenance composite and PVC boards look set to dominate 2026 trends too because of their durability and easier upkeep.
Shiny, plastic-looking boards are being replaced with more natural wood-grain textures, vibrant colors and matte finishes that feel closer to natural timbers.
Dave Kile is the owner of IBP, LLC, the company behind some of the decking industry’s most successful innovations, including Trex® RainEscape®, Trex® Protect™ and Trex® Seal™. He started IBP in 2003, and over the past three decades has achieved success by immersing himself in the industry, listening to customers, and bringing new products to market that improve efficiency and effectiveness.
3. Overly Manicured, Flawless Yards
Choose naturalistic garden design over high-maintenance styles and opt for less lawn
Another trend that’s becoming outdated is an overly-manicured yard. Instead it could be time to swap high maintenance lawn care with naturalistic planting design ideas.
One of the biggest problems with a yard like this, in addition to the style losing popularity, is that they tend to be some of the hardest to maintain. Having some asymmetry in your landscaping, and growing native plants makes the space look more natural and welcoming, plus things are easier to take care of.
Garden designer Sue Goetz thinks that over-manicured, chemical-laden lawns in particular are an outdated trend. 'They are high maintenance, and enough has been said about their impact on the environment. Besides low biodiversity, in many areas of the country, lawn grass is just not a plant choice for success without high-input.'
Sue advises rethinking the lawn and shifting the conversation of lawn-less landscape design to an evolution of green spaces with a more natural approach. 'If you're not ready to ditch all the lawn, do partial removal and use patterns of ornamental grass and perennial mixes to increase biodiversity.'
Sue Goetz is a certified professional horticulturalist with the Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association, Eco Pro Certified, ap apst president of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers Washington Chapter, a member of the Northwest Horticultural Society and a member of GardenComm. Through her garden design business Creative Gardener her design work has earned gold medals at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show, Fine Gardening best design award and the American Horticultural Society Environmental award.
4. Ornate And Generic Matching Furniture Sets
Try a more personalized approach by mixing and matching materials and textures
'We are seeing a step away from heavy wrought iron or ornate furniture pieces for the patio and instead moving into more modern clean lines in high quality materials such as polymer and extruded aluminum that offer a modern and luxurious feel to your outdoor space,' says design expert Michelle Weisman.
Another trend to steer clear of is generic matching sets. Instead try a more personalized approach to your outdoor living area by mixing and matching materials and textures.
'We love the idea of mixing wicker with aluminum because it adds texture to what would normally be a very flat one dimensional surface,' says Michelle. 'Playing with color and texture can elevate any space but this year, mixing materials is trending.'
Modular outdoor lounge seating, at least as we’ve seen it, is starting to feel pretty tired too, according to design expert Mike Fretto. 'For a long time, “custom" just meant pushing a bunch of pieces together and calling it a day. Technically it works, but in recent years, I think people have found it too clunky and generic. The proportions are off, and it doesn’t feel designed just assembled.'
Now, there seems to be a shift toward modular lounge furniture that still has flexibility, but feels more composed and intentional, says Mike. 'Fewer mass-produced LEGO blocks, and more “custom" modular furniture that looks and feels as thoughtful and bespoke as indoor furniture.'
Michelle Weisman is director of visual design for Chair King and Fortunoff Backyard Store, with over 20 years' design expertise. In 2010, Michelle brought her creative talents to the family business Chair King, helping transform the retail experience with a fresh, customer-centered visual approach. Michelle oversees everything from store layouts and visual merchandising to seasonal décor and styling photography and TV commercials shoots.
Mike Fretto is a designer, creative director, and co-founder of Neighbor Outdoor Furniture, helping shape modern outdoor furniture designed for how people actually live outside. In 2020 when Mike and his co-founders had the simple idea to rethink the potential of outdoor furniture through design, sustainability and accessibility with the same quality materials, craftsmanship and attention-to-detail as living room furniture.
5. Over-used String Lights
If you're looking for subtle lighting too many string lights can ruin the effect so choose alternatives
'String lights were once the staple of all backyards, bringing a sense of charm and whimsy. However the trend has now been overused and has become very visually noisy,' says plant expert Lydia Beaumont.
'Crisscrossing lights over every inch of a backyard can flatten the space, detracting from rather than enhancing it.'
There are plenty of alternatives to consider. According to Lydia, intentional lighting will be huge for 2026. 'Subtle tree uplighting, low path lighting (like these low voltage landscape lights from Amazon) and a single run of warm LEDs creates a much more contemporary and calm atmosphere. I love using LEDs to define areas, like backyard seating or sofas that make the space stand out from all the neighbours.'
String lights need to go, says landscape designer Dave Marciniak, owner and lead designer for Ranunculus Jones, an online landscape design service based in Virginia. 'They look sloppy in a lot of installations and they're rarely effective at illuminating the area. Instead path lights and lights set flush with the pavement do a much better job of creating well-lit, navigable spaces.'
Lydia Beaumont is the go-to expert for designing inviting outdoor spaces. She works for Gardeners Yards’, the destination for contemporary plant and garden inspiration, focusing on the home gardener who has an interest in all things gardening. Lydia’s creative touch brings a fresh and vibrant feel to any garden she works on.
Dave Marciniak is the owner and lead designer for Ranunculus Jones, a boutique landscape design studio specializing in uniquely immersive designs based in Culpeper, VA. Dave has been helping clients create one of a kind outdoor spaces for over thirty years.
6. Sheds For Socialising
This stylish Chicago rooftop bar extends the living space outdoors, pairing warm wood, stone, and woven textures with city views for effortless entertaining
'During the pandemic and afterwards everyone was clamoring for a "she-shed" or a "man-cave" in their backyard,' says Nicole Alexander, principal and founder of Siren Betty Design, a US-based design firm with offices in Chicago and California.
'Understandable at the time, but now it's time for the return of the backyard party. Gather your friends and neighbors around a proper backyard bar that is well-stocked, with additions like ceiling fans and integrated heat lamps.'
Plenty of seating, thoughtful lighting, and smooth hardscaping that is easy to walk on are go-to's for garden bar ideas if you're thinking of including one in your outdoor design.
'In a perfect world, there would also be a sturdy canopy overhead and some integrated heating and cooling elements to keep the party going, whatever the weather,' adds Nicole. 'If you build it, they will come.'
Nicole Alexander is the founder and principal designer of Siren Betty Design. Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Forbes, Wallpaper and The Wall Street Journal, among other publications. Travel, art, and fashion are all sources of inspiration for Nicole, and she believes that meeting new people from different countries and backgrounds can help you grow and open up a world of possibilities.
7. Hardscape-focused Designs
If you're looking for a modern landscape design choose sculptural plants like cacti over concrete
'One of the big outdated backyard trends for 2026 that's worth putting behind us is the hardscape-focused, starkly minimalist landscape that has tended to dominate, especially for hot-summer climates,' says garden designer Michele Chambliss.
'I think part of their popularity stems from the fact that they look sleek and high-end in photos. But without greenery they can be uninviting, even downright inhospitable, because of the reflected heat generated by paving, walls and other hard surfaces.
'In urban desert gardens, where we are already dealing with the urban heat island effect, the reflected heat also further limits the plant palette.'
A garden can have plants, maintain functionality, and still look modern, adds Michele. The use of multi-trunk trees [one of our favorites is the chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus), also known as the Texas lilac, available at Nature Hills] and plants with sculptural forms such as cactus and other succulent plants complement modern architecture while making outdoor spaces much more liveable and enjoyable.
Specializing in designing with native plants, desert cottage garden style, container design, and edibles, Michele Chambliss is the garden designer and consultant behind Perennial Garden Consultants in Las Vegas, NV. She is also author of Designing with the Desert: A Thoughtful Approach to Desert Garden Design. An American Society for Horticultural Science Certified Horticulturist, Michele has worked in many facets of horticulture for more than 25 years.
8. Outsized Outdoor Kitchens
Simplicity is everything when it comes to outdoor kitchens
Oversized outdoor kitchen ideas built just to brag about how size matters are fading in popularity. 'We walk through spaces every week where expensive appliances rarely get used and slowly fall apart from sun exposure, weather, or simple neglect,' says Ryan Schellhous, a Northern California–based general contractor specializing in the design, construction, and installation of custom outdoor kitchens.
'Wiring gets chewed by rodents, water lines fail, refrigerators turn musty, and homeowners realize they’ve spent a big portion of their budget on space and features that don’t really add to how they live outdoors.'
What works far better, according to Ryan, is a slightly smaller, smarter kitchen design that leaves room for people while centered on the barbecue or fire pit appliances.
'When the space is covered, heated, and properly lit, it actually gets used year-round for meals, conversations, and time together instead of sitting empty most of the year,' he says.
Large outdoor kitchens have become a default luxury landscape feature, but in reality they’re one of the least practical investments to make in a landscape project.
'They’re expensive to build, yet the reality is they often aren't used nearly enough to justify the cost,' says landscape designer Tina Huffman. 'On top of that, they age poorly with exposure to the elements, and over time, they often become a visual eyesore instead of an asset.
'I try to steer clients away from full-on outdoor kitchens. Instead I recommend simpler, more flexible outdoor set-ups. Go with a high-quality grill paired with generous countertop space, an outdoor fridge, and a small sink, with thoughtfully and comfortably designed seating and dining areas that support everyday use.'
Ryan Schellhous is President of Fire and Metal, Inc. As a trusted partner to leading premium outdoor kitchen appliance manufacturers, Fire and Metal brings more than a decade of expertise, delivering comprehensive, end-to-end care for the outdoor spaces that friends and family can gather around.
Tina Huffman is the landscape designer behind Greenhouse Studio. She has a B.S in Ornamental Horticulture, a Masters in Landscape Architecture, and has spent years studying how space, structure, plants, and environment work in real gardens. Tina started Greenhouse Studio to give homeowners a clear, professional way to think about their outdoor spaces: what to keep, what to change, and which plants make sense for the climate.
That's the expert take on outdated backyard trends for 2026. Now find out about landscape design trends and the precision gardening trend, both set to be big news this year.
