We all know that the vision for your dream home does not stop at the front porch. A beautiful home environment relies on both the interior and exterior spaces working in harmony to create a stylish, balanced and personalised end result. Here we explore the key aspects to consider when putting together a landscaping plan and budget for your home.
Who will use your garden space?
Before you spend precious time ‘pinning’ on Pinterest, the first step to a landscape plan is considering who will use your outdoor spaces. Do you have a young family and dream of your children having the space to play, kick a ball or learn to cartwheel on a flat, plush lawn in the backyard? Or do you have older children who love a hard surface to shoot hoops, skateboard and play handball until sundown? Perhaps you are hooked on entertaining and want plenty of alfresco spaces and relaxed outdoor lounge zones for friends and family to gather. Try to imagine how the outdoor spaces of your home can support and enhance your lifestyle.
How much space do you have?
Once you have chosen a block to build your home, you will have an idea of the space you have available. Just like a floorplan for a home design, a landscape plan is a drawing that shows what you have to work with. You can find a professional landscape designer to create a visual representation of your site, using scaled dimensions to create a plan inspired by your lifestyle and within your specific budget. Or you can start by getting out a pencil or software program and creating the first draft plan yourself. Your landscape design should show:
- The property boundaries
The open outdoor space available
The hard-fixed elements like existing trees, rocks, slopes, or structures that cannot be impacted or built upon.
Mark ‘north’ on your plan so you can imagine how the sun and shadows may change the landscape and how you use the space.
Which features are on your wish list and will they suit the layout?
Now it’s time to dream big and identify your ultimate landscaping outcome. This is where you can start to imagine which features you want in your garden and consider if there is space available. Is there a sunny spot in the garden that would suit low veggie plots for the kids to get their hands dirty and learn about growing food? Have you always wanted an outdoor woodfire oven positioned next to the alfresco, to make entertaining fun and easy? Imagine serving authentic Italian pizzas hot off the paddle to treat your guests! Is the block flat and generously sized with plenty of sun throughout the day, making it perfect for a stylish pool and lounge area? Determining the desired features and distinct zones for your outdoor space is a major step in a landscaping plan.
How do you choose the right plants?
Plants, flowers, veggies and trees help to soften your outdoor spaces and make your home environment a healthy, beautiful and stylish space to enjoy. Make sure you don’t rush this stage of your landscaping plan because it’s crucial to identify the correct size and variety of plants. Ask yourself, will the plants suit the climate? Do they fit with my home’s look and feel? And is there space available for the plants I want? Identifying where the sun and shade are will also help you can choose the right spot for each plant’s needs.
Visit your local nursery and talk to their team who will, no doubt, be passionate gardeners and happy to help with choosing suitable plants. Remember to pick plants that will be fuss-free as they grow. Find out which plants can handle the variability in outdoor temperatures – high to low – that your climate may experience over four seasons. Potential growth span is also a consideration, so do your research and think of the future. The gorgeous little tree you choose for a cute corner of your garden might grow over time into a major headache, with roots that cause trouble underground, leaves that constantly drop into the pool and gutters, and branches that damage the fence. At all costs, avoid plants that have the potential to cause a terrible clean-up bill and constant maintenance.
Should I DIY?
Depending on your budget (and patience levels), you may prefer to Do It Yourself or dial the experts. You don’t need to be a serious green thumb to have a go at garden projects, especially on finishing touches where you can easily save money. And it’s certainly rewarding to watch trees and flowers grow over the years which you planted with your own hands! Have a go at tasks like laying down mulch, installing composting bins, and selecting and planting plants and veggies. However, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals for major jobs like earthworks, paving, decking and concreting. This is money well invested in skills and machinery to ensure a well completed project that is compliant with any local council rules and regulations.
What type of landscaping theme?
When putting together your landscaping plan you will need to choose a design theme, just as you do for your interiors with colour schemes and interior flatlays. You can get landscaping ideas and inspiration by searching the internet and following your favourite guru gardeners on socials. Another idea is to go ‘old school’ and simply walk or drive around your neighbourhood or favourite suburbs to see what other homeowners are doing well. Some trends come and go in gardens and then there are classic styles that will always be a good idea. Remember that low-maintenance gardens are increasingly popular because people are time-poor in today’s society. You may love the health benefits of gardening and growing your own food, or you may prefer to save your time at home for recharging, relaxing and entertaining.
It’s becoming increasingly popular for outdoor zones to be designed as modern and stylish leisure spaces because they boost the livability and relaxed vibes of a home. So for your landscaping plan, consider incorporating features such as cosy outdoor heaters, a designer fireplace in the alfresco, and an integrated outdoor kitchen and pizza oven, which help make it easy to feed family and friends in the open air. Fire pits are also much-loved outdoor ‘wow’ features, which often work best on a paved area for ease of cleaning and practicality.
Artificial grass
Speaking of saving time, would you consider an artificial grass feature in your landscaping plan? Artificial grass – also known as synthetic turf or astro turf – is a great choice if you are wanting a low maintenance option or have an area where nothing will grow. And you’ll love that it stays green all year long! Like magic! It is also becoming more popular and sought-after as innovations in this material make it look just like a bona fide lawn – without the need for a mower. Win-win! Of course, the satisfaction of mowing your own lawn and the favourable scent of freshly cut grass might just be one home chore and experience you are simply NOT willing to give up! Choose the option that best suits you.
