Landscaping is more than a few strategically planted trees and a colorful flowerbed or two. There’s a lot more to it than you may realize – hardscapes, waterscapes, patios, decks, walkways, pools, ponds, plant life, irrigation systems and lighting are just some of the details that go into creating an outdoor space that becomes as much a part of your lifestyle as any room in your home.
Your outdoor space is really just an extension of your living space and the same way you wouldn’t build a home without architectural drawings and engineering plans, you wouldn’t want to build a landscape without the same care in planning.
Imagine building a home and deciding the kitchen sink would look great right there… but once it’s installed, you realize there’s no room for the oven! Or your cabinets don’t fit or the flooring doesn’t match.
It sounds like a stretch but that’s the way people often think about their outdoor space – a tree would look great right there… but what about the driveway, the walkway, the plants and flowers around it? What happens when that tree grows to full size, when the roots spread or when it begins to attract birds and bees?
If it sounds like there’s a lot to think about when it comes to landscape design, there is! That’s why we always start with a landscape Master Plan. A Master Plan allows us to take a holistic approach to your outdoor space so we can plan for now and for years into the future so you will enjoy your space as an integral part of your lifestyle.
These are just a few of the advantages to having a good, detailed Master Plan.
Good Intentions Don’t Always Translate To Good Outcomes
Failing to plan is planning to fail…
You’ve probably heard that adage applied to everything from cooking to business!
It’s so ubiquitous because it so often proves to be true. Without a plan, you can take a piecemeal approach to your landscape at best. You may have every intention of creating a certain look and incorporating certain elements, but without the overall plan there is no way to know what will really work or to predict what the result of your efforts will be.
Taking a “wishful thinking” approach has never served anyone – whether putting together a dinner party, running and business or creating an outdoor living space.
Unearth And Mitigate Problems – Before They Become Problems
When you’re dreaming of the perfect outdoor living space you may be imagining the lovely waterfalls, the koi swimming in your pond, the colors of the flowers or even the days you’ll spend lounging poolside.
But what you may not be thinking about is whether you have any drainage problems, if the soil is healthy enough to support the plants you’re envisioning, if the slope of the land will cause any issues.
You may not be wondering about the best type of irrigation system for your land and plant life and what style of lighting will not only showcase your space but let you enjoy it in the evenings as well.
Thinking about the problems and concerns takes some of the fun out, doesn’t it? But with a Master Plan you don’t have to spend time thinking about the minutia or worrying that you’ll encounter unpleasant surprises down the road. You can rest assured that your landscape designers and architects are thinking about these things for you and planning to make your space the best it can be.
Plan For The Seasons
That flowerbed may look fantastic right until the brutal summer sun hits… then what?
It’s the job of the Master Plan to take seasonal changes into account, from the types of plant life that will thrive, to how things like sun and shade and growth will affect your space.
A good Master Plan will take into account all four seasons, even winter. Colors, berries and even the height and types of trees and plants can keep your landscape pleasingly aesthetic all year long.
Create A Budget For Your Vision
Your outdoor space is more than just a pretty garden. It can be an integral part of your lifestyle, from weekends playing with the kids to evenings entertaining friends or afternoons relaxing beside your pond with a good book.
When you think of your outdoor space as another living space, you can begin to understand the need for a good plan – and an appropriate budget.
Building materials, ornamentation, lighting, ponds and fish, plant materials and the labor to make it all happen can add up. It may start to seem a bit daunting, especially if this is your first foray into creating an outdoor living space.
The good news is that the purpose of a Master Plan is to help you define a vision, determine a budget and then lay out the design phases that will help you realize your dreams.
The Master Plan will create a long-term vision for your space and then break it out into manageable pieces – all without sacrificing quality or succumbing to “piecemeal” work.
A Master Plan will help you save money, too. It will plan for things like space, shade, and the developing root systems of your plants and trees so you don’t experience overcrowding issues later or end up investing in expensive removals and do-overs.
It Can Be Part Of Your Experience
A Master Plan is a work of art in itself. Many people frame theirs and hang it in their homes. It can also be part of the anticipation and expectation of turning your yard into a true outdoor living space.
Much like nature, this document can live and grow with you as your space evolves and join you as part of your journey.
A Master Plan will turn your dream into a vision and then help you create a living, breathing space that you can enjoy all year long. If you’re thinking of taking your indoor lifestyle outdoors, get in touch with us and find out how our landscape architects and designers can bring that dream to life for you.
