Landscape Design Principles

A great landscape design does not appear overnight. Idea's may spring forth, or be knocked down, but there is an extensive need to have some kind of overall cohesion between what is idea and what is practical. There are a few key considerations to take into account when designing any kind of landscape.

The first factor that you should think about is how much are you willing to spend. There is virtually no end to the dollar value of landscaping choices. There are all kinds of costs associated with a landscape design, some of which can include material, labor, necessity of hiring a contractor. It is important to realize that a truly fabulous design can take some kind of investment, but remember that it is an investment that can take place over the course of a few years. Generally it is the kind of investment that will add dollar values to your property.

The next factor to consider is the actual make up of your property. What do you currently have going on there in your space. Is there a natural drainage path, for example winter run off. Do you have spots in your yard in the spring that are just mucky patches of water? Are there natural slopes to your yard, hills, or extreme unevenness. Thirdly, what kind of material are you working with? What is the condition of your soil, very rich, very poor? Are you in an area which is extremely rocky, extremely grassy. Always take into consideration what is available to you in your own yard, be willing to work with what you have. A rocky yard would make an excellent rock garden filled with sedum and moss. Remember that trying to transform a yard completely costs money. So taking out all that rock and filling it in with a rich soil will only add to your costs.

One key concern when creating a design is the homeowners willingness for maintence. It would be senseless to create a formal English garden for someone who can barely keep the grass cut. The design needs to suite the homeowner and their desires. This is a practical consideration and one that only the homeowner can answer. Be truthful in deciding how much maintenance you are willing to put in and design accordingly.

A great landscape design should match the exterior of your home. If you have southern styled architecture, maybe stick to something that will suite. If you have a home that is reminiscent of a cottage or farm house, a cottage style garden with wildflowers and less cohesion would suite this style. Do a little bit of research into different design styles when creating your design. There is an incredible amount of information out there to help a homeowner make this kind of decision.

What kind of demands will be placed on your landscape? Do you have children? If you do, than maybe you might want to stay away from a landscape design that is purely hardscape, a patch of grass or room for a play set might be beneficial to you. In the same sense pets should also be taken into consideration. Dogs for example can be hard on grass. Mabye you might want to keep grass to a minimum or even mark off an area of you new landscape that can be used specifically for a dog.

Lastly, know when to hire a professional. If you feel overwhelmed than hire a landscape designer as there is no shame in hiring someone to create your paradise. Determine the work that you can do yourself and hire out the rest. There are certain jobs that would be best left to a professional, like for example and irrigation system, especially if that system is extensive. There are some jobs that are better left to a professional.

When designing your landscape always be clear and concise about what exactly you want to achieve. Take the time to observe your yard in every season, and make sure to include something for every season in your design. Have fun with it, remember its your space and you need to enjoy it.