Have you ever visited a friend’s home and marveled at their outdoor entertaining space? You felt so comfortable, entertaining seemed effortless, and the scenery was breathtaking.
This type of space doesn’t just happen. Functional and beautiful home outdoor spaces result from innovative custom landscape design. They are born out of professional landscape architecture and planning.
Homeowners Now Want Custom Outdoor Living Spaces
Today, homeowners value their outdoor spaces more than ever before. Even though people are travelling more, they have awakened to the pleasures of entertaining and relaxing at home, outdoors.
In fact, many New Jersey and New York homeowners are enjoying three-season outdoor living spaces complete with cozy pavilions and fireplaces.
Family and friends can enjoy your new outdoor living space today—while tomorrow’s homebuyers will see it as an exciting selling point. It’s a fact that landscaping increases the market value of your home.
Great luxury outdoor living and entertaining starts with lots of thought and planning on your part. Then, when you’re ready, you can benefit from the services of a company that offers professional landscape design, architecture, and implementation.
Getting Started with Your Landscape Design
Start by making an honest assessment of your property and its location. Make note of factors that can’t be changed—but know that innovative landscape design can turn unwanted issues into inviting property features.
Size of Property
While you can’t change the size of your property, both large and small landscapes can always be designed to be inviting, enjoyable and functional.
Topography
Level property is usually the easiest to work with. But inclines with pathways can offer drama and intimate nooks for reading or quiet reflection.
Does your property have microclimates or pockets of full sun, partial shade, shade, or deep shade? If so, these microclimates should help drive plant selection.
Finally, how’s the water drainage on your property? Does the water drain toward your home? Correct drainage problems now to avoid costly home repairs later.
Location
If you’re near a busy street, or close to neighbors, you may want to include fast-growing trees, shrubs, or fencing for privacy and quiet.
Define What You Want in Your Landscape
Think About Function
How do you want to use your property?
- Do you love to entertain outdoors and host exciting dinner parties and family get-togethers?
- Do you want different areas for grown up conversation and safe child play?
- Is a fully equipped outdoor kitchen your ultimate home dream?
- Do you want a dog-friendly yard?
- Are you excited by the idea of meandering garden paths and tucked away garden seating?
Create a List of Must-Haves
Now think about the specific elements you want in your outdoor space.
Today, many people opt for:
- Outdoor kitchens
- Bar areas
- Seating areas for conversation
- Fire pit/Fireplace
- Swimming pool
- Water features
- Patios, walkways, and paths
- Multi-tiered patios
- Informal/formal dining areas
- Sitting walls
- Outdoor TVs
- Audio speakers
- Creative lighting
Get Our Free Design Inspiration Workbook
Are you feeling overwhelmed on your journey toward the backyard of your dreams?
We can help with that—right now!
Sponzilli Landscape Services wants to send you a free Design Inspiration Workbook.
This workbook offers insights into the landscape design and building process and clearly presents available options for your new outdoor space.
This free workbook will answer many of your questions and help you move forward with your own outdoor space plan.
Finish Your Notes and Set a Budget
Once your ideas gel, write them down. You may even want to create a rough sketch of your future backyard. These plans can always change, but they will get you moving forward with your landscape project.
Magazines and online sites can provide additional inspiration. Save any pictures that clearly speak to what you want.
Make note of any specific plants you would like to include. If you have always wanted lilac trees for fragrant spring clippings, write it down.
Consider any themes or colors you like which will work well with your home. These aspects of design may or may not come easily to you—if at all. Don’t worry. Just move on for now.
And the next step is figuring out a realistic budget for your home landscape project. Without a realistic budget, you won’t be able to distinguish the “wants” from the “wishes.”
A Word About Landscape Design
Innovative landscape design is a skill and talent that is learned and developed with experience.
The successful landscape designer can:
- Understand the aesthetics of landscape design
- Be realistic and know what is possible and what isn’t
- Know how to design with specific greenery and hardscaping to create the atmosphere and function their clients’ want
- Know how to work within their client’s budget
Meet With a Professional Landscape Designer
Once you have a realistic idea of your wants and budget, it’s time to contact a landscape designer.
You want a landscape designer who has a proven track record of creating beautiful, innovative designs that meet their clients’ needs.
You and your landscape architect or designer will be members of the same team—collaborating to create your optimal outdoor living space.
After an initial meeting, your landscape designer will create a detailed preliminary plan for your property. You will continue to work together to define structures and areas and select specific hardscaping materials and plants.
A subsequent comprehensive 3-D plan can include drawings, lighting, drainage, plantings, hardscaping, erosion control, and more.
At Sponzilli, we even offer 3D design animation so you can easily see exactly how your completed landscape will look.
The Importance of Plant Selection
One important benefit of working with a professional landscape designer is that it takes the guesswork out of which plants, trees, or grasses to use in your landscape.
A professional landscape designer will know exactly what grows well on your property. And they will have the innovative thought to plan a beautiful and cohesive landscape.
Plants do more than just take up space in the yard.
The right plantings should:
- Provide welcomed color
- Offer attractive aromas
- Create barriers
- Block or emphasize views
- Direct visual attention
- Create shade
A landscape designer should also select plants and flowers to provide a changing display of year-round color for your yard.
At Sponzilli Landscape Group, we have the best award-winning landscape designers and experienced landscaping teams. We have been envisioning and implementing outstanding landscape solutions for over 50 years. Contact us to see what exciting plans we can create for your outdoor space.
