Landscape Design - Ideas, Styles, & Tips
Transform your backyard or front yard design with these residential landscaping ideas, tips, and projectsUpdating your home’s landscaping is a great way to increase the value of your property and create outdoor spaces for relaxing and entertaining. Whether you want to focus on increasing your curb appeal with a reimagined front yard, create a backyard retreat with dining and entertaining areas, or both, there are many options and features to consider. Use the information below to start determining what you want in your new landscape.
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READERS' GARDENS
We love to see our readers’ gardens! Whether you're a designer who just finished an amazing project or a homeowner who takes great pride in their garden, we'd love to see it! Get more information on how to submit your garden.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN BASICS
Discover important trends shaping the gardening world in 2024 and beyond.
Eight rules for creating a residential garden that is neither fussy nor constraining.
Create stunning landscapes by keeping these elements and principles in mind during the design process.
See how gardeners around the country have landscaped their backyards both big and small.
See what gardeners around the country have done with their front yard landscapes.
Untap the potential of this overlooked space.
Expert advice for creating an outdoor living area you’ll love.
Learn how to upgrade a slope with these ideas and tips.
Enhance your garden with these design tips, tricks, and techniques.
Tips for selecting plants with purpose that have captivating foliage, flowers, and fragrance.
Four different designers in four different climates share what they learned while creating their own home gardens.
Create a colorful garden by learning the basics of color theory & design.
Add or renovate pathways in your yard for function and beauty.
Create harmony and rhythm between garden beds by unifying your garden with echoes.
With a bit of creativity, these practical solutions can help blend, hide, or soften everyday garden blemishes.
Add a water feature to your yard for beauty and ambiance.
Add curb appeal to your home and yard with a beautiful foundation planting.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN STYLES
From classic to modern, get inspiration and learn about the various landscape styles.
See how gardeners around the country have created wonderful small yards.
Lighten up a shady garden with a well-thought-out design and carefully selected plants.
Enhance your landscape with this low-maintenance solution.
How to design a space for quiet contemplation with your own backyard Zen garden.
Create a captivating landscape that doesn’t require a lot of work.
Design a landscape that mimics ecosystems found in nature.
Here are 7 tips to create your own cottage garden.
Well-designed rain gardens are not only good for the earth, but good-looking as well.
Plant a butterfly garden to attract these beneficial insects to your yard.
Learn how to grow a pollinator paradise with these tips on plants and design.
Turn your yard and garden into a mecca for birds by filling it with the plants, shrubs, and trees that they love.
Learn how to make your yard more private with these options.
Create a water-wise landscape to reduce usage and cut down on your water bill.
Use vertical options to grow more in less space.
Even if you don’t live in a dry climate, you can still achieve the Mediterranean look.
Ideas for creating a tropical garden that evokes the beauty and serenity of far-off destinations.
Extend your time outdoors with a nighttime white garden oasis.
Create a lush woodland sanctuary in your yard.
How to design a sensory garden to appeal to all five of your senses.
Learn how to upgrade a slope with these ideas and tips.
Create a captivating home landscape in a challenging desert environment.
Tips for creating an outdoor sanctuary with the healing powers of Mother Nature.
From coast to coast, discover inspiring gardens from our archives.
HOW DO I DESIGN MY OWN LANDSCAPE?
Before you start digging, you’ll need to have a plan in mind. Start with these 4 steps:
- Outline: Start with a rough sketch of your property or area to be worked on. This doesn’t have to be to scale at this point, but should include any permanent features such as your house, shed, large trees or shrubs that are staying in place, areas that are currently paved, patios, pools, etc.
- Measure: Take that rough sketch outside and measure everything. Note the measurements on the sketch. Note where windows and doors are for views and traffic patterns, and also where water faucets and electrical outlets are.
- Transfer: Transfer your property map to graph paper and draw to scale; this will become your master copy. Make note of sun and shade patterns, wind-prone areas, slopes, etc.
- Trace: Use tracing paper over the top of your master copy and begin experimenting with designs.
Is there an app for landscape design?
If you’d like to try your hand at designing your own landscape there are landscapde design sorftware programs and design apps that can help you, such as Home Outside, iScape, Landscaper’s Companion, and many more. Home Outside offers upgraded services from phone/video consultations with professional landscape designers to complete designs done remotely.
How much does it cost to get a landscape design?
As with most home improvement projects, the price can vary greatly depending on the size and scope of the project. Homeowners can expect to pay $2000 to $8000 for a professional landscape design to be drafted for their property. As a general rule, homeowners spend approximately 10% of their home’s value on landscaping.
