In 2025, landscaping is more than just planting—it’s about purposefully designing outdoor spaces that support your lifestyle, reflect your taste, and feel like a natural extension of your home. And at Sunnyside Gardens, we’re seeing one area of our business shine especially bright: hardscaping.
From patios to walkways to built-in fire features, hardscaping is the foundation of your outdoor design—and this year’s trends are all about beauty, function, and thoughtful materials. Whether you’re dreaming of a backyard gathering space or a quiet personal retreat, here are five must-know landscaping trends shaping 2025.
Peace, privacy, and purpose are at the heart of this trend. Landscapes are being designed with movement and mindfulness in mind. Think: flat surfaces for yoga or stretching, intentional walking paths, and cozy corners for quiet reflection. Incorporating elements like water features, shade structures, or garden screening creates a tranquil environment where you can truly unwind.
- Design tip: Use pavers, gravel, or natural stone to define zones while keeping things low-maintenance and visually calm.
More and more homeowners are treating the outdoors like a true extension of the indoors. Full outdoor kitchens, built-in pizza ovens, oversized sectionals, and dining sets are transforming patios into gathering hubs. Whether it’s a fireplace for chilly nights or a pergola for shade and style, the key is comfort and cohesion.
- Design tip: Define your outdoor “rooms” with stone or brick patios and incorporate lighting and greenery to tie it all together.
Rustic charm meets timeless appeal. Artisan brickwork is making a strong comeback in 2025, thanks to its durability, texture, and classic good looks. From winding garden paths to bold herringbone patios and brick driveways, the craftsmanship of hand-laid materials adds both function and sophistication to your landscape.
- Design tip: Pair classic brick with native plants and clean-lined furniture for a modern yet rooted aesthetic.
Lighting is going smarter and sleeker. From solar-powered path lights to low-profile LED uplighting, homeowners are embracing energy-efficient solutions that enhance both safety and ambiance. Today’s outdoor tech is subtle, stylish, and blends effortlessly into the landscape.
- Design tip: Highlight trees, walls, and water features with soft uplighting or integrate lights directly into hardscaping edges and steps.
With sustainability top of mind, 2025 landscapes are prioritizing eco-conscious choices. Locally sourced stone, reclaimed wood, and permeable pavers are not only beautiful—they reduce runoff, lower environmental impact, and often last longer. Paired with native plantings, these materials help support pollinators and create a space that feels naturally connected to the Minnesota environment.
- Design tip: Ask about permeable options for patios and driveways to improve drainage and reduce erosion while staying on trend.
Ready to Reimagine Your Outdoor Space?
Sunnyside’s landscape design team specializes in thoughtful, on-trend hardscaping projects that elevate your home and garden. Whether you’re planning a new patio or a full outdoor kitchen, we’re here to bring your dream landscape to life—beautifully and sustainably.
Contact our Landscaping & Design team to get started.
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