Landscaping Trends That Are Aging Your Yard

Some yard trends come and go—and unfortunately, a lot of the ones that were popular a few years back aren’t holding up so well. Even if your grass is trimmed and your plants are alive, outdated design choices can make your whole property feel older than it really is.

If your yard isn’t giving off the fresh, well-kept vibe you’re going for, one of these outdated trends might be the reason. Here’s what to rethink if you want your yard to look current without a full redesign.

Stacked Stone Borders Around Everything

Those stackable stone blocks used to be the go-to for lining beds, trees, and walkways. But now they tend to make a yard feel busy and boxed in. The edges often shift, grow weeds, or crumble over time.

If you want something cleaner, switch to a natural trench edge, low-profile metal edging, or uniform stone with a flatter finish. It keeps the focus on your plants instead of the borders.

Bright Red or Black Dyed Mulch

Dyed mulch was everywhere for a while, but the super-saturated colors fade fast and can bleed onto sidewalks or driveways. After a season or two, it starts to look patchy and artificial.

A better move is to go with natural mulch in darker brown or cedar tones. It holds its color better and looks more timeless against greenery. The goal is to highlight your plants, not compete with them.

Overuse of Symmetrical Planting

Perfectly mirrored beds on each side of the walkway were once the standard, but now that kind of symmetry feels stiff and dated. It also limits the way your yard can grow and evolve.

Try breaking things up with staggered plantings or varied textures on each side. Asymmetry makes the space feel more natural and less like it came straight out of a builder’s playbook.

Decorative Gravel Taking Over the Lawn

Gravel can be helpful in dry climates or low-maintenance areas, but when it replaces grass or dominates the front yard, it tends to feel harsh and cold. It also doesn’t age well—gravel scatters, shifts, and collects debris.

Use it in moderation, like in walkways or accent beds. If your whole front yard is rock with a few sparse plants, it’s probably time to bring some greenery back into the mix.

Bushy Foundation Shrubs That Hide the House

Those big, rounded shrubs planted right up against the house were once standard, but they block light, hide architectural features, and can make your home feel closed in.

Replacing them with layered plantings that include smaller shrubs, perennials, or ornamental grasses helps open up the space and modernize your curb appeal. You don’t need to remove every plant—just scale it back.

Solar Lights That Look Like Garden Gnomes

Solar path lights have come a long way, but if yours are faded, broken, or overly decorative, they’re pulling attention for the wrong reason. Old models often turn cloudy or lean awkwardly, which makes your yard look neglected.

Update them with low-profile lights in a neutral finish. Stick to clean lines that blend into the landscaping instead of lights shaped like lanterns, animals, or faux copper torch stakes.

Flagstone Paths with Wide, Irregular Gaps

While natural stone paths can still look great, the trend of irregularly spaced flagstones with big gaps is losing traction. It’s harder to walk on, collects weeds, and often looks half-done.

If your path feels more decorative than functional, it might be time to reset the stones closer together or fill the gaps with a cleaner groundcover. Clear, usable paths do more for curb appeal than ones that look ornamental.

Over-the-Top Water Features

Large fountains or ponds with statues and lighting might’ve seemed high-end years ago, but they’re often more trouble than they’re worth. Algae, cracks, and pump issues show up fast, and the style tends to feel out of place in smaller yards.

If it’s not something you actively use and maintain, it’s probably dragging the space down. Replacing it with a more subtle focal point—like a bench, birdbath, or ornamental tree—can freshen the look without the headache.

Excessive Use of Ornamental Rocks

A few boulders can add structure, but when your yard is full of mismatched rock features, it starts to look like a landscaping supply yard. Large rocks that aren’t placed with intention feel cluttered and forced.

Focus on one or two standout stones that actually fit the layout and help guide the eye. Overdoing it with scattered rocks ages your yard fast, especially if weeds are growing between them.

Faux Finishes on Planters and Borders

Plastic planters made to look like stone or metal tend to fade, crack, or peel with sun exposure. The longer they’re outside, the more obvious it becomes that they aren’t the real thing.

If your containers or borders are showing wear, switch to materials that hold up better—like actual terra cotta, wood, or metal. Even painted plastic can work, as long as it’s clean and styled to match your home’s look.

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