Gary Hoffman, owner of Absolutely Outdoors, a Tomball-based company that focuses on outdoor amenities and landscaping, spoke about outdoor trends and tips for homeowners.

What are the trends when it comes to outdoor amenities?

I think something that’s trending right now is we’re seeing a lot more traditional pools that don’t have raised elevations on them. We’re seeing more contemporary metal structures being desired. ... [There’s] still a lot of interest on outdoor kitchens, fireplaces and firepits, whether they’re integrated into the structure or they’re freestanding.

What is an outdoor amenity’s effect on a home, particularly its value?

You don’t want the most expensive house in the neighborhood; you want something that is going to take your initial investment and raise the value of it. And if [an outdoor amenity is] done properly, with the real estate market the way that it is in Houston, you usually can regain most of your investment and many times increase the value greatly of the house. I think another thing that we tend to tell people is—think about the next person that buys that house. ... You want that project to appeal to the masses, have a wow factor.

What are more simple things homeowners can do to enhance their backyards?

Landscaping is the first thing. Just a garden that’s pleasing to the eye and additional patio space, covered or uncovered. ... Fountains and waterfalls can certainly bring peace.

When it comes to landscaping, what are the biggest mistakes you see homeowners making?

I would say 50% of the work that we do is redo, and these are people that have spent a lot of money already on their yard. Things like planting plants too deep, suffocating the plant material, improper drainage—[these are] critical to a garden.

What are some tips for homeowners maintaining their landscaping?

The biggest thing is to monitor the garden [and] use plant material that grows and thrives on the proper sides of the house, whether it’s facing northwest, east, south.

What types of plants do well in our climate?

We’re in a zone that allows us to plant a lot of different things. ... Using different types of succulents that require virtually little water and thrive in the heat. Then there’s the traditional gardens of azaleas and boxwoods—as long as they’re in the right lighting and soil conditions and watering conditions, they’re going to do great. You have a very, very large palette of what you can do. It’s knowing where to put it and how to install it. I think that’s critical to the homeowner.

Gary Hoffman

Owner, Absolutely Outdoors

23902 FM 2978, Ste. A, Tomball

281-686-5296

www.absolutelyoutdoors.net