From House to Home » Landscaping

Get Creative With Your Patio Shapes

Posted by Allison
on April 24th, 2010
Category: Landscaping, Tips for Homeowners

The patio has become a hot spot for entertaining and lounging in the sun. If you’re planning to install a patio this year, consider getting a little creative with the shape and style. A few curves or an intricate brick pattern can really set your patio apart.

Ask the Landscaping Contractor

You’ll want to start by talking to a few landscaping contractors who install patios. Ask about:

Any zoning issues to consider. Are there size limitations based on your lot size?
Working around existing landscaping so you can keep your favored roses or lilacs.
Which materials and colors would complement your house? Try one of these unique brick patterns from Better Homes and Gardens.

The Patio Size

The patio size can be tricky for many people, but it helps to think about how you’ll use the space. If you plan to put a grill and a large table there, use their measurements to shape the layout. Many patios designed for dining are 350 to 450 square feet.

If you have a small yard or just want a place to sit and relax, try scaling it down to 150 to 250 square feet. See this thread from gardenweb.com for more on sizing.

Curving the Patio

One way to add interest to a patio is by using curves. Instead of a rectangular or square shape, try curving it to hug a row of lilac bushes or create a nook for some patio furniture. As the outdoor entertainment craze has taken off, many people design patios as rooms. In a sense, you’re creating a few cozy and curving outdoor rooms, according to concretepatio.org.

Once you have a plan on paper, think about the landscaping to go around it. Even if you can’t add all the bushes this year, you’ll want to a plan. With the right research, you can create an exciting outdoor space and transform your back yard.

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Remodeling Your Exterior View

Posted by Allison
on April 9th, 2010
Category: General Remodeling, Landscaping

If the sight of your front yard makes you cringe, now is a good time to consider a remodeling makeover. As spring moves in, assess your landscaping, front porch, lighting and other exterior elements. Here are some easy ways to update your exterior space:

Remodeling Your Landscaping

Start by looking at your house from the street. If your bushes are old and overgrown, it’s time for a hair cut or a complete remodeling makeover. Talk to a few landscaping contractors about:

Softening the view with flowering bushes, such as lilac or spirea.
Adding a curved flagstone or brick walkway to the front door. See these tips from Do It Yourself.com.
Reconfiguring your flower beds to add curves. This will help blend the landscaping with the grass and the lines of the house.
Adding some evergreens for year-round color. Try boxwood, yews, or arborvitae.

Don’t worry, even an editor from Southern Living Magazine needs some front yard remodeling now and then!

Other Home Improvement Options

Lighting and porch railings are just a few other options when trying to do some exterior remodeling. By adding decorative coach lights on each side of the door or canned lighting under a porch or replacing a rusted railing, you can do wonders for the exterior view (not to mention your safety).

Ask an electrical contractor for guidance for how much light is enough and what lighting finish will set the right tone for your architecture. You might want an oil rubbed bronze for a traditional Tudor home or a sleek stainless steel for a contemporary home. Try this Better Homes and Gardens site for more.

The front view of your home is an important consideration. Drive around the block and look for yourself. You might find several places that can benefit from a little home improvement finesse.

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Landscaping? One Step at a Time

Posted by Allison
on March 6th, 2010
Category: General Remodeling, Landscaping

If you’re looking to spruce up your yard for the spring, realize that many jobs can be spread out over time. Landscaping in stages has become a common practice, with many people doing a three to five year plan.

Live With Your House Before Major Landscaping

This type of approach allows you to live with the house a little before committing to large sections of roses or cutting down trees to add a new deck.

After you’ve been in the house for awhile, you’ll know about sun and shade patterns and street noise. You’ll learn that your neighbor’s large deck parties are a little loud or that you want to block the nearby convenience store. That’s what home improvement is all about.

When adding landscaping in stages, it’s important to start with a plan, like this one from the University of Missouri Extension Service. You’ll want to include:

Sun and shade patterns
Flowerbeds
Backyard play equipment
Future plans for a pond or hot tub

Start Landscaping With Hardscapes

The first phase of any landscaping plan should be patio, sidewalk and other hardscapes. These areas are difficult to change later, regardless the home improvement budget.

The next stage is adding large trees and shrubs. Large plantings are important focal points in the yard, as they provide screening and add height and texture.

Finally, you can scope out ideal sites for a flower or vegetable garden, and start adding all those little touches.

Landscaping and Your Finances

There also are many financial reasons for planting in phases. A slow approach helps you spread out the costs with the contractor and possibly save money by doing some of the work yourself.

While it’s easy to go, go, go with landscaping, a better approach is to slow down. Landscape in stages. work with your contractor on timing. You’ll be glad you did.

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Adding Water Features

Posted by Allison
on August 24th, 2009
Category: General Remodeling, Landscaping

Add Water Features in Your Remodeling Plans

Longing for the sounds of the beach? While it may be difficult to bring an actual beach to your house, there are easy and convenient ways to add water features. Today, many landscaping contractors install waterfalls, ponds, and running streams to enhance the ambiance to gardens and backyards. If you’ve got a spot where the sounds of water trickling by would be helpful, give it a try.

Consider Professional Assistance

Some of these projects can be completed by home owners while others require the expertise–and muscle– of professional contractors. This is particularly true if you are adding large boulders, digging out space for a pond, etc.

If you are considering adding water features, look for a spot near a patio or deck so you can enjoy the sounds of nature after a long day at the office. Or, try adding a trickling pond outside of a bedroom window. A contractor also can give you advice on the best location, given the terrain of your yard and how much work is involved in adding a water feature in one area versus another.

The size of the water feature can vary in size–limited only by your imagination and backyard area. From a 10-foot wide pond to a 4-foot area with a fountain and decorative rocks and plants, water features can be installed in a variety of styles and designs. An easy way to add water is to use a fountain. There are many landscaping fountains that are easy to add and fairly inexpensive. They make ones that fit on a table or hang from a wall–ideal for the space starved home owner.

Before Adding Water Features

Before adding a water feature to your landscaping, think about the upkeep involved. A pond can require a little maintenance to keep algae from forming and to tend to the fish, if you decide to add some. Fountains are typically the easiest to deal with.

Try a little bubbling water around your landscaping. You may wonder how you ever lived without it.

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Quick Summer Home Improvement Projects

Posted by Allison
on July 13th, 2009
Category: Landscaping, Painting, Patios, Driveways & Concrete, Tips for Homeowners

If you’re looking for a few quick remodeling projects to fill the summer days, look no further. Here are some sure fire ways to do some home improvement without driving yourself crazy.

Look for home improvement projects that will take no longer than 2-3 days. This way you can get it done in a weekend and still have plenty of time to enjoy the summer. Some projects might require a contractor’s help, depending on your skill level.

If you have a patio or deck, do a little spruce up. With a patio, that might mean pulling weeds from between the bricks or adding another layer of sand between the cracks—just sweep it over the cracks, lightly wet the surface and brush it into the cracks.

If you have a deck, try power washing it or, to get rid of algae, scrub it with a water and bleach solution. Then buy a few new deck chairs or new cushions and you’ll have a whole new look.

Painting is another easy way to spruce up a home, particularly on the outside. Perhaps your front doorway needs a new look or your picket fence is looking worn. This is an easy home improvement project for many people – or it’s a relatively inexpensive project to do with a painting contractor’s help.

Landscaping Remodeling

In the garden, check around for a spot that is looking a little dull. It’s easy enough to redo one perennial bed or add one. Focus on areas near your patio or deck so you’ll get the most impact from your project.

Try adding spiking perennial flowers in purple, orange or yellow. Or, add a little fragrant area with three rose bushes or fragrant lilies. Ask a landscaping contractor for help, if needed.

Don’t let the summer get by without doing a few quick home improvement projects. Once they are done, you can relax until fall!

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Landscaping Ideas: Consider Vines

Posted by Allison
on May 25th, 2009
Category: Landscaping

If you’re looking to add some drama to your landscaping, consider climbing vines. Whether it is wisteria or clematis or even climbing roses, the look can transform your landscaping.

I was looking at vines recently and found a cool site for clematis information. You might be surprised to find out how many vines there are for your landscaping. This site lets you search by the name, then it gives pictures and information on the bloom time, zone, etc.

If you’re working with a landscaping contractor, ask which clematis (or other vines) do well in your area. Unfortunately you can’t go by the hardiness zone only. If your area has lots of clay soil, for example, the contractor may recommend certain soil amendments to help a vine prosper.

Planting Vines
It’s fairly easy to plant vines, whether you are doing it yourself or through a contractor. Most require full sun, but examine the details carefully to make sure you get the right location. Also look for a place that is highly visible, whether it is from your patio table or your kitchen window. Why do to all the trouble changing your landscaping if you can’t enjoy the results?

We often think of home improvement as indoor projects, say a kitchen or bathroom. You’ll be amazed at how much improvement you’ll do with some simple changes to your landscaping. (Check out these landscaping photos for more!) With a good landscaping plan, you can have vines combined with a wide assortment of perennials to provide a texture and contrast.

Most landscaping contractors will provide a plan for changing your yard. If you are revamping, consider how vines can add height and lots of color. Even if you have to buy one vine and plant it yourself, the results can be dramatic!

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Colors in the Garden

Posted by Allison
on May 11th, 2009
Category: Landscaping

Color is a tricky thing, particularly in the garden. As you remodel your landscaping–a common thing around our house–plan out how color will flow through the yard.

The tricky part about this type of landscaping is that it involves looking at the various stages of bloom. It helps to draw it out on paper and perhaps have tracing paper layered on top to show the various seasons of bloom. Consult with a landscaping contractor who has an eye for color combinations, not just plant materials.

Choosing Flowers for Your Garden
During the spring you may have a wave of daffodils and tulips, followed by green hostas coming up and then lilies, followed by a late summer purple flower. In between, you can sprinkle annuals, but what colors should you use? What will be blooming next to them and will the colors clash?

Ideally, all these colors should help your eyes flow through the garden. You might have a wave of blue, then orange, then white before getting to an antique bench or bubbling fountain.

Color Grouping
One landscaping “rule” is to plant in masses, which can be difficult for those trying to do landscaping on a budget. When it comes to color, the tones should be complimentary and you’ll need to decide on a general theme–vibrant or subtle?

One nice resource, which also has nice stock to purchase, is White Flower Farm. In their Help section you can peruse predesigned gardens to get ideas–or, even steal their combinations! If you are looking for more insight into glower color groupings, check out the Chicago Botanic Garden. They have a wide array of examples that can guide you during your landscaping.

Container Gardening
And, let’s not forget container gardening, which also has its share of color issues. I recently learned not to put too many colors in one pot. Try to do one color for impact and a few other less dominant flowers in different colors for accents.

Color makes a great addition to any landscaping plan. It’s figuring out how to blend it all together that is the tricky part of any outdoor remodeling!

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Give Your Garden a New Personality

Posted by Aaron
on January 15th, 2009
Category: Landscaping

Looking to spice up your garden without doing a major landscaping project? There are many items to add to the garden to give it personality. Start by looking around for bare spots in the garden or an area that could use a little color or texture. A statue is one idea, as it can add a sturdy permanence to a garden spot. Think about one beside a favorite perennial bed or near your patio.

Here’s a neat site that focuses on garden statues. They come in big and small sizes, and a wide range of motifs. Whether you’re redoing your entire landscaping or just looking for a pick me up for one small area, a statue can do it.

Adding a Garden Fountain
Fountains are another important source of fun for your landscaping. Some are large and require a contractor–or a few burly men–to carry, while others are easy enough to lug home in a small box. This wall fountain is a particular favorite of mine. It’s bold without being too much—and the price point seems reasonable.

Before adding a fountain, check to see if you have an electrical source. Otherwise, it might be $100 to $150 for a contractor to add an outlet. (Add a four way outlet–you can never have too much power outside).

A trellis also can add some fun to the yard and add a sense of height. Trellis will force you to think vertically with your plantings. Vines such as clematis and morning glory – or even climbing roses – can give a landscaping plan a big boost. Think fragrance, also! You can buy trellis in home improvement and garden store or try building a trellis yourself.

Look at all the fun you can add in your yard–without putting on gardening gloves or planting and flowers!

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Landscaping: Add Some Water!

Posted by Aaron
on January 2nd, 2009
Category: Landscaping

Longing for the sounds of the beach? While it’s hard to do a little home improvement and bring a beach to your yard, there are ways to add water features. (Take a look at these landscaping examples)

Ask a Landscaping Contractor

Many landscaping contractors install waterfalls, ponds and running streams to add some ambience to your yard. If you’ve got a spot where the sounds of water trickling by would be helpful, give it a try.

Some of these projects can be completed by home owners while others require the expertise – and muscle – of a few contractor types. This is particularly true if you are adding large boulders, digging out space for a pond, etc. read more »

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Great Landscaping Makes All the Difference

Posted by Aaron
on June 9th, 2008
Category: Landscaping, Uncategorized

Everyone wants their home to have some curb appeal, and landscaping can make a huge difference in the overall look of your home. Just think about when you’re driving in a residential area; which homes grab your eye? The houses with a great looking landscaping set up, green grass and colorful flowers. While a majority of these beautiful homes and gardens look like they cost a fortune there are a few tips on how to make your yard look great without breaking the bank.

Gorgeous yards don’t have to be extremely expensive. One great way to get your home looking nice is adding color to your yard. Various flowers and shrubs can add a variety of colors to your otherwise plain looking home. Interspersing seasonal flowers along with green, red and purple shrubs gives your home a much better visual presence. Before planting anything new you will want to make sure you dig up all the natural dirt and rock in the area. Once you have a large, deep whole you can fill that with much better potting and planting soil. This new soil will help your new plants stay healthy.

Another great addition to your home’s yard is hardscaping. While this can add some expense to your project it is an amazing way to really spice up your new look. Hardscaping includes all sorts of rock and cement work installed in many area’s of your yard. Try stacked stone retaining walls to outline flower gardens and tree lines. Stamped concrete can give your driveway or walkway a beautiful, stylish look which can compliment the rest of your hardscaping. Even a few large rocks, appropriately placed can give your yard just the right touch.

A majority of your landscaping and lawn care projects can be handled by a competent do it yourselfer. Take some time to figure out and design your yards new set up and begin to implement your new set up. Take time when planting new flowers, shrubs or trees to ensure they can properly survive. Take into account sun, shade, water and root depth before planting any serious plants. Professionals can also be used to help with all of this. Use an online contractor referral service like All Around the Home to find the perfect landscape design and installation professional service to help you make your home the best looking one on the block!

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Get Creative With Your Patio Shapes

Remodeling Your Exterior View

Landscaping? One Step at a Time

Adding Water Features

Quick Summer Home Improvement Projects

Landscaping Ideas: Consider Vines

Colors in the Garden

Give Your Garden a New Personality

Landscaping: Add Some Water!

Great Landscaping Makes All the Difference