Planning A Landscaping Project? Don’t Forget To Include The Structure

A beautiful yard with professionally designed landscaping is something that many homeowners dream of. A well-thought-out landscape can not only enhance the aesthetics of your yard but also increase the value of your property.

If you’re planning a landscaping project for your backyard, now is the perfect time to consider including a focal point destination area with an overhead structure. When planning a beautiful and bountiful landscaping plan, you’ll obviously want to spend time hanging out in your backyard to enjoy it. How about an outdoor room?

While you’re choosing plants and hardscaping, walkways, and privacy elements, consider how you’ll be using your newly landscaped outdoor living spaces. Will you be hanging out at the pool or an outdoor seating area, firepit or outdoor cooking and dining area?

We’ll discuss why it’s important to include a structure in your landscape designs and give you eight tips to help you plan a successful landscaping project.

Topography

Your landscaping design should take into account all the natural elements and features of your property, such as sunlight, trees, rivers, soil type, and rain habits. The topography of the land plays a crucial role in determining the layout of the design and the types of plants and structures that can be used.

For example, a hilly area may require retaining walls, while a flat piece of property may require grading to create a slope. You’ll want all your newly purchased plants to not only survive but thrive in your natural environment.

Native plants are always a good choice. Sunlight and rain habits are also important factors for survival of plants and trees. And what about maintenance of plants? Do you love spending time weeding, pruning, and tending your garden? Or would you rather have low maintenance landscaping?

Where will your structure be installed? Does the area need to be leveled or do you have a patio or deck that you’ll install a structure on?

Focal Point

Every landscaping project needs at least one focal point. Positioning your structure near the koi pond, pool, hot tube, outdoor kitchen, or anything else that draws the eye and creates a destination spot. The focal point should be strategically placed within the landscape design to create a balance and harmony with the surrounding elements.

The focal point is the best place for an outdoor structure, the gathering place to enjoy the landscaping. Choose a structure that matches the overall aesthetic of your yard and the theme of your design and how you will use the structure.

Keep in mind what the differences are in structures and how best they can enhance your focal point and overall effectiveness.

The pergola has open airy roof with rafters above creating partial shade and could include a privacy wall.

The pavilion is an open airy room with a full roof providing both sun and rain protection.

The gazebo is an outdoor room with either open doorways and walls or completely screened in with a door. Offering full overhead protection from the outdoor elements- including mosquitoes!

Here are a few ways to use a structure in your design:

By the Pool – Relaxing Shade Spot

On the Patio- Kitchen/Dining room Al fresco

Over the Deck- BBQ Year Round

Beside the Garden – Tea Room

Next to the Koi Pond- Zen Room

Over the Hot Tub- Privacy Wall

Mini Golf/Horseshoe- Bar Room

Fire Place- Outdoor Cozy Living

Form

Form refers to the shapes of plants, hardscapes, or vertical shrubs or rock walls, pavilions. When designing your landscape, consider the shapes of the elements you will be incorporating, and think about how they will work together to create a cohesive look.

For example, you can mix and match plant shapes to create visual interest or use hardscape elements to create interesting patterns and shapes.

Scale

The scale of your landscape design refers to the overall composition of the project in the amount of space and visual appearance, both vertical and horizontal. When designing your landscape, consider the proportions of the various elements you will be incorporating, and ensure they work well together to create a balanced, harmonious look.

The highest point would be the structure height, larger plants, plant beds, and work your way down to the ground cover. Draw out some shapes for your design or try a free online landscaping App to get the feel for combing scale for your design and outdoor spaces.

Lines

Lines refer to walkways, round or rectangular garden beds, shrub fences, and other linear elements such as your structure. They help guide the eye through the landscape design and create a sense of movement. When incorporating lines into your design, think about the flow and how they work with other elements to create a seamless look.

Color

Color can be added through grass, evergreens, perennials, annuals, painted structures, or pops of furniture. The colors you choose can have a big impact on the overall mood and feel of your yard. Consider your color choices carefully to ensure they match the overall aesthetic of your landscape design and create the right ambiance.

Texture

Texture plays a key role in creating visual interest within your landscape design. You can combine soft textures like plants, hardscape stones or rocks, flowers, mulch, and movement like water. The texture you choose should complement your other elements to create a cohesive, unified look.

Think about smooth rocks or spikey decorative grasses, leafy tall trees, ground cover below all coordinating with each other by use of texture.

Overhead Protection

While you’re planning on upgrading your homes landscaping, don’t forget overhead protection like a pavilion, pergola, or gazebo. A structure like this creates a place to gather in all elements and enjoy the awesome landscaping.

Plus, it provides protection from the sun, rain, and other outdoor elements, so you can enjoy your yard year-round. Creating an outdoor room with a structure is the icing on the cake because you’ll want to spend time outdoors enjoying the views of the new landscaping project while ensuring some overhead protection.

With so many styles and products to choose from, your outdoor structure can be custom built to whatever size and shape works for your backyard oasis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, including a structure in your landscape design is a smart choice. A well-placed focal point with an overhead structure can add visual interest and provide a destination spot in your yard.

By following these eight tips, you can design a landscape that’s both beautiful and functional, with a carefully considered structure at the heart of it all. A successful landscaping project can add value and pleasure to your home, so don’t forget to incorporate a structure into your design for the perfect finishing touch.