6 Things to Consider When Planning Your Yard
Your yard has the potential to be a beautiful outdoor oasis for you and your loved ones, but it can be challenging to know where to begin to make it the relaxing, gorgeous space you’ve always dreamed of. When it’s time to give your yard an upgrade, or if you’re just beginning with your outdoor spaces, there are several factors to consider before you get started. Read on for several tips to help you create an outdoor escape you can be proud of.
1. Consider the Climate
Before you start to research the cost of a pool, think about what makes the most sense for you and your yard with regard to your regional climate. The typical weather in your area, no matter the season, will dictate the types of plants you can include, your outdoor furniture, any recreational equipment and the general usability of each space during each month of the year. Look as well at the amount of sunlight your particular yard receives, as this will further determine what you can do with your space.
2. Analyze the Area
It goes without saying that a large backyard can accommodate more than a smaller one, but that doesn’t mean you have to completely give up on your dreams or ideas due to a lack of space. Take measurements of your space and draw a few plans to see exactly what you can do with the area you have. It can be helpful to draw a grid or enter your yard’s dimensions into a digital program that can help you to visualize realistically what is possible in your yard. You may be surprised at what you can do with the square footage.
3. Investigate Ideas
Unless you have a perfect vision of what you’d like your yard to become, you may need to gain a little inspiration from outside sources. Start to look at magazines, online catalogs, blogs and videos published by landscapers to get a feel for what options are out there when it comes to outdoor spaces. Bookmark or save some of your favorite ideas so you can return to them when it’s time to start purchasing plants and other accouterments for your space.
4. Think of a Theme
Most people are acquainted with themes in interior decorating but don’t consider it necessary to conceptualize a theme for their yard spaces. However, a general theme can help to guide your choices when it comes to plants, furniture, pathways, designated spaces, decorations and other details. For example, if you know you’ll end up with a set of modern, clean outdoor furniture, it can help to think of ways to replicate some of those lines and shapes in your landscape design throughout the rest of the yard.
5. Specify Spaces
There are a number of ways to use an outdoor space, from lounging and entertaining to exercise and gaming. Look around and determine how to make the most of your space by designating specific areas to be used for different things. Most people find that when they use pathways or mindful foliage placement to create borders around places to play, to eat, to lounge, to move and to relax, they spend a great deal of time in their yard–and it feels more like an extension of their home and less like an afterthought.
6. Plot Your Plants
Perhaps one of the most important aspects of an outdoor space is your choice of plants and greenery. If you don’t exactly have a green thumb, you may not want to invest in a large fruit and vegetable garden or a collection of potted plants on your patio. Make sure that your plants work for you and your lifestyle. After you’ve determined the level to which you’re comfortable gardening in your own yard, use plant placement to your advantage. You can place different planters, bushes, trees, flowers and shrubs to break up the space, to beautify a border or to just add a little bit of life to your yard.
