As the weather warms up, outdoor spaces naturally become an extension of our homes—a place to relax, entertain, and enjoy the fresh air. Whether you’re working with a compact courtyard or a sprawling backyard, even small updates can make a big visual impact.
We caught up with Adam Kober, founder of Newport Beach-based Kober Design Group, whose landscape designs are known for their effortless blend of sophistication and functionality. With experience ranging from private residences to luxury hospitality projects, Adam has a knack for transforming everyday outdoor areas into striking, livable environments.
Here, he shares five easy, high-impact ways to elevate your garden or patio this season—no major overhaul required.
1. Add Pops of Color
- Kober compares seasonal flower planting to updating a wardrobe. For spring and summer, he recommends Vinca XDR, SunPatiens, Begonias, and Petunias—resilient options that bring vibrant color to your space.
- Beyond flowers, consider plants with interesting textures or foliage like salvia, coleus, succulents, or even decorative cabbages and kales. Mixing textures with seasonal blooms can create depth and balance.
2. Incorporate Accent Pots
- Kober designs layered arrangements: a primary feature plant for visual focus, colorful seasonal blooms at mid-level, and trailing greenery like Creeping Jenny or English Ivy to soften the edges.
- Avoid mismatched scale—tiny plants in large pots or vice versa can throw off the look. Aim for proportionate combinations that complement both the plant and its container.
3. Choose the Right Top Dressing
- While every project is unique, Kober notes that pea gravel is a great option in high-fire areas and requires less maintenance than bark mulch.
- For those who prefer mulch, he advises choosing the darkest type to let plants shine and emphasizes that mulch should support the garden—not distract from it.
4. Add Tree Uplighting
- Strategically placed lighting turns trees into living sculptures. Kober looks for natural focal points like unique branching or multi-trunk structures to highlight.
- Tips: Always adjust your lighting at night, and aim uplights high to reach the canopy’s crown. Avoid aiming too low, which creates harsh hotspots.
5. Replace Outdoor Accessories
- Switching out cushions, umbrellas, and other accessories is a fast way to refresh your outdoor area. Kober recommends bold colors and patterns that are visible from afar.
- Favorite brands for high-quality fabrics and furnishings include Perennials/Sutherland, McKinnon and Harris, Janus et Cie, Sunbrella, and Tucci.
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