From Touches to Trenches: Making Your Garden Space Shine
When your garden space feels uninspired and underutilized, it might be time to consider a multi-step process to evaluate and consider design updates at every scale. Perhaps you are satisfied with the “big picture” feel of your yard, and just need small updates to bring interest or make it feel more cozy. Or if you are a new homeowner or your outdoor space has just been neglected for way too long, it might be time for an overhaul.
Below are some ideas big and small for making your garden just right for you.
1. Programming. How will you use your yard? If recreation or letting the kids play is your focus, look at maximizing the space with a lawn area and simple and compact landscaping that can provide interest without extensive maintenance. Conversely, if your backyard is your outdoor oasis, see if there are areas where it makes sense to expand the landscape beds to make way for more plants to enhance the experience, whether with color, smell, or texture.
2. Hardscapes. Determine how you move about, where you would like to sit, entertain, and whether your current patio or deck is serving you well. Think about materials, too. Does traditional brick or stone suit your taste and your home’s architecture or are you ready for something different, such as a stained concrete with an unusual scoring pattern?
3. Elevations. If the livable space is limited by steep slopes or marshy low areas, look at whether some grading work would help remediate these issues. Retaining walls, drainage tiles, and creative earthwork can truly transform a landscape in the third dimension.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN – SANTA BARBARA
When it comes to creating a landscape, homeowners generally fall into two categories: those who itch to start putting plants into the ground themselves and those who recognize a need to hire out the work. Just as it wouldn’t be wise to …
4. Microclimate. Look at how the sun hits at different points throughout the day—especially the hours when you spend the most time outside—and think about ways to make your space more comfortable. Do you need trees to provide better shade over your living space? Or are you trying to get more sun for your pool or vegetable garden?
5. Aesthetic. Take inventory of the plants you have and identify for each whether they are healthy and thriving, overgrown, and providing the look or purpose you want. List which plants need to be replaced with something more compact, more colorful, hardier, or a better fit for your design. Understand your goals and search for Southern California plants that fit the bill and are suited for your site conditions.
6. Furnishings. Furniture and décor are essentially the finishing touches for your space. What can this space accommodate and what can you put in to make sure it feels comfortable? Large sofa sets are great if you have the room, but be sure to look at how much room there is to walk about and how much will be left once the furniture is in. Further, furniture is a great way to truly express the design aesthetic of the space. Is it traditional, or are you looking to create a fun surprise with some modern pieces mixed in?
Understanding these concepts is just the beginning. Measure your property, take notes, and spend time in your outdoor spaces to get a feel for what kinds of improvements would make the most impact. Then put it all onto paper with a sketch and call your local landscape contractor to discuss how to turn your ideas into reality.
Leave A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.