Modern Landscape Design
Modern Landscape Design
There can be many reasons for hiring a landscape professional to landscape your home. Sometimes it is simply a matter of making the home more appealing and other times it’s a matter of getting the home staged for sale. But whether a home owner is preparing the home for the real estate market, or just wants to enjoy it with friends and family there are several elements which are essential to a modern landscape design.
Outdoor Spaces
One of the most popular trends right now in landscaping is developing outdoor areas to enjoy with friends and family. These areas can be as simple or elaborate as a homeowner desires and will incorporate the use of many different landscaping elements and features. An outdoor kitchen or firepit may also incorporate the use of a hardscape, patio or deck. Plants can be used to offer some aesthetic appeal, colors and texture.
Hardscapes
There are many different types of hardscapes that are featured in a landscaped yard. Walls or steps can be aesthetic as well as providing access to key areas of the yard. A stone walkway lined with beautiful plants or outdoor lighting can provide ease of access between garage and home. Patios can provide an outdoor area to enjoy a cookout with friends and driveways can provide convenient parking or access to other parking areas like a carport or a garage. Hardscapes can also be used to line other prominent features such as pools or waterscapes. Hardscapes may include large stone walkways, or paths of cobblestone or gravel. Concrete can be used for patios and sidewalks. Different types of hardscape materials can be used to line a pool or other outdoor landscaping features.
Pools and Waterscapes
Today’s modern landscape may be of a minimalist design, but it is very common for them to incorporate either a swimming pool or a waterscape into the decorating theme. Some homes have both a pool and a fountain or other waterscape. Fountains are a prominent waterscape in modern landscaping. Landscaping elements like plants can line the exterior of pools or pool-side waterfalls. They can also be used to set off a center piece fountain or a pond. Adding a water feature is an essential part of the landscape for homeowners today.
Outdoor Lighting
Exterior lighting is becoming a more prominent feature since as a whole we are using the outdoor spaces a whole lot more. As homeowners make the move to outdoor entertaining exterior lighting features are also being adapted to a more active lifestyle. Decorative lighting can be used to line walkways or driveways or to illuminate an outdoor kitchen or pool in the evening times. Subtle lighting may also be used to highlight a particular landscape feature. By incorporating exterior lighting into the landscape of the home, many homeowners are discovering that their entertaining hours can extend further into the evening hours.
Variety of Plants, Shrubs and Trees
More than ever before homeowners are using a wide variety of plants in their landscape designs. Flowers, trees and shrubs can all add texture and color to the overall exterior décor of the home. In many areas such as New Jersey, native plants are used since they are likely to be the longest lasting choices and offer beauty that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Trees can provide shade and offer a wind break during the cold NJ winter months. Shrubbery can be used to prevent access through windows and add an extra measure of security. Besides these practical uses, plants of all sorts are standard with a landscape design. They can be arranged in interesting patterns to provide even more aesthetic appeal.
Outdoor Spaces
One of the most popular trends right now in landscaping is developing outdoor areas to enjoy with friends and family. These areas can be as simple or elaborate as a homeowner desires and will incorporate the use of many different landscaping elements and features. An outdoor kitchen or firepit may also incorporate the use of a hardscape, patio or deck. Plants can be used to offer some aesthetic appeal, colors and texture.
Hardscapes
There are many different types of hardscapes that are featured in a landscaped yard. Walls or steps can be aesthetic as well as providing access to key areas of the yard. A stone walkway lined with beautiful plants or outdoor lighting can provide ease of access between garage and home. Patios can provide an outdoor area to enjoy a cookout with friends and driveways can provide convenient parking or access to other parking areas like a carport or a garage. Hardscapes can also be used to line other prominent features such as pools or waterscapes. Hardscapes may include large stone walkways, or paths of cobblestone or gravel. Concrete can be used for patios and sidewalks. Different types of hardscape materials can be used to line a pool or other outdoor landscaping features.
Pools and Waterscapes
Today’s modern landscape may be of a minimalist design, but it is very common for them to incorporate either a swimming pool or a waterscape into the decorating theme. Some homes have both a pool and a fountain or other waterscape. Fountains are a prominent waterscape in modern landscaping. Landscaping elements like plants can line the exterior of pools or pool-side waterfalls. They can also be used to set off a center piece fountain or a pond. Adding a water feature is an essential part of the landscape for homeowners today.
Outdoor Lighting
Exterior lighting is becoming a more prominent feature since as a whole we are using the outdoor spaces a whole lot more. As homeowners make the move to outdoor entertaining exterior lighting features are also being adapted to a more active lifestyle. Decorative lighting can be used to line walkways or driveways or to illuminate an outdoor kitchen or pool in the evening times. Subtle lighting may also be used to highlight a particular landscape feature. By incorporating exterior lighting into the landscape of the home, many homeowners are discovering that their entertaining hours can extend further into the evening hours.
Variety of Plants, Shrubs and Trees
More than ever before homeowners are using a wide variety of plants in their landscape designs. Flowers, trees and shrubs can all add texture and color to the overall exterior décor of the home. In many areas such as New Jersey, native plants are used since they are likely to be the longest lasting choices and offer beauty that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Trees can provide shade and offer a wind break during the cold NJ winter months. Shrubbery can be used to prevent access through windows and add an extra measure of security. Besides these practical uses, plants of all sorts are standard with a landscape design. They can be arranged in interesting patterns to provide even more aesthetic appeal.