Many of today’s homeowners are contemplating the use of their yard. The large spans of grass and few trees no longer suffice; however, a bare lot can be very intimidating to many of us. Creative ideas for the use and enjoyment of our yards do not always immediately come to mind.

It is at times difficult to constructively consider our lifestyle into a design; our stylistic ideals pertaining to such elements as home decor, architecture, and even personal apparel play an important role in our tastes for landscaping. There truly is a landscape out there for everyone, each one as unique as the individuals who live in it. Just as you would custom design the interior of your house, the layout of your cabinets, the organization of your walk-in closet, or the design of your wedding gown, we all have a style to suit our surroundings. Formal versus informal, straight versus curved, balanced versus offset, symmetrical versus staggered – we all have a bit of it in our lives, and without even thinking of it, we match our style throughout every aspect of our lives. When it comes to designing your yard, you will find that these key stylistic ideals will play a huge part in what you come to create.

Our lifestyle plays the largest role in developing a design. Think for a moment of what type of person you are. Are you the type of person who after likes unwind after work on your patio with a glass of wine, a few good friends, and food cooking in your outdoor kitchen? Or are you better suited to the secluded type of retreat where your surroundings are private and soothing with the sounds of trickling water, and comfort of your cedar swinging bench? Maybe you are the intense gardener type, grounding yourself by working with your plants in your English-style garden and relaxing under your quaint gazebo as the sun sets. Or, perhaps you prefer to watch your children play in their custom children’s garden from your nearby patio accompanied by a good book.

Your landscape should be your own personal retreat that guides you into your zone, wherever that may be. Most of us do not associate our yards with a custom getaway. When we think of escaping from the normality of life, we veer towards vacations. But there is huge potential for escape within our own backyards.

Imagine that instead of longing for the next getaway, you merely step outside your home into your custom-built retreat, take a breath of fresh air and soak in your surroundings. This is your home away from home, with all the right elements, suited to your style and how you like to spend your time.

When faced with a space, try to divide it into a series of outdoor rooms; this divides the yard into distinct usable areas, the same as would be in your home. Between rooms, create points of interest using feature plantings or elements such as pondless waterfalls, babbling rocks, fountains, statues, feature planters or distinctive walls and screening elements. For those who like to entertain, have distinctive areas for large groups of people to sit or mingle.

These types of spaces can then branch off further into more social spaces such as outdoor kitchens or fireplace areas. Outdoor kitchens and fireplaces can be integrated into the same space or divided into separate areas to encourage movement throughout the yard. Some spaces can be set aside for more private use: a shady nook under a pergola, a gazebo, or an intimate bench built under an arbor.

Focusing a yard around a key feature or room with key transitions points can help tie elements together. Key features such as ponds or waterfalls take front stage, and you want to be sure to incorporate your outdoor living space with these features. Shape your spaces according to your style as discussed earlier. Choose between curved, angled or straight lines for the borders of your rooms, and bed and lawn edges. Connect spaces being conscious of flow, and be careful not to overcrowd spaces with too many elements or uses.

Lastly, do not forget the importance of a planting scheme. The vegetation you place in your landscape design helps define structure and style just as much as the hardscape elements. Plants help soften your retreat, and give it the outdoor appearance suited to the style you are striving to create.

As imaginative and ambitious as a design can get, it is important to always take into account the practicality of your design ideas and consult a landscape designer. With suggestions for the best layout, materials, construction practices, professionals can help you make your dream a reality.

This article was provided by Ananda Landscapes. Ananada Landscapes creates beautiful and functional living landscapes that act as a retreat from the hectic world that surrounds us. Visit them online at www.anandalandscapes.com .