
A resource for those seeking information on organizing and transforming spaces.
Understanding the Basic Principles of Landscape Design
Organizing your backyard garden or the front lawn of your home are tasks that will affect the value of your entire property. Other than this, it can also increase the quality of life in your household and give you a fun and relaxing hobby.
Organizing your backyard garden or the front lawn of your home are tasks that will affect the value of your entire property. Other than this, it can also increase the quality of life in your household and give you a fun and relaxing hobby. Landscaping can:
Boost your home’s curb appeal
Incentivize you to spend more time outdoors
Create a personal oasis on your own property
In order for any or all of these to be true, you need to start by applying the right strategy. This starts by understanding your end goals and being honest about the impression you want your garden to make. Here are several basic principles of landscaping design that can help guide you through the planning stage.
The Focal Point
Organizing your backyard becomes so much easier when you have a focal point to work around. A focal point in the backyard can be anything from a single item to a whole thematic area.
A focal point needs to dominate the area that is lush and vibrant. This is not an easy task, and the best way to get there is with. This contrast can be achieved through:
Size
Shape
Color
Position
There are no rules regarding the size of the item that is supposed to serve as a focal point. You can go with something as tiny as a garden gnome or a Grecian urn. Others choose something bigger like a pond, fountain, or a pool. A watery element is a particularly good idea for a focal point, seeing as how it creates a natural contrast from a tactile standpoint.
When talking about proportions, it is usually a good idea to keep the place a bit asymmetrical. For a lot of people, landscaping is all about balance, but you need to understand that balance and symmetry are not one and the same.
Don’t Go Over the Top
When you first think about landscaping, what probably crosses your mind is a freshly mowed lawn. Other than this, you might also think of a well-placed three or a nicely pruned shrub. If you think of a garden path, it’s also probably made of simple, natural material.
So, what do all of these things have in common?
They’re simple and natural-looking.
Remember that your garden needs to represent the combination of nature and order. This is why simple shapes, natural colors, and, most importantly, natural materials are probably the best way for you to get there.
So, whenever choosing an option, consider whether it has a simpler alternative that might be more elegant.
For instance, let’s say you want to add a fiery element to your backyard. For some people, the solution would be to go for an outdoor (possibly Mediterranean-styled) fireplace. However, it’s probably better to go for a classic stone fire pit instead.
The Contrast of Textures and Materials
A green cover made out of leaves, pine needles, and blades of grass is supposed to be the backbone of your garden. However, this green, vibrant cover is not the only material out there. When combining different elements and materials, you should probably go with something natural and natural-looking. Sure, going for vinyl around your pool is pragmatic but keep in mind that stone, wood, and materials that look like stone and wood are a better solution for the rest of your garden.
For instance, instead of just going for concrete, you can go for concrete pavers instead. These concrete pavers will look more like stone than regular concrete would. Concrete pavers can also come in different textures and colors, which may make them look like a specific type of stone like granite. They can even have the look of wooden planks, thus giving you a chance to create a more resilient and maintenance-friendly deck-like structure.
The cheapest solution to your problem is to use pea pebbles. This solution will probably cost you as little as $6 per square foot. Compare this to using stone pavers which could cost well above $20 per square foot, and you can clearly see the difference.
Naturally, if budget is not the issue, you should go for real stone. This will interact great with the rest of your property, especially for homes that use gray slate for their roofing.
Take Your Time to Plant Everything
There’s a saying that it’s far more efficient to plant a 50-cent plant in a $5 hole than a $5 plant in a 50-cent hole. While this is an interesting landscaping principle, it’s also a concept that you can apply to anything else you decide to do in life. Preparation is always the key to success, and if you take enough time to do the preparatory work, success is inevitable.
If you are willing to invest more time and effort, you could potentially consider the concept of raised garden beds. This will provide all your plants, vegetables, even shrubs with more nutrients, better moisture retention (for the soil), and protection from foot traffic. The number of benefits that it creates for your landscape is worth the extra effort/cost. The best part is that it doesn’t really increase maintenance by that much. In some scenarios, it will even make your maintenance slightly easier.
The majority of people fear this form of planning because they want their garden to give away the impression of wild growth. The key thing to remember is that these two principles aren’t mutually exclusive. You can have every inch of your garden planned out and still have it look spontaneous and wild.
In Conclusion
It will take a lot of strategy, planning, and effort to create a perfect landscape design. With the above-listed principles, you will have a general idea of the direction that you should take your plans. Also, keep in mind that gardening and landscaping are also affected by your budget.
The most important thing you need to understand here is that time is your greatest adversary. Once you achieve the ultimate landscape design, it won’t take long until the wild growth overtakes everything. This is why your job is never truly done. Once you have everything as you want it, the battle for preserving your design can begin.
12 Dreamy Landscaping Ideas for Every Season
It’s a shame putting all that potential curb appeal to waste at some point during the year. Each season has its blessings and challenges, so learning how to use that to your advantage is the key to good landscaping. What you need are dreamy landscaping ideas that are good for every season to give your exterior an attractive look. Mixing colors and materials, playing with structures and shapes, combing purpose and beauty — that’s what you will have to do to create a breathtaking outdoor area. Let’s begin then!
It’s a shame putting all that potential curb appeal to waste at some point during the year. Each season has its blessings and challenges, so learning how to use that to your advantage is the key to good landscaping. What you need are dreamy landscaping ideas that are good for every season to give your exterior an attractive look. Mixing colors and materials, playing with structures and shapes, combing purpose and beauty — that’s what you will have to do to create a breathtaking outdoor area. Let’s begin then!
Winter
1. Discover the berries
Trees and shrubs with berries are the symbols of winter, especially when heavy snowfall is involved. All that white needs contrast and flamboyant berries on your greenery will give it a touch of liveliness.
Winterberries are leafy during the warm months, but in winter when the leaves fall out, the plant is covered in red berries. If you would like some purple to your winter landscape, beautyberry will help you create areas that pop with color. Crabapples, like Jewelcole, Sugar Tyme, and Wintergold bear their fruits well into the winter if the birds don’t eat them all before January.
2. Include the evergreens
Evergreens should be part of every landscape that wants to look amazing throughout the year. They are elegant and easy to care for, making them the best solutions for those who are not skilled gardeners. Contrary to popular beliefs, evergreens include a range of colors besides green, like yellow, blue, and red so you can combine different varieties for an interesting landscape.
Silver Koran Fir is a dense and silvery tree with soft needles that are a good fit for minimalist-designed gardens. Small outdoor areas can still have lavish evergreens, like dwarf blue spruce, bringing blue color and festive vibes. Those into classics will adore bristlecone pine which offers green, blue, and white tones you can decorate during the holidays.
3. Focus on hardscape details
After winter-proofing your home, it’s time to prepare the outdoor area for cold and snowy months. Look for the possible areas to improve your landscape, like missed focal points during the other seasons. You can fill these in with hardscape details, like sculptures, to make them more impactful.
Structures, like trellis and arbors, are beautiful additions you can use for displaying evergreen climber vines. Cape Honeysuckle with orange and red tubular flowers will be in bloom the whole winter so you can plant it on the gate to welcome your guests. A bench is a nice feature to have in the winter, especially under a pergola or gazebo you can add to your winter landscape.
Spring
4. Time for decluttering and preparing
Spring is the time you should have your garden tools at the ready and start making big plans for landscaping. If you are planning to add a new feature to your landscape, like a pool or a patio, preparing the ground is vital. Take care of the overgrown plants and debris, while at the same time trying to even out the ground with a shovel to create a clean space to work with.
Check if there are any unwanted pests and potential repairs you need to do after the winter before you proceed with your landscaping work. This is the season to start with small repairs, as well, like fixing the fence and a façade.
5. Build pathways
Pathways are an excellent way to create sections in your landscape and make every part of it accessible. This feature is available even if you are on the budget by using stones, but as a DIY project, it may be possible to use other, pricier materials.
If you already have a gravel path, you can update it with stone chips and edging, refreshing its look and making it more attractive. Granite stepping stones on the lawn are ideal dreamy landscaping for those who want a more rustic exterior design.
6. Start planting flowers
Planting flowers should be high on your list since it brings colors and scents to the garden after the winter. One of the earliest flowery plants to bloom is shrubbery forsythia, while fragrant lilacs and magnolias are best for late spring. If you envisioned landscaping with perennials, Virginia bluebells, bloodroot, and primrose will bring clustered flowers you can easily fit into your ideas.
It's always best to cultivate plants that you can care for, so if you are not much of a gardener keep that in mind. Marigolds and dianthus are wonderful for beginners and can flower for months well into the summer.
Summer
7. Design a leisure area
Start the warmest season by creating a leisure area where you can spend time outside in the shade. A patio by the house can serve even during other seasons if you add additional features. A retractable roof and removable walls will allow you to manipulate this space as needed so you can sit regardless of the weather.
Standing heaters can keep your patio warm, or you can build an outdoor fireplace for a cozier atmosphere. Stone tiles or wood for the floors will help the patio fit in with the rest of the landscaping and nature. all, leafy plants in the large pots can serve as luxurious decorations that will make the patio stand out and be distinguishable.
8. Arrange the furniture
There are more ways to use furniture in landscaping than just creating an outdoor seating area. A bench underneath a generous tree may be a nice place to read and chat with a friend over coffee. A large dining table by the summer kitchen can turn outdoor eating into an event.
If you have a large space to cover, you can create more than one leisure area and most of them don't require a lot of money. Tree stumpy around the DIY fire pit can give you a campsite-type of a spot to spend quality time with your kids, even during winter. If you have a pond, add a few chairs and a coffee table in front of it for relaxing moments by the sounds of water.
9. Introduce the special lighting
Christmas lights are a cheap way to add special lighting to your summer landscapes. Wrap the string lights around trees, bushes, and screens, or use a glue gun where possible to fix them more firmly. Solar lamps are simple and trouble-free features that can light the paths and special areas in the garden.
Another solar decoration is mason jar lights you can hang from the branches or place on the lawn to create a dreamy landscape. Mesh fairy string lights can serve as improvised walls for an outdoor structure, or you can hang them on the roof edge to fall over the deck. Large bulb string lights may be more challenging to install, but be just what your outdoor seating area needs to become truly functional.
Fall
10. Think of pumpkins and plants
Fall has the most beautiful color palette of all four seasons. If you want this to be part of your landscaping, you should plant maples with yellow, orange, and red foliage. These harvest colors are also available on sumac shrubs, like Tiger Eyes. Since maple’s glory lasts through October, planting oak trees will continue to bring warm colors to your outdoor space.
But fall landscaping is also special because of Halloween when everyone decorates their yards to celebrate this holiday. Those who are not fans of the spooky embellishments can stick to the classic pumpkin decorations and dried corn stalks to mark the harvest season.
11. Make a water feature
A water feature is a landscaping addition that brings a natural element to space. A fountain encircled by the stone can serve as a focal point in your design, especially if you add an artistic twist to it with a sculpture. A small pond will look charming in all seasons, although having koi fish depends on the winter temperatures in your region.
Artificial waterfalls create soothing sounds of cascading water and bring a more extravagant appeal to your exterior. If you like big statements, then a rock garden is the right water feature for you and a way to create a new area in your landscaping. The cascades and edge built from natural rocks and a few colorful plants around it will help this feature melt with the surrounding greenery.
12. Spruce up your doorway
The front door has a lot to add to the curb appeal and thus overall landscaping projects. If you have steps leading to your doorway, place potted plants on both sides with white confederate jasmine and purple coral bells. Plant plants of different colors and sizes together to create a more natural and rustic look that will work well with the rest of your landscape.
Repainting the entrance and refreshing the look of your house also affects the landscaping, so pay attention to the colors you use. Vibrant tones are cheerful but can turn tacky if you have too many colorful plants in the garden. Instead, opt for natural and earthy tones, like mahogany and chestnut that look dazzling in the fall with color-changing foliage.
All in all
Landscaping is about finding a balance between nature and exterior design so your property can preserve its beauty throughout the year. Before you start rearranging and planting, begin freeing up space from clutter and unwanted features to see what you are working with. These dreamy landscaping ideas offer fantastic ways to structure the space and give it an authentic style. If you experience a creative block, just take a good look at the existing nature and try to use it as inspiration for future layouts.