Residential Landscaping Products

Report Overview

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This study covers the United States residential market for landscaping products, which are defined as hard goods used in landscaping activities.

Analysis of the landscaping products market in the US is provided by product:

• hardscaping products
  • concrete pavers, slabs, and planks
  • lumber (e.g., wood, plastic, composite)
  • blocks (e.g., stone, concrete, and glass)
  • ready-mix concrete
  • stone tiles, slabs, and veneer (natural and manufactured)
  • bricks
  • aggregates (e.g., sand, gravel, pebbles, crushed stone)
  • other hardscaping products, such as stone boulders; porcelain, other ceramic, and glass tile; metal and plastic edging; plastic or rubber pavers; and plastic faux rocks
• outdoor structures
  • sheds
  • hobby greenhouses
  • gazebos and pavilions
  • arches, arbors, trellises, and pergolas
  • bridges and other structures (e.g., obelisks, windmills, wishing wells)
• decorative landscaping products
  • water features (e.g., fountains, ponds, waterfalls)
  • lawn ornaments
  • statuary
  • other outdoor décor (e.g., wind spinners, garden stakes, wind chimes, gazing balls)
• pots, planters, and raised beds (plastic, pottery, or other materials such as concrete and fiberglass)
• bird and wildlife products
  • feeders
  • houses
  • bird baths and other products (e.g., accessories, such as baffles, guards, stands, trays, and pedestals)
• landscape lighting
  • solar-powered
  • low-voltage
  • line-voltage and other lighting
• other landscaping products, including:
  • heating products
  • synthetic turf
  • fabrics and accessories

Consumables, equipment, and furniture are excluded from the scope of this study, as are any related service revenues.

The hardscaping used to produce site-built outdoor kitchens and heating products is included, but the similar materials that are incorporated at the manufacturers’ level into prefabricated versions are not. In the case of heating products, prefabricated units or kits are accounted for with heating product demand. Also excluded from coverage in this category are hardscape products used in non-landscape areas like driveways or roadways. Additionally, bricks and blocks that are part of home structure are generally excluded. Products used in retaining walls are typically not included if the structure necessary to the integrity of yard or building.

While outdoor structures that are prefabricated or built onsite from a kit are included in this study, those that are built onsite using customer-selected lumber or other materials (e.g., not part of a factory-compiled kit) are not included. Also excluded are site-built bird and wildlife products used in parks, zoos, nature preserves, and other non-landscaping applications.

Raised beds are included with pots, planters, and raised beds if they are sold ready to use or in kit form for DIY assembly. Raised beds made from separately purchased lumber would be included in the hardscape product segment. Beds made from scratch with salvaged or recycled materials are excluded.

Among other exclusions are:

• disposable pots and trays used for seed starting or other applications and grow bags
• landscape lighting that is attached to a building (such as security lights)
• synthetic turf in stadiums and sports fields other than golf courses
• feed products such as birdseed

Historical data for 2010, 2015, and 2020 and forecasts to 2025 and 2030 are provided for demand in current dollars (which are not adjusted to account for inflation).

Demand by End User

Residential demand for landscaping products is expected to increase 2.3% per year to $7.2 billion in 2025. While the consumer/DIY end user market is the larger segment and saw a boost in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, the professional segment is expected to show faster gains through 2025, supported by:

• strong growth in product areas that typically require professional installation, such as hardscape or lighting
• a healthy economy and improved consumer confidence, which makes consumers more willing to spend on professional services
• continuation of the DIFM trend, in which consumers look to professionals to help them save time and energy

The DIY market will continue to dominate residential landscaping product sales due to the large number of landscaping products that do not require technical knowledge or significant physical labor to assemble or install, such as bird and wildlife items, pots, and lawn ornaments. However, the DIY market will continue to lose share to the professional market going forward, as the financial benefits of the country’s strong economic outlook will make consumers more willing to pay the additional cost of professional installs.

Demand by Project Type

Through 2025, growth in the new residential construction market for landscaping products will outpace that in the larger renovation and repair segment, boosted by rising homebuilding activity:

• New single-family homes often feature landscaping product installations such as hardscape patios and walkways in order to increase home sale values.
• Additionally, upscale homes may be built with other value-adding features, such as outdoor kitchens, pools and spas, and other installations that promote outdoor living.

Nevertheless, the renovation and repair market will continue to account for a greater share of residential landscaping product demand (56% in 2025), bolstered by continued elevated spending on home renovations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Demand by Product

The residential market for landscaping products is expected to grow 2.3% per year through 2025 to $7.2 billion. Advances will be supported by:

• the continued growth of the outdoor living trend, which will promote the installation of all landscaping products for all residential project types
• gains in disposable income, allowing homeowners to take on more extensive renovations and installations of landscape products, including those involving substantial hardscaping and lighting
• an increase in gardening among millennials and interest in food gardening in general, which will drive gains for products like hardscaping, hobby greenhouses, pots, planters, and raised beds

Residential demand for landscaping products is expected to grow 2.3% per year through 2025 to $7.2 billion, driven by continued increases in both new residential construction and home renovations. Major trends supporting growth of landscaping product sales have seen increased intensity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

• greater investment in outdoor living areas, which can offer a comfortable and safe alternative to crowded public spaces and indoor gatherings
• higher participation in gardening, spurring sales of landscape products that facilitate this activity
• increased near-term spending on home improvements, particularly on higher value professional-grade projects, as the pandemic allowed more consumers to divert time and funds for home improvement projects

While some trends will continue to grow in popularity, others will moderate post-pandemic. For instance, professionally installed products are expected to outpace those installed by consumers through 2025 as more people resume activities outside the house.

Pandemic-Related Spike in Home Renovation Market to Continue Through 2021

Home improvement activities grew substantially in 2020 as more households used funds typically reserved for travel or away-from-home entertainment on their houses, accelerating the pre-pandemic trend in outdoor living. Through 2021, renovation activity is expected to remain elevated as homeowners continue to undertake large-scale, professional-grade projects that labor shortages, long lead times, and supply chain disruptions had prevented them from completing earlier in the pandemic. In particular, this will benefit products that are most often installed by professionals – such as hardscaping and water features – which are expected to see above average growth compared to the more DIY-oriented product categories that saw stronger growth at the pandemic’s outset.

Gardening Participation Grows & Creates Larger Base Going Forward

The number of gardeners in the US continues to grow. Prior to the pandemic, more consumers, particularly those in younger generations, were participating in gardening – opting to try out food gardening or becoming “plant parents”. The pandemic expanded this trend as households looked to grow their own food or improve the aesthetics of their outdoor spaces, spurring gains for products like pots, planters, and raised beds. While it is likely this spike in gardening will decline somewhat in the coming years, the consumer base to which landscape suppliers can market their products will have expanded, which will improve opportunities for sales going forward.

Growth for Hardscaping & Outdoor Lighting Will Be Boosted by Return to DIFM

Through 2025, hardscaping and outdoor lighting are two areas that will see above average growth as the “do it for me” (DIFM) movement regains momentum. The pandemic led many homeowners to delay large, costly, or complicated projects. As the pandemic wore on, and consumers became more comfortable with having workers at their homes, contractors became overwhelmed with orders, causing longer lead times. Because hardscaping and lighting can be difficult to install, professionals will benefit from consumer interest in outdoor areas, particularly as the DIFM trend expands through 2025.