5 Backyard Features That Are So Outdated, According to Designers

It’s important that you pay as much attention to your backyard aesthetic as you do to your interior spaces.

“At the end of the day, your backyard should feel like a natural extension of your home; curated, comfortable, and built to evolve with you,” Vyanca Soto, the founder of Market Studio Interiors, says. “When you invest in timeless materials and thoughtful design, you’re not just building a yard, you’re building a lifestyle.”

It turns out, there are a few design decisions that may be making your outdoor space look majorly dated, pros say. Here, they elaborate on five different choices in particular that are no longer seen as being in vogue. Say goodbye to these looks and embrace more contemporary, streamlined approaches instead.

Busy Looking Planters

No backyard is complete without a few planters, but some designs make for better options than others if you’re looking to create an aesthetically pleasing space (and who isn’t?).

Skip the heavily detailed planters and instead welcome some designs that are modern and minimalistic, Mary Clair Cumbaa, the founder of Cumbaa Design Co, says. She explains how she is seeing many more planters of this nature making an appearance in today’s backyards.

Cumbaa recommends opting for simpler options that will make a big impact rather than planters that are overly detailed and busy-looking. At the end of the day, sometimes less truly is more.

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Red Mulch Instead of a Natural Shade

You may view mulch as solely a practical addition to your yard, but you might want to think again. It turns out that the color of mulch you’re using in the yard may affect how current your yard looks.

Red mulch is out, Cumbaa says, proving that once again, less is more.

When shopping for mulch, Cumbaa advises selecting a natural color that will complement your existing landscape. Doing so will add to the overall simplistic look for a serene escape in your backyard, Cumbaa says.

Not Enough Greenery

If your backyard doesn’t feature enough greenery, you’re going to want to change that immediately. Just say no to what Sarah Brady, the founder of Salt Design Company, refers to as “excessive hardscaping” when planning out your backyard.

“Yards dominated by concrete, stone, and pavers with little greenery can feel sterile and outdated,” Brady says.

Instead, she recommends opting for a mix of this type of hardscaping along with plenty of softer accents, too. Not sure where to begin? Brady offers a few key suggestions. Aim for layered plantings, natural pathways, and outdoor areas that feel lush and organic rather than overly structured, Brady says.

Stamped Concrete Patios

If you can splurge for real stone, save up your pennies and do it, according to multiple designers, who are not a fan of stamped concrete and consider it to look dated and overdone.

“Their repetitive patterns, fading color, and tendency to crack make them less appealing over time,” Brady says.

Soto feels similarly, explaining that stamped concrete lacks the depth, texture, and natural variation we now look for in elevated landscaping.

Need help deciding what to purchase instead? The designers would rather you opt for bluestone, large-format pavers, gravel, or oversized concrete slabs.

“These materials photograph beautifully, wear gracefully, and instantly give the space an architectural edge,” Soto says.

Built-In Barbecue Islands

Soto is all for skipping traditional built-in barbecue islands made of faux stone veneer and heavy tile countertops.

“These installations often overwhelm the space and don’t reflect how we entertain anymore,” she says. “A more elevated alternative would be a streamlined outdoor kitchen wrapped in smooth Santa Barbara stucco, poured concrete, or powder-coated steel, with thoughtful, integrated storage.”

This approach, Soto adds, is sleek and functional, but this isn’t the only reason why she appreciates it—the designer also likes how this looks like a continuation of your interior design because that’s exactly how we should be thinking about outdoor spaces.”