Given their abundance in American backyards, gardens and highway corridors these days, it may be surprising to learn that white-tailed deer were nearly extinct about a century ago. While they currently number somewhere in the range of 30 million to 35 million, at the turn of the 20th century, there were as few as 300,000 whitetails across the entire continent: just 1% of the current population. This near-disappearance of deer was much discussed at the time. In 1854, Henry David Thoreau had written that no deer had been hunted near Concord, Massachusetts, for a generation. In his famous “Walden,” he reported: “One man still preserves the horns of the last deer that was killed in this vicinity, and another has told me the particulars of the hunt in which his uncle was engaged. The hunters were formerly a numerous and merry crew here.” But what happened to white-tailed deer? What drove them nearly to extinction, and then what brought them back from the brink? As a historical ecologist and environmental archaeologist, I have made it my job to answer these questions. Over the past decade, I’ve studied white-tailed deer bones from archaeological sites across the eastern United States, as well as historical records and ecological data, to help piece together the story of this species. Precolonial rise of deer populations White-tailed deer have been hunted from the earliest migrations of people into North America, more than 15,000 years ago. The species was far from the most important food resource at that time, though. Archaeological evidence suggests that white-tailed deer abundance only began to increase after the extinction of megafauna species like mammoths and mastodons opened up ecological niches for deer to fill. Deer bones become very common in archaeological sites from about 6,000 years ago onward, reflecting the economic and cultural importance of the species for Indigenous peoples. Despite being so frequently hunted, deer populations do not seem to have appreciably declined due to Indigenous hunting prior to AD 1600. Unlike elk or sturgeon, whose numbers were reduced by Indigenous hunters and fishers, white-tailed deer seem to have been resilient to human predation. While archaeologists have found some evidence for human-caused declines in certain parts of North America, other cases are more ambiguous, and deer certainly remained abundant throughout the past several millennia. Human use of fire could partly explain why white-tailed deer may have been resilient to hunting. Indigenous peoples across North America have long used controlled burning to promote ecosystem health, disturbing old vegetation to promote new growth. Deer love this sort of successional vegetation for food and cover, and thus thrive in previously burned habitats. Indigenous people may have therefore facilitated deer population growth, counteracting any harmful hunting pressure. More research is needed, but even though some hunting pressure is evident, the general picture from the precolonial era is that deer seem to have been doing just fine for thousands of years. Ecologists estimate that there were roughly 30 million white-tailed deer in North America on the eve of European colonization—about the same number as today. A 16th-century engraving depicts Indigenous Floridians hunting deer while disguised in deerskins.Colonial-era fall of deer numbers To better understand how deer populations changed in the colonial era, I recently analyzed deer bones from two archaeological sites in what is now Connecticut. My analysis suggests that hunting pressure on white-tailed deer increased almost as soon as European colonists arrived. At one site dated to the 11th to 14th centuriesI found that only about 7% to 10% of the deer killed were juveniles. Hunters generally don’t take juvenile deer if they’re frequently encountering adults, since adult deer tend to be larger, offering more meat and bigger hides. Additionally, hunting increases mortality on a deer herd but doesn’t directly affect fertility, so deer populations experiencing hunting pressure end up with juvenile-skewed age structures. For these reasons, this low percentage of juvenile deer prior to European colonization indicates minimal hunting pressure on local herds. However, at a nearby site occupied during the 17th century—just after European colonization—between 22% and 31% of the deer hunted were juveniles, suggesting a substantial increase in hunting pressure. This elevated hunting pressure likely resulted from the transformation of deer into a commodity for the first time. Venison, antlers and deerskins may have long been exchanged within Indigenous trade networks, but things changed drastically in the 17th century. European colonists integrated North America into a trans-Atlantic mercantile capitalist economic system with no precedent in Indigenous society. This applied new pressures to the continent’s natural resources. Deer—particularly their skins—were commodified and sold in markets in the colonies initially and, by the 18th century, in Europe as well. Deer were now being exploited by traders, merchants and manufacturers desiring profit, not simply hunters desiring meat or leather. It was the resulting hunting pressure that drove the species toward its extinction. 20th-century rebound of white-tailed deer Thanks to the rise of the conservation movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, white-tailed deer survived their brush with extinction. Concerned citizens and outdoorsmen feared for the fate of deer and other wildlife, and pushed for new legislative protections. The Lacey Act of 1900, for example, banned interstate transport of poached game and—in combination with state-level protections—helped end commercial deer hunting by effectively de-commodifying the species. Aided by conservation-oriented hunting practices and reintroductions of deer from surviving populations to areas where they had been extirpated, white-tailed deer rebounded. The story of white-tailed deer underscores an important fact: Humans are not inherently damaging to the environment. Hunting from the 17th through 19th centuries threatened the existence of white-tailed deer, but precolonial Indigenous hunting and environmental management appear to have been relatively sustainable, and modern regulatory governance in the 20th century forestalled and reversed their looming extinction. Elic Weitzel, Peter Buck Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Smithsonian Institution This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. #how #whitetaileddeer #came #back #brink

here comes the boom! Falcon 9 sonic booms can feel more like seismic waves Trajectories, wind shear, temperature gradients, topography, and weather can affect how a sonic boom spreads. Jennifer Ouellette – May 27, 2025 12:36 pm | 1 A Falcon 9 rocket lifted SPHEREx into orbit in March. Credit: NASA/Jim Ross A Falcon 9 rocket lifted SPHEREx into orbit in March. Credit: NASA/Jim Ross Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more The Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara, California, serves military space launch missions as well as launches for NASA and commercial entities like SpaceX. But how do all those launches affect residents living along the Central Coast? People might marvel at the spectacular visual display, but as launch activity at the base has ramped up, so have the noise complaints, particularly about the sonic booms produced by Falcon 9 launches, which can reach as far south as Ventura County. The booms rattle windows, frighten pets, and have raised concerns about threats to the structural integrity of private homes. There have been rockets launching from Vandenberg for decades, so why are the Falcon 9 launches of such concern? "Because of the Starlink satellites, the orbital mechanics for where they're trying to place these in orbit is bringingcloser to the coast," said Brigham Young University's Kent Gee, who described his research into sonic boom effects on neighboring communities in a press briefing at a meeting of the Acoustical Society of America in New Orleans. And the launches are occurring much more frequently, from two to three launches per year in the 1980s to between five and seven launches each month today. There were 46 Falcon 9 launches out of the Vandenberg base in 2024 alone, per Gee. Gee joined a project called ECOBOOMto study the factors that can impact just how jarring those sonic booms might be, conducted jointly by BYU and California State University, Bakersfield, with cooperation from the Space Force. "Space Force is interested in this because they feel a sense of stewardship," said Gee. "These rockets from SpaceX and other providers are launched from the base for a variety of missions and they want to understand the effects both on and off base, trying to understand how they can complete the mission while minimizingimpacts." Gee and his cohorts monitored 132 separate sonic booms last summer, relying on data gathered via a network of 25 or so acoustic monitoring stations located along 500 square miles, including the beaches of Isla Vista and further inland to the hills of Ojai. "The measurements were made in parks, people's backyards, parking lots, wastewater plants, and all sorts of different locations," said Gee. More bang than boom A view of a Falcon 9 rocket launch from a park in Ventura County. Credit: Kent Gee There has been a great deal of research on supersonic aircraft, but the sonic booms produced by rockets like the Falcon 9 are acoustically distinct, according to Gee. For instance, most sonic booms have two shock waves, but the Falcon 9 booster produces a boom with three shocks as it descends through the atmosphere after launch. Gee co-authored a paper earlier this year analyzing the acoustic signatures of three Falcon 9 flyback sonic booms. While the first and third shocks were what one might typically expect, the second central shock "is formed by a combination of the grid fins and the lower portions of the booster, including the folded landing legs," Gee and BYU colleague Mark C. Anderson wrote. "These lower portions of the booster produce a rarefaction wave that tends to migrate toward the back of the shock system while the grid fins produce a shock wave that tends to migrate toward the front of the shock system." Those shock waves merge, and their relative strengths determine where this second shock appears in the full sonic boom acoustic signature. Sonic booms from rockets are also lower frequency, with peaks of less than 1 Hz—below the range of human hearing. The result is less of a "boom" and more of a "bang," according to Gee, that can last a few seconds, compared to milliseconds for a typical acoustic wave. It's more akin to a seismic wave, particularly if one is indoors when it hits. "Sometimes you get a very low amplitude rumble, but it comes on suddenly, and it's there for a few seconds and disappears," he said. It's also one reason why the sonic booms can travel so far afield of the Vandenberg base. Could the similarities confuse California residents who might mistake a sonic boom for an earthquake? Perhaps, at least until residents learn otherwise. "Since we're often setting up in people's backyard, they text us the results of what they heard," said Gee. "It's fantastic citizen science. They'll tell us the difference is that the walls shake but the floors don't. They're starting to be able to tell the difference between an earthquake or a sonic boom from a launch." Launch trajectories of Falcon 9 rockets along the California coast. Credit: Kent Gee A rocket's trajectory also plays an important role. "Everyone sees the same thing, but what you hear depends on where you're at and the rocket's path or trajectory," said Gee, adding that even the same flight path can nonetheless produce markedly different noise levels. "There's a focal region in Ventura, Oxnard, and Camarillo where the booms are more impactful," he said. "Where that focus occurs changes from launch to launch, even for the same trajectory." That points to meteorology also being a factor: Certain times of year could potentially have more impact than others as weather conditions shift, with wind shears, temperature gradients, and topography, for instance, potentially affecting the propagation of sonic booms. In short, "If you can change your trajectory even a little under the right meteorological conditions, you can have a big impact on the sonic booms in this region of the country," said Gee. And it's only the beginning of the project; the team is still gathering data. "No two launches look the same right now," said Gee. "It's like trying to catch lightning." As our understanding improves, he sees the conversation shifting to more subjective social questions, possibly leading to the development of science-based local regulations, such as noise ordinances, to address any negative launch impacts. The next step is to model sonic booms under different weather conditions, which will be challenging due to coastal California's microclimates. "If you've ever driven along the California coast, the weather changes dramatically," said Gee. "You go from complete fog at Vandenberg to complete sun in Ventura County just 60 miles from the base." Jennifer Ouellette Senior Writer Jennifer Ouellette Senior Writer Jennifer is a senior writer at Ars Technica with a particular focus on where science meets culture, covering everything from physics and related interdisciplinary topics to her favorite films and TV series. Jennifer lives in Baltimore with her spouse, physicist Sean M. Carroll, and their two cats, Ariel and Caliban. 1 Comments #falcon #sonic #booms #can #feel

We test a lot of smart home devices, most of which are meant to work indoors. But there are also plenty of great gadgets that work outside, whether it's to balance the pH content of your pool, mow your lawn, or keep an eye on your property when you're out of town.Here, we've gathered some of the best backyard-friendly gadgets we've tested. It's a diverse selection, from beach-friendly speakers to robotic pool cleaners. There's even a TV you can keep out in a thunderstorm. So, if you're looking to bring the technological comforts of home to the great outdoors, look no further. Best Floodlight Camera Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 4.5 Excellent Keep your driveway or yard fully illuminated and secure with the Eufy E340 floodlight camera. It isn't solar-powered like the S340 below it and so you'll have to wire it, but it has a 2,000-lumen floodlight and mechanical pan-and-tilt so you can cover every inch of your property in its range. Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 review Best Battery-Powered Projector Anker Nebula Mars 3 4.0 Excellent The Anker Nebula Mars 3 is a capable 1080p projector that's ideal for use in the backyard or at a vacation rental thanks to its water-resistant design and its battery that can last up to five hours. It features Android 11, so you can stream from plenty of services without plugging in another device. Plus, it has a useful handle so you can lug it anywhere. Anker Nebula Mars 3 review Best Budget Outdoor Security Camera TP-Link Tapo Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Wi-Fi Camera C120 4.5 Excellent If you want to monitor the outside of your home without spending much money, the TP-Link Tapo C120 Indoor/Outdoor is worth looking into. For just it's loaded with features usually only found on more expensive models, including 2K resolution, color night vision, and local video storage. The camera records video when it detects motion and offers free intelligent alerts that differentiate between people, pets, vehicles, and other motion events, a feature many competitors charge extra for. It requires a nearby GFCI outlet for power but saves you a lot of money compared with wireless 2K alternatives. TP-Link Tapo Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Wi-Fi Camera C120 review Best Affordable Bluetooth Speaker Anker Soundcore Motion 300 4.0 Excellent The Anker Soundcore Motion 300 is a deceptively small, cheap outdoor speaker, considering the sound it can produce. It offers robust sound with high-res LDAC Bluetooth codec support and is also completely waterproof. Best of all, it's well under and easy to slip into a bag. Anker Soundcore Motion 300 review Best Portable Speaker JBL Charge 5 4.0 Excellent JBL’s portable, outdoor-friendly Charge 5 Bluetooth speaker is an excellent choice for parties. It has a dust-tight build for the beach, with powerful drivers and dual passive radiators to deliver an impressive amount of sound for its size. You don't get a speakerphone function or an adjustable EQ in the companion app, but those are relatively minor drawbacks. For less than you can't do much better. Best Robot Lawn Mower Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD 4.0 Excellent As with every robot lawn mower we've reviewed, the Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD doesn't come cheap, but it does an excellent job of mowing and trimming your lawn. It features both GPS and cellular radios, plus it connects to a slick companion app that enables remote controls, mowing schedules, and IFTTT integrations. Best of all, it won't struggle to handle hilly terrain. Best Outdoor Smart Plug TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug EP40A 4.0 Excellent TP-Link’s dual-outlet Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug EP40Adoesn't care what smart home systemyou use: It works with all the major platforms, including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings. That broad compatibility and an IP64 weatherproof rating make it a good choice for bringing smart features to your backyard appliances. TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug EP40A review Best Robot Pool Cleaner Polaris Freedom Plus Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner 4.0 Excellent Polaris robotic pool cleaners have long been among our favorites because of their sturdy build and superb cleaning performance, and the cordless Freedom Plus continues the streak. It's battery-operated, which means it can clean the pool without a cable for power. It has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to activate it in its charging station and a light-based remote for controlling it underwater. Otherwise, you can simply let it roam around until it comes back up to charge and empty. Polaris Freedom Plus Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner review Best Smart Sprinkler System Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller 4.5 Excellent If you love your lawn enough to install a sprinkler system, you need a good sprinkler controller. The Rachio 3 is one of the best: It supports up to eight separate sprinkler zones with automatic weather-based or custom app-controlled watering schedules. You can even control it with Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands and IFTTT applets. Best Smart Hose Timer Orbit B-Hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer With Wi-Fi Hub 4.0 Excellent You don't need a full sprinkler system to automate watering your lawn. The Orbit B-Hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer turns your ordinary garden hose into a smart watering system that you control from your phone, complete with programmed watering schedules and smart weather-based watering. It's a breeze to install and program, and it works with Amazon Alexa voice commands. Best Pool Water Monitor Crystal Water Monitor 4.0 Excellent The Crystal Water Monitor keeps track of your pool's health, with plenty of water analysis features beyond simple pH levels including oxidation reduction potentialand total alkalinity. It's a bit pricey and requires a subscription after the first year, but the subscription includes a continuous warranty and replacement sensors when needed. Crystal Water Monitor review Best Wireless Outdoor Security Camera Eufy SoloCam S340 4.0 Excellent The Eufy SoloCam S340 is one of the most feature-filled wireless outdoor security cameras available, starting with a built-in solar panel for keeping its battery charged. It also features dual lenses, 3K video, color night vision, mechanical pan and tilt, a built-in spotlight, and local video storage. That's a lot packed into a single camera, and it easily justifies its high price if you want to keep a close eye on your home. Eufy SoloCam S340 review Best Smart Lock Ultraloq Bolt Smart WiFi Deadbolt Fingerprint Edition 4.5 Excellent The Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint is one of the most flexible smart locks we've seen for securing your front door. You can use an app, your fingerprint, a key, or a PIN code to unlock it. It also works with every major smart home standard except Matter. Ultraloq Bolt Smart WiFi Deadbolt Fingerprint Edition review Best Speaker for Outdoor Parties Sony ULT Field 7 4.0 Excellent If you really want to drive an outdoor party, the big and booming Sony ULT Field 7 is the speaker to get. It's a chunky, completely weatherproof cylinder with stereo woofer/tweeter pairs that can easily fill your backyard with music. It also has colored lighting effects and a mic input for karaoke. Sony ULT Field 7 review Best Smart Bird Feeder Bird Buddy Smart Feeder Pro 4.5 Excellent The Bird Buddy Smart Feeder Pro sends highly shareable snapshots and video postcards of the local bird population to your phone, while its companion app is smart enough to call out their species. Overall, the Bird Buddy is a charming piece of tech for naturalists and an Editors' Choice winner—if you're going to get a smart feeder, get this one. Bird Buddy Smart Feeder Pro review Best Video Doorbell Tapo D225 Video Doorbell 4.0 Excellent Besides a good front door lock, you probably want to be able to see who's knocking or who might be stealing your packages. The TP-Link Tapo D225 video doorbell offers sharp video, both local and cloud storage, and plenty of smart home integration options, and it's surprisingly affordable. Tapo D225 Video Doorbell review Best for Roku-Centric Households Roku Outdoor Smart Plug 4.0 Excellent Roku's Outdoor Smart Plug SE features an IP64 weatherproof build, and makes it easy to control appliances and other electronics with your phone or voice and conveniently tracks how much power they use. It's appealing if you also use Roku devices since you don't need to set up anything else to control the plug from your couch. It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, but the TP-Link EP40A offers offers better third-party device support. Roku Outdoor Smart Plug review Best Outdoor TV SunBriteTV 55-Inch Veranda 3 Series4.0 Excellent Most TVs aren’t built to survive the elements, let alone pouring rain, blowing snow, flying sand, or scorching heat, but SunBriteTV’s Veranda Series 3 is up to the task. It offers a few key advantages over previous Veranda models, including a brighter and much more colorful picture with support for Dolby Vision, as well as a full suite of Android TV features such as streaming media services, Google Assistant voice controls, and the ability to mirror your phone. Best Outdoor Party Lights Govee Lynx Dream Bluetooth & Wi-Fi Outdoor String Lights 4.0 Excellent Light strips are ideal for subtle effects, but if you want a more festive way to illuminate your patio, porch, or any other outdoor space, you're better off with smart string lights like the Govee Lynx Dream. Available in lengths of 48 or 96 feet, each string has dimmable multicolor LED bulbs that you can control with your voice or phone. They also support IFTTT applets, and you get a generous selection of preset lighting scenes and a fun Music Sync mode that's great for parties. Best Smart Door Feather River Doors Smart Glass 4.0 Excellent Smart locks and doorbell cameras might make your front door safe but don't add much to the aesthetic appeal. If you want to give your front door a real high-tech makeover, the Feather River Doors Smart Glass is a unique, expensive option. It's a door with a smart glass window that lets you flip between frosted opaque and completely transparent with the push of a button, a voice command, or an app. Feather River Doors Smart Glass review Protect Your Packages Yale Smart Delivery Box 4.0 Excellent Packages get purloined from porches pretty often, so protect those parcels with the Yale Smart Delivery Box. It's a large drop box you can secure to your porch so delivery drivers can safely set anything that will fit inside. Share an access code in the delivery details section of your orders from Amazon and other services, the driver will enter it into a keypad, the box will open, you'll get a notification, and the lid will automatically lock. Yale Smart Delivery Box review Best Smart Padlock Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 and Bridge 4.0 Excellent Smart locks are good for homes, but what about sheds and backyards? The Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 has you covered. It's a solid, waterproof padlock you can control via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It supports unlocking directly through the app, or you can control who can unlock it and at what times by issuing one-time or scheduled PINs and Bluetooth keys. Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 and Bridge review Best Smart Mosquito Repellent System Thermacell LIV Smart Mosquito Repellent System 4.0 Excellent Pesky mosquitoes can ruin an otherwise enjoyable evening in your backyard, but traditional bug sprays are usually unpleasant to use. The Thermacell LIV Smart Mosquito Repellent System is a high-tech alternative that relies on heat-activated repellent cartridges to create 20-foot barriers of protection. The system worked well in testing and we didn't see any vapors or smell any chemicals. You get three repellers in the basic kit, but keep in mind that the system specifically defends against mosquitoes, which means other types of bugs might continue to buzz about. Regardless, it supports both app and voice controls for maximum convenience. Best Wood-Fired Smart Grill Brisk It Origin 940 4.5 Excellent The Brisk It Origin 940 works like any other wood pellet grill, giving you the ability to roast, smoke, bake, and barbecue without having to deal with the mess of charcoal grilling or the taste of lighter fluid. Moreover, it uses generative AI to offer up countless recipes that you can send directly to the grill. In testing, its AI supplied foolproof recipes for pulled pork and whole bass and the grill delivered mouthwatering results. Brisk It Origin 940 review Best Smart Charcoal Grill and Smoker Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker 4.0 Excellent The Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker helps you cook charcoal-fired food to perfection every time. This tank-like kamado grill is simple to use and clean, offers precise temperature control, and works with lots of high-quality accessories. The app is intuitive and has hundreds of recipes you can follow. Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker review Best Smart Gas Grill Weber Genesis EPX-335 Smart Gas Grill 4.0 Excellent The Weber Genesis EPX-335 Smart Gas Grill is built to last and has plenty of smart tech features to enhance the cooking experience. It features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, an illuminated cooking chamber, a user-friendly mobile app, and hundreds of programmable recipes. Moreover, there’s plenty of built-in storage for utensils, cooking racks, and cleaning accessories. Weber Genesis EPX-335 Smart Gas Grill review #best #outdoor #smart #home #devices

No stage, no problem. The All-American Rejects bring the mosh pit to the front lawn. Credit: TikTok composite: @ChicagoBucketList, @marissamccall, @STLGUIDE314 In a live music landscape often dominated by inflated ticket prices and impersonal stadium shows, The All-American Rejects are flipping the script. The band recently kicked off a "house party" tour, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. Instead of arenas or overpriced amphitheaters, the band is offering fans a chance to host a literal house party with a live, pop-up performance from the band themselves. So far, they've played a backyard in Chicago, a bowling alley in Minneapolis, on someone's lawn in Columbia, Missouri for a bunch of college grads, and on the quad at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Fans can even apply through the link in the band’s Instagram bio to bring the show to their city.The "house party" concept leans heavily into nostalgia, which is a smart play for a band whose early 2000s singles "Dirty Little Secret" and "Move Along" helped define an era of pop-punk adolescence for millennials. But it’s not just about revisiting the past. This tour taps into something deeper: the intimate, communal energy of early DIY shows that forged lasting connections between bands and their fans. And it has landed the band on FYPs across the country. You May Also Like SEE ALSO: For fans, Ticketmaster is misery business Perhaps partly because of its online popularity, it’s not just longtime listeners showing up. These intimate shows, often held on college campuses or in public spaces, are introducing The All-American Rejects to a new generation of fans who weren’t around when the band ruled TRL, but who instantly get the appeal of a sing-along anthem in a backyard with no wristbands required.Even more remarkable? These shows are mostly free to attend. In a time when Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing has made big concert experiences unattainable for many, this feels less like a gimmick and more like a rebellion. The All-American Rejects are bringing live music directly to fans — no dynamic pricing, no service charges, no parking. Mashable Trend Report: Coming Soon! Decode what’s viral, what’s next, and what it all means. Sign up for Mashable’s weekly Trend Report newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up! At a recent stop in Minneapolis, the All-American Rejects frontman Tyson Ritter delivered a fiery, heartfelt speech that quickly went viral — a clip of the moment, posted by @marissamccall, has racked up over one million views on TikTok. Speaking to a packed crowd, Ritter captured the spirit of the house party tour with blunt honesty: "I want to thank you for coming out and giving a shit about a rock’n’roll band that supports the common man. We’re not trying to sell you finance tickets to Coachella, we’re not trying to sell you Ticketmaster fucking penalty fees, we’re not trying to sell you parking. We’re just trying to sell you some songs you might have grown up with, and let you fucking let go with us in this non-denominational church of rock'n'roll." The message — part middle finger to concert bloat, part love letter to fans — struck a nerve. Online, fans praised the band for keeping things grounded, authentic, and centered on the music. In an industry increasingly ruled by algorithms, corporate markups, and VIP upgrades, Ritter’s words felt like both a rebellion and a revival.As one commenter on TikTok put it, "The HARDEST recession indicator. we are SO back." In an interview with KBIA in Missouri, Ritter explained how the idea for the tour came about: "The whole thing about this has been sort of like this weird synchronistic happenstance of reactivity. We played this random house party, and it was like, of all the shows we played in the last 10 years, it was, like, this big wake-up call to the reality of, 'Oh, this is why we started doing this.' We played in house shows. We played backyards, VFWs, and I just told my manager, 'That worked. Let’s do that.'" And they are. One lawn, quad, and bowling alley at a time. Topics Music TikTok Crystal Bell Digital Culture Editor Crystal Bell is the Culture Editor at Mashable. She oversees the site's coverage of the creator economy, digital spaces, and internet trends, focusing on how young people engage with others and themselves online. She is particularly interested in how social media platforms shape our online and offline identities. She was formerly the entertainment director at MTV News, where she helped the brand expand its coverage of extremely online fan culture and K-pop across its platforms. You can find her work in Teen Vogue, PAPER, NYLON, ELLE, Glamour, NME, W, The FADER, and elsewhere on the internet. She's exceptionally fluent in fandom and will gladly make you a K-pop playlist and/or provide anime recommendations upon request. Crystal lives in New York City with her two black cats, Howl and Sophie. #forget #ticketmaster #allamerican #rejects #are

Summer 2025 is all about making the most of your time outdoors—whether you’re entertaining friends, relaxing by the pool, or simply seeking comfort during the hottest days. Innovative products are transforming the way we enjoy our patios, backyards, and parks, blending clever design with convenience and fun. We have curated a collection of the ten must-have products that will elevate your outdoor living experience this summer. Outdoor living is evolving, and the right products can transform your summer experience. From eco-friendly cooling and portable lighting to all-in-one tools, innovative grills, and whimsical pool floats, these ten products make it easier than ever to enjoy life outdoors in comfort and style. Upgrade your outdoor living in 2025 with these innovative essentials—and make this summer your best yet. 1. KYL When summer temperatures soar, staying cool outdoors can be a challenge, and running an air conditioner all day isn’t always ideal for the planet. The KYL Fan Attachment is a smart solution that gives your standard floor fan a new, energy-efficient life. By attaching directly to your fan, KYL funnels airflow more effectively and uses a replaceable silica gel filter to absorb excess moisture from the air. The result? A cooler, drier breeze that’s perfect for patios, screened porches, or sun-drenched living spaces. Designed with clean, modern lines, KYL is as attractive as it is functional. It improves airflow by leveraging Bernoulli’s principle and drops the surrounding temperature by up to 1.5°C, making those muggy summer evenings more enjoyable without increasing your energy bill. The filter is easy to refresh: just rinse and air-dry it, keeping your cooling system both low-cost and sustainable. What we like Lowers temperature and humidity without extra electricity use. Eco-friendly and easy to maintain, minimizing waste. What we dislike Only works with existing fans, not as a standalone device. Not as powerful as an air conditioner for extreme heat. 2. DraftPro Top Can Opener There’s nothing like cracking open a cold beverage during the summer, but the standard can limits the aroma and flavor of what’s inside. The DraftPro Top Can Opener changes the game by removing the entire lid of your drink, transforming any can into a wide-mouthed vessel that enhances taste and makes adding ice or garnishes easy. It’s perfect for outdoor parties, picnics, and backyard barbecues. This tool works with a range of canned drinks, from craft beers to sodas, letting you fully enjoy the aroma and complexity of your favorite beverages. The smooth, clean cut means you can even use the empty cans for creative upcycling projects—like turning them into planters or lanterns. With its ergonomic design and premium materials, DraftPro isn’t just functional; it’s a conversation starter for any gathering. Click Here to Buy Now: What we like Wide opening lets you experience the full aroma and taste of your drink. Facilitates ice addition or mixing cocktails directly in the can. What we dislike Requires a bit of effort and care to use safely. Some specialty cans may not fit perfectly. 3. CraftMaster EDC Utility Knife Warm-weather adventures often call for tools that are both functional and easy to carry. The Craftmaster EDC Utility Knife is a sleek, minimalist companion ready for any task—whether you’re tackling a backyard project, opening packages, or prepping camping gear. Its solid metal body feels substantial in the hand, and the OLFA blade deploys smoothly with a satisfying twist of the knob. What sets this utility knife apart is its attention to detail. The magnetic back docks neatly onto metal surfaces, so you’ll never misplace it during outdoor work. It also comes with a matching metal scale, complete with metric and imperial measurements and a raised edge for safe handling. The blade is easy to replace, and the built-in blade-breaker means you’re never stuck with a dull edge. For anyone who values craftsmanship and utility, the Craftmaster EDC Utility Knife is a must-have for summer projects. Click Here to Buy Now: What we like Handles a wide range of outdoor tasks with ease. Easy to store and access, even in busy spaces. What we dislike Requires some care and attention when handling sharp blades. It should be kept dry to prevent rust or damage over time. 4. Anywhere-Use Lamp Summer evenings often stretch late into the night, and the right lighting can turn any outdoor area into a cozy retreat. The Anywhere Use Lamp is a true all-rounder, offering soft, warm illumination wherever you need it—whether you’re picnicking in the park, relaxing in a hammock, or hosting an alfresco dinner. Its minimalist design is easy to blend with any outdoor style, and it’s lightweight enough to carry in a bag. The lamp is powered by AA batteries, making it both eco-friendly and convenient. With four levels of brightness, you can set the perfect mood, while the haptic feedback from the switch adds a tactile pleasure to every adjustment. The Industrial Edition even features a raw metal base, giving your outdoor space a touch of urban chic. Wherever your summer takes you, this lamp ensures you’re never left in the dark. Click Here to Buy Now: What we like Compact size and battery operation make it ideal for outdoor use. Four levels allow you to tailor the light to your needs. What we dislike Needs regular replacement or recharge, which may not suit everyone. Should be protected from rain or heavy moisture. 5. Side A Cassette Speaker Music is a must for any outdoor gathering, and the Side A Cassette Speaker brings nostalgic style with modern convenience. Shaped like a classic mixtape, this compact Bluetooth speaker is perfect for pool parties, picnics, or just relaxing outside. It offers surprisingly rich sound for its size and supports microSD playback for those who want to go offline. The clear case doubles as a stand, keeping the speaker upright on any surface. With up to six hours of playback, you can keep the good vibes going all afternoon. It’s light enough to throw in your bag and quirky enough to spark conversation wherever you go. Recharging is fast and easy with the included USB-C cable. Click Here to Buy Now: What we like Perfect for taking music anywhere outdoors. Unique look adds personality to your gatherings. What we dislike Best suited for small groups or personal use. It may not satisfy those wanting deep, powerful audio. 6. Yuuye Portable Air Conditioner Heatwaves don’t have to put a damper on your outdoor plans. The Yuuye Portable Air Conditioner offers a groundbreaking way to stay cool wherever you go. Its modular design combines a refrigeration unit and exhaust, efficiently drawing in heat and blowing out cool, refreshing air—perfect for patios, tents, or outdoor workspaces. The unit is easy to carry and features a large air outlet for even distribution. With an LCD screen for easy control and a detachable build for quick scene changes, it’s the ultimate portable solution for beating the heat. Whether you’re hosting a garden party or taking a break from yard work, the Yuuye AC keeps your outdoor space comfortable and inviting. What we like Compact, lightweight, and easy to move between locations. Delivers consistent, refreshing airflow even in high heat. What we dislike Best suited for small to medium spaces rather than large gatherings. Requires charging or plugging in for extended use. 7. Compact Modular Grill Plate Summer is grilling season, and the Compact Modular Grill Plate makes outdoor cooking easier and more enjoyable than ever. This innovative grill plate is designed for versatility—it works on open flames, gas burners, or even induction stoves, making it perfect for camping, backyard cookouts, or beach picnics. The grill’s three-layer steel construction ensures even heat distribution, so your food always cooks perfectly. The detachable handles and easy-to-clean surface make it a breeze to use and pack away. Whether you’re searing steaks, grilling veggies, or just enjoying a casual burger night, this tool adds a touch of chef-level expertise to every meal. Click Here to Buy Now: What we like Triple-layer design means no more hot spots or burnt edges. Detachable handles and compact form make it highly portable. What we dislike Steel surface may need extra attention to avoid buildup. Always use caution when moving it off the heat. 8. 8-in-1 EDC Scissors If you’re camping, gardening, or just tackling odd jobs outdoors during summertime, then having the right tool on hand can save the day. The 8-in-1 EDC Scissors pack a surprising amount of functionality into a palm-sized design, combining scissors, knife, can and bottle openers, shell splitter, degasser, and more. With a tough, rust-resistant build, they’re ready for any summer adventure. The compact form means they slip easily into your pocket, tackle box, or picnic basket. The black oxide finish not only looks sleek but also prevents corrosion, so you can rely on these scissors season after season. It’s the ultimate utility tool for anyone who values preparedness, whether you’re opening snacks, prepping food, or dealing with unexpected fixes. Click Here to Buy Now: What we like Eight handy tools in one compact item. Rust-resistant and built to last in outdoor conditions. What we dislike May not replace full-sized tools for heavy-duty tasks. Needs careful handling, especially around children. 9. Pool Pasta Floats No summer is complete without some poolside fun, and Pool Pasta Floats bring a playful twist to classic inflatables. Shaped like oversized macaroni, farfalle, rigatoni, and more, these floats are sure to be the highlight of any pool gathering. Their bright, emoji-inspired designs add personality and charm, making every swim feel like a celebration. Made from durable materials, these floats are built to last throughout the season. Whether you’re lounging in the sun, playing games, or snapping photos for social media, Pool Pasta Floats make every moment more memorable. They work for all ages and add a dash of humor to your summer adventures. What we like Unique pasta shapes stand out and add fun to any pool. Made to handle endless splashing and lounging. What we dislike Larger floats require room when deflated. More color variety would offer even greater customization. 10. AirFlow 8-Panel Fire Pit You need a crackling fire to cook up something at your summer barbecues, but smoke and messy cleanup can ruin the mood. The Airflow 8-Panel Fire Pit solves both problems with its ingenious removable panel system. By optimizing airflow and enabling secondary combustion, it burns wood more completely, producing less smoke and more warmth. The modular design lets you control the intensity of the fire—add panels for a hotter, contained blaze or remove them for a more open feel. The clever airflow ensures consistent burning, making it easier to maintain your fire and enjoy a clean, smoke-free atmosphere. It’s perfect for family gatherings, roasting marshmallows, or just relaxing under the stars. Click Here to Buy Now: What we like Secondary combustion minimizes smoke for a more pleasant experience. Removable panels let you control the fire’s heat and look. What we dislike Requires setup before each use, which may take a few extra minutes. Metal construction adds some weight for portability. The post 10 Best Innovative Products To Enhance Outdoor Living In Summer 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design. #best #innovative #products #enhance #outdoor

The COVID-19 pandemic changed homeowners’ priorities for their outdoor spaces; they’ve since envisioned them as flexible extensions of their residences’ interiors. “It was during the pandemic that we noticed the huge upswing in demand for terraces, balconies, and patios, and that has not abated,” notes mono-monikered New York–based designer Clodagh. “It’s that need we have to know that we can escape from a confined space: the need for air, sky, and vista.”According to the National Association of Realtors, 64% of homeowners seek to create multifunctional outdoor spaces, which aligns with the boom in the outdoor living market—this market segment is projected to hit $26.8 billion by 2027. But in a sea of new furnishings and materials, what patio trends are here to stay? AD PRO tapped industry experts to share the patio designs shaping today’s outdoor spaces.A poolside shade structure at a Los Angeles home by DISC Interiors is designed as an outdoor living room. Photo: Sam FrostKeep it seamless“Clients that are looking for their outdoor spaces to be designed similarly to their indoors, so there’s a seamless transition between the two,” explains New York–based interior designer Tina Ramchandani. “Clients are excited about feeling like they are in their living rooms—just outside! This involves carrying the same flooring or same color/finish of flooring, similar furniture and fabric styles, and the same color palette over to the exterior area.”Landscape architect Robert Bell is seeing more use of color outdoors, as clients and manufacturers move away from a monotone look inside too. “While adding pops of color via cushions or pillows has long been a design trick, clients are committing to unique tile and furniture colors like blue, coral or yellow,” he says, noting that he recently designed a flamingo pink garden gate for a home in South Florida.Join NowAD PRO members enjoy exclusive benefits. Get a year of unlimited access for $25 $20 per month.ArrowExtending the color palette beyond the interiors is a budget-friendly and effective way to synergize indoor and outdoor spaces, says Jessica Shaw, director of interior design at The Turett Collaborative. Taking it a step further, and matching styles is even better. “We design our outdoor spaces the same way we tackle our interiors. We look for comfort, luxury, and timelessness,” explains Jose Achi, senior director of design development at Clodagh Design. “Our exterior experiences not only include the usual outdoor living room arrangements, but we truly believe in people’s primal connection to the outdoors—we even provide beds to be able to sleep under a starry sky to complete the outdoor living experience.”Providing the same level of comfort in both interior and exterior spaces is important too. For example, installing a flush heater over an outdoor dining table or outdoor living room helps smooth the transition from inside to outside the home without the shock of a temperature change, says Southern California–based designer Dustin Morris, principal of AD PRO Directory firm Eyoh Design.“Often placed near the large sliding doors, the warm air creates a barrier that even helps regulate the indoor temperature so that you can have those doors opened up and the cold air doesn’t seem to get in,” Morris explains. “Homeowners love them because you are always able to use that outdoor space.”Meanwhile, a pass-through window to the patio can set up a physical link to ground outdoor design. “Many of our homes set up fold-away servery windows with bar seating looking back into the kitchen,” Morris says. “This allows the kitchen to be connected to the outdoor space and for the people seated outdoors to be connected to the people in the kitchen.” While this window is a very social feature, it also satisfies a functional need, as food from the indoor kitchen can be served through it to the outdoor kitchen or dining space.The veranda at this Tucson, Arizona, home by landscape architect Elizabeth Przygoda overflows with cozy desert personality. Courtesy of Elizabeth PrzygodaGo plush—or super sleek“In the last few years, we’ve been incorporating more furniture that has the feel and the look of indoor furniture,” says AD PRO Directory designer Tom Stringer.To put a finer point on it, says San Francisco–based interior and product designer Jiun Ho, “Out is the dull, square-edged, traditional, utilitarian teak furniture that screams ‘Grandma’s house.’” Instead, pros are embracing sculptural, weather-resilient furnishings that can hold their own—and play as well outside as they potentially could indoors. Noting that most conventional teak outdoor furniture has stayed the same for over 50 years, Ho has taken to designing pieces to function well wherever good design is needed. For example, his Furu outdoor dining furniture melds teak and stainless steel for a sexy aesthetic.Jiun Ho’s creations, like the teak Kiyomizu Dining Table, buck cliché conventions of traditional outdoor furniture. Courtesy of Jiun HoLindsey Jamison, lead designer and partner at Rumor Designs, loves a curved sofa on a patio. “In an open space like a patio, it can function in the center of the space which makes everything feel more playful seeing the curves,” she notes. “[Organic shapes] immediately make a patio feel cozy and warm. A neutral fabric curved sofa will add a sense of serene, calm—everything you want to relax in an outdoor space.”LA-based interior designer Kishani Perera says clients are gravitating toward “softer, less-structured furniture in favor of cozier pieces more in line with indoor pieces than outdoor—whether it’s for a more cushy sofa, a fab weather-resistant rug, or a rounded occasional table.” Genevieve Lake, owner of Florida-based design firm Love Lake Studio, points out that advances in performance fabrics can also lend a helping hand. “Gone are the days of crunchy, cardboard-feeling outdoor furniture,” she says; today, it’s all about velvets, weaves, and bouclés.Lauren Lerner, CEO and founder of Living with Lolo in Scottsdale, Arizona, goes so far as adding accouterments beyond just furniture. “We enjoy crafting outdoor living spaces furnished with rugs and even outdoor TVs,” she says. “Our designs [use] natural materials like stone, wood, and plants to create an organic, inviting ambiance.” And don’t forget to create shade where it may not exist naturally, says Indiana-based designer Susan Yeley: “Big sturdy umbrellas add architectural interest and make outdoor gatherings on sunny days more pleasant.”Landscape architect Elizabeth Przygoda, founder of Boxhill, is noticing the rise of custom ramadas and shade structures. “These aren’t just to block the sun, they’re fully outfitted spaces with lighting, fans, and lounge setups,” she explains. “In the past month alone, we’ve installed five of them. They’re definitely an investment, but they completely transform the usability of a yard. It’s astonishing how quickly they transform a space.”No need for overly coordinated patio sets, says Inner Gardens’ Stephen Block: A mix of vintage and modern is just as compelling for an outdoor space as it is for an indoor one. Courtesy of Inner GardensMix materials, eras, and price pointsStephen Block of the store Inner Gardens, with locations in Malibu and Culver City, California, cautions against going matchy-matchy through old standbys like coordinating deck sets. He prefers to invest in “an eclectic mix”—wood, wicker, metal, and concrete—to carve out a more creative, personalized vibe. And designers shouldn’t feel too hemmed-in by sticking to a particular era of furnishings, he adds: “Mixing vintage with modern pieces creates a timeless aesthetic that feels fresh while adding character and depth to the space.”Przygoda says she appreciates the trend of mixing old and new—like sourcing vintage captain’s chairs for the ends of a contemporary dining table—and is seeing a lot more mixing of highs and lows. “Someone might put an IKEA rug under a $12,000 outdoor table—and it works,” she says. “That’s one of the things I love most about landscape and outdoor design: It’s much more forgiving than interior design.”She adds, “Layering these highs and lows and olds and news gives spaces ‘legs’ to stand on, and they don't feel so staged and catalogue-ish.”LA-based interior designer Alex Yeske has noticed an influx of European inspirations in patio trends. “I am personally a huge fan of European outdoor spaces and like to achieve that vibe from a mix of materials—rattan, iron, stone, wood—and mixing and matching new pieces with vintage finds,” she says. “There have been many fun iron and powder-coated steel furniture lines introduced for outdoor use, as well as more options beyond stripes for patterned outdoor fabrics.”To achieve a curated look, Shaw mixes brands and textures. “While there is something appealing about the clean and minimal approach of finding a furniture line you love and purchasing a full set, there is a richness and greater sense of personality and originality that comes from mixing things up,” she says. “It ultimately allows our clients to have a greater feeling of satisfaction and connection to their outdoor living spaces.”This Texas home by architects Calvin Chen and Thomas Bercy has a large patio between its pool pavilion and main house, which both use reclaimed Douglas fir and Glulam beams; landscape by Ciel Design for Gardens. Photo: Douglas Friedman / Styling: Jenny O'ConnorSource eco-friendly findsAesthetics and functionality are not the only concerns for patio designs; increasingly, homeowners and designers weigh environmental impact when furnishing an open-air room. “Clients are asking for products made of more natural materials instead of plastic. Outdoor furniture made from rope, teak, and naturally sourced wood is not only better for the environment, but also much better to the touch than plastic,” Stringer notes.Similarly, Joseph Carline, partner at Kligerman Architecture & Design in New York, says his firm’s recent focus for patio design has been to “use local materials that not only exude timeless beauty but are sustainable and ethically sourced.” Local reclaimed or FSC-certified hardwoods and natural stone are top choices for patio furniture, as they tend to have a smaller carbon footprint. “We also often use US-made brick products as patio pavers, which are endlessly versatile, durable, and just look stunning,” he continues, naming materials like limestone and sandstone as options that “offer a range of textures and colors to suit various aesthetic preferences while maintaining sustainability.”Bell also sees increased focus on recycled or reused paving materials. “Reclaimed Chicago brick pavers are a perennial favorite but now mixed with tabby materials like recycled shell or glass pavers,” he says. “Bricks and concrete pavers are often made locally or regionally and may be a greener (and tariff-free) choice compared to European or Indian stones shipped long distances. We've had lots of simulated limestone paving made in the Palm Beach area.”To further reduce a garden’s environmental impact, Carline says his firm “embraces water-saving landscaping techniques, such as native plantings and permeable hardscaping surfaces to help conserve water and promote biodiversity. These elements not only enhance the beauty of the patio but also contribute to a healthier ecosystem.”Carline also says his firm “embraces water-saving landscaping techniques, such as native plantings and permeable hardscaping surfaces to help conserve water and promote biodiversity. These elements not only enhance the beauty of the patio but also contribute to a healthier ecosystem.”A small private patio in the citrus grove at Paseo La Cresta II, designed by KAA © Roger Davies/OTTOAdopt native and edible plantsWhat’s an outdoor living space without proper plantings? Trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers not only add aesthetic appeal but also ground a patio design in its site-specific locale. “Biophilia in design is magic to all of us,” Clodagh offers. “We like to turn terraces and patios, large and small, into greenery-filled gardens as much as we can, all for a huge mental health boost. They make wonderful spaces to sneak out and connect with nature and disconnect from devices. All the senses become more alert outdoors and you can listen to the sounds of life in your garden.”Nashville-based designer Brad Ramsey notices a trend toward using native species in patio planting, as they tend to require less maintenance. “Many people also opt for native evergreen plants and perennials for year-round green and annual color without having to purchase and replant every spring,” he says.“Using trees and shrubs that are native to your region contributes to a healthy ecosystem and attracts highly desirable visitors to the garden such as birds and butterflies,” explain Damien and Jacqueline Harrison, principals at landscape firm Harrison Green in New York. “We like to ensure that at least two thirds of our gardens are made up of native plants.”The design duo also favors edible plants, which are both beautiful and functional, and likes to use espaliers to train fruiting trees to grow in a flat plane along a wall. They say they’ve had great success with using espaliers for apple and pear trees in small patio spaces in New York City, as they take up less space. “They’re a nice alternative to a vine for coverage on a wall and will immediately elevate the look of any garden,” they add.LA-based senior landscape architect Michael McGowan of AD PRO Directory firm KAA Design loves the idea of smaller, more intimate patio spaces that integrate biodiverse gardens—think plants, flowers, and veggies. He even created a mini fruit tree grove into one client project. “The divine scent of spring citrus blossoms and comfy furniture entice residents to spend time enjoying the serenity of the space,” notes McGowan.A robust dining setup, sculptural outdoor lighting, bar cart, and a fireside lounge help make Donna Mondi’s design for this alfresco space especially inviting. Photo: David PattersonFire it upAn outdoor fire feature can be the pièce de résistance of a patio design. “We rarely design homes without an outdoor living room, complete with a fireplace,” says Bruce Bockus, architect and chairman at Bockus Payne. From actual wood-burning fireplaces to gas-powered devices that can turn on via smartphone or remote control, these amenities can help extend the season of a patio into the cooler months. “We like to hook up firepits directly to a gas line for easy-peasy ambiance and heat,” says Yeley in Indiana.“Horizontal gas fireplaces are a trending design feature right now. You can place them low and position a television above it at an easily viewable height,” adds Bockus, noting the need to offer clients a few options. “A firepit is the least expensive way,” he says, but it needs to be placed in the open. “If you like the feeling of being under the stars, it might be the perfect choice for you.”But beyond including just any old fire source, Stafford of Rumor Designs says that firepits are trending away from sleek, modern forms and leaning into structures that exude more character. “Lately, we’ve found how important it is to make the most simple things interesting,” she says. “For so long we’ve whittled elements down to such a modern, clean skeleton with no [personality], and we’re ready to add thoughtful details back into design elements.”Przygoda adds, “With all the recent wildfires on the West Coast, we’re seeing more focus on safety. Clients are opting for firepits that use hidden propane tanks, which can be easily shut off, contained, and controlled. They’re beautiful but practical, which is exactly what outdoor living should be.”A multi-level garden in San Francisco for architectural designer Abigail Turin features a small pool and seamless indoor-outdoor access. Landscape design by Ken Mendonça. Photo: Sang An / Styling: Rod HipskindTake the plungeAlthough there was a time when grand backyard swimming pools were all the rage, today’s homeowners are thinking smaller—much smaller—and leaning into more niche spa amenities like cold plunges. Often this is because clients “want to build their own private sanctuary to decompress after a stressful work day or lounge on the weekend,” notes Jennifer Nawada Evans, owner and designer at Nawada Landscape Design.“We love the growing emphasis on wellness in design and that more people are putting in saunas and pools,” says North Carolina–based interior designer Carrie Moore. “The design of these elements is getting more sophisticated. Tiny plunge pools are being put in smaller urban backyards, and while they are [compact], they still have a very calming impact on our senses.”Taking the plunge, so to speak, also leaves more space to enjoy the rest of the garden. Plus they’re easier to install, says Nawada Evans. “They take up less space, water, and energy than a standard-size swimming pool, and they require fewer chemicals.”Blu Dot Longday Bar CartTerrace Solid Wood Bar CartBring on the bar carts“Designers love a good bar cart moment, and outdoor patios are no exception,” says Denver-based designer Donna Mondi, who recently added Holly Hunt’s Omura bar cart to her own patio. “It’s been used for tequila tasting, a backup bar, and champagne service for events at our home,” she notes. “It’s stylish, strong enough to withstand the elements, and mobile so we can wheel it where we need it.Dan Mazzarini, principal and creative director at BHDM Design, also thinks that bar carts add a lavish aesthetic to patio designs for all seasons. “Bar carts can do much more than just hold liquor,” he explains. “From accommodating dim sum to buffets, these pieces are both form and function and go from poolside chic to dinner party elegant as the sun sets.” There are plenty of bar-cart styles that combine the warmth of wood with cool aluminum to meld well with other patio furniture and decor.North Carolina–based Carrie Moore decked out this alfresco kitchen with plenty of pendant lighting and cozy cushions. Lissa Gotwals Photography / Courtesy of Carrie Moore Interior DesignLight it rightCoastal Living Chic Coastal Beehive Outdoor PendantThe pros we spoke to emphasized that lighting design must be integrated into a design scheme from the inception of a project, not as an afterthought. “I’ll always encourage clients to have fun with outdoor lighting,” notes Perera, “from a beautiful chandelier…to an unexpected fixture to add a touch of whimsy to the space.”Eyoh’s Morris is noticing many outdoor spaces that don't have permanent overhead lighting structures opt for café lights instead. “Café lights over outdoor spaces lend a very ephemeral and romantic feeling to the space in the evening, as the string of soft lights offers the coziness of an overhead ceiling while being completely open to the stars,” he explains.To create an appealing atmosphere outside, “We accent trees, light pathways, and string party lights to make our patios just as inviting,” Ramsey says. “And now we have all kinds of options for rechargeable lamps to provide even more charm and warmth to our thoughtfully designed outdoor rooms.”Similarly, Washington, DC–based AD PRO Directory designer Zoë Feldman favors solar-powered string lights. “They’re effortless, energy-efficient, and add just the right amount of magic to any outdoor space,” she says. “No plugs, no fuss, just instant ambiance.”APPLY NOWGrow your business with the AD PRO DirectoryArrow Source: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/patio-trends-changing-todays-backyards #patio #trends #changing #todays #backyards