Featuring Heather Sweeney, Senior Landscape Designer at Mom’s Design Build – The Midwest’s Most Awarded Design Build Firm
Minnesota summers are sacred. And if you’re ready to invest in an outdoor space that brings comfort, beauty, and serious wow-factor to all four seasons, 2025 is your year.
We sat down with Heather Sweeney, Senior Landscape Designer at Mom’s Design Build, to explore the top outdoor living trends homeowners are loving right now—and how to make your own luxury backyard design a reality.
With 20 years of design experience under her belt, Heather testifies that now more than ever, homeowners want something to be proud of—and a place to have fun.
From elevated entertainment spaces to bold design statements, here are the top 10 outdoor living trends we’re seeing this season.
Wellness-Focused Outdoor Spaces
In 2025, your backyard isn’t just for grilling burgers—it’s for restoring your body and mind. Cold plunge pools, hot tubs, outdoor saunas, and even gyms or pickleball courts are becoming must-haves.
Heather says, “We’re seeing more and more people investing in spaces that support wellness and total relaxation.” People are searching for peaceful environments that encourage movement and meaningful conversation—a welcome escape from the fast-paced demands of everyday life.
Imagine stepping into a backyard designed to help you unwind and recharge. Whether it’s an area for yoga, a multipurpose court, or a cold plunge followed by a hot sauna session, your backyard can become your personal wellness sanctuary.
Lounge Pools for Post-Kid Living
The rise of the “adult pool” is real. Lounge pools are smaller and more intimate than traditional lap pools, and are designed for relaxation, not cannonballs. Perfect for homeowners whose kids have flown the nest, these pools offer elegance, lower maintenance, and spa-like vibes.
They’re ideal for quiet evenings, cocktail hours, or simply soaking up the sun in style on your favorite floaty, bringing a resort-like feel to your own backyard.
Garden-Filled Yards and Easy Maintenance
Pollinator-friendly gardens, native plants, vertical herb walls, trellises covered in blooms, and edible landscaping—like herbs, veggies, and fruit trees—are all trending in a big way. Heather notes, “We’re designing more gardens than ever.” More and more, clients want to nurture nature and beauty in equal measure.
While Minnesota’s climate supports fruit trees like apple and varieties of cherries, pears, and plums, you can still incorporate other favorites like lemon trees by placing them in containers. These potted trees add instant curb appeal and can be thoughtfully positioned throughout your landscape. Another fun way to bring your garden to life? Add arched fencing and let vine-grown veggies like cucumbers or beans climb and flourish.
One classic that never goes out of style, and thrives in Minnesota, is the hydrangea. With so many varieties and colors to choose from, they offer a timeless and versatile way to enhance any garden.
Muted colors are also trending in garden design right now, offering a serene and cohesive look that complements a natural palette. Think white, soft pinks and purples, and lots of lush greenery.
And when it comes to low-maintenance solutions, the Mom’s design team shines. From choosing the right plants for your unique environment to smart design choices—like installing an autocover for your pool or skipping a louvered pergola under a large tree—we help you create a beautiful space that’s easier to care for and enjoy.
In need of garden maintenance and management? Check out Mom’s Fine Gardening
Seamlessly Blending Indoors and Out (Keeping Comfort in Mind)
“Most people don’t want to bake in the sun. Many want the option to get some relief and sit in the shade,” Heather says. Cue the rise of covered patios, operable screens, and massive sliding glass doors that blur the line between indoor and outdoor living.
“To make the outdoors perfect, I always start by asking what their interior looks like. From there, I ask questions like, ‘Do you like the style?’ or ‘Is this something you want to keep?’—even whether they’re planning to repaint,” she explains. Heather takes a holistic approach, drawing design cues from the interior because, ultimately, the outdoor space should function just like the indoors: cohesive, intentional, and reflective of the homeowner’s style.
“Your backyard should feel like an extension of your home and the things you love,” says Heather. That means perfectly aligned aesthetics—from flooring transitions to material palettes—ensuring a seamless and beautiful connection between inside and out.
Read more about why working with a landscape designer is your best investment here.
Smart Tech, Low-Stress Living
High-end backyards are getting tech-savvy—but staying simple. Smart irrigation systems that optimize water use, solar powered lighting, and built-in outdoor speakers are growing in popularity. But don’t worry: Heather insists on avoiding tech fatigue. “No one wants 12 remotes. We use smart switches to keep things easy and intuitive.”
Need comfort in all four of Minnesota’s seasons? Electric infrared heaters on dimmers keep your space warm year-round. They don’t just heat the air—they also warm the objects around them, so your seat stays toasty and cozy.
Investing in high-quality, comfortable outdoor furniture (read: not IKEA) makes all the difference. And don’t forget the ultimate cold-weather crowd-pleaser: an easy-switch gas fire pit!
Automated screens make indoor-outdoor living effortless. With the touch of a button, you can block out bugs, shield yourself from rain and wind, and enjoy your space year-round—without sacrificing fresh air or views.
Video by Spacecrafting – Landscape Architecture by Mom’s Design Build
Make It Your Own: Themed Spaces + Personal Touches
Today’s best backyards are bold, vibrant, and entirely personal. From layered planting schemes to sculptural focal points, every corner should reflect you.
Heather often asks clients, “What’s the one thing that makes a backyard special to you?” Whether it’s bright pops of color or custom finishes, personality matters. “Appliances aren’t just stainless anymore—they come in color,” she says.
Some homeowners are adding built-in bars, others are creating Mediterranean-inspired garden nooks, and many are leaning into cozy Southern charm—complete with hydrangeas, gas fire features, and warm beige tones.
Designers understand how you want to feel in your space, and they know how to make it function that way. Leave it to the experts to blend functionality with the feeling you want your outdoor space to embody.
Timeless Materials That Age With Grace
“People are done redoing their yard every 15 years,” Heather says. Today’s luxury outdoor design is all about longevity. Think: IPE or composite decking, aluminum siding, porcelain tile patios and outdoor kitchens (hello, low maintenance), intricate tile work, concrete patterns, and timeless color palettes.
Bold concrete patterns and warm beiges are in—gray is officially out. “Cozy, warm, and comfortable spaces are here to stay,” she adds. Creating ambiance is also key to making things feel timeless—landscape lighting is a great place to start.
A favorite pattern right now that’s built to last? Running bone. It looks effortless and clean using just one tile size, but it takes serious precision to execute properly, adding a bit of luxury to the mix.
Aging In Place + Flexible Design
Great design evolves with you. Whether you’re 40 or 70, your outdoor space should flex with your lifestyle. That means choosing materials and layouts that stay safe, stylish, and functional for decades.
Urban Solutions: Privacy, Noise + Comfort
City lot? No problem. Just because you’re in close quarters doesn’t mean you have to feel on display. Thoughtful privacy screens, the soothing sounds of a water feature to mask unwanted noise, and well-placed lighting can transform even the smallest yard into a space you want to be in.
The Ultimate 2025 Backyard Checklist & Looking Ahead
Heather’s dream yard? A pool, a pool house, a fire feature, and a screened-in deck that flows seamlessly from the house. “This combo is Mom’s sweet spot,” she says with a smile. Add custom lighting, raised veggie beds, and a killer sound system, and you’ve got a backyard retreat you’ll never want to leave.
Looking ahead, Heather sees design inspiration continuing to pull from both coasts: laid-back California luxury meets timeless New England comfort.
Ready to design your dream outdoor space?
Whether you want to host dinner parties under twinkle lights, soak in your hot tub under the stars, or simply enjoy your morning coffee in peace, Mom’s Design Build can help you get there. Work with our expert designers to bring your vision to life with functionality, style, and long-term value.
Because life is better lived outside.
