If you could design your dream backyard in 2026, what would it look like?

Would it be a cozy garden escape filled with hydrangeas and hedges? A wellness retreat with a sauna and plunge pool? Or maybe a low-maintenance outdoor living space where you can relax without constantly worrying about upkeep?

According to senior landscape designers Becca Bastyr and Heather Sweeney from Mom’s Design Build, the answer is probably a little bit of all of those things. Homeowners in Minnesota are reimagining their backyards in ways that prioritize comfort, beauty, and everyday usability, and the trends emerging in 2026 reflect a shift in how people want to live outdoors.

Instead of flashy, over-the-top designs, landscapes are becoming more intentional, more personal, and a lot cozier.

The Dream Minnesota Backyard in 2026

Being that these two are some of the most award-winning designers in the Midwest with 20+ years of luxury design experience, they both have seen it all when it comes to landscape design.

When asked what they would include if they were designing their own yard in 2026, both designers immediately lit up with ideas. And interestingly, their visions had a lot in common: spaces that feel comfortable, timeless, and deeply connected to nature.

Becca imagines a yard that feels almost like a classic garden estate. She talks about formal raised planting beds, a potting shed tucked into the landscape, hedges that give the space structure, and a plunge pool perfect for quick dips during warm Minnesota summers. There’s a screen porch for bug-free evenings, a traditional pergola, and an outdoor kitchen where friends and family naturally gather.

The materials would feel timeless – natural stone paired with clay pavers, gas lanterns casting a warm glow at night, and even a wood-burning outdoor fireplace. For areas that see lots of entertaining and activity, she’d incorporate synthetic turf to keep things practical without sacrificing beauty. And of course, there would be a sauna, which is quickly becoming one of the most requested outdoor features.

Heather’s dream yard shares that same cozy energy, but with a slightly different focus. For her, the goal is creating a space that feels calm and effortless. She imagines a sauna, a gas fire pit, and outdoor spaces designed to feel almost completely bug-free. Low maintenance is key. Less fuss, less stress, and more time actually enjoying the backyard.

The Minnesota Landscape Is Becoming a Four-Season Space

One of the biggest shifts happening right now in landscape design is the desire to extend the outdoor season. Minnesota homeowners aren’t satisfied with just a few months of patio weather anymore.

Designers are creating spaces that can be used comfortably from spring through fall, and sometimes even into winter.

Covered patios and pavilions are becoming essential. Homeowners want protection from rain, snow, and harsh sun while still feeling connected to the outdoors. Features like vinyl automated screen systems, fireplaces, infrared heaters, and outdoor ceiling fans are helping stretch the usable season from March well into November.

Saunas Vs Hot Tubs

If there’s one feature that clearly stands out as a defining trend for 2026, it’s the rise of outdoor saunas.

While hot tubs once dominated backyard wellness spaces, many homeowners are now leaning toward saunas paired with plunge pools or cold plunges. The shift reflects a broader focus on wellness, recovery, and creating calming spaces at home.

Real Materials 

Another trend designers are seeing is a strong move toward materials that feel authentic and long-lasting.

People are becoming more selective about what they use in their landscapes. Instead of quick, inexpensive solutions, homeowners want materials that will age beautifully over time and give their space personality.

Natural stone is becoming increasingly popular, especially full-color bluestone and detailed masonry work. Clay pavers mixed with stone create texture and character, while outdoor spaces are starting to incorporate materials you might not expect, like marble patios or pine ceilings inside covered structures.

The goal is no longer to create something generic. Homeowners want their outdoor spaces to feel curated and specific to them.

We’re Leaning Away From Minimalism

While many design trends come and go, one principle continues to guide landscape design: the outdoor space should respect the architecture of the home.

Heather explains that in most projects, the design team starts by studying the house itself. The style, materials, and proportions of the home naturally influence the direction of the landscape.

That said, homeowners are currently leaning toward warmer, more detailed styles. Traditional architecture, cottage-inspired gardens, and cozy outdoor rooms are becoming more popular than stark, minimal, modern spaces.

Darker woods, richer textures, and more intricate detailing are replacing the minimalist look that dominated outdoor design for years.

Color Is Getting Warmer

If you’ve noticed gray tones slowly disappearing from design magazines, you’re not imagining things.

In landscape design, cool gray palettes are giving way to warmer neutrals. Think beige, taupe, and soft natural stone tones instead of gray, and rich brown woods.

These warmer backgrounds are then accented with rich colors in plants and materials. Deep greens, blues, and burgundy tones are showing up more often, giving outdoor spaces depth and warmth.

Plantings Are Charming

Becca sees a lot of inspiration coming from English garden traditions. Structured planting beds filled with hydrangeas, allium, and geraniums create a refined but natural look. Green and white plant combinations are especially popular for homeowners who want a classic, elegant garden.

Heather also notices many clients gravitating toward purples and pinks. Lavender tones and soft blooms create a soothing atmosphere that helps people relax after long days.

The Features Everyone Is Asking For

Even with all these new trends, some outdoor features remain consistently popular.

What we forsee dominating landscape design in 2026? Here’s what we call the “Mom’s Special”: 

• Patios are still the heart of the backyard, usually paired with a fire element and carefully designed lighting
• Outdoor kitchens continue to be a favorite for entertaining
• Covered porches and/or poolside pavilions that provide shade, shelter, and an accessible restroom for days outside
• Automated motorized screens are highly requested as they keep the rain, Minnesota bugs, and snow out
• A full-size or plunge pool
• Lastly, stunning plants surrounding the space

Another feature gaining serious momentum is the use of large bifold doors that open the house completely to the backyard. These doors blur the boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces, making the entire home feel bigger and more connected to nature.

Where Homeowners Are Investing First

Not every landscape project happens all at once. Many homeowners choose to build their outdoor spaces in phases, focusing first on the areas they’ll use every day.

Decks and patios are usually the starting point because they create immediate living space outside. Once those foundational areas are complete, additional features like gardens, structures, and specialty elements can be added over time.

Designers also consider the construction process carefully when planning phased projects, making sure the first stage sets up the rest of the landscape for success.

One Trend Designers Would Happily Leave Behind

Every designer has at least one trend they secretly hope disappears.

For Becca and Heather, that trend is composite decking.

While it’s widely used, many homeowners feel it lacks the warmth and authenticity of natural materials. Instead, they prefer hardwood decking like IPE, a dense tropical wood known for its durability and beautiful natural appearance.

There’s also a growing sense that ultra-modern white kitchens and sterile outdoor spaces are starting to feel dated. Homeowners want warmth, personality, and character instead.

The Biggest Mindset Shift in Outdoor Design

Perhaps the most important shift happening in landscape design isn’t a specific material or feature. It’s a change in how people think about outdoor spaces.

We are encouraging homeowners to embrace the natural aging process of materials. Stone will develop moss. Wood will weather. Tiny cracks will appear in masonry over time.

Instead of trying to fight those changes, the new philosophy is to accept them as part of the beauty of the landscape.

Outdoor environments are living, evolving spaces. And in 2026, that natural evolution is something designers are celebrating rather than hiding.

What’s Inspiring Designers Right Now

For Becca Bastyr, inspiration often comes from England. Traditional English gardens, with their natural stone paths, lush plantings, and classical statues, embrace the imperfect beauty of nature. They feel timeless and deeply connected to the landscape.

Heather Sweeney finds inspiration in something more personal: solving problems for her clients. Whether it’s designing a greenhouse retreat, creating better spaces for entertaining, or helping families spend more meaningful time outdoors, she loves turning ideas into places that make people genuinely happy.

Backyards are no longer just something nice to look at, they’re becoming the spaces where people relax, recharge, gather, and truly live.