The thought of landscaping your home can stir up feelings of both excitement and dread. There are endless possibilities, and depending on your particular set of skills, you might not know where to begin.
Well, there's no need to panic. All it takes is a few good landscaping tips to make the process much less stressful. You'd be surprised what you can accomplish with a few basic tips to help you get moving in the right direction. Let's take a look at a few landscaping basics that will set you on the path toward the landscaping design of your dreams!
7 Tips to Make Choosing a Home Landscaping Design Simple
Making decisions regarding your landscaping design is not easy. With these landscaping tips, you can choose an appealing design with ease.
1. Make a List of Your Needs and Wants
Before you get started, we recommend that you spend plenty of time thinking about all things you want or need from your landscaping. Would you like to have a garden? Do your kids need a space to play? Would you like to build a patio, complete with patio furniture and a grill?
It's important to not jump in with both feet until you've talked through what your goals are. You and your spouse, and even your kids might all have different ideas. And if you take the time to dream out loud, discussing the project as a group, and figure out what's possible with your within your budget and your outdoor space, you will undoubtedly be more happy with the finished product.
2. Study the Wind and Sun Patterns
When designing an outdoor space, such as a patio, it's important to take sun and wind patterns into consideration. Keep in mind the fact that if you place your patio on the west side of the house, it's going to get a lot of sunshine in the afternoon, which will impact your ability to relax in the summertime.
Also, give some thought to wind direction. Especially if you are planning to put in a fire pit. Wind direction can have a huge impact on outdoor activities if not taken into account during the planning stage.
Each part of the country has different weather conditions, and planning your landscaping around the seasonal weather in your area can have a lasting impact on how well you will be able to enjoy the product of all the work you've done.
3. Take Your Time Thinking About it
Remember, there's no reason to get in a big hurry. When you've talked it over, with friends, family, and even gotten counsel from a design expert, give it time to breathe a little.
Just relax. You never know when a great idea might strike out of the blue. And you might realize that your original plans were a bit flawed, and either make adjustments or start fresh with a different plan.
One great idea is to keep an idea file. As ideas occur to you, jot them down and place them in the file. Or when you see photos you love in magazines, tear them out and add them to the design file. Then occasionally open the file and spread everything out on a table and look at it all with fresh eyes, comparing what you've collected with your original design plan.
4. Start Small
Don't be fooled by the home makeovers on TV that accomplish a major renovation in just a few days. Remember, those are professionals with a crew of dozens. You don't have to get it all done at once. Taking too big a bite at the start could lead to frustrations and extra expense.
Consider dividing the project into sections, and tackle one section at a time over a period of weeks or months. This way you can work on it an hour in the evening after work or invest a portion of your weekend. You'll be amazed how much you can accomplish using the "slow but steady" approach.
Plus, this approach allows you to see the big picture unfolding before you as you make progress, and gives you the freedom to make changes to your plan. By not doing it all at once, you have the flexibility to change your mind as inspiring ideas occur from out of the blue.
5. Work Around a Single Focal Point
Any experienced landscaping designer will tell you it's a best practice to design around a focal point. This could be a garden, a sculpture, shrubbery, or even a beautiful tree.
As you draw up your plans, each detail should help to draw your eye to your focal point. This is an important principle for landscape design, especially for beginners.
6. Try to Focus on Scale and Pacing
One of the most challenging principles in landscape design, especially for beginners, is to understand the application of size, shape, and color. To make the most of your design, you need to understand how to make the most of certain elements, and to create a sense of cohesion.
The trick is to add and blend design elements in such a way that the environment won't appear monotonous or overwhelming.
7. Stay Flexible/Stay Open to Change
Most people intend to live in their homes for many years. And as we all know, our tastes can change from time to time as the years pass. Keep this in mind with your landscape design. Remember, nothing has to stay the same forever. Your landscaping should be an ever-evolving part of your home. Allow it to evolve and change as you do.
Remember to Have Fun
When tackling a project like landscaping your home, it's important to try to remember to enjoy the process as much as possible. After all, you're creating an environment of fun and relaxation for you, your family, and friends to enjoy for years to come.
These landscaping tips are a great place to start and should provide you with solid direction. Remember, take your time, plan your work, and then work your plan.