Beautiful outdoor spaces appeal to all our senses. They also make for significant hosting areas when you have guests over on a sunny day.

However, creating an aesthetically pleasing outdoor space does take some planning. It’s easy to assume that all you need is a short trip to the local gardening store for plants and some birdbaths.

Going down that route might result in an outdoor space that not only looks hurriedly put together but can end up looking thoughtless. To ensure this doesn’t happen, here are four things you need to consider when designing your outdoor space:

1)    Assess your space

This point feels random.

But it is the most critical element of your landscaping plans. You need to assess the topography and soil type of the patch you are planning to turn into a serene and inviting space. Going through this process ensures that whatever you install is for the long term.

Usually, depending on the present greenery and amount of sun exposure it gets, your yard is likely to have a unique microclimate. You also need to plan for this, as that affects the sort of plants you’ll be getting.

Planning a deck or veranda? You could do some of this work yourself. However, it’s best to get a licensed contractor to evaluate the area and make sure everything is done legally.

For instance, if you live in Virginia, verify the contractor’s licenses using a license lookup VA service. Other states have similar services.

2)    List your needs and wants 

Once you are clear about your topography, the next thing you need to consider is what you’ll be using your space for. Will your kids need a space to play? Do you plan to grow any vegetables? Will your family have dinner outside now and then? Are there any outdoor spaces you admire and would love to replicate?

It would be best if you also considered how you’d maintain the space. Will you be doing it yourself, or will you hire someone to do that for you? List out all these needs and ideas. Doing this gives you a sense of the financial commitment you would need to bring your ideal landscape to life. It also ensures the success of your outdoor space.

3)    Think eco-friendliness

While planning for all the ideas you listed out earlier, you need to ensure all ideas are environmentally friendly. We all need to play our role in protecting and preserving the environment, starting with our outdoor spaces.

This could mean buying local flowers and plants rather than imported ones, designing a watering system that recycles and manages water, or making landscape plans that don’t destroy the environment.

Also, ensure your contractor uses paints and cleaners that are not toxic to the environment. If there are existing greenery that you plan to remove, you should determine if they can be relocated to other parts of your home. You can also donate these plants to a public garden.

4)    Plan for the future

It’s easy to get carried away in the excitement of the moment. However, with landscaping, you need to plan for the future. How will your outdoor space evolve? Do you always plan to have a gardener? Or you plan to start tending to your outdoor space at some point.

You also need to ensure you have enough space for your plants to reach their optimum size.

Final Thoughts 

Creating a beautiful outdoor space needs thought and care; it isn’t random. However, it would be best if you also approached this journey with patience and an open mind. Not everything will turn out as you planned.

But approaching your project with these steps in mind guarantees you will achieve a great, delightful, and inviting outdoor space in the long run.