Spring is right around the corner and now is the best time to think about improving your landscaping. But with so many landscape design possibilities to choose from, it’s hard to know where to begin. Here are some great places to start as you consider a new landscape design for your property:
- Highlight your property’s strengths. When searching for areas of improvement around your property, it’s always best to start by taking inventory of what you love most. First, think about environmental factors like exposure to the sun, wind and shade. Do you love that area on the back porch that gets all the afternoon sun? Next, think about the features that make your property unique. Perhaps you have a small stream running through your backyard, or a commanding view of the community in which you live. Determining your property’s strengths is important in laying the groundwork for landscape improvements.
- Identify areas of high and low usage. Every homeowner wants their property to be beautiful, sustainable and, most of all, functional! Think about where you and your family spend the most time. Are those areas sunny or shady? What landscape features currently exist in those areas? Thinking practically about the areas you use most on your property will allow your new landscape to become a space that brings the family together for collective enjoyment, entertainment, and relaxation.
- Remain open to new possibilities. Sure, the entrance to your backyard may have been in the same spot for decades. Or maybe you can’t possibly imagine an outdoor fire pit where your kid’s old playground use to be. Some things will never change – and they don’t have to – but work hard to keep an open mind when discussing new landscape design possibilities with your spouse or partner. Change can be good!
- Ask your landscape contractor to show you recent projects nearby. Any landscape designer worth their salt has a portfolio of previous project to show prospective clients. What better way to explore new possibilities for your landscaping than to see them in person? Ask your designer to take you on a field trip to recent projects in your area, then take the opportunity to assess different types of plant and landscape materials in real life.
- Consider decorative touches. A new landscape design isn’t all about adding new plants and hardscape elements. Explore creative ways to incorporate your personal decorating style into outdoor living space with outdoor furniture, rugs, and sculptures. Landscape design features such as ponds, fountains, and outdoor lighting give you an extra opportunity to add a little bit of personal flair.
With an open mind and a bit of thoughtful planning, a new landscape design can drastically improve the function, ambiance, and value of your property. So put what's left of winter to good use by daydreaming about the many possibilities of spring!