Backyard Landscaping Design
Since the backyard is going to accommodate your individual needs as well as those of your family, planning your landscaping design beforehand is crucial. You want a backyard to be functional; therefore, you should first determine how it will be used. Ask yourself questions. For instance, will you be doing a lot of entertaining? Do you have children? What about pets? Do you want a garden, if so, how much time and maintenance are you willing to devote to this? Are there any existing structures or other areas you wish to hide? No one knows your family and home or its landscaping needs better than you.
Once you have determined your particular landscaping needs, flip through home and garden magazines to locate pictures that may be of use. This should help bring your visualization to life. You can also take a walk around your backyard. Look at the trees; study the plants in the area. Consider your available backyard space. Take notes and put these to paper, drawing out your landscaping design. Personalize your design by designating specific areas of the backyard into ‘rooms’ that will suit your initial questions. For example, if you will be entertaining guests, plan accordingly. Generally, a deck or patio will meet your requirements for this purpose; however, an open space in the backyard should suffice as well. Place a table and some chairs beneath a big tree, for instance. You can even add a roof to your existing patio for entertaining in poor weather conditions.
If you’re anything like me, with lots of kids running around, then you’ll need to plan out a separate play area within the backyard just for them. A backyard play area that offers privacy is most often preferred by children as they love to hide; however, make sure to keep it within view of adults. You may want to include another area for recreation as well, if space permits. Depending on your preferences, this could be a place for kids to toss a football or even a spot for swimming and sunbathing. If you have pets, you may need to allow room for them too, especially if your pet stays outdoors.
Most family members have a hobby of some sort. Maybe it’s gardening. If this is the case, be sure to take into account which plants thrive in your area and consider soil and light conditions. You want to place the garden, whether it’s a vegetable plot or wildflower patch, in an area of the yard containing plenty of sunshine. Don’t forget about the lawn, but keep in mind the amount of time you want to spend in mowing it. Also, take this into account for the gardening area as well. Although you may love gardening, you might not have a lot of time to devote to it. Implementing raised beds or using containers can simplify these landscaping needs. Is there someone in the home who enjoys lounging about? Perhaps you can make room for a quiet backyard retreat. This could be an area designated solely for viewing the garden or reading a book. Place a bench beneath a tree or along a wooded path, even better, why not put in a hammock or a swing.
As you’re planning your backyard landscaping design, take note of any ‘ugly’ areas that you want to hide or open areas with which you want to enclose. You can easily camouflage unattractive sites, such as compost piles or garbage cans, with fencing or a variety of plantings. For instance, incorporate a trellis and allow flowering vines to climb about. Perhaps you could plant some sunflowers or tall shrubbery. Dress up old sheds and other outbuildings with an array of flowers and shrubs. If it’s privacy you seek, try a bamboo fence or some hedges within the landscape.
Don’t forget to accessorize. Add soothing water features such as a small pond or fountain. Your backyard is a personal expression that is especially suited to your lifestyle. Some people may want something formal, while others like a more relaxed atmosphere. Some may include wildlife habitats; others may prefer nothing but open space. No matter how you choose to use the backyard, there are landscaping options to suit any lifestyle or preference. Let your imagination guide you; the possibilities are endless.
