Transform your backyard or front yard design with these residential landscaping ideas, tips, and projectsUpdated 3/23/22
Updating 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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On this page:
- LANDSCAPE DESIGN BASICS
- EXPLORE LANDSCAPE DESIGN STYLES
- HOW TO GET STARTED DESIGNING YOUR LANDSCAPE
LANDSCAPE DESIGN BASICS
Landscape Design PicturesFrom urban gardens to expansive estates, browse hundreds of inspiring landscapes.Landscape Design PrinciplesEight rules for creating a residential garden that is neither fussy nor constraining.Trends for 2024Discover important trends shaping the gardening world in 2024 and beyond.
Backyard Landscape IdeasSee how gardeners around the country have landscaped their backyards both big and small.Front Yard Landscape IdeasSee what gardeners around the country have done with their front yard landscapes.
Hillside LandscapingLearn how to upgrade a slope with these ideas and tips.Designing Outdoor Living SpacesExpert advice for creating an outdoor living area you’ll love.Landscape Design TipsEnhance your garden with these design tips, tricks, and techniques. Planting IdeasTips for selecting plants with purpose that have captivating foliage, flowers, and fragrance. Expert Design AdviceFour different designers in four different climates share what they learned while creating their own home gardens.
Designing Garden PathwaysAdd or renovate pathways in your yard for function and beauty. Water Feature IdeasAdd a water feature to your yard for beauty and ambiance.Low-Maintenance GardeningCreate a captivating landscape that doesn’t require a lot of work.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN STYLES
Garden StylesFrom classic to modern, get inspiration and learn about the various landscape styles.Small YardsSee how gardeners around the country have created wonderful small yards.Shade GardensLighten up a shady garden with a well-thought-out design and carefully selected plants.
Rock Garden DesignEnhance your landscape with this low-maintenance solution.Zen Garden DesignHow to design a space for quiet contemplation with your own backyard Zen garden.Moon Garden DesignExtend your time outdoors with a nighttime white garden oasis.
Meadow Garden DesignDesign a landscape that mimics ecosystems found in nature.Cottage Garden DesignHere are 7 tips to create your own cottage garden.Rain Garden LandscapingWell-designed rain gardens are not only good for the earth, but good-looking as well.
Privacy Landscaping DesignLearn how to make your yard more private with these options.Butterfly Garden DesignPlant a butterfly garden to attract these beneficial insects to your yard.Pollinator GardenLearn how to grow a pollinator paradise with these tips on plants and design.
Drought-Tolerant LandscapingCreate a water-wise landscape to reduce usage and cut down on your water bill.Vertical GardeningUse vertical options to grow more in less space.Sensory GardenHow to design a sensory garden to appeal to all five of your senses.
Mediterranean Landscape DesignEven if you don’t live in a dry climate, you can still achieve the Mediterranean look.Tropical Garden DesignIdeas for creating a tropical garden that evokes the beauty and serenity of far-off destinations.Bird-Friendly DesignTurn your yard and garden into a mecca for birds by filling it with the plants, shrubs, and trees that they love.
Designing With Foliage Over FlowersHarness the power foliage color, texture, and shape in your garden.Explore Regional GardensFrom 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.
FAQs
Scale – landscape design covers projects that are generally of a larger size (but can also be small). Context – gardens are normally (although not always) associated with a building, landscapes need not be, in fact frequently are not. Generally, gardens have defined boundaries, landscapes often don't.
Is there a free app to design landscape? ›
Free Android or iPad Design App for PRO Landscape Users
PRO Landscape Companion is the 1st Landscape and Garden Design Tablet App for iPad and Android Tablets. Create instant, impressive landscape designs right on your tablet. Nothing makes a faster impression to a potential customer.
What are the 7 steps to landscape design? ›
- Step 1: Plan a Landscape Project. Like any home project, planning is one of the most important aspects of re-landscaping your yard. ...
- Step 2: Remove the Lawn. ...
- Step 3: Install Hardscape. ...
- Step 4: Build a Healthy Soil. ...
- Step 5: Install an Irrigation System. ...
- Step 6: Purchase & Install Plants. ...
- Step 7: Water Efficiently.
Many homeowners don't consider is the cost of hidden elements like concrete footings, drainage systems, and base preparation. After all, you don't eat lunch on a concrete footing, right? However, footings and drainage are what makes a project last and endure, so they're not something that you want to cut corners on.
What is a garden designer called? ›
The Landscape Designer
Landscape Designer is a term which is nowadays interchangeable with Garden Designer but completely different to a Landscape Architect. To become a Landscape Architect you'll need a different set of skills and qualifications.
Is there an app to design your yard? ›
iScape is the No. 1 app for landscape design.
What are the rules of landscape design? ›
The principles of landscape design include the elements of unity, scale, balance, simplicity, variety, emphasis, and sequence as they apply to line, form, texture, and color. These elements are interconnected. Landscape design is a process of developing practical and pleasing outdoor living space.
How to design a backyard garden? ›
PLANNING YOUR BACKYARD LIVING SPACE
- Evaluate your site.
- Consider function. How do you want to use your backyard space? ...
- Consider privacy. Small urban lots tend to have more privacy issues than larger suburban properties.
- Divide the backyard into garden rooms. ...
- Get inspired. ...
- Consider scale. ...
- Choose a style. ...
- Draw a design.
Smartdraw.com
The online garden planning tool, smartdraw.com, allows you to select a garden template (you have to set up an account first) that can be blank or pre-designed. And it's not just for gardens! There are also templates for patio spaces, decked areas and if you're reaching for the stars, even swimming pools.
Is iScape really free? ›
How much does iScape Cost? The app is totally FREE to download and to trial on a limited basis.
iScape is the No. 1 app for landscape design. We are here to help you create beautiful outdoor living areas. Whether you're an Industry Professional, or a DIY Homeowner, iScape has you covered.
How to lay out a garden for beginners? ›
As a general rule, put tall veggies toward the back of the bed, mid-sized ones in the middle, and smaller plants in the front or as a border. Consider adding pollinator plants to attract beneficial insects that can not only help you get a better harvest, but will also prey on garden pests.
How to design a garden landscape step by step? ›
The five steps of the design process include: 1) conducting a site inventory and analysis, 2) determining your needs, 3) creating functional diagrams, 4) developing conceptual design plans, and 5) drawing a final design plan.
What is the difference between landscaping and gardening? ›
Landscaping is focused on the design and construction of outdoor spaces, while gardening is focused on the care and cultivation of plants. Both are important for creating and maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces, but they require different approaches and expertise.
What do you mean by garden design? ›
Elements of garden design include the layout of hardscape such as paths, walls, water features, sitting areas and decking, and the softscape, that is, the plants themselves, with consideration for their horticultural requirements, their season-to-season appearance, lifespan, growth habit, size, speed of growth, and ...
What is the meaning of garden design? ›
Gardens have a special place in our hearts, they are a place where we can relax, play, socialise and just take a step back from the chaos of the modern world. Garden design is an art that combines creativity, knowledge of plants, construction, planting styles and a deep understanding of the natural environment.
What is considered landscape design? ›
Landscape design is the analysis, planning, and design of exterior living spaces. Landscape design today integrates a wide variety of elements to achieve functional and beautiful spaces for outdoor living.
