Think Outside The Square: 3 Steps To Designing The Right Lawn For You
Designing a yard and lawn landscape can be a fun project, or it can be a bore that results in a tired, rectangle shape that simply fills the space allotted. Here are 3 steps to coming up with the perfect lawn design for any space.
Make a List
Don't pick up a shovel without first writing down a list of your expectations and needs for your yard and lawn. The act of putting ideas into words -- of summarizing what's important to you -- will inform the rest of the process. It will give you a clear purpose and specific needs to fill. Do you want a play area for kids? Does your curb appeal need improved? Do you want a formal-looking lawn? A warm, tranquil garden? Must it be low maintenance or low cost? Once you clearly know what you will need to accomplish, it'll be much easier to accomplish it.
Sketch it Out
This stage is simply to start getting things written down in a visual form. Your first yard sketch is unlikely to be the final version. In fact, it probably shouldn't be the final draft. But it will help you start understanding sizes and shapes. Working with your list of needs and the existing yard (if there is one), draw a rough sketch of the outline of your space. Draw the fence line, trees that will remain, the house and any outbuildings that will be kept -- basically, begin with the elements that will remain in place so you can work around them.
After those permanent features, begin to sketch out what you think you will want. Feel free to erase, revise and replace. While sketching and revising, make changes based on things like these:
- Work with Geography. Look at the structural assets of the yard: where the shade is, which parts have better or worse drainage and how the sprinkler system can be (or is) laid out. Use hills or trees as assets to be worked into a plan. If you need privacy protection from neighbors, add this into your sketch early on.
- Look for Focal Points. Nearly any lawn can be made more interesting by looking for ways to draw the eye to focal points. A focal point can be a bubbling water fountain, a colorful splash of flowers strategically placed, ornamental sculptures or an inviting arch. Look for ways you can add visual interest to each lawn in a place where approaching guests will easily see it.
- Be Creative with Shapes. A lawn doesn't have to be square or rectangle. Some of the most fun and interesting yards have curved edges, circle lawns or even geometric shapes like hexagons. Let your imagination run wild with shapes and sizes. Add walkways and patios with interesting shapes as well -- a lazy "S", a meandering path or pavers in circle patterns.
- Frame It. Don't forget the border, which should act as a "frame" to show off the picture that is your lawn and plants. A splashy, full border of flowering bushes or a formal row of box hedges around the sides can add one final visual punch to the yard.
Make a Final Drawing
After reviewing your informal sketches sufficiently, tie together all the final elements you want to include and transfer these to a final drawing you can use to work with your landscaping service. This drawing should be as accurate as possible, using a consistent size ratio (for example, one inch equals 3 yards in the yard). There are some apps and computer drawing programs that you can use, or you can simply stick with paper. The point is simply to have your ideas clearly laid out so you can be sure you and your landscape contractor and sprinkler contractors, such as Krupske Sprinkler Systems can achieve them together.
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