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Backyard Landscape Design: 11 Things You Must Consider

Tired of looking at the same old bland yard? Well, there is a solution: Backyard Landscape Design. Landscaping provides functional beauty to your property. If done correctly, you will enjoy the benefits of your landscaping efforts for years to come.


When it comes to landscape designing from the ground up, it can be as scary as a blank canvas. Like other art forms—and gardening is an art form—provides structure, balance, and a guide for altering classic forms to fit our individual vision. In simple terms, Backyard landscaping design involves a series of phases and processes. It means that landscaping a property is not an easy task. It requires time, strategy, a significant amount of effort, and finances. However, the end product will be worth all of your hard work and money.


For your ease, we have curated a list of things that you should consider to develop a plan and put you on the road to creating a beautiful, cohesive, and thriving landscape.


Important Things to Consider When Planning Your Backyard Landscape Design

Important Things to Consider When Planning Your Backyard Landscape Design


Know your yard :

When developing your landscape, considering your regional climate, site topography, and soil type is an excellent place to begin. Keep in mind that your yard's characteristics, such as the amount and time of sun and shade exposure, will likely generate a microclimate.


Microclimates are often classified into four categories: full sun, medium shade, shade, and deep shade; consider your landscape's microclimate when picking plants. Moreover, consider your site's geography when planning; pay attention to how water drains in your landscaping. The ideal landscape design encourages water circulation away from your property.

Local Regulations :

Learn about your local zoning laws and homeowner association restrictions. You may need permission for certain landscape ideas, so do your homework first.


Who will use the backyard?

It will have a significant impact on your landscape design approach. This is because you must consider the users when planting your backyard. For example, if you have children, you could designate a separate play space for them, or if you have a pet, such as a dog, you could create a gated area. You should ask yourself the following questions.


  • How would I like to use my backyard?

  • How would I like my backyard to look?

  • Will I get any pets (if you don't have any already)?

  • How much time, effort, and money can I afford to put into maintaining my backyard?


The answers to these questions will assist you with backyard landscaping.


Base your Backyard Design on a Theme:

The theme is another important thing that you should think carefully about. It can unify your landscape and help guide your plant and material selections. If you understand the fundamentals of landscaping, you should be aware that creating a theme will assist you in achieving the desired outcome.


Some of the regularly used ones include:

  • Geometric designs include squares, circles, and so on.

  • Keeping it natural results in uneven designs.

  • Making use of linear design.

  • Adding dimension to space.


As for the style, you could have the following:

  • A classic backyard garden.

  • Adding a Modern Touch

  • Choosing a definite style, such as French or American.

Whatever you choose for your backyard, remember that it must complement the architecture of your home.


Type of Plants:

Plants are key to any landscape design so consider how your plants will work in your environment. Plants can be used in a variety of ways, including the production of fresh and delicious fruits and vegetables, as well as the creation of attractive scenery and scents.


From a design perspective, plant materials have three major functions in the landscape: aesthetic, structural, and utilitarian.


Plants that are strategically placed can also help to improve the circumstances of your landscape site. A landscape's trees and plants have a significant impact on temperature, light levels, and wind. What you include in your landscape design, such as water features or birdhouses, as well as any physical barriers that keep your garden insulated from outside disturbances, can all have an impact on the noises in your landscape.


Structure Your Plantings:

When selecting plants, consider your various visual planes. Starting with the area above you, consider the overhead plane, which may include archways and trees.


Moving on to the vertical plane, think about how tightly spaced or far apart your plants will be, how they will be layered or staggered (bigger plants are usually placed behind smaller plants), and how tall and wide your plants will be individually and collectively.


Don't forget the ground plane (including how smaller plants will be grouped and arranged as well as groundcovers and hardscapes).


Repeating similar shapes and structures in your garden will provide a unified look throughout the space.


Structure Your Plantings

Create Focal Points:


Landscape focal points catch the eye and direct attention away from other parts of the yard. Multiple focal points offer visual interest and help to guide the eye through the scene. These useful features can include plants, outdoor decor, and even house pieces. There are numerous ways to make them work.


Any stunning element will cause the viewer's eye to pause and concentrate. A brilliantly painted house door, a yard sculpture, or a well-pruned Japanese maple are all suitable. Another focal point for moving the eye over the environment is the repetition of subtle characteristics like landscape stones or groupings of vividly colored plants.


Make Use Of Highlights:


Utilize lighting, plants, unique features, garden ornaments, and so on to draw attention to the key points. It will improve the aesthetics of the space.


Pay Attention Details: 


Plants, hardscapes, and garden decorations all have distinct visual characteristics, ranging from different forms and shapes to a variety of colors and textures. Consider how these visual aspects might complement and contrast to create a coherent and appealing scene.


Don't just think about sights; consider the scents of the plants you choose for your landscaping to improve the experience you provide for visitors in your garden. Consider when flowers will bloom and how fragrances will complement each other in the landscape.


Do Not forget Future Consideration


More specifically, consider how the passage of time will affect your landscape plants. Design your backyard landscaping accordingly. Furthermore, when planting trees, ensure that they might grow to be extremely large once they reach their full potential. Consider their growth pace, maintenance requirements, and eventual mature size. Make sure your plants have adequate room to grow to their full size. Keep in mind, however, that mature size is often determined by optimal growing conditions; your landscape's unique conditions may force a plant to grow larger or smaller. So arrange the places accordingly.


Get The Best Back Yard Landscape Design Services at Smith Landscape:

Are you looking for the best Back Yard Landscape Design solutions that will complement the overall look of your property?  Smith Landscape proudly serves the Inland Empire as one of the most in-demand landscaping companies in the region. We work closely with clients by providing the best backyard landscape design and making their vision a reality. We offer 24-hour-a-day, seven days-a-week availability and professional, courteous, and efficient staff. So, what are you waiting for? Contact our landscaping experts today!

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