7 Key Features to Include in Your New Landscape Design

SOURCE: Houzz

Looking to create a gorgeous outdoor space that suits your home and lifestyle? Start by considering these options

The key to getting a new landscape design on the right track is choosing what you want to include — and, just as important, what you don’t. Covering items from essentials such as plants and boundaries to extras such as sheds and standout lighting, this lowdown on the features you might want to have in your yard is a great starting point, whether you’re planning a big family-friendly space, a shady patch or a pocket-sized retreat.

1. A Comfy Seating Area, Dining Spot or Both

The amount of space you dedicate to seating will depend on how you want to use your yard and, of course, how much room you have to play with.

Will you eat outdoors frequently? If so, a permanent table and chairs will probably be a must. Do you entertain a lot? Consider a dining table, a lounging area and several places where people can perch with a plate or a drink. Or perhaps you’re simply after a couple of comfy chairs where you can read the papers and relax?

Next, consider seating locations: Some shade would be nicer for mealtimes than full sun, while a spot that gets early or late rays can be lovely for relaxing or having evening meals. Soft or scented planting nearby can enhance the ambiance.

2. Lush Beds and Borders

Traditionally, garden beds and borders run between a lawn and the boundaries of a yard, but the standard thin, uniform planting strip is only one approach.

Browsing photos on Houzz will quickly show you a multitude of different ways to go. For example, you could cut curved borders across your lawn to trick the eye, or create a meandering path, undulating waves, extra-deep beds or beds laid to frame a seating area.

If it’s screening you’re after — whether for privacy or to hide an unsightly view — use carefully positioned beds to allow the foliage to grow into a screen.

3. A Permeable Ground Cover

If you think of your yard as an outdoor room, the flooring is one of the first and biggest choices you’ll make.

Mixing hard paving with as many permeable surfaces as possible is a great way to reduce runoff and also enhance your space. Whether to use grass, some other type of organic ground cover, gravel or a mix of several surfaces is a big decision — and one it makes sense to get professional advice on.

Certain planted ground covers will thrive in shady or damp areas, while a decent level of sun will be key for others. Whether you have pets or small children and how you plan to use your yard are directly related to your choice of ground cover.

4. Carefully Considered Plants

Ever gone to a garden center and come home with armfuls of impulse purchases? If you’re poised to do that again, then stop. A little planning will allow your purchases to add up to a coherent design rather than your risking having a mishmash of random plants.

The first rule of planting is to visualize the entire space, not just one bed that needs filling. See it as a room where all the elements should work together to create a pulled-together look. Also try to buy bundles of the same plant, not just one of each; odd numbers work best.

Think about the overall feel you’re aiming for too. Do you perhaps have the space for a prairie-style planting? Lots of shade that would lend itself to a woodland theme? Or do you have a penchant for colorful country blooms? Is scent key to your scheme?

Whatever you choose, it’s important to plant for the conditions of your outdoor space, or your plants won’t thrive. Get to know how the sun moves around your yard, what kind of soil you have and how sheltered the space is. You also should plant for the whole year, so there’s something of interest every season. Finally, always opt for as many wildlife-friendly choices as possible.

5. Unobtrusive Boundaries

It might not be the first element that springs to mind when you’re reimagining your outdoor space, but boundary design is critical. A well-considered solution can make your yard look and feel bigger; a dark painted fence, for example, will appear to recede, giving a sense of space.

You probably won’t want visible fencing all around though, so it’s also important to plant judiciously in front of a boundary. If your choice is not evergreen, have you considered your winter views?

And what about the sights beyond your perimeter? A good designer will help you to incorporate a pleasing borrowed view into your own space. For those with rural surroundings, this bonus can be particularly dramatic with a thought-through boundary.

6. Gentle Lighting

You have a number of things to consider when planning lighting for your outdoor space. How do you use your yard — is there a path to trash cans or an often-accessed shed or room outside that may require some illumination? Are there areas that need lighting for safety — for example, steps?

Another consideration many landscape professionals also emphasize is the impact on wildlife any lighting may have. Do some of your own research on low-level lighting and build this important factor into your design discussions.

7. A Tailored Shed

There’s more to consider when planning for a shed than might be immediately obvious. Where will it go? What’s the access route (and will that get muddy)? What are your storage needs — tools, logs, bikes, gardening equipment? Will the contents need to be secure? And what should your shed be made from?

Configurations vary considerably, from something closet-shaped to a walk-in room with a window and work surfaces. What will fit in your space and cater to your shed needs?

In terms of materials, treated wood and composites are common, but metal is also a possibility. Whatever you choose, you’ll probably need to prepare the ground with a concrete or wood base.

And then there’s internal storage: If you’re not going the custom route, you might consider a standing shelf system. Remember, everything will need to be able to withstand damp and cold conditions, insects and possibly the odd rodent searching for a cozy spot (be particularly aware of this when storing anything edible, such as birdseed, in your shed).

SOURCE: Houzz