Landscape Design: 3 Steps You Don’t Want to Skip

Successful landscapes start with a plan.

The key to success in any endeavor is careful planning. This is especially important in your landscaping project. Things like lifestyle, flow, long-term plans, and family have to be taken into account when planning your outdoor space.

With so much to consider it can be easy to miss a step and end up with a finished product that’s less than you dreamed. Before you even start sketching ideas, take time for a quick site-inventory of soil, drainage, sunlight, and existing vegetation, this simple check will guide every later decision. We’ve outlined the most important steps in the landscaping design process so that you end up with results you love.

Key Takeaways

• Assess Lifestyle: Define how you will use the space daily and for entertaining before choosing a design.
• Future-Proof Your Yard: Plan for a 5-year evolution, considering changing family needs and potential resale value.
• Professional Expertise: Hire a qualified design-build team to handle technical requirements like irrigation, drainage, and local building codes.
• Maintenance Reality: Choose materials and systems (like turf or drip irrigation) that match the amount of time or money you can commit to upkeep.

Consider Your Lifestyle

When beginning your project take stock of your lifestyle and your family. At the same time, note how the sun moves, where water pools, and which views you’d love to frame, those observations ensure the design supports the way you actually live. Ask yourself some basic questions.

WHAT DO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WANT TO DO IN THE BACKYARD?

Think of your lifestyle and how your ideal yard will add to the enjoyment of your home.

• A space in Phoenix where you can cook
• An area for dining
• A garden
• A comfortable spot to sit and enjoy the sun

Consider your spouse and his or her needs. Will you need a place for grandkids to play? Consider having a family meeting to talk about the backyard. Of course, the kids might not get everything on their wishlist, but maybe if they have an outdoor area they enjoy they’ll spend less time in front of the TV. Well, maybe not, but we can dream.

WHEN I ENTERTAIN HOW MANY PEOPLE DO I USUALLY INVITE?

Consider how many people will use the yard on a typical day. Do your kids have friends over? Is everyone out at the same time or is everyone on a different schedule? What about when you have a party? How many do you usually entertain?

You want to create a space that works on a day-to-day basis, but can be functional when you have guests. If you have a large extended family that comes over every Sunday for dinner, create a space that will accommodate that get-together as well as a regular Monday afternoon meal.

HOW MUCH MAINTENANCE CAN I COMMIT TO?

This is especially important. You want a space that can not only work when you are enjoying it, but also when you are maintaining it. If you hire a gardener, how much time can you afford for him to be there? Consider your irrigation system, and water restrictions in your area.

You may love the look of grass, but are you really able to keep it looking good? Maybe turf is a better option. Make sure your design plans include things like drip watering systems, and custom pool designs built for Arizona’s climate so that you aren’t left with more work than you can handle.

Paying special attention to your family, lifestyle, and entertaining style will ensure that your new space works for the way for live. If you take the time to analyze your life you will enjoy your space exponentially more.

Look Ahead Five Years

Once you’ve thought about your current lifestyle, think about how your space should grow and evolve as your lifestyle changes. Consider how your entertaining style might change with the next promotion, or how the kids needs will change.

Ask yourself how long you plan to live in this home. Will resale value affect your design choices, or do you see yourself in this house forever?

Thinking ahead five years will allow you to have the yard you love now, and one that you’ll love in five or even ten years. You could also consider a long-term upgrade plan. You can put in a swing set now, and when the kids grow out of it you’ll be ready to turn the area into a putting green.

Hire a Good Team

Unless you are the ultimate DIYer, you won’t be doing much of the heavy lifting in a landscaping project. That’s why it’s crucial to start off by hiring the right team for your landscape design project. We have a great post about how to hire a good contractor in Phoenix.

The right team for your job is unique to you. Some people will want a full design team, with a contractor. This is for the homeowner who understands that if you hire a professional team you will get a professional result.

Hiring a designer is well worth it in the long run. Here’s what a seasoned pro brings to the table:

• Expertise in space, flow, and materials—so every square foot works hard and looks good.
• Up-to-date knowledge of design trends balanced with timeless style.
• An eye for functionality that keeps the yard usable for decades, not just one season.

Hiring a good landscape contractor is just as important. A quality contractor has a team of qualified and professional tradesmen and laborers who will carry out the plans with exactness and attention to detail. A good contractor will not only ensure that your job is done right, but will also make sure that it’s done up to code. Some contractors don’t have their own employees and mainly use subcontractors. Their jobs can take longer to complete, and could have more issues than a contractor with his own employees.

Straight Line Landscape has the right team for your landscape design project. They have experienced and qualified employees and a design staff who will create a backyard you’ll love.

Wondering how much your dream landscape might cost? Try our budget calculator.

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