10 Landscaping Choices That Look Outdated in 2025

Trends change, even in the yard. What looked sharp ten or fifteen years ago might make your place feel older than it is. And if you’re looking to keep your property looking current—or ready to sell—some of these outdated choices can hold you back.

You want your yard to look like it’s been taken care of, not frozen in time. Here’s what’s looking tired in 2025 and what to do instead.

Overly Manicured Boxwoods

Boxwoods used to be everywhere—symmetrical, sculpted, and stiff. Now, they’re starting to look more like a throwback than a good choice.

The high-maintenance pruning and pest issues just aren’t worth it anymore. People are leaning toward looser, low-effort greenery that looks more natural. If you’re still clinging to rows of boxwoods, it might be time to swap them out for something less rigid and easier to manage.

Red Mulch

That bright red mulch had its moment, but it’s definitely past. Now it sticks out like a sore thumb and tends to make a yard look dated fast.

Natural colors like dark brown or black mulch look cleaner and more modern. They also hold up better as they fade over time. If your beds are full of red mulch, replacing it is one of the cheapest upgrades you can make.

Decorative Gravel Lawns

Gravel instead of grass might seem like an easy maintenance fix, but unless it’s done really well, it usually ends up looking cheap and forgotten.

Those white rocks or mismatched colors scream early 2000s. And if weeds start creeping through? Forget it. If you’re trying to cut down on mowing, opt for ground covers or low-water grass instead.

Solar Lights on Tall Stakes

Those old solar lights with the tall plastic stakes used to be a go-to. But now they’re more of a yard hazard than an upgrade. They break easily, get cloudy, and rarely match anything.

Today’s outdoor lighting is more subtle and reliable. Low-profile path lights or hardwired setups look cleaner and actually hold up. If your walkway still has the tall, wobbly solar lights, it’s time to toss them.

Plastic Edging

That black plastic edging that peeks up around garden beds? It’s more of an eyesore than anything these days. It warps, shifts, and makes the whole space look dated.

Clean lines matter, but there are better ways to get them—metal edging, natural stone, or even just a crisp cut with a spade. Anything looks better than curled-up plastic edging in 2025.

Too Many Garden Ornaments

A couple well-placed features are fine, but when your yard starts to look like a lawn ornament showroom, you’ve gone too far. Think gnomes, fake wells, or sun-faded statues.

These clutter things up and distract from the actual landscaping. Less is more here. Clean it up, and keep only the things that really add something to the space.

Lava Rock Beds

Lava rocks had their heyday in the ‘80s and ‘90s, and somehow some yards never moved on. They’re hard to clean, rough on bare feet, and don’t do plants any favors.

They also scream “dated” to anyone who walks by. If you’ve still got lava rock around your shrubs, it might be time to shovel it out and refresh the area with mulch or natural stone.

Artificial Turf Front Yards

Artificial grass is useful in certain places, but full synthetic front lawns are still a hard sell. They heat up, look unnatural, and often don’t wear well over time.

In 2025, people care more about native plants and natural-looking landscapes. You’re better off planting a mix of drought-tolerant grasses or wildflowers than laying down a carpet of plastic.

Railroad Ties as Borders

Railroad ties were once a cheap and easy way to border beds or build a retaining wall. But they’ve aged poorly—literally and visually.

They rot, attract termites, and often contain creosote, which isn’t something you want in your soil. Today, they make a yard look neglected. Go for pressure-treated timber or stone if you’re after a rustic look that actually holds up.

Water-Heavy Features

Big fountains and koi ponds used to be a bragging point, but now they come off more like a maintenance headache. They need constant cleaning, and they rarely match a more modern, sustainable yard.

If you’ve got a water feature, keep it simple and easy to maintain. Better yet, replace it with a seating area or native planting that adds something useful and easier to care for.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.