Landscaping Plans -
10 tips for a perfect plan

Let me guide you to follow the below 10 tips, that will lead you towards producing perfect landscaping plans.

First imagine that you are a house owner, ...that is right! You are now act as your client, ... you are a land owner and wish to build a house with lovely landscape environment:

1. Visualize your home garden

Imagine yourself walking through each corner and path of your home garden. How will it look and feel? What will you see in front, behind, above and below? What sounds will you hear?

2. Show, don't tell

Give your architect, designer and builder a notebook of clippings (or scans burned to a CD) of homes and features that speak to you so they will have an idea of what you want your home garden to look like and an indication of the quality you expect.

3. Chart your lifestyle

Consider your family makeup while doing landscaping plans (adults only, adults and kids, aging parents), how you live (formal or casual, hectic or relaxed) and whether you like to entertain or have special hobbies.

For example, a casual couple won't need a formal entryway or dining room, whereas high-octane families should consider cozy, peaceful spaces to regroup.

4. Size Thing Up

Bigger isn't always better. It does cost more, though. Before you waste space, make sure the number, type and size of spaces reflect what will take place within them.

While doing your landscaping plans, think of your garden spaces or corners in terms of activities: instead of "kitchen" and "living room," ...think "cooking", "meditation" and "family time."

Some experts recommend downsizing square footage by as much as 30 percent and putting the money saved into higher quality materials.

5. Let your land guide you

Note the advantages and challenges of your building site in landscaping plans, including geography, topography, vegetation, climate, sun and wind exposure, views and sounds.

Then determine how these factors will affect each space. Also, consider how your home impacts the beauty of the site so you'll leave the land's best attributes untouched.

6. Map out a plan

Identify access points for vehicles and pedestrians, then within those boundaries, determine the shape of the house and direction it will face. Use your list of activities to position rooms.

Start by breaking down your list into private and communal activities and identifying where each one should take place.

Then use bubbles to represent rooms and group them according to where you prefer they be positioned.

When done, square off the bubbles to create a rough floor plan, adding enough space for walls.

Finally after you has determined the shape and position of your house, now you start to design a landscaping plan that suit the house surroundings environment.

Then use tip no.1 that you had visualized your home garden earlier, and put all things that you want onto the plan accordingly.

7. Account for extras

Architectural components are integral to your home and garden, but they can hog space (and cost money, so don't forget to figure them into your budget).

Some popular elements: window seats, large windows, massive trusses, dormers, hipped or gabled roofs, pavilion, statues, stone carving, bridge and koi pond or fountain.

8. Compromise

If you can't afford everything you want, make cuts that work for your lifestyle, whether it's shaving off square footage, minimizing special features or reducing quality.

Be careful with lower-quality items; some things you should not skimp on, like paths, windows and doors.

9. Customize a stock plan

Instead of starting from scratch, look at your landscape architect's standard plans for ones you can tweak to fit your lifestyle and home site.

10. Talk it out

Professional advice is important throughout the entire home and garden building process.

Remember this is your home, so make sure you discuss every suggestion thoroughly, and be brave to get a second opinion when you have concerns.

Also, make sure you are working with the correct person who is really excited about your wonderful project and can make your dreams come true - consult a good landscape architect today : )

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