1. Start with a Design

A well-designed landscape creates a fun, pleasurable space for the whole family, enhances a community and adds to a property’s resale value. Planning that space is similar to decorating and furnishing a house—but outside the walls, floor and ceiling are alive. Whether you’re starting from scratch or revamping what’s there, it’s necessary to have a plan. This will ensure that you end up with want you want (and need) and stay on budget. To get started, jot down your wish list. Consider the following: Do you need a dining area? More shade? A place for play? Storage? Lighting? Are you planning to grow vegetables? How much maintenance are you prepared to do?

Organizing and developing the site for maximum use and pleasure requires some consideration of the visual relationship between your house and your yard. Take your design cues from the décor and architecture of your house
and incorporate a variety of heights using both trees and wooden structures. The ultimate goal is to create a space to relax—and play—that is surrounded by nature’s beauty.

Photo by Monic Richard