Blog

The end of the year is an interesting feeling—there’s always a mixture of nostalgia for the end of one chapter and the anticipation for the next. At The Landmark Group, the new year is an opportunity for a reset—new plans and new ideas are fresh in our minds, and the remaining winter months are spent enjoying the last frosts and preparing for spring. As 2026 approaches, we’re thinking about some emerging trends in high-end outdoor living, and these are the ones we think are going to make a big impact!

1. Sunken Lounges

In the mid-to-late 1960s, sunken lounges were everywhere, and we’re loving this new interpretation of a design classic. These conversation spaces have a sleek, elegant feel that can be paired with either a manicured lawn or an English-countryside meadow, depending on your style. Created with stone or fibreglass and accented with plush cushions and textiles, this is a fun, playful take on a gathering spot that can be accented with a fire pit for year-round enjoyment, or a water feature for a more soothing, contemplative space.

2. Ruang Tamu

Inspired by the Indonesian concept of a guest space, this interpretation of an outdoor living room is marked by rattan flooring, wood furniture, hemp textiles, and hanging chairs within a semi-enclosed space—perfect for chatting with friends or unwinding after a long day. You can accent with palms and monstera plants, macramé, and hanging chairs for a warm, comfortable look that feels inviting and unpretentious.

3. Enclosed Greenhouse

All it took was Meghan Markle and Mindy Kaling pouring tea in her little solarium to launch this concept into the stratosphere, and it’s not stopping any time soon! Perfect for our green-thumbed plant people, an enclosed greenhouse incorporates the verdure and beauty of a year-round garden with the style and elegance of an outdoor living space. The glass-and-wrought-iron combination evokes a nod to Regency-era architecture, while glazed concrete and modern furniture create a modern contrast that’s both timeless and elegant.

4. Poolside Lounge

If you’re anything like us, we spend every moment we can outside during the summer, and poolside lounges are a foolproof way to make sure every barbecue and May 2-4 is at your house for the foreseeable future. A fully-covered patio pairs with a full wet bar to encourage 24-hour rest and relaxation once you’re done splashing around. Looking to enjoy those night swims? Make it partially enclosed with a fireplace at the opposite end! A shingled roof and shiplap walls pair with a stone hearth to recreate the stunning feel of the Montego Bay resorts.

5. Meditation Gardens

These beautiful, soothing spaces take the concept of ‘grounding’ to the next level! A sublime adaptation of the Zen Buddhist ‘dry gardens’ in Japan, these spaces incorporate the simplicity of meticulously maintained indigenous plants and gravel paths alongside a simple water feature. The genius of this particular concept is rhythm—there’s a symmetry that’s traced through every aspect of the garden, from the shape of the plants to the lines of the trickling water, all of which combine to evoke the harmony of nature. Warm wood creates an eco-friendly, organic feel, while smooth stone creates clean lines that enhance the modern feel of a mindful environment.

As you say goodbye to 2025, we hope you’re able to look forward to all the possibilities and potential of 2026 with an open mind and heart. If you’re looking to start fresh with a new project, take inspiration from our list and your life—how do you want your home to serve you during this new season? Contact us today for a free consultation—let’s dream together!