The Top 5 Outdoor Design Trends for California Homes and Rentals, 2025 to 2030
Upwell Builders | Purpose-Driven Outdoor Construction and Design
Why Outdoor Space Is Now a Priority
Across California, outdoor space has become one of the most valuable and photographed parts of any home. Whether you’re entertaining guests, hosting short-term stays, or designing for your own daily rituals, outdoor zones are now central to both livability and market value.
According to AirDNA, STRs with upgraded outdoor areas command up to 18 percent higher nightly rates. On the residential side, Zillow reports that thoughtful landscaping and hardscaping are among the top drivers of resale value in Los Angeles, San Diego, and coastal markets.
1. Walled Garden Rooms
Mood: Private, immersive, grounded
Inspired by the courtyards of Comuna in Oaxaca, the privacy design of Habitas Hotels, and the layered texture of homes by Studio KO, walled garden rooms create intimacy in open space. Clay or plaster walls define outdoor “rooms” for gathering, reading, or rinsing off after a swim.
Why it works:
Offers calm and privacy, even in dense neighborhoods
Supports spatial layering with plants, lighting, and furniture
Feels rooted in place, not add-on
Design validation: The 2025 Interiors Forecast from WGSN highlights outdoor enclosures as a key component of “climate-adapted residential design.” Homes in Dwell and Sight Unseen frequently feature garden walls to control wind, views, and sound.
2. Built-In Seating and Fire Zones
Mood: Social, sculptural, low-maintenance
Instead of portable furniture, more properties are adopting fixed bench seating and integrated fire features—like those found in projects by Norm Architects, Taller Héctor Barroso, or Sarah Solis Design Studio. These elements photograph cleanly and offer easy maintenance over time.
What the data says: Listings on Airbnb Luxe and curated platforms like Welcome Beyond prioritize built-in lounge features. Outdoor fire elements are also among the top-searched amenities on Booking.com.
3. Breezeblocks and Shadowplay
Mood: Graphic, textural, semi-private
Clay and cement screen blocks from brands like Clé Tile, Zia Tile, and Riad Tile are defining modern outdoor walls, fences, and shower enclosures. Their openness allows light, wind, and shadow to play across surfaces, creating a living texture that shifts throughout the day.
Market insight: Clé reports a 2024 sales spike in cement breeze blocks for outdoor projects in the Southwest. Projects featured in Dezeen and Architectural Digest often use screen blocks to balance openness and shelter in warm climates.
4. Outdoor Showers and Wellness Zones
Mood: Refreshing, elemental, guest-ready
Outdoor showers are no longer limited to beach bungalows. Inspired by boutique hotel design from Casa Cook, Paradero Hotels, and Aman Kyoto, outdoor rinse areas now bring spa energy to everyday living.
Performance data: According to Skift Research, outdoor showers are among the top 5 features mentioned positively in guest reviews for luxury rentals. Designers like Kathryn Tyler (Linea Studio) are integrating them into compact courtyards and side yards as everyday rituals.
5. Natural Ground Materials and Drought-Friendly Landscaping
Mood: Tactile, regional, low-water
More homes and rentals are moving away from poured concrete and artificial turf. Surfaces like decomposed granite, lava rock, gravel, and reclaimed stone offer permeability, visual texture, and a regional feel. These materials are central to projects by Terremoto, Super Natural Design, and Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos.
Backed by industry: The Houzz U.S. Landscaping Trends Report notes a steady decline in turf and concrete requests, and a rise in crushed stone and DG finishes in California’s coastal counties.
Who This Is For
These trends support both personal use and investment value. Whether you’re a homeowner creating your own retreat or a rental host improving guest experience, the goal is the same—make the outside feel like a natural extension of your home, not an afterthought.
What Upwell Builds
We build outdoor environments that look good, hold up, and feel complete. That includes:
Built-in bench seating with fire basins
Natural stone paths and DG patios
Outdoor showers finished in microcement or tadelakt
Landscape layouts that emphasize form, shade, and photography
All packages are designed for California’s climate and install-ready. Most are completed within 3 to 5 days.
Want to create an outdoor space that actually gets used?