Things We Love About Designing Spaces for People

This intimate seating area is a defined outdoor room, one of several cozy spaces designed for gathering. It captures what homeowners want: personal, welcoming, and restorative areas that are beautiful, comfortable, functional, and centered on well-being.

At The Addison Group, we love creating landscapes that put people first. More homeowners are seeking outdoor spaces that feel personal, welcoming, and restorative. They want areas that are not just beautiful, but comfortable, functional, and focused on well-being.

What Are Defined Outdoor Rooms?

A defined outdoor room is a carefully designed, human-centered space within a landscape. It feels intentional, inviting, and distinct—much like a room inside a home. These spaces encourage gathering, reflection, and connection.

Defined outdoor rooms can include cozy seating areas, small patios, garden nooks, or corners with a fire feature or water element. The goal is to create a space that feels like home rather than a grand showcase.

"A very strong trend in 2026 is spaces that feel personal and cozy," says Tara Piergies-Baker, landscape designer and VP of Custom Clients at The Addison Group. "People are drawn to little nooks that feel comfortable and intimate. This approach harks back to classic garden room designs. Instead of large, open, hardscaped areas, it focuses on smaller, personal spaces with comfortable seating."

4 Reasons These Spaces Are Trending

1. Comfort and Well-Being

Homeowners increasingly want outdoor areas that feel like a retreat. Cozy seating, quiet garden pockets, shade structures, and sensory touches like water features or fragrant plants create a calming atmosphere. These spaces support relaxation, mindfulness, and social connection - all essential for wellness-focused design.

2. Flexibility for Gathering

While intimacy is key, homeowners also want spaces for small groups. Defined outdoor rooms allow casual entertaining while maintaining comfort and privacy. A fire pit, shaded patio, or reflection pond can serve as both a social hub and a quiet retreat.

3. Return on Investment

Smaller, thoughtfully designed spaces often provide better value than large, ostentatious landscapes. They are easier to maintain and create memorable, functional experiences for homeowners and guests.

4. Sensory and Human-Centered Design

Defined outdoor rooms prioritize how people experience a space. Walkability, seating arrangement, textures, scents, and sounds all contribute to the overall feeling. The result is a landscape that engages the senses, supports connection, and enhances everyday life.

Designing with People in Mind

At The Addison Group, we know great landscapes are about more than plants and hardscape. They are about how spaces feel, how they are used, and how they enrich people's lives.

Defined outdoor rooms allow us to create intimate, personalized areas that encourage connection, wellness, and joy. Whether it is a quiet nook for reflection, a cozy fire-side corner, or a small patio for entertaining, these spaces are designed to be loved and lived in.