In an industry where projects are designed to stay for several years after they’re installed, it can be hard to determine which trends will remain and which are already out the door by the time they get one foot inside. For Texas-based design and build firm, Elite Outdoor Living, this balance is ever-shifting.
As trends change and client demands evolve, the team at Elite Outdoor Living takes each challenge in stride in order to master their craft. AQUA spoke to founder and CEO Justin Brown about what makes Elite Outdoor Living both unique and an expert in the design and build process.
FINDING A NICHE
Justin and Kate Brown started their journey in landscaping about 20 years ago, before the company morphed into exploring outdoor living as a broader design avenue. Of course, this eventually gave way to the Elite Outdoor Living that their clients know today, as a strong team that can turn an entire backyard into a cohesive, unique, multifunctional oasis.
They thrive in the residential builder space, Brown says, where their in- house design team can grant clients and homeowners very specific requests as opposed to larger, commercial projects. Careful and specific design is a pillar of the work they do and Brown is unwavering in his dedication to delivering the best to their clients.
Every project calls for a different approach, but each begins similarly. In a hybrid mix between understanding client needs and offering their own expertise, the team at Elite Outdoor Living is tasked with a balancing act. “We find that a lot of clients can get a bit overwhelmed with the possibilities, but we’ll certainly try to figure out their style and match their aesthetic,” says Brown.
How do you manage to cater to client needs and match their aesthetic while creating a space that won’t go out of style after a few years? According to Brown, the trick is paying attention to trends in style and material and spotting which features have the potential for longevity.
TRENDS IN DESIGN AND TEXTURE
Minimalism
Where color and bold accents have previously been large parts of outdoor living spaces, Brown says his team has noticed a shift to more simplistic displays. “There’s definitely a trend in minimalism and monochromatic color schemes,” he says. “Instead of having lots of bold colors in the big parts of our features, we change things up. We use pops of color here and there, but mostly with things that can be changed out seasonally.”
This way, Brown explains, the majority of the project is not saturated with loud colors that distract from the overall space. Through the use of accents like pillows, throws and rugs — things that are easily moveable and can change depending on the season — the final project can lean into minimalism and give the clients something timeless, while also remaining modern.
“You don’t want to over-design anything,” he clarifies. “You don’t always need little gadgets and a number of water features coming out of every crevice. Lots of things hold their value when they’re more simplistic and add to what’s already there.”
Seamlessness
“We want these spaces to be used year-round,” Brown explains, “so we have elements that we design into the backyard that will allow them to get the most use out of it, no matter the weather.”
For those above the frostline, it’s common to see outdoor spaces go unused during the winter months. This is something that Elite Outdoor Living actively tries to prevent, through their use of multifunctional features. Since a project as all-encompassing as this can mean handing over a large sum of money, Brown expresses a deep commitment to giving his clients the means to use their spaces for multiple purposes in all types of weather.
Seamlessness refers to more than just the transition from season to season, but can even be used in regard to the indoor-outdoor relationship between two spaces. “We elevate and expand our clients’ home architecture,” Brown says. “We want to accentuate what they’ve already got, so their space is unique to them.”
Texture
Within his understanding of broader design trends, Brown also notes a change in regard to texture. Where rigidity and square shapes used to be popular, he’s noticing a shift to include more movement and dynamic shapes. “We’re still a straight-line builder,” he says, “but we’re seeing a bit of a change in becoming a little more relaxed.”
From smooth steel components to slightly textured composite or natural wood, to stone elements, Brown declares that texture, simply put, is the trend.
WELLNESS IN THE BACKYARD
A major topic of conversation in the industry today is the impact a customer’s desire for wellness has on the design and building of pool-related projects. For Brown and the team at Elite Outdoor Living, this trend is particularly applicable.
In their quest to create spaces that can be used all year-round, Brown says they make a point to have their projects be multifunctional as well. “People reach out to us because they want a space to entertain,” he says, “but many times, people also want to prompt mindfulness and relaxation.”
How do you manage to create a space that does both? The answer is by understanding where high-vibration entertainment can be switched to low-vibration wellness. This can come through automation changes, lighting changes, and sound changes for the spaces that have some sort of sound system built in.
Many times, planters and green spaces, as well as saunas and cold plunges, can easily enhance an entertainment area, creating a more tranquil environment perfect for relaxation. Similar to his declaration about texture, wellness is the trend, according to Brown. It’s a matter of finding which pieces can promote it the best way possible.
STAYING AHEAD OF TRENDS
Cultivating a deep understanding of trends does not come from pure luck or a few quick scrolls online. “We probably spend way too much time on social media,” Brown jokes. “We stay in pretty close contact with a lot of the people we work with so we can try to be on the front end of as many trends as possible.”
For Elite Outdoor Living, since they place emphasis on continuity from indoor to outdoor spaces, paying attention to trends in interior design is crucial. Outdoor living follows about one step behind interior design, Brown says, so using their resources, such as another avenue of design, is a perfect way to know what to expect as trends continue to evolve.
From a landscaping business to a design and build firm that brings real joy and delight to their clients, the expertise of Brown’s team cannot go unnoticed. Through their vigilant attention to upcoming trends and their commitment to understanding the needs of their clients, Elite Outdoor Living certainly leaves their mark on the industry.
This article first appeared in the March 2025 issue of AQUA Magazine — the top resource for retailers, builders and service pros in the pool and spa industry. Subscriptions to the print magazine are free to all industry professionals. Click here to subscribe.
