What We're Building Most in 2026
Every year, I track what clients are requesting, what designs they choose, and what they end up loving most. After another hundred-plus projects, here's what's defining outdoor living in Los Angeles for 2026.
Trend #1: The Icy-Hot Wellness Setup
Cold plunge plus hot spa. This combination went from niche to mainstream in 2025, and it's accelerating. About 35% of our pool projects now include dedicated cold plunge, up from maybe 5% in 2022.
The wellness movement is real. Clients are investing in contrast therapy at home—cycling between 104°F spa and 52°F plunge. The setup costs $35,000-50,000 for both with proper chillers, and people use it daily.
Trend #2: Multi-Zone Backyards
Gone are the days of 'pool and patio.' Clients want distinct zones:
- Lounge zone: Fire pit, deep seating, conversation area
- Dining zone: Outdoor table, usually under pergola or umbrella
- Cooking zone: Built-in BBQ, counter space, refrigeration
- Play zone: Turf area for kids/pets, sometimes putting green
- Water zone: Pool, spa, or water feature
The design challenge is creating flow between zones without feeling cramped. On 1/4-acre lots, this takes careful planning. It's what separates amateur designs from professional ones.
Trend #3: Black Aluminum Pergolas
Black aluminum has taken over. Wood pergolas still exist, but probably 70% of our pergola projects now are powder-coated aluminum in matte black or dark bronze. Why?
- Zero maintenance (no staining, sealing, replacing)
- Sleek modern aesthetic that photographs well
- Better for integrated lighting and fans
- 15+ year lifespan without deterioration
- Available with louvered or solid roof options
The price premium over wood is about 20%, but lifetime cost is lower. Clients who do the math choose aluminum.
Trend #4: Smart Everything
Pool automation, landscape lighting control, and smart irrigation are now expected, not upgrades. Clients want phone control of:
- Pool temperature, jets, lights, and cleaning cycles
- Landscape and patio lighting scenes
- Irrigation schedules and rain sensors
- Outdoor music systems
- Garage/gate integration
We're building in the infrastructure during construction because retrofitting is expensive. Even if clients don't want smart controls now, we run the wiring for later.
Trend #5: Sustainable Materials
This one's growing fast. LA homeowners increasingly ask about:
- Reclaimed wood for accents and furniture
- Recycled content pavers (several manufacturers now offer these)
- Drought-tolerant native landscaping (bye-bye grass)
- Solar integration for pool heating
- Permeable pavers for stormwater management
It's not just environmental consciousness—many of these options also save money long-term.
Elan helped us design zones that actually work for our lifestyle. The lounge area gets used more than we expected. — Christine A., via Google
What's Fading Out
Some trends are definitely losing popularity:
- All-concrete patios: Pavers or stone now preferred for aesthetics and repairability
- Basic kidney pools: Geometric and freeform custom shapes dominate
- Standalone fire pits: Integrated fire features into seating walls trending instead
- Traditional lawns: Turf or drought-tolerant landscaping replacing grass
- Single-use spaces: Multi-function zones preferred
The Trend That's Actually Worth It
If I had to pick one trend that delivers the most value, it's the shade/comfort investment. Clients who spend $15,000-25,000 on a quality pergola, heaters, and fans use their outdoor space 3x more than those who don't.
LA is sunny. That's great, but it also means summer afternoons are unusable without shade. And winter evenings are cold without heaters. The clients who invest in comfort actually live in their backyards.
Watch the Transformation
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most popular backyard feature in 2026?
Cold plunge + spa combinations are the fastest-growing request, followed by multi-zone designs with dedicated cooking, lounging, and dining areas.
Are wood pergolas still popular?
Still available, but 70% of our pergola projects are now aluminum. Lower maintenance and better for integrated features.
Should I invest in smart pool controls?
Yes—at minimum, have the wiring installed during construction. The convenience is worth it, and retrofitting is expensive.
What backyard trends are going away?
All-concrete patios, basic pool shapes, standalone fire pits, and traditional grass lawns are declining in favor of more customized options.
What's the best ROI backyard investment?
Shade and comfort features like pergolas, heaters, and fans. They dramatically increase how often you actually use the space.
