Recreate Your Backyard Using These Design Tips

Now that summer is here most of us want to be out in the backyard enjoying the sunshine whenever we can. Have you ever thought of applying a few simple design principles to your garden to make it an even nicer place to be?

Most people wouldn't start changing a room or painting it a different color without thinking carefully about it first, but when it comes to the backyard it's a different story. Most of us don't think about designing our gardens the way we would our homes. By applying some of these ideas you can create an outdoor space that is as pleasing to look at as anything indoors.

Assess Your Backyard

Before you design your new garden, make a note of whether your soil tends to be dry or moist, shady or sunny, sloping or flat, as well as the soil type. This will help you choose plants that will grow well in your backyard so that you can design a garden that will thrive.

Using Your Space

Think about ways in which you can divide your backyard into different areas that flow into one another. You can design a different look for each one and in this way create a garden that has something new around every corner.

Use Plants to Create a Picture

Think about the way you can use color, texture and form to create the effect you want.

• Color: Cool colors are relaxing, while warm colors are more stimulating to the senses. Whites and blues blend into the background while reds and yellows stand out.
• Texture: Soft and fluffy or smooth and shiny; pick a texture that suits your theme.
• Form: Upright, spreading, weeping. Think about the effect that different shapes have and how they fit together to create the picture you want.

Re-creating your backyard will take some time, but by applying a little design expertise you can achieve an attractive garden that is a pleasure to use.