17 Front Yard Arizona Landscaping Ideas

Arizona has become the darling of Southwestern real estate, and part of the reason for that is its beautiful landscapes. Who doesn’t love the warmth of the desert sun, the pristine lawns, and the wide variety of views you can experience in this sunny state? 

A favorite among retirees, as well as young professionals, part of the Arizona lifestyle, is having a home exterior that wows. That might be why Arizona landscaping companies are making major moves this year. Are you looking for the hottest trends in landscaping today? Check out our list of top choices.

1. Low-Carbon Plants

Want to flaunt your green side? Low-carbon gardens are the new trend that help reduce your carbon footprint by reducing trips to the grocery store. To work this trend properly, find plants and herbs you typically buy at grocery stores that are native to Arizona. Then, plant them. 

Many of these herbs are actually great for the environment. They’re also totally gorgeous and can help prevent a trip to the grocery store.

2. Immersive Gardening

Immersive gardening is the hottest landscaping trend to hit Arizona, and it’s also one of the more challenging. This entire gardening fad is about creating a fully immersive experience that turns your backyard into a massive landscape—a little slice of nature regardless of where you live. 

Adding rocks, strong neutral tones, and tons of plants help create that fully immersive experience. The best way to think of it is as a shrine to nature.

3. Desert Minimalism

Many parts of Arizona are known for being dry, hot, and somewhat desert-y in their natural state. In the past, homeowners would try to ignore that natural lean towards the stark look of a desert in favor of lush lawns. Today, things are starting to change. 

Minimalism, particularly with a desert theme, seems to be coming back into style. With this trend, having a simple rock garden paired with some cacti is enough to make the statement you want to make. Nothing has to be too fancy. Just let Arizona’s naturally beautiful land speak for itself. 

4. Low-Water Landscapes

Climate change has definitely made an impact on the trends that Arizona homeowners can indulge in. These days, wasting tons of water on extremely needy lawns is starting to have a negative connotation. In some cities, watering your lawn can actually cause a problem for neighbors, too. 

Due to the increased worry about droughts, low-water landscapes are starting to take hold throughout the state. This trend also tends to take a lot of inspiration from Arizona’s natural flora, primarily because much of the state’s local plantlife evolved to consume little water. 

Native plants can turn an average home into a spectacular home. Expect to see lots of different cacti, succulents, and wildflowers as part of your neighborhood landscapes in upcoming years.

5. Outdoor Rooms

Did you ever notice how strange it is that so many people pour so much money into their landscaping, but almost never go outside to enjoy it? It seems like others have caught on too. That’s why landscapers are now working with builders to create beautiful outdoor lounges perfect for entertaining. 

In Arizona, there are a number of mini-trends that all contribute to the overarching trend of outdoor gathering spaces. Some of the more common choices include sheds, awnings, conversation pits, poolside cabanas, and outdoor kitchens. 

These days, a grill is no longer the status symbol it once was. If you truly want to wow your neighbors, you’ll have a covered lounge complete with an outdoor fireplace and cocktail bar. Regardless of what you do, expect to see more of the indoors outside.

6. Waterscapes

In a lot of ways, Arizona is a very contradictory place. On one hand, many residents want to conserve water by avoiding lawns. On the other, poolside escapades have become more popular than ever before. 

Pools have become a statement of their own, especially when they are made into custom shapes. If you don’t have the budget for a pool, you can still use some cash to install an outdoor fountain. 

Many homeowners are also investing in koi ponds, natural waterfalls, and light-up fountains as a way to add a statement piece to their current gardens. While this may be a pricey option, it’s safe to say that it’s still remarkably popular. 

7. Maximalism

It seems like 2023 is not a year where “middle of the road” won out. People either want to keep things minimal, or they want to pump up the volume with maximalist decor. Expect to see bold colors, wild sculptures, and a lot of uniquely curated items in gardens.

This is a great trend for people who want to “play it up.” To keep things environmentally-friendly and low cost, get maximal with your sculptures and paintings. Nothing will add a pop of color like a mural on your favorite garden wall. 

8. Xeriscaping

Are you feeling burdened by the hefty price of water? You are not alone, and that’s where xeriscaping comes into play. This hot new gardening trend involves designing a landscape in a way that reduces or even eliminates the need for irrigation. 

If you live in a town that has been mulling over a ban on lawns, or has special rules relating to the use of water, xeriscaping can save your land design. It’s the easiest way to encourage natural plant life without harming the environment. 

Admittedly, you may need professional help to plan things out with this trend. Even so, the money you’ll save on water bills makes this a worthwhile endeavor. 

9. Succulents

It’s true. The 2010s and 2020s have become the years where succulents have reigned supreme. Considering that succulents are native to Arizona, it’s not surprising that this remains one of the most popular “traditional” trends on the list.

When in doubt, grab a succulent plant, and add it to your garden. Just choose one you like. It’s one choice that never seems to go wrong in the sunny state of Arizona.

10. Heavy Spa Emphasis

As people get more into the world of wellness, it’s not surprising that an emphasis on spa-like surroundings has become popular for Arizona homeowners. This gorgeous illustration shows a backyard remodel with a beautiful pool and several lounge chairs. It basically screams “healthy vibes” without being too woo-woo about it.

11. All-American Contemporary

Sometimes, you don’t need to make a statement to make a splash. Arizona is a state where having a basic home is nice enough for most people. If you want to go for a more Midwestern contemporary look, a simple lawn with a couple of bushes will work well.

12. Gorgeous Bars

Arizona homeowners are now looking more towards cool amenities than they are towards plant life. If you’re tired of dealing with fickle plants, check out the new trend: chic bars that turn your backyard into a brand new restaurant. The chef? That’s you!

13. Simple Lounges

Timeless homes are starting to gain more of a fandom throughout Arizona, and that ambiance is starting to make itself known in home gardens. Rather than worry about crazy setups or maximalist bars, choose a simple area filled with chairs and a grill. It’s middle class, comfy, and fun for everyone. 

14. Dramatic Lighting

Interior designers already know that lighting is everything. It can change the mood of a place immensely. Landscapers are choosing to take note, and that includes using lights to highlight certain plants. Expect to see more glowy gardens throughout the Arizona region soon enough. 

15. Pre-Rolled Artificial Lawns

Controversial? Slightly. People are trying to get around lawn bans by installing artificial lawns from reputable artificial grass suppliers in their back yards. It’s an easy way to reduce watering, sure, but most people are fairly dodgy about using plastic. The good news is that most “astroturf” from reliable artificial grass suppliers will last as much as 15 years without issue.

16. Flowering Trees

Getting a full-fledged garden filled with flowers isn’t easy in a place like Arizona. The climate is not always amenable to flowering plants. That’s why more and more homeowners are looking at flowering trees instead. The flowers also tend to last longer in tree form.

17. Extra Large Fire Pits

Finally, the last landscaping trend to see among Arizonians is the increased focus on a large, sharable fire pit. Fire pits are a great way to warm up at night and also tend to be easier on water bills than most plant life will be. They also act as a great place for people to congregate and share stories. Needless to say, that’s pretty popular now that going out is hard.