A spiffy garden landscape design adds appeal to the looks of the property. But it does not end there. According to the Association of Landscape Contractors of America, a good garden landscape can increase the value of the home by 15 percent, giving you the chance to get back 100 percent to 200 percent of your investment. Not only that: because of its added appeal, a house with a good garden landscape design sells faster. As a long-term investment, a garden landscape can cut your air-conditioning consumption too, according to the American Public Power Association.
Now that you are hooked up with the idea, you must know where to start. Below are 10 important tips for designing a garden landscape.
1. Sketch Your Plan
On paper, draw a sketch of your garden. Depict your streets, walks, patios, driveways, utilities, and house. Identify the different areas of your garden where you will put to use different landscape elements such as lawns, flower beds, trees, plants, evergreens, and play areas.
2. Do Your Research
The internet, magazines, and catalogs for landscaping can help you come up with a good garden landscape design if you are having difficulty with sketching your plan into paper. There are numerous articles on websites and published papers that offer tips on how to create your own design and how to make your design into reality. Make use of these resources to get your task to come along easier.
3. Select a Good Focal Point
A good garden landscape design should have a focal point. It can be tree or a flower bed. Using water as such as fountain or pond as your focal point is a good idea too. Aside from its visual appeal, water creates a soothing and relaxing sound.
4. Use Zoning
Divide your garden into zones. This will allow you to identify what type of plant, tree or any landscaping element to place on each area of the garden. This is also helpful if you want your landscape project to unfold in phases.
5. Identify What Needs Improvement
If your garden has an unsightly utility area, try masking it with a hedge or a wall. Is it just your plants that need freshening up? Are your flowers lovely but are accessed by a rickety walkway? Pick your poison, as they say.
6. Choose a Good Design
The design of your garden landscape should be well coordinated with the color and type of your house. Design includes the color of plants and flowers you will use, the type and size of the trees you will plant, and the type of ground cover you will buy.
7. Make a Shopping List
Before shopping, make sure that you list everything you need and want to buy. Purchase only the good plants and avoid the damage ones. Settling for cheaper plants and other supply is okay as long as they are in good
quality.
8. Consult a Professional
Although you can make a garden landscape design on your own, it is very helpful if you ask for a professional opinion. You need not get the full service of a landscape architect. All you need to have is an hour consultation which should only cost you between $50 and $100.
9. Low Maintenance
Finally, you need to ensure that the landscape design you will do can be easily maintained. Design a good water system so that each plant gets an adequate water supply. Keep your grass mowed. Be friendly with your neighbor and share garden rental supply.
10. Enjoy It
This last step is the most important: Above all, just enjoy your outdoor space! Whether with friends, family, or just a good bottle of wine, sit back, relax, and bask in your wonderful landscape design.
