How To Design The Perfect Landscape | Landscape Design 101

[upbeat music] – Has designing the perfect yardgot you stumped? We'll show you some tipsto help you develop a landscape plan to make your propertythe talk of the neighborhood. A good starting pointis to draw a plan of your yard. Keep it basic, but include thingsthat will remain part of your landscape, like a tall tree. Make several copies or use tracing paperas you add elements to the design. On your plan, note key featuresof your existing landscape,.

Like hills, which areas get sunand which get shade, any privacy issues. Next, think about your goals. Do you want a placefor dinner parties with friends? Need an area for kids and pets to play? Or maybe just a tranquil spotto read a book on a summer day? How about a garden? Make your wish listof current and future goals. Now start adding your goals to the plan.

One way to start is to work big to small, adding the largest itemsto the plan first, such as a patio, deck, or pergola, then fill in around them. Of course, keep in mind your budgetand short-term goals. Just as you have a style when decoratingyour home's interior, use style outdoors to keepthe entire property cohesive. Look to your house exteriorfor design inspiration. A traditional house works wellwith a variety of landscape plans,.

While a modern dwelling does bestwith clean lines and simple plantings, such as ornamental grasses. Now let's talk about some different ideasfor your plan. Plants are definitely one of the mostimportant parts of your landscape and one of the easiest waysto define a new look. Beds with clean lines define areasand points of interest, while curves tend to look more natural. Again, think of using plantsas you would decorate your house. Pick just a few colors that work together,.

Or at least avoid lots of variationin small areas, but feel free to mix up texture and size. Layer the heights in your beds… tallest in the back, smallest up front. Keep in mind how tall the plant will bewhen it's mature so it doesn't grow to block a window. Here's a tip… When selecting plants, know that perennials grow backevery season,.

While annualswill need to be planted each year. Another tip… Plantings tend to look bestwhen they're in odd numbers. Now, along the house,consider using a bush or wider plant to soften the corners. However, keep large plantsa few feet from the foundation to prevent damage from roots. If privacy is a priority, consider planting hedges as a fence,.

Or build a traditional fence. Different styles are availableto fit your preference. Just check your local codesbefore you install. If your property has a hill, planting on the slope is a possibility, or you can use small retaining wallsof various levels to define different points of interest. Next, think about pathways to get to the different points of interestin your yard.

Solid concrete, or pavers, are more formaland offer defined direction. Crushed gravel is a softer alternative. And stepping stonesgive a natural feel to the land. Just be sure to space themas someone would step and use a landing every few stones to create an opportunityto stop and enjoy the view. A great way to add tranquilityand a touch of nature is by adding a water feature. A small pond installationnot only looks nice,.

It is perfect for plants and fish. To add relaxing soundsand help mask noise, try a fountain. A statue or tabletop fountainis a nice option for small spaces. As your landscape comes together, consider highlighting the different areaswith landscape lighting… Uplights or spotlights for trees,floodlights for beds, and path lights illuminate a landscapefor nighttime enjoyment. Of course, these design principlescan be used in your backyard,.

But also your front yardand your side yard. However, keep maintenance in mind and how much time you'll want to spendtaking care of your yard. Now that you have your plan ready,head into your local Lowe's to find out which plants and flowersgrow best in your area. And remember, the best landscaping tipof all is to do what makes you happy, and you'll havethe perfect outdoor space to enjoy. [music continues]