Residential landscaping comes down to improving the aesthetic appeal and appearance of residential property through the modification of visible features – plants, terrain manipulation, and structural elements – in the area surrounding the home. 

Why should you consider residential landscaping that includes more than just the „mow, blow, and go“ service? 

Much like your home, the residential landscape is a reflection of you, and a visitor’s first impression. As such, it should be both welcoming and functional. Plus, an attractive residential landscape will make you feel a whole lot better – and increases the value of your property, as well. 

Here’s a quick overview of residential landscaping principles and design process! 

Residential Landscaping Principles and Design Process Explained 

A landscaping professional will conduct a site evaluation, determine the needs of your family, and then divide the existing property into individual functional areas. Only then will they proceed to develop a conceptual design plan. 

Once all the aesthetic, functional, and horticultural requirements are met, they’ll apply them to the final landscape design plan. When done correctly, residential landscaping can make the property surrounding your home attractive year-round. 

The main design principles that help create a breath-taking landscape can be summed up as unity, balance, and interest: 

• Whenever the terrain allows it, the drive and the walkway should be positioned together to avoid separating the front lawn area and breaking it up into smaller pieces. Furthermore, unless there’s a reason for having curves, the walkway and drive should be straight. 

• Tall trees should never block the front view of the house. Instead, they should be planted in a way that frames the house and provides a background for it. 

• Pay attention to proportion and scaling, and consider the size of each element compared to others. For example, if the residential property is small, large shrubs and trees should be avoided.

• Balance – a sense of equality – is a crucial aspect of landscaping. No one area should be more colorful or densely planted than the other. Balance can be achieved through either symmetrical or asymmetrical balance, depending on whether the two parts of the landscape are identical or merely offer similar imagery impact. 

• Create a sense of transition, or gradual change, by varying the size of the plants. For example, small shrubs are best placed near the entrance, but should gradually be replaced by larger shrubs – and trees – as you near the house’s corners. 

• Not everything in the residential landscape should be of equal interest. Instead, you should create a center of interest – something that will attract the viewer’s attention – by adding specimen plants, water features, or creating a contrast to highlight certain elements. 

At the same time, though, harmony should be maintained to give the landscape a unified look and avoid visual confusion and chaotic effect. 

• Some repetition is a good thing, as it prevents the „botanical collection“ effect where unrelated elements look cluttered and unplanned. But at the same time, a variety of textures and colors are always welcome in a landscape, as they keep it from appearing boring and monotonous.

• A careful selection of plants that complement each other can bring a sense of unity in the landscaping design, and at the same time, ensure year-round interest and sustainability. Another thing to pay attention to is over-planting – always have the mature size of the plants in mind, and give them enough space to grow. 

• It’s always a good idea to use plants in border areas, as an uninterrupted lawn gives off a sense of spaciousness to the entire property. Plus, it’s a lot easier to maintain in the long run. Furthermore, border plants can be used to provide privacy or define property lines when combined with fences or other structures. 

Conclusion 

So, there you have it – an overview of what the residential landscaping design process looks like and what principles it follows to ensure that your property looks attractive, welcoming to visitors – and functional to those who live in it. 

Whether you’re sprucing up your existing landscape or starting from scratch, your Landscaper in Vancouver, Washington will know how to give you a visually-pleasing, functional, and inviting view!