2026 Outdoor Living Trends for Middle Tennessee Homeowners

If your outdoor spaces are on your mind, you’re not alone. With the glimpses of warmer weather already popping up, maybe you’re dreaming of an outdoor space that isn’t just beautiful, but built for everyday living. At Annabelle Landscapes, we’ve been designing and building custom outdoor spaces across neighborhoods like Arrington, Franklin, Belle Meade, and Brentwood for years, and here are the trends we’re watching in 2026.

1. Outdoor Rooms That Feel More Like Extra Squarefootage 

In 2026, outdoor living means more than just a patio. More and more homeowners are focusing on real comfort, places to relax, cook, host, and gather.

Popular features we’re installing in places like Forest Hills and Nolensville include:

• Covered pavilions with ceiling fans and TVs
• Outdoor kitchens with grills, pizza ovens, bars, and prep areas
• Built-in seating and custom patios using our favorite pavers by Belgard
  

Speaking of outdoor kitchens, here’s a recent project we finished in Nashville and love how it came together. Whether it’s for entertaining or quiet mornings with a coffee, for many of our customers, outdoor spaces are becoming their new favorite “room” of the house.

2. Low-Maintenance Landscaping That Lasts

A beautiful yard shouldn’t be a full-time job, so we design landscapes with native plants, efficient irrigation, and long-term structure.

In areas like Nashville and Franklin, clients are loving:

• Evergreen shrubs for year-round structure
• Drought-tolerant grasses that reduce water use
• Rain Bird irrigation systems for hands-off care
  

The right plant schedule and mulch layout can make a huge difference too, especially with Tennessee’s notoriously unpredictable weather. 

3. Fire Features That Bring People Together

Fire pits, fireplaces, and fire tables are still going strong but now they’re being integrated more seamlessly into hardscape designs.

We’re crafting cozy fire zones for families across Brentwood and Arrington that include:

• Gas fire bowls with easy ignition
• Natural stone fire pits with wraparound seating
• Patio-level fireplaces for four-season use

They’re functional, stylish, and perfect for extending your outdoor living season. 

4. Lighting That Showcases Your Investment

In neighborhoods like Belle Meade and Forest Hills, outdoor lighting has become one of our most-requested upgrades. It’s not just about security, it’s about ambiance and highlighting the investment you’ve made to have a beautiful home and landscape.

Popular lighting designs include:

• Tree uplighting for accents
• Step and path lighting for safety and style
• Café string lights for a warm, inviting glow

Lighting is what makes a space feel finished and lets you enjoy it long after sunset.

5. Smarter, More Sustainable Features

Advancements in technology don’t stop inside. Smart home features and improved materials can extend to your outdoor spaces. In College Grove and Nolensville, we’re seeing requests for these top smart landscape features in 2026:

• Artificial turf in shady or high-traffic areas
• App-controlled lighting and irrigation systems
• Permeable pavers that support drainage and reduce runoff, perfect for managing Tennessee’s heavy rains without sacrificing aesthetics 

These upgrades reduce maintenance and support a more sustainable lifestyle without sacrificing curb appeal.

Build the Outdoor Space You’ve Been Dreaming About

These trends are a practical and timeless investment, and designed for the way you actually live. Our team at Annabelle Landscapes is here to help you design and build an outdoor space that feels like an extension of your home. From hardscaping and lighting to landscaping and drainage, we do it all, and we do it right. Give us a call to schedule your consultation today - 615-618-5776.

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