Top 5 Outdoor Living Trends in Florida for 2026

Wondering if your Florida outdoor space is due for a refresh in 2026?

• No clean, modern lines in sight?

• Still sweating it out without shade?

• Missing the soothing sound of water in your backyard?

You’re in the right place.

Whether you live in Sarasota, Siesta Key, or Longboat Key, these outdoor living trends are transforming Florida backyards into stylish, functional retreats.

1. Geometric Designs Are Dominating 2026 Backyards

This design trend is everywhere right now, from bathroom tiles to modular furniture. It makes sense it would head outside to your Florida outdoor space, too. 

Pool sellers say everybody wants rectangular pools — no curves, please. 

Choose pavers in octagon or diamond shapes. Lay out a geometric garden design. Plop some geometric patterned pillows on your outdoor sofa. 

This is an easy and fun trend. Hop on board. 

2. Trendy Shade Structures That Combine Form & Function

No surprise here, right? It’s hot and sunny here in Sarasota. Everybody wants to incorporate shade in their Florida outdoor living, in ways that aren’t just practical, but pretty.

Here’s how to do it:

Try a Tiki Hut

Tikis are always trendy, with their thatched palm roofs and tropical vacation vibe. 

Sure, you’re doing something mundane, like unloading the dishwasher, but you’re mere steps away from the shady respite of your own backyard resort hangout.

Grab your sunglasses, mix up a mai tai, and turn on your “out of office” email reply. 

When it comes to trendy outdoor living, you can’t beat a tiki. 

Don’t forget to add festive bistro lighting along the roofline for extra sparkle at night.

Set Up Shade Sails

Shade sails are canvas or mesh shades attached to structures with stainless steel hardware so they cover and shade an area. 

They’re typically triangular. (See geometric shapes trend, above. Hit two trends in one!)

Extend the Florida outdoor living trend by layering several sails, overlapping each other and in different colors. Instant design element. 

Attach one corner to your house, another to a conveniently located palm or pergola.

Shade. Done

Plan a Pretty Pergola 

The ultimate Florida outdoor space, these trendy garden structures are made of vertical posts or pillars that support cross beams or lattice overhead. 

On a hot sunny day, a shady pergola offers overhead protection, filtering the light and lessening the sun’s intensity. They also add a great design element to your Florida outdoor living.
 
Pergolas can be big, nicely covering your entire outdoor kitchen or patio. Or they can be intimate and cozy, offering a perfect little haven for a shady getaway. 

Build a shade pergola right off your sliding patio doors so it isn’t so crazy hot out there when the sun beats down.

3. Sleek Landscape Lighting for Nighttime Ambiance

Things are getting extra sleek out there.

Look for outdoor fixtures in contemporary, linear designs that offer an instant update 
to your Florida outdoor space. 

Popular path lights, traditionally round, are suddenly square. (Again, see geometric shapes trend. Are we sensing a pattern?)

Smart lighting systems with timers or app control are also on the rise, making it easier to enjoy your backyard well into the evening.

4. Fresh Patio Pavers That Break the Mold

Let’s face it: traditional paver styles have felt a little... tired. But 2026 brings a welcome change with the release of bold, textured options from brands like Belgard.

These two new kids on the patio will be game changers: 

Empire

Order a pallet of these long, skinny pavers and you’ll get seven different textures just in one pallet. 

Used together, they produce a sort of crazy quilt design that’s definitely different than the old ho hum.

A contemporary twist on the classic herringbone and basket weave designs, the pavers have an artsy, hand-tooled look. 

Papyrus

These new pavers with clean, modern edges have the texture of cloth or handmade paper. 

They’re an organic, modern option for your Florida outdoor space. 

If you're ready to upgrade your patio or driveway, now’s a great time to explore these new materials before they’re everywhere.

5. Water Features That Calm and Impress

Easing stress is always in style, and nothing brings calm to your Florida outdoor living like a water feature. 

Backyards with water features like cascading fountains or tumbling waterfalls offer an extra dose of serenity we all could use these days. 

The sound of moving water in your Florida outdoor space adds calm and energy at the same time, offering a stunning focal point and a high-end vacation vibe. 

What kind of fountain? You name it. Want glazed ceramic? Cast stone? Stacked slate? 

Or how about a pondless waterfall for the ultimate outdoor living trend?

You get the beauty and sound of an enchanting waterfall but no pesky pond to clog with debris or breed mosquitoes.

The waterfall recirculates into a basin of water that stays tucked underground. 

The magical sound of water never goes out of style. 

What’s the Latest for Outdoor Florida Living? Talk to Us

Here’s a fun challenge — how many outdoor living trends can we fit into one Sarasota landscape design?

Want an octagonal pergola set atop diamond shaped pavers next to a triangular shaped garden with a water feature, all tastefully lit with contemporary linear landscape lighting fixtures?

We’re on it. 

The beauty of full-service landscape design build services in Sarasota FL is we can handle everything on your landscaping wish list.