Digger Diaries | April
- Jessica Russell Hilton
- Mar 25
- 5 min read
What’s OUT is IN: Outdoor Living Trends to Inspire Your Next Project
With Wes Jones, Co-Owner of Madison Landscape Co. in Madison, MS
From well-appointed patios to extravagant outdoor kitchens, America's growing obsession with outdoor living is more than just a passing fad. According to landscape designer Wes Jones, we’re placing more value on outdoor living spaces than ever before.
Wes and his partner, Trey Cox, own Madison Landscape Co. They spend their days creating fabulous outdoor spaces in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. As a result, they know a thing or two about transforming an uninspiring patch of grass into a private oasis.
Here, Wes shares five outdoor living trends for 2025—plus, 3 questions to ask yourself before designing your own indoors-out paradise.
Five Outdoor Living Trends for 2025:
Outdoor Kitchens. “They’re just as important as indoor kitchens now!” says Wes, noting that—like indoor kitchens—it’s one home enhancement people are willing to invest in. Whether it’s about grilling outside, smoking meats, making wood-fired pizzas, or traditional stovetop dinners, Wes says, “People want new areas to hang out and do something different.”
Wireless Entertainment. Thanks to wi-fi, outdoor living areas can easily host TVs, music, and streaming on all your mobile devices—no wires needed. “We all get pulled into our phones and electronics,” notes Wes. But, when given the choice to enjoy these modern conveniences outside, he’s noticed something interesting: “People get drawn back outdoors. They still want to be outside.”
Water Features. Small fountains. Manmade, naturalistic waterfalls. Full-size swimming pools. Nothing takes an outdoor space to the next level like a water feature. Perhaps not surprisingly, Wes has seen “a big surplus in swimming pools since Covid,” and it hasn’t slowed down, yet.
Backyard Putting Greens. “A lot of people, if they’re into golf, are starting to add artificial turf to make a backyard putting green,” notes Wes. While not for everyone, artificial turf is gaining popularity for its durability in places where natural grass would struggle to survive.
Gorgeous Greenery. “Any unique element you can add to your backyard is going to make it more interesting,” says Wes, “Water features, fire places, pavers—they all add texture and pattern.” But, he says, the real magic happens when greenery is incorporated into those hardscapes. “That’s what makes a total space outside,” says Wes. For him, it’s the plants that make a space feel inviting and alive.
Scheming up an outdoor living space? Ask yourself these questions, first.
1. How do you really spend your time?
Outdoor kitchens are all the rage. But if you’re not into cooking, you might get more value from something else.
Does your family love streaming music and binging shows on Netflix? Why not gather in an outdoor den—complete with a big, comfy couch, flat-screen TV, and speakers?
Always entertaining? Maybe your outdoor dream space involves a long farmhouse table with plenty of mood lighting and spaces for guests to sit and visit.
Happy campers? Make sure a firepit for weeknight s’mores is on your must-have list!
Say you do love to cook? Would your dream kitchen need a grill, a wood-fired pizza oven, a smoker, a gas range—or all of the above?
A good landscape designer will ask questions about your lifestyle. For best results, take time to observe your family’s natural habits and priorities before you start this conversation.
2. What will you look at?
You can build the most impressive outdoor space you can afford. But if it looks out onto a bland vista, it won’t have the same impact as it would with a pleasant view. Fortunately, even a simple planting plan can make a huge difference.
While planning your dream space, remember to plan the scene it overlooks. Ask yourself, what will be the focal point? What plants and hardscapes will look best? A professional landscape designer can take the guesswork out of this part, though plenty of people consider this the “fun part” and enjoy the challenge of doing it themselves. It’s up to you.
Either way, every great landscape starts with great soil. “One of the first materials we get on site when we start a new project is soil mix from Penick Organics” says Wes. “We use their Loamate 99% of the time. It’s just an easy, good mix. It works. You can tell it has really good stuff in it that all plants need,” he says. “It helps break down the heavy clay and provide more oxygen to the plants.”
3. Do you have any drainage issues?
“There’s more involved than just making a place pretty,” cautions Wes. “It really matters how water drains across your yard,” he says. When it comes to outdoor living, unwanted water can quickly ruin your good time.
Before starting any major landscape project, Wes advises doing everything you can to anticipate and address potential drainage issues. “Drainage can cause issues down the road. We try to catch them on the front end,” he says.
Is there a place in your yard that mysteriously stays soggy? Do storms wash out your beds, leaving trails of displaced soil? Do you see any erosion?
Whether you’re planning to DIY or bring in a pro, be sure drainage gets its due diligence. You don’t want to be standing in water—and neither do your plants. “A lot of people don’t realize that’s one of the easier ways to kill a plant: Too much water,” says Wes. “If you don’t have good drainage, your plants will die.”
Fortunately, there’s a solution for most every problem, from downspouts to French drains to rain chains. One of Wes’s favorite options? A rock bed to carry water away—because they make a beautiful design statement, rain or shine. ”Using river rocks and boulders just gives another element to the landscape,” Wes says.
Ready, Set, Plan!
To sum it up, follow these steps to give your outdoor living plans a well-thought-out start:
Gather inspiration for your outdoor dream space—and the view it overlooks.
Reflect on your family’s lifestyle and habits.
Decide how much (if any) to DIY.
Note drainage patterns and potential problems.
Insist on great soil—whether adding new beds, or replanting mature ones.
What do you say? Garden party at your place?
To contact Wes or learn more about Madison Landscape Co, visit https://madisonlandscapeco.com/.