Landscaping Ideas for Your Newly Built Home
Who doesn’t wish to have that eye-catching yard just like the ones we see on magazine covers. There are various options to choose from and for this you need to prepare a mood board considering exactly what kind of design you are thinking of which should be beautiful yet multi-functional but also keeping your budget in mind.
Landscaping isn’t that easy, but it’s not that hard either, and to create a picture-perfect landscape, hiring a professional landscaper is the best option, this will save you both time and money.
The most attractive landscape designs are the ones which best fits your personality and reflects your sense of imagination and lifestyle, but before that there are few factors you should consider such as:
- Keeping the regional climate in mind
Before planning you should know the topography of the site keeping the specific conditions of your yard in mind creating a microclimate which usually falls into 4 categories: full sun, shade, partial shade, or deep shade. Make sure you take notes of how water drains in your landscape.
- Who will be using your yard?
Firstly, you need to determine who will be using your yard. Are kids using it. Do you have pets that will remain outside of your inner boundaries? Do you want to have a fully groomed yard full of your favorite fruits and vegetables? Or you wish to relax there? A clear view will help locate everything on it’s right position.
- what about DIY?
You can hire a professional to complete the major earthwork such as concreting and paving as they have the right skills and machinery for that specific work and the rest is all in your hands. You can be your own boss and decide the way everything should be. There are many diy projects that you can do on your own without much hassle.
- Choose a theme
By keeping a theme in your mind, it gets easy for you to select your plants and required materials. Themes can be created by using consistent shapes or forms throughout your yard or creating an oriental garden if you choose relaxation as your first priority.
- Which plants would look the best?
When selecting plants for your landscape the best advice can be found at your local nursery. The staff working there can guide you the best according to your taste and requirements as they are experienced and has the most valuable information.
- get some inspiration
With the ease of internet we have access to more ideas than before. Nowadays social media is the answer to every question, one search and hundreds of options are available. You can easily search and get amazed by how stunning landscapes have been created. You can choose any image and make the same like that or choose few images and turn something new.
- What’s on trend?
As the world is moving fast, day by day people are getting really busy, they have almost no time to maintain their garden, and so in today’s society we are trending towards low maintenance landscapes. Architectural plants covered with pebbles all around with an area of artificial grass for the kids to play are becoming increasingly popular.
Below is a list of all the landscaping styles to help you choose the best for you.
FORMAL
A formal garden is a garden with clear structure, geometric shapes and in most cases a symmetrical layout. As formal gardens reply on symmetry, one garden will match another and in a small space symmetry becomes the focal point. This is what the eye registers, it recognizes the pattern and takes everything in as a whole.
INFORMAL
Informal gardens are more popular, they follow the natural terrain by using curved lines. The human eye follows curves easier than straight lines.Balance is created not through symmetry (as in a formal garden) but with plant material characteristics such as plant shape, colour, size and texture.
TRADITIONAL
Imagine yourself transported to 17th century France and strolling down the garden paths at Versailles. Traditional gardens like this one were originally all about appearance. Kings and Queens wanted to display their wealth and power to their subjects as well as leaders of other countries. Such gardens were filled with statues, elaborate fountains and highly manicured plants.
CAPE COD
In Cape Cod the homes are meant to blend into the landscape, however, still stand out with their charming character. The original Cape Cod home was built to endure harsh weather conditions; carefully placed within their surroundings, they are simple and elegant. The homes are usually painted in natural tones to reflect the light landscape, their design is not overpowering to the natural beauty of the area
COASTAL
Coastal gardens are one of the few that keep their surroundings as the main priority in their design. Coastal landscapes are simple, they flow and their design speaks volumes by enhancing the natural beauty of their location. Coastal gardens vary by area, whether you live on the east or west coast, on or off the water; they always represent a relaxing simple lifestyle.
SPANISH
Spanish garden is now popular all over the world, especially in areas with a similar hot, dry climate. The Spanish combined the powerful elements of their influences and perfected the principle of separating spaces or rooms within the garden layout. Walled sections create intimate patio areas, courtyards house impressive fountains and terraces offering views into the landscape are all incorporated into the Spanish garden style.
SOUTHWEST
The Southwest garden represents the dry arid regions of the west. However, you don’t have to live in those regions to admirer and implement their beauty into your own yard. The southwest style is known for its Native American and Spanish details that contribute to the overall simple, functional and low maintenance landscape. The southwest design includes native plants, and incorporates bright, colorful building materials.
MEDITERRANEAN
Mediterranean gardens are best known for their casual elegance. This style of garden combines relaxed materials and plants with formal accents and designs. Terra cotta pots, tiered fountains, statuary, Roman columns and bocce ball courts are all hallmarks of Mediterranean gardens. The plant palette of a Mediterranean landscape is made of plants that provide texture, color and structure – think lavender, cypress trees and ornamental grasses.
COLONIAL
The Colonial design was introduced on the fundamental principles of survival. These gardens were used for cooking, baking and keeping away insects; with very few plantings for ornamental purposes. Today the style has combined the classic functional design with a loose combination of pastel colored flowers. The Colonial style is ideal for homes built with a colonial architecture or for homeowners wanting a functional, more formal landscape.
FRENCH
The French garden style adopted many principles from the renaissance gardens but incorporated a style of their own. The impact of the renaissance did not hit the gardens of France until the 1600’s, soon after the chateaus’ gardens were designed using principles that were completely new to the region. The main goal for this style was to make an extravagant impression to all of the guests who visited the country homes of the wealthy royals.
DESERT
If you are one of the people who think of the term “desert garden” as an oxymoron, it’s time to reconsider and push the images of barren sand dunes out of your mind. Beautiful gardens can exist in the desert, and many desert gardens are incredibly vibrant and full of plant life. The key to successful desert landscaping are knowledge and planning.
TROPICAL
The most recognizable trademarks of this style are lush, tropical plants and bold colors. Think palm trees swaying in the wind, birds of paradise showing off their bright flowers and lots of healthy greenery. Hammocks are especially appropriate for a tropical garden, just make sure the trees you hang it from are nice and h4. Many tropical style yards feature a swimming pool. These pools usually have a natural look as if you could stumble upon them in the rainforest or jungle.
COUNTRY
The Country style garden originates from the renowned English gardens of the 1600s. Adapting to many changes throughout the centuries, this garden style has become ideal for enhancing farmhouse, Victorian, ranch and rustic architecture. These lush informal landscapes were originally designed for practicality. Farm animals, beehives, fruit trees, vegetables and herbs were the main elements while flowers were used as filler.
ENGLISH
The English landscape style is the known influence that shifted from formal, symmetrical gardens to a looser, irregular style. Before the introduction of English landscape, nature was views as dangerous, the English landscape completely changed this view to appreciate and value the natural world. The innovative design of the English landscape style forever changed gardening and influences many homeowners to bring a sense of nature into their own yard to this day.
XERISCAPE
At its simplest, xeriscaping is about selecting plants that can thrive in the landscape with as little supplemental water as possible. This means choosing a variety of native plants, as well as other well-adapted species. However, though xeriscaping is about low-water landscaping, people who are interested in this style of landscaping often look at other ways of having a smaller footprint on the planet.
TUSCAN
The gardens throughout Tuscany have been recognized for centuries for their impressive design. From the Medici gardens to small villas within the rolling Tuscan hills, the landscapes tell the story of their past. These gardens have inspired us for centuries, starting with the renaissance gardens that have transformed into their own identity throughout the Tuscan region of Italy.
WOODLAND
Reflecting the natural way that fauna grows in a wooded area, the Woodland Style has a less manicured appearance than many of the other garden styles. This would be a good choice if you do not wish to spend a lot of time on maintenance.
BUTTERFLY
Dozens of butterfly or bird species common to your area make a welcome addition to many gardens. Certain species of plants provide a food source and are useful for attracting these flying friends. Create areas that are open yet protected from the wind.
ORGANIC
As more people learn about the harmful effects of many chemicals, growing plants organically has become more popular. That means rather than chemical fertilizers or sprays, practicing natural methods of pest control and fertilization.
MODERN
Modern landscaping is known for its streamlined aesthetic and sleek sophisticated style. Overall the garden will feel controlled and organized. Typically, the focus is heavier on hardscape and structures than it is on plants. Modern plants are usually green and selected for shape and texture. Pops of color are then added with furniture cushions, planters or a painted wall.
JAPANESE
Traditional Japanese gardens are designed for peaceful contemplation. The primary focus of an Oriental garden is nature. The elements of a Japanese garden mimic or symbolize natural elements. Thus, geometric shapes and artificial stone are not common in Asian landscape design. There are four essential elements used in Japanese garden design: rocks, water, plants, and ornaments.
COTTAGE
Is considered the old-style gardens. Consider using magnolia trees, hydrangeas, roses, and lilacs. The flowering perennials we mentioned will fit well in this look. Herbs are also great in a Cottage garden sweet bay, rosemary, blueberries, and figs will match perfectly with this style of garden.