Landscape Design: Expert Tips, Styles & Planning Advice
From foundational planning to personal style, explore everything you need to design a beautiful, functional landscape.Whether you're dreaming of a modern outdoor retreat or a welcoming front yard, smart landscape design is where it all begins. This guide is your roadmap to creating outdoor spaces that are not only beautiful, but also functional, sustainable, and tailored to your lifestyle.
Here you'll find landscape planning tips, inspiration for different yard sizes and styles, and expert advice on layout, structure, and plant selection. Let’s turn your ideas into a solid design plan that grows with your space—and your needs.
On this page:
- HOW TO DESIGN YOUR LANDSCAPE
- LANDSCAPE DESIGN BASICS
- DESIGNING FOR YOUR SPACE
- DESIGN FEATURES AND ENHANCEMENTS
- LANDSCAPE STYLES AND THEMES
- ECO AND WILDLIFE FRIENDLY DESIGNS
- PRIVACY, WELLNESS, AND LIFESTYLE
- REGIONAL INSPIRATION
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.
HOW DO I DESIGN MY OWN LANDSCAPE?
Before you grab your shovel, a solid design plan is key. Whether you're reimagining a small front yard or designing a dream backyard from scratch, these steps will help you lay the groundwork for a landscape that’s both functional and beautiful.
- 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 designsmdash;without altering your master copy.
Four different designers in four different climates share what they learned while creating their own home gardens.
Expert advice for creating an outdoor living area you’ll love.
Digital Tools for DIY Landscape Design
If you’d like to try your hand at designing your own landscape there are landscapde design software programs and design apps that can help you, such as Home Outside, iScape, SketchUp, SmartDraw, myGarden Planner and many more. (Home Outside offers upgraded services from phone/video consultations with professional landscape designers to complete designs done remotely.)
What Does Professional Landscape Design Cost?
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.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN BASICS
A great landscape starts with a strong foundation. From tried-and-true design principles to timeless layout ideas, this section introduces the rules, elements, and expert advice that guide every successful garden design.
Create stunning landscapes by keeping these elements and principles in mind during the design process.
Eight rules for creating a residential garden that is neither fussy nor constraining.
Discover important trends shaping the gardening world in 2024 and beyond.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN BY SPACE
From cozy side yards to sprawling backyards, every outdoor space has unique potential. Here, you'll find design solutions tailored to the size, shape, and function of different parts of your yard—plus tips for getting the most from every square foot.
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.
Learn how to upgrade a slope with these ideas and tips.
Add curb appeal to your home and yard with a beautiful foundation planting.
See how gardeners around the country have created wonderful small yards.
DESIGN FEATURES & ENHANCEMENTS
It's the details that take a landscape from good to great. This section explores the elements that add personality and polish—like pathways, lighting, water features, and color schemes. Use these enhancements to elevate your design and create a garden that feels truly complete.
Add or renovate pathways in your yard for function and beauty.
Incorporate water into your landscape with thoughtful design elements that enhance movement, sound, and atmosphere.
Landscape lighting plays a key role in both aesthetics and safety—learn how to use it to define space, set mood, and extend enjoyment.
Create a landscape filled with color, texture, and structure; with expert tips for planning, planting, and design.
Create harmony and rhythm between garden beds by unifying your garden with echoes.
Break your landscape into inviting, functional "rooms" that guide movement and purpose in any size yard.
Use the principles of color theory to craft a balanced, harmonious landscape.
Use vertical options to grow more in less space.
Tips for selecting plants with purpose that have captivating foliage, flowers, and fragrance.
LANDSCAPE STYLES & THEMES
Your garden should reflect your personal taste, lifestyle, and climate. Whether you love the wild look of a cottage garden or the clean lines of a Zen retreat, explore design styles that speak to your vision and inspire new ideas.
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.
Combine traditional plantings with informal structure to create a garden that feels romantic, layered, and timeless.
Create a lush woodland sanctuary in your yard.
Design a landscape that mimics ecosystems found in nature.
Even if you don’t live in a dry climate, you can still achieve the Mediterranean look.
Learn how to design a tropical-style garden, balancing bold foliage with structural elements for a lush, exotic effect.
Use plant color, lighting, and structure to craft a nighttime garden with maximum evening impact.
Create a captivating home landscape in a challenging desert environment.
How to design a sensory garden to appeal to all five of your senses.
Create a captivating landscape that doesn’t require a lot of work.
ECO- & WILDLIFE-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPES
Design with nature in mind by creating landscapes that nurture local ecosystems and conserve resources. These ideas support birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators while embracing sustainable practices like water conservation, native plants, and low-impact materials. Beauty and biodiversity can go hand in hand.
Turn your yard and garden into a mecca for birds by filling it with the plants, shrubs, and trees that they love.
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.
Create a water-wise landscape to reduce usage and cut down on your water bill.
Well-designed rain gardens are not only good for the earth, but good-looking as well.
PRIVACY, WELLNESS, & LIFESTYLE
Landscaping is about more than looks—it's about how your outdoor space makes you feel. These ideas focus on privacy, comfort, and wellness, helping you turn your yard into a sanctuary for rest, play, and reflection.
Learn how to make your yard more private with these options.
Transform your garden into a cozy, personal retreat.
Tips for creating an outdoor sanctuary with the healing powers of Mother Nature.
REGIONAL INSPIRATION
What works in one zone might flop in another. See how gardeners around the country have adapted their landscapes to thrive in different climates and conditions. These regional examples are full of ideas to suit your local environment.
From coast to coast, discover inspiring gardens from our archives.
Popular perennials, shrubs, and trees that grow in your USDA Zone.
Looking for more planting inspiration or seasonal color ideas? Visit our Garden Ideas collection.
