Exterior Design: The Biggest Backyard Trends for 2026
Thanks to Elle Decor for including Daunt Designs in their latest story on exterior design. Elle Decor talked to architects, interior designers, landscapers, and deck builders to find out exactly what's trending in the backyard in 2026.
Elle Decor | The Biggest Backyard Trends for 2026, According to Designers
Adriena Daunt, principal designer at Daunt Designs in Montana, says her new builds routinely include covered patios with separate areas for cooking, dining, fireplace lounging, and a hot tub or sauna. Bigger projects get a yoga deck next to the gym or a private hot tub off the primary suite. In Montana, Daunt reaches for granite, quartzite, and weather-resistant woods. "We're lucky here that the landscape is the star when clients are outdoors," she says.
Daunt describes the ideal outdoor space in 2026 as something that works in every season: "a summer evening spent barbecuing, dining and sitting by the fire; a crisp fall morning practicing yoga; a spring afternoon spent open-water swimming from the lakeshore; or a winter cold plunge followed by a sauna session." In some of her larger projects, the wellness programming is baked into the architecture itself. For example, ski-adjacent homes get heated walkways and a fire pit at the ski-in access point, so the transition from slope to relaxation is seamless.
If you’re looking for professional interior design help for your custom home build, contact Daunt Designs.
Exterior Design FAQs
How do you create a cohesive flow between interior and exterior spaces?
Outdoor spaces should feel like a natural continuation of the interior - both visually and functionally. Designers do this by aligning materials, tones, and architectural language so there’s a seamless transition from inside to out. It’s less about “decorating a patio” and more about designing an additional living space. That could mean carrying through flooring tones, wood species, or color palettes to visually connect the spaces.
What outdoor features add the most value to a home?
Spaces that support how you actually live tend to add the most value. Outdoor kitchens, covered dining areas, and well-designed lounge spaces consistently elevate both usability and resale. In mountain environments like Montana, features that extend seasonal use - such as fire elements or recreational spaces that can be used in winter - are especially impactful.
How can exterior design support wellness and daily routines?
When thoughtfully designed, outdoor spaces can become part of your daily rhythm. Whether it’s a quiet morning coffee spot, a place to unwind at the end of the day, or a dedicated area for movement or recovery, these environments should feel intentional and private - designed to support both activity and stillness.
What’s the biggest mistake homeowners make with exterior design?
Treating it as an afterthought. Exterior spaces are often considered late in the process, which limits what’s possible. The most successful projects integrate exterior design from the beginning - ensuring it’s cohesive with the architecture, the interiors, and the way the home is meant to be lived in.
