We associate personal style with how we dress and how we decorate. We may not think about our landscaping as also reflecting our style. Like the right outfit, the perfect furniture, or a piece of art that speaks to us, the right landscaping can bring your home’s exterior to life and make a statement.
The best landscape designs are the ones that have been carefully thought out with you, your home, and your family at the center. Think about not just the overall impression, but the details that make it your own. There are key questions you can answer that will help to decide what style would best fit your home and lifestyle.
First and foremost, good landscape design works with what you have. You need to make sure that what you want compliments your existing home. If your yard conditions cannot support a certain style it will never live up to expectations. Play on your strengths.
When choosing a landscape or garden style, there are a few factors you should consider. Audit the conditions that exist in your yard. Identify areas that are mostly sunny or mostly shady. Make sure the style is compatible to everyone who uses the yard. It should also reflect your lifestyle and compliment your home.
There are numerous traditional landscaping and garden styles which you can model your own after. You can also mix and match by incorporating elements from distinctive styles to create a look of your own design.
Here are 6 styles to consider:
1. English High Tea
The English Garden Style utilizes many shrubs and perennials in a design that complements the architectural style of your home. Other decorative elements might include an arbor or bird bath. Housebeautiful.com has 30 Dreamy English Gardens That Feel Like a Fantasy for inspiration.
2. Oriental Zen
Oriental landscaping draws on the core elements found in nature such as water, rocks, and evergreens with a variety of plants to create distinctive perspectives. You might also consider adding a traditional Japanese Zen Garden. Thespruce.com tells you How To Make a Zen Garden if this piques your interest.
3. Woodland Wonder
Reflecting the natural way that fauna grows in a wooded area, Woodland landscaping has a less manicured appearance than many of the other garden styles. This is a solid maintenance-free option. It also compliments a home with a more rustic style.
4. Fitted Formal
Formal landscaping follows symmetrical patterns, straight lines, and precise geometric shapes with orderly, well-pruned plants. You will often find topiary design in these landscapes. This landscaping style does require a high level of maintenance, so that needs to be taken into consideration if you feel this is right for you.
5. Butterfly Beauty
Dozens of butterflies and other pollinators common to your area make a welcome addition to many gardens. Certain species of plants provide a food source and are useful for attracting these flying friends. Create areas that are open yet protected from the wind. Midwestgardeningtips.com has a guide to Midwest Butterflies and the plants that they love.
6. Environmentally Friendly
As much as 50 percent of household water is used for the yard or garden. Xeriscape is a landscape specialty that includes lots of low-water plants and flowers, as well as design ideas to reduce water evaporation. Organic gardening goes hand in hand with water conservation. Organic gardening utilizes natural methods of pest control and fertilization.
You will want to spend more quality time in your yard if you have a landscape design that reflects who you are and supports your lifestyle. Let the custom design experts at Patera Landscaping find the perfect fit for you!