Your outdoor spaces are just as important as your interior ones. Landscaping can have a major impact on how your home looks and functions on a daily basis. It can also increase your property value by up to 20% in some cases.
There’s no “right way” to create beautiful outdoor spaces. Your garden should suit your unique practical needs and personal tastes. But there are some important steps to follow to make sure you get the most out of your garden transformation.
From colorful flower beds, to relaxing vegetable gardens, to cozy outdoor living areas, we’re here to help you transform your Oregon landscape into a tranquil space you’ll enjoy for years to come.
Consider Your Wants and Needs
The first step is to think carefully about what you want to achieve with your garden space. This can vary a lot from person to person. Start by making a list of features you want to include in your design.
Consider your lifestyle needs. For example, if you love to cook with fresh ingredients, you might want to add a vegetable garden. Also think about the accessibility of your outdoor space, especially if anyone in your home has mobility concerns. It’s also helpful to consider maintenance requirements and how the sights, sounds, and smells in your space affect your mood and suit your tastes.
Assess Your Property
Once you have some idea of your vision, take a step back and consider the practical limitations and possibilities in your space. Every property has its own unique characteristics. Some you can change, and some you can’t.
Important site considerations include:
- Lot size and shape: It’s important to measure carefully so you know how much space you have to work with.
- Terrain: Is your property flat or sloped?
- Sunlight: The amount of sun that reaches your garden will help you choose plants and plan the layout.
- Soil type: It may be worth purchasing a kit or hiring a local service to test your soil and identify its pH level and nutritional content.
- Climate: Your local climate conditions and growing zone can help you select plants that are likely to stay healthy and thrive in your area.
Plan Your Layout
It’s always better to have a plan before you start building fences or planting flowers. Sketch your garden yourself, or better yet, work with a professional landscape designer to create a comprehensive plan.
Here are some elements to include in your design sketch:
- Existing trees, hedges, fences, and other elements you’re planning to keep
- Hardscapes such as patios, pathways, stairs, and other manmade elements
- Planting areas, including the types of trees, shrubs, ground covers, and other plants you want in each area
- Other landscaping features, such as outdoor lighting, patio furniture, irrigation, and water features
Also consider privacy and noise control in your design. Large trees, hedges, and well-built fences help ensure privacy from neighbors and keep noise to a minimum.
Keep in mind that it’s very easy to get the scale of your drawing wrong. Do you know exactly how much space each feature will take up? Working with a landscape designer to plan your project helps you avoid potentially costly mistakes.
Select Your Plants
Once you know where your planting areas are going to be, it’s time to choose plants to fill your space with natural beauty. As you make your selections, keep the following in mind:
- Aesthetics: Consider color, size, texture, and blooming seasons
- Function: Are you planting for decoration, privacy, shade, food, aromas, or another reason?
- Maintenance: Some plants require more regular watering, pruning, and fertilizing than others; choosing low-maintenance plants can help reduce the amount of time you have to spend on these things.
- Sustainability: Consider how your garden might affect the local environment and wildlife; the plants you choose can help encourage biodiversity, improve air quality, and conserve water.
At Blessing Landscapes, our knowledgeable team is here to answer all your questions and help you select plants that will meet your specific needs.
Choose Outdoor Living Elements
Incorporating outdoor living features into your landscape design can increase usability and make your garden truly feel like an extension of your home. From small, cozy fire pits to luxurious outdoor kitchens, the sky’s the limit when it comes to designing for outdoor living.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- A screened-in porch
- A covered grill with an outdoor dining table
- A patio seating area with wicker or rattan furniture
- An outdoor spa or meditation area
- A pergola or gazebo
- An outdoor fireplace or fire pit
- A poolside or pondside lounge area
You might also think about adding smart technologies like color-changing lighting or outdoor speakers.
Watch Your Space Transform
While the landscape planning process can be fun and engaging, there’s nothing quite like seeing your vision come to life!
In some cases, homeowners choose to take on smaller landscaping projects on their own. But larger, more complex designs often require help from a professional design/build landscaping company.
Finding the right landscaper is all about doing your research. Read online reviews and get multiple quotes before making a final decision. You want a company that understands your vision, has a proven record of reliability and quality, and is committed to clear communication.
A full-service company like Blessing Landscapes will help you from start to finish, from the initial design stage to the finishing touches!
Work With an Experienced Landscape Designer To Create A True Garden Oasis
Your outdoor spaces are part of your home. They should suit your personal style, accommodate your daily needs, and make the time you spend in your garden more enjoyable. At Blessing Landscapes, we’re honored to work with Oregon homeowners to plan, install, and maintain beautiful gardens.
Browse our project gallery to see examples of our work and contact us to discuss your ideas!
