Do’s and Don’ts for Designing Your Backyard
Beginning the process of designing your backyard is an exciting experience. Most homeowners look forward to thinking about where to place the barbecue grill, which trees they want to plant, and which materials they want to use to create the backyard of their dreams. However, before any of this can be done, it is important to think about how to create a backyard that will best serve your family and your needs.
At Wildflower Desert Design, we want to bring your landscaping dreams to life by providing expert landscape design. Because each backyard is just as unique as each individual, here are some important things to consider as you begin designing your backyard:
DON’T: Jam Everything into A Corner
It is typical for homeowners in Phoenix to want a lot out of their backyard, especially with such wonderful weather year-round! You may want a fire pit, BBQ grill, a swimming pool, and furniture in your backyard, and figure that jamming something in a corner will help to alleviate the lack of space.
Even though this may seem like a good idea, the choice to crowd several design elements into one corner is a choice that frustrates homeowners later.
DO: Choose a Focal Point
Choosing a focal point for your yard, like a fire pit or water feature, helps to draw people out into the design space. This is a better alternative to placing a feature like this in a corner where people will be less likely to see and use it.
As your backyard designer, Wildflower Desert Design will help you find a better alternative for your space instead of allowing you to make a design choice you will regret later. We are committed to helping you through the design process from start to finish.
DON’T: Forget to Create Walkways
Walkways are important to remember when designing, but easy to be done incorrectly as a way to save money. Even though a design feature, like a fire pit, may fit well in the design plan, you have to consider other factors as well. Will you place chairs around the fire pit? How frequently will people be coming or going? Will you be doing other activities, such as bringing trashcans or tools from the garage, through this walkway?
When designing a backyard, many homeowners forget that the features they add are not just meant to be admired, but meant to be used. To do this, they must be functional.
DO: Create Sufficient Space for Functionality
It is crucial to create sufficient space to make your backyard not only beautiful but functional too. For example, if a homeowner wishes to install a fire pit that is four feet in diameter, the diameter across the area must be 14 feet long to accommodate functionality. This would leave five feet on either side to allow you and your family to enjoy your beautiful fire pit!
Wildflower Desert Design is happy to help you create a space that is both beautiful AND functional. Our honest evaluation and design methods will ensure you can use your yard to its full capacity!
DON’T: Forget About Location
Do you want to see the BBQ grill out your bedroom window each time you wake up? For your neighbors to be angry that you placed sod irrigation and grass against their wall? Or for the sun to be pelting down on you during summer afternoons because you placed your largest trees on the wrong side of the yard?
Placement is important, especially for landscaping features that cannot be easily changed or removed. It is important to factor in aesthetic appeal, your neighbors, weather functionality, and other variables when designing your dream backyard.
DO: Place Features Where They Belong
Treating your yard like a puzzle can be a helpful way to ensure you are considering all factors when designing your backyard. Hardscape items – the ones that cannot be easily removed – should be considered first. Remember, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
Why Choose Wildflower Desert Design as Your Landscape Designer
We want to bring your landscaping dreams to life by helping you create and design a proper install plan.
Here’s how it works:
1. You Dream – Think Big! Let us show you your dreams.
2. We Design – Our 3D rendering provides a true realm of reality.
3. They Build – We are here to fully assist you in choosing the right contractor for the job.
For more questions about your landscaping needs, contact us at Wildflower Desert Design. Call us today for a FREE consultation!