Achieving awe-inspiring scenery like this begins with a careful look inside yourself.
Gardens
A Plan with a Purpose
Determining your yard’s purpose and not just its looks will lead to the most transformative result.
BY
Karl Schottler, landscape architect and owner of Paramount Landscape
PHOTOGRAPHY
Matt Kocourek

So, you’ve finally made the decision to turn your backyard into the place of your dreams. Your next big decision is how to bring it all together for a real sense of purpose. Landscape design with purpose is not just about aesthetics and beauty but serves your specific needs and desires.

The first step in designing a quality ‘landscape experience’ is to determine your desired lifestyle, especially as it pertains to your outdoor space. You can start by listing special things you want to incorporate in the design and finding pictures of outdoor spaces you find interesting or have experienced elsewhere. Most people have some idea of what they would like to accomplish in their outdoor space, such as a place for entertaining, relaxing or playing, or a combination of all of these; they’re just not sure how. That’s when a trained landscape design professional should come in to turn those idea fragments into a workable plan.

Texture, pattern and color are three very important design elements to consider when designing. Texture can be used to accent closeness or distance from an object.  Patterns can be used to guide you to the next point of interest or attract your attention to specific elements. Color brings everything to life and is a direct reflection of who you are. Bold colors like reds, oranges and yellows bring energy and visual stimulus to the space. Subtle pastels and cooler colors like blues, soft pinks, purples and greens offer a more relaxing and soothing alternative. Making the right selections for your home will provide a greater sense of purpose for the area. 

Unsightly features, such as parking areas, utility boxes, the neighbor’s driveway or street noise also come into play when reshaping your outdoor living space — out of sight, out of mind. On the other hand, you might want to highlight something in particular by using landscaping to frame a picturesque view or focal point, unique water feature, flower bed or specimen plant. Consider creating privacy and separation of different areas, such as a cozy patio for relaxing alone or with others after a busy day.

Landscaping with purpose doesn’t refer only to the use of plants for color and texture; it extends to a mixture of softscape and hardscape materials. Softscape materials include trees, shrubs, flowers and perennials, while hardscape materials comprise natural stone, modular pavers, wood and composite materials. Natural stone can be used in almost any application from accent boulders in the landscape to water features that create the soothing sound and motion of a waterfall or pond. Hardscape materials are functional, being used to create retaining walls, patios or decorative columns that give definition to outdoor entertaining areas like kitchens and bars. Hardscape elements also include structures like decks, arbors, pergolas, canopies and decorative privacy screens. These structural elements can be used as an extension of the architectural style of the home to provide a smooth transition from the home’s interior to the outdoor living space. Outdoor furnishings, from chairs and loveseats to weather-resistant pillows, outdoor rugs, tables, lamps and decorative planters, bring comfort and enjoyment to the outdoor space.

Another important consideration that gives landscaping purpose and extends use is outdoor lighting. It is important for many people to be able to bring an outdoor area to life at any time, whether day or night. Lighting is used for direction, accent and security. Pathway lights provide direction, while accent lights highlight special elements like water features, flower beds, and unique and interesting specimen plants. There are many different applications to an effective lighting design, including backlighting, silhouette lighting, and down- and up-lighting.

When designing your outdoor landscape, remember that your scenery will change as the months evolve. From spring’s new life and summer’s lush plantings and seasonal color accents to autumn’s brilliant colors and winter’s structural landscape blanketed with snow, landscaping is a celebration of the seasons. A landscape design with these purposes fulfilled will bring harmony and balance  to your outdoor life and an enjoyable experience for many years to come.