Yardzen’s 2025 Outdoor Living Predictions: The Rise of the Rewilded Yard

As we move into 2025, a bold new vision for outdoor spaces is taking root. Homeowners are seeking a deeper connection to nature, with their yards serving as both a backdrop and a gathering force. Yardzen’s design and style teams predict a transformative shift toward what we’re calling the Rewilded Yard—a landscape that celebrates the vibrant beauty of nature and design elements that foster spontaneity, biodiversity, and year-round connection.

In this trend prediction, we’ll explore the form and function of the rewilded yard, illustrating how it invites a new way of living outdoors. From organic shapes to natural textures, here’s what to expect in outdoor design for 2025.

The Rewilded Yard draws inspiration from the natural world, embracing its organic beauty. Picture boulders, native plants, wildflower meadows, and freeform landscapes that foster a sense of connection to the earth. Moving beyond the rigid rules of modern design (we like those, too!), the rewilded yard celebrates eclectic forms—landscapes where plantings evolve with the seasons, and natural materials like stone, wood, and gravel take center stage.

This approach to landscaping is more than just a visual style—it’s a way of living. The rewilded yard fosters biodiversity, supports local wildlife, and deepens our relationship with nature. It’s a vision of the future, where outdoor spaces not only provide beauty and function but also contribute to the health of the planet. By embracing sustainable design principles, homeowners are investing in the ecological well-being of both their communities and the world at large.

Supporting Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health

The rise of the rewilded yard can be linked to a growing recognition of its ecological benefits. A study by the Royal Horticultural Society (2020) found that rewilding gardens with native plants and wildlife-friendly features supports biodiversity, reduces carbon footprints, and helps mitigate the impacts of climate change. As climate change accelerates, many homeowners are turning to sustainable practices that can make their yards part of the solution. According to the National Wildlife Federation, more than 40% of species in the U.S. are at risk due to habitat loss, which makes creating wildlife-friendly landscapes an increasingly urgent task.

At the heart of the rewilded yard is biophilic design—a principle that incorporates elements of nature into built environments to enhance human well-being. Research has shown that spaces mimicking nature, with soft lines, organic shapes, and varied textures, can reduce stress, boost creativity, and improve overall health (Kellert et al., 2011). According to Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, exposure to nature can lower blood pressure, reduce mental fatigue, and increase feelings of happiness and satisfaction. These effects have led many designers to advocate for biophilic approaches to landscaping as a means to promote both personal and environmental well-being.

In the rewilded yard, this principle manifests through biomorphic design—winding pathways that echo the curves of rivers, plantings arranged in gentle, asymmetrical groupings, and garden beds that resemble natural meadows. These elements create a space that feels restorative and grounding.

Materials like wood, stone, and gravel not only add visual interest—they also nurture emotional and mental health. The presence of these tactile materials and the use of designs that mirror the randomness of nature help foster a deeper connection to the environment, promoting a sense of peace and contentment. Studies from the University of Queensland (2015) suggest that even small interactions with nature can have profound psychological benefits, such as reduced stress levels and improved mental clarity.

From Yardzen’s Design Director, Kevin Lenhart: Biophilic Design Principles

• Framing Views & Creating Focal Points: Framing your landscape with clear focal points and encouraging long, soothing views from intimate spaces promotes a sense of refuge. This aligns with our innate need for safety and relaxation, while also sparking curiosity (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989). Research shows that visual access to nature, such as framed views of trees or meadows, can reduce mental fatigue and improve focus (Ulrich, 1984).

• Curves Over Straight Lines: Biomorphic forms—shapes that mimic the human body—will continue to influence landscaping and architecture. Soft, curving lines have a calming effect on the mind, making outdoor spaces feel more nurturing and restorative. The preference for curves over straight lines is grounded in studies showing that natural, irregular shapes stimulate positive emotional responses, while rigid geometry may create tension (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989).

• Fractals and Repetition: Repeated natural patterns (like fern leaves or tree branches) resonate with our brains, offering comfort and reducing stress. The use of fractal-like patterns—both large and small—adds a natural rhythm to the design that feels instinctively soothing. A study by Taylor et al. (2015) found that exposure to fractal patterns in nature can reduce cognitive fatigue and improve concentration.

• Color: Sage green, in particular, is gaining popularity as a neutral exterior color. This earthy hue blends seamlessly with surrounding landscapes and complements biophilic design, promoting harmony between home and nature. According to color psychology research, green tones are linked to feelings of tranquility and balance, making them a perfect choice for outdoor spaces intended to reduce stress (Holt, 2005).

With a growing focus on sustainability, homeowners are moving away from sterile concrete slabs in favor of materials that feel more connected to nature. Pavers, aggregate materials, and permeable surfaces are becoming increasingly popular, not only for their aesthetic appeal but for their environmental benefits. These materials allow water to filter through, reducing runoff and promoting groundwater retention, while creating a warmer, more inviting feel underfoot (Sutton-Grier et al., 2015). Studies show that permeable paving can reduce surface runoff by up to 90%, contributing to water conservation efforts in urban areas (EPA, 2019).

Rough-textured materials like cobbles and irregular pavers are also on the rise. These materials evoke a sense of history and natural randomness, grounding us in a deeper connection to the earth. Regionally sourced stone and plants are also gaining attention, allowing homeowners to create landscapes that reflect the unique characteristics of their environment. The use of local materials is not only sustainable but also strengthens the connection between the landscape and its surroundings.

As cool grays give way to warmer neutrals—creamy whites, pale tans, and terracotta—outdoor spaces feel more inviting and tranquil, aligning with the natural aesthetic homeowners are gravitating toward.

Sustainability remains central to 2025’s outdoor design trends. With an increasing number of regions adopting regulations to mitigate runoff and capture groundwater, homeowners are turning to permeable surfaces like gravel paths and pavers. These surfaces help prevent flooding while minimizing the environmental footprint of their properties (Ferguson, 2005). According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), permeable paving solutions can significantly reduce urban heat islands and help manage stormwater runoff.

Water management isn’t limited to hardscaping, either. Incorporating water features like ponds, fountains, or small streams offers both aesthetic beauty and environmental benefits, helping regulate local water cycles and contributing to overall landscape health. In regions facing droughts or water scarcity, water features that recycle water—like closed-loop systems or rainwater harvesting—are becoming increasingly popular.

While modern formal gardens remain popular, we’re seeing a shift toward blending structured, clean lines with more organic elements. Modern designs are being softened with curved plant beds, varied plantings, and materials that evoke nature’s spontaneity. This balance between order and organic chaos allows homeowners to retain a sense of sophistication while embracing the restorative power of nature.

Similarly, the use of reclaimed materials is gaining traction. Whether it’s repurposing old pavers or refurbishing decking, using materials with a history creates a sense of warmth and authenticity in the yard, helping homeowners build a connection not only with nature but with the stories their spaces tell.

A rewilded yard celebrates the ever-changing cycles of nature. In 2025, there’s a growing appreciation for the subtle shifts that occur throughout the year. Yardzen designs celebrate cooler months with plant selections that highlight the beauty of dormant trees, frosted grasses, and the quiet landscapes of winter. This “bare” landscape, once overlooked, invites pause and reflection, with trees’ striking bark textures and dormant grasses offering rich texture to the environment.

According to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), 75% of homeowners now consider outdoor living spaces just as important as interior spaces when designing their homes. Over the past few years, Yardzen has seen a growing trend of homeowners designing outdoor rooms that function as true extensions of their homes. Among the most requested features, fire pits top the list, followed closely by outdoor dining areas. Whether it’s hosting a meal or gathering around the fire on a chilly evening, these spaces invite people to spend time together outdoors year-round, deepening their connection to nature and one another.

A rewilded yard isn’t just about visual beauty—it’s about creating spaces that promote well-being. Cozy corners, intimate seating areas, and shaded retreats provide a sanctuary for rest and reflection. By designing with wellness in mind, the rewilded yard becomes a restorative environment that supports both mental and emotional health.

Clear focal points, long views, and garden pathways that lead to quiet, secluded spaces all contribute to the sense of refuge. These elements invite us to slow down, reconnect, and recharge in nature.

The indoor/outdoor connection continues to be a focal point in Yardzen’s designs, but the rewilded yard goes beyond simple transitions between spaces. Homeowners want to feel as though their homes are embedded in nature, not merely adjacent to it. Large windows, biophilic design features, and natural materials are used to create a seamless flow between interior and exterior spaces, dissolving the boundary between the two. 

The goal is to immerse yourself in nature, whether through garden rooms that feel intimate and enveloping, or outdoor kitchens and living areas that bring the warmth of indoors into the natural world. Using materials like stone, wood, and metal inside and outside creates a seamless experience that connects the home with its surroundings.

References

• American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). (2023). “Homeowners increasingly demand multifunctional outdoor spaces.”
• EPA. (2019). “Green Infrastructure and Permeable Pavement.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
• Ferguson, B. (2005). Porous Pavements. CRC Press.
• Holt, N. (2005). “The Color Green: A Psychological Overview.” Journal of Environmental Psychology, 25(1), 35-50.
• Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective. Cambridge University Press.
• Kellert, S. R., Heerwagen, J. H., & Mador, M. L. (2011). Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science, and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life. Wiley.
• Royal Horticultural Society. (2020). “Gardening for Biodiversity.”
• Sutton-Grier, A. E., et al. (2015). Climate Change and Coastal Ecosystems: Impacts, Management, and Adaptation. Springer.
• Taylor, J., et al. (2015). “The Healing Power of Fractals: Understanding Nature’s Influence on Well-Being.” Nature and Health Journal, 42(3), 13-20.
• Ulrich, R. S. (1984). “View through a window may influence recovery from surgery.” Science, 224(4647), 420-421.