Instead of just focussing on having beautiful front and backyards and instant gratification, these days people want to maximize every square inch of their outdoor spaces.
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Spring is often the time of year when people start thinking about their outdoor spaces and how to make the most of them. This year, the demand for outdoor design is greater than ever, says Vancouver-based landscape architect Paul Sangha, founder of Paul Sangha Creative.
There has been a shift in the way people think about their outdoor areas, says Sangha, spurred on by the pandemic and many months spent at home. Instead of just focussing on having beautiful front and backyards and instant gratification, people want to maximize every square inch of their outdoor spaces.
There is a big focus on food planting, he says, and a lot more talk about planning and planting for future generations.
This sort of thinking is coming from clients not only in Greater Vancouver but across British Columbia.
People want to make the most of being outdoors, in nature and the fresh air, reports Sangha. They want their front yards to be a place where their kids can play, and everyone can spend evenings cooking, eating, and relaxing in their backyards.
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“All of a sudden, our perceptions have been completely shifted, and the thought process connecting inside and outside has jumped forward decades,” says Sangha.
Outdoor kitchens are growing in popularity with people looking for more cosy, get-away type environments. Almost like you’re at the cabin, even though you’re in the city.
Sangha is seeing an interest in a more relaxed and fun approach to outdoor design. Before, folks wanted stone or concrete ground cover, but now they’re alright with gravel. Fire pits are also an increasingly popular way to extend time spent outdoors.
One of his clients recently lost their father and found their garden to be a healing space, says Sangha.
“Just being able to do physical exercise outside now, as opposed to inside. Whether it’s yoga or taking your cycle outside and just place it on your patio and get fresh air. I think we’re starting to engage with the outdoors and not take it for granted. Taking in nature and fresh air makes a huge difference.”
With things warming up, outdoor furniture like hammocks and Adirondack chairs, and any cosy outdoor elements are popular, says Sangha. And just as leisurewear has become the clothing of choice, people are looking for the same relaxed, comfortable feeling in their outdoor areas this past year — a Lululemon garden experience.
There is also an increasing demand for colour, texture and fragrance such as bright, cheerful decor and furniture, and big, bold foliage in our outdoor spaces. “People are really wanting to get nature moving through their whole soul,” he says.
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Container planting is an excellent option for those who don’t have gardens or yards. “You can put a whole multitude of plants in containers. You can even have a little herb garden or a big culinary garden in a very small space. You don’t need lots of space to do these things. Even a few containers can bring so much life and interest because they assemble different colours and textures,” adds Sangha.
The great thing about planters is that you can experiment and not worry about making any big mistakes in cost or time invested. “You can keep changing it up and have fun with it,” he says.
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