Almost everyone does it. In the planning stages of any landscaping project, it can be so easy to pull that picture-perfect design out of a glossy magazine – or print it from Pinterest and think that that is the look you’d like to have for your own backyard. But before you invest in what is sure to be a lengthy and possibly costly project, it is important to consider whether that design will suit your needs or not.
Let’s examine some of the factors you should consider when selecting a landscape design:
1. How much maintenance are you willing/able to do?
If you select a landscape design that incorporates a lot of flowers and plants, it is naturally going to increase the amount of maintenance that will be necessary to keep it looking its best. Watering, mulching, fertilizing, weeding, deadheading flowers, etc. will all have to be done on a regular basis.
If your lifestyle is such that you spend much of your time away, or if you are not physically capable of performing these tasks on a regular basis, then you may quickly discover that your dream landscape design has become a nightmare. You can hire a landscaping service to maintain this design for you, but you’ll still need to ask yourself whether you’re willing to commit to the added expense.
On the other hand, you can still have a beautiful landscape that requires less maintenance by incorporating some unique hardscaping and low maintenance shrubs.
2. What will the space allow?
Another practical question that you should ask yourself before you decide on a landscaping design is what will your space allow? If you have a very small space, it is better to have smaller features, smaller patios, decks, etc. that won’t overwhelm the space.
If you have an oddly shaped property, perhaps a gazebo or water feature will look nice where other features don’t really fit.
3. How would you like to use the space?
Not every landscape design is suitable for every use. You want to make sure that you are still able to use the space the way that you like once the landscape design is complete. For example, if you enjoy hosting large outdoor social gatherings, you’ll want to make sure that there is a space to do so.
Perhaps you’ll want to have a large deck or patio that has enough room for an outdoor dining table. Perhaps you’ll want to incorporate outdoor lighting, a firepit or chimney that lets your parties extend later into the evening.
4. Who else will be using the space?
Finally, you should also consider who else will be using the space. Do you have young children who play in the backyard with their friends? How about a pet? If this is the case, you’ll want to make sure that the space is friendly for them as well with plenty of room to run and play.
Planning a new landscape design can be fun and exciting and it can be easy to get a little carried away with the fanciest designs. But as you make your decisions, keep in mind the practical side of caring for a given design as well as the social aspect of how you’ll be using the space. Do this, and choosing the perfect landscape design for you and your family will be much easier.