As the weather starts to cool down, there’s no better time to tackle a few yard upgrades. After all, prettier surroundings won’t just boost your curb appeal; it’ll encourage you to spend more time outdoors, which can help reduce stress and lower your blood pressure. But figuring out what to do with that blank canvas you call a lawn isn’t always so simple, which is why we turned to the pros to uncover some fresh inspo to carry us through fall. Here are the hottest landscaping trends of 2021, plus simple ways to bring the looks into your home.

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1. Moditerranean Style

Uh, moditerranean? It’s what landscaping service Yardzen describes as a modern take on Mediterranean style, where the look is streamlined to its simplest elements, and it’s quickly become one of the company’s most requested designs. Think clean lines, neutral colors—like greige-toned pea gravel and concrete paver paths—set against a backdrop of Mediterranean plants, like olive trees, rosemary and agave.

2. Social Front Yards

After COVID pressed pause on the concept of lingering in coffee shops, people sought out other “third places” for socially distant gathering—and the front yard became an obvious choice. Many people are adding Adirondack chairs, fire pits or bistro sets, creating designated areas to hang out and catch up with neighbors after a long day.

3. Privacy Hedges

On the flip side, just as much as we value the chance to connect with our community, sometimes you simply want to chill, undisturbed. And as many people turn their yards into their personal sanctuaries, it makes sense that Yelp has seen searches for hedges skyrocket (up 317 percent in March alone). Yelp surmises the reason behind this is that it’s less obtrusive than a fence, yet still offers a sense of privacy. And, we’d add, it adds to that feeling of having a lush oasis all to yourself.

4. Stonescaping

With droughts plaguing many parts of the U.S.—and considering how much water a typical lawn needs—more people are turning to hardscaping to conserve H2O, Yardzen reports. Adding gravel pathways or areas can help define the space better (say, creating a designated spot for your outdoor dining table or lounge chairs) and it’s practically zero maintenance.

5. Artificial Turf

OK, maybe you want to conserve water (and stop fighting to keep your lawn alive), but the thought of pavers or gravel covering your yard is a turnoff. Consider artificial turf—the startup costs are higher than laying sod (expect to spend about $12.33 per square foot, according to lawncare company LawnStarter), but it’s a lot less effort to maintain, particularly if you live in a dry area. Yelp reports that searches are up 75 percent over the past year, proving you’re not alone in dreaming of greener pastures.

6. Rewilding

While Yardzen first noticed this trend in 2020, it’s only gained momentum since. Rewilding is the act of adding native and climate-adapted plants to your yard. They’re more likely to thrive in your space, and—if you focus on planting pollinators—can attract birds, bees and hummingbirds to your yard. To find out which plants are native to your area, try the National Wildlife Federation’s Native Plant Finder.

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