Landscaping is one of the most important aspects of your home. It's not just about aesthetics. The landscaping around your home should be entertaining, relaxing, and functional. A well-designed landscape has a significant impact on the value of your property and can even improve air quality. Whether you're building a new home or wanting to update your current landscape, there are many ways to have the best landscaping possible. Here are 10 tips for having the best landscaping design for you and your family to enjoy!
Determine your budget
The first step is deciding on your budget for landscaping and lawn care. This will help you set a realistic goal and decide if it's worth investing in the design and materials. For example, many homeowners want to go all out with plants and flowers, but this can be expensive. If you're working within a budget, then sticking to plants that are native or easy to maintain is a good idea.
A consultation with a lawn care service can help you understand what you can afford with the budget you have. You can google lawn care services near me to find reputable companies who can help you determine which plants are native to Suffolk County and Nassau County so your money is well-spent on plants most likely to thrive.
However, determining your budget is about more than just the cost of design and installation. You also need to consider your budget in terms of the cost of maintenance, including water for irrigation, fertilizer and hiring someone to maintain your landscape if you don’t have the time or ability to do so yourself.
Time should also be considered in your budget. Even something as simple as mowing lawn takes time. If you plan to maintain your landscape yourself, you should consider how much time you’re willing to budget for it.
Create a design plan
Create a design plan. It's up to you to decide what your goal is for your new landscape. Is it purely aesthetic? Do you want your yard to be a low-maintenance space without too many plants or flowers? Make sure you keep in mind the aesthetic, planting, and maintenance factors before determining a plan.
Find a landscaping company by searching for lawn care services near me. There are many advantages of hiring a professional landscaping company for this project over doing it yourself. You can avoid making mistakes that could end up costing money or time, later on, you'll have expert advice from someone who knows exactly what they're doing, and professionals will make sure everything is done as efficiently as possible so you don't have to worry about extra costs from mistakes on your part.
Get quotes from different companies before deciding who to hire or what services to use for your landscaping needs.
Once you do choose a company, plan the timeline with the company before signing any contracts or committing to anything else. Make sure that you’re both on the same page before you commit yourself (and your money) to them so there’s no confusion or frustration later.
Pick the right plants
Picking the right plants is one of the most important steps in designing your new landscape. You want to find plants that will grow well with your climate and that will reflect your taste. Certain plants may not be able to survive in certain climates. For example, cacti can't grow in cold climates like those of Long Island New York.
Additionally, you want to pick plants that are practical for the space you're working with. For example, if you have a smaller yard or don't have much experience with gardening, you may want to go for something simple like flowers or shrubs.
Another thing you should consider when picking plants for your landscaping is what season they bloom. If you want to extend the beauty of your garden throughout the year, planting different types of flowers that bloom at different times of the year is an excellent idea!
Consider adding trees and shrubs
The majority of the landscaping should be composed of trees and shrubs. These plants will provide shade during the summer and also help cool your home in the winter. Space them about 10-15 feet apart so that each tree has plenty of room without becoming competitive with each other for sunlight and other resources.
Additionally, you want to plant trees and shrubs in locations where they won’t become invasive. Consider not only where your home and other buildings on your property are located, but also where plumbing and sewage pipes are buried, and where your neighbor’s buildings, pipes, and other things are located. You don’t want your tree's roots to damage a foundation, invade lines, or otherwise cause damage you’ll be financially responsible for just for the sake of a pretty landscape.
Landscape lighting
If you're looking for a way to brighten up your property with minimal effort, then landscape lighting is the best option. The most common type of outdoor lighting is LED. Not only are they energy-efficient, but they also have a long life span and require little maintenance.
Landscape lighting has become increasingly popular in the past few years since it not only saves money on electricity, but it can make your property look more inviting at night.
The right landscape lighting can also be used for entertaining at night. Your landscaping company should be able to help you design the lighting in a way that both highlights the landscape while also providing light to wander, chat, and laugh with friends and family.
Pick a high-quality hardscape material
There are dozens of different materials that are used for hardscapes, but the most popular are concrete, stone, and brick. Take time to consider what you want your hardscape to look like. Do you want something natural or more urban? Do you want it to look old or contemporary? You should also consider what your budget is for this project.
Hardscapes include patios, wooden decks, pathways, fences, arbors, gazebos, walls and pergolas. These things can be made out of many different materials, depending on how you want your landscaping to look. You might consider hiring a company like Lawn Brothers, which offers both landscaping design and a masonry company to be able to meet all your needs. From upgrading a patio to installing a gourmet outdoor kitchen, hiring one company to handle both your landscaping and masonry or brickwork needs will save you both time and money.
Add outdoor furniture
Adding furniture could be one of the best ways to make your outdoor space more functional. It could be as simple as adding a bench or loveseat by the pool. Or it might be as complex as installing an outdoor kitchen with bar-height countertops and a dining area. Outdoor furniture is not only great for entertaining, but it's also perfect for relaxing in your own backyard.
You don’t have to use whatever outdoor furniture is being sold by local hardware or home improvement store, either. You can use masonry or brickwork to build countertops, benches, and grill enclosures. Then add bar stools, chairs, and pretty decorative touches to create a complete seating arrangement. A masonry company can help you bring your vision of outdoor seating to life.
Use creative color combinations
One of the most popular trends with landscaping is using contrasting colors. You can have a section of your landscape with bright, vibrant colors and another section with more muted tones. If you're not sure where to start, there are many online tools that can help you create the perfect color combinations for your home.
Use contrasting colors in different areas of your lawn to create a unique design that reflects both your personal style and personality. Use contrasting colors in the same area to create focal points and interest.
Incorporate edible plants
Nowadays, many people are looking for ways to live a low-maintenance lifestyle. Incorporating edible plants into your landscaping can be a great alternative to a lawn. One of the best benefits is being able to cut down on your grocery bill! Edible plants look aesthetically pleasing and they're functional too. They also cut down on mowing lawns.
Install a pond, fountain, or koi fish pond
While it is a more expensive addition, installing a pond, fountain, or koi fish pond is the perfect way to have a peaceful place in your landscape. They also add an element of sound to your landscaping. Fountains can be designed with an automatic timer to come on at certain times of day while ponds and koi fish ponds are always relaxing. Again, these options do require some additional maintenance, especially with the winter weather in Nassau County and Suffolk County, so it’s important to consider the expense and time investment before moving forward. If you live anywhere in Suffolk County, Nassau County, or Long Island New York, and you’re reading to transform your backyard from a ho-hum place to be into a beautiful oasis from the world, contact Lawn Brothers today. Let’s discuss your options and create a backyard landscape that you can’t get enough of!
Comments