Remember when outdoor spaces were merely used as places for the roll-out barbecue grill, a haven for swing-sets and a place to contain dogs and kids? Not any more. Even entry and side courtyards have returned in full bloom -- boasting fountains, wine tasting rooms, fireplaces and comfy lounging spaces. History does indeed repeat itself, and similar to the lifestyle in ancient Roman days – homeowners are finding that the outdoors can be a place to live as well as play.

Design trends are always fun to read about, so I scoured the Internet and other sources to find out just what people are looking for in outdoor design trends in 2008. According to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), it seems homeowners not only want outdoor kitchens, but outdoor “great rooms” as well.

In an informal poll conducted earlier this year, leading landscape architects were asked about the top residential (and commercial) design trends for 2008. Outdoor kitchens and fire pits were still de rigueur, however more and more homeowners are looking to incorporate the kitchen, living room, and dining room with an outdoor great room concept, ideal for larger family gatherings for smoother transitions between indoor and outdoor guest traffic. ASLA president Perry Howard notes, “It’s no surprise that people want to take elements that work so well inside their home and recreate them outside.”

Another new trend is the revival of the garden. Homeowners who are ever conscious of irrigation and lawn-maintenance costs are clamoring for more water-saving features and smaller tracts of individual lawns. Gardens answer this need with stunning varieties of foliage while incorporating drought-resistant plants, making outdoor spaces more sustainable.

Here are some other outdoor ideas that are both sustainable and cost-efficient to purchase and install:

• Water features - relaxing self-contained fountains are easy to set up. Some styles incorporate child-safe pond-less fountains. Or a simple outdoor shower with a pebble or slate floor and vine covered lattice for privacy might be the ticket.

• Fire pits permit family and guests to warm themselves while you wait to install outdoor fireplace next year. Fire pits can be purchased ready-made or you can construct you own with fieldstone or concrete blocks.

• Outdoor lighting - you’ll be amazed at how beautiful your garden will look when adding some lighting. In fact, you’ll want to stay outdoors after dark. Light a path or up-light the trunk of one of your trees, back-light a plant with interesting foliage, or wash a wall with light. Today’s solar lights are getting better and better and low voltage lights are more affordable, too.

• Stone in the garden - whether you want a seat wall to surround your patio or a permeable flagstone patio, stone lends a sense of permanence and elegance to your property.