Landscaping 101: Increase quality of life & value of your house

All of us are very particular about what goes into the interiors of our houses, but often we end up ignoring a very crucial aspect of our property- the home exterior. The home’s exterior landscape is generally marked by a lawn, backyard, or garden. Now, the house’s exterior and its landscape play a vital role in determining your status in society. More and more homeowners are opting for unique and exotic landscaping designs, from tropical gardens to open-air bar patios. Furthermore, altering your home’s surroundings can add value to your property in terms of aesthetic appeal and functionality. So, we have compiled a comprehensive guide to educate you about the basics of landscaping- benefits, features, designs, and ideas. 

 

 

Benefits of landscaping your home exteriors

 

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A little landscaping can make a huge difference. A perfectly landscaped house looks neater, presentable, and more welcoming. After a long day at work, everyone wants to come home to a home that is warm, comfortable and inviting. Thus, landscaping can help you achieve all that you desire. Landscape features like gardens or lawns add much-needed greenery. These not only look appealing but also keep the house and surroundings cool and the air clean. Landscaping provides an opportunity to bring nature home. The natural elements, like plants, grass, rocks, and water pools, look so aesthetic on a front lawn, inducing a sense of relaxation. Daily walks on a beautifully manicured lawn may benefit memory and concentration power. 

Landscaping is now an eminent part of almost all architectural designs. The hospitality industry, with its resorts and hotels, is investing seriously in landscaping. Thus, landscaping is getting even more popular with the growing Instagram frenzy for gazebos, jacuzzis, and glamping. Moreover, many research studies prove that residents with open home exteriors featuring gardens, lawns, or other natural elements have a lesser chance of suffering from physical and psychological disorders. Therefore, if you have the space and budget, it would be a sin to not start landscaping!

 

Different landscaping features and types

 

Entryways

 

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An entryway is a path that leads to your house’s main door. It connects the landscape area with your home’s interiors. The area around your front door plays a significant role in creating an impression on the visitor, so the entryways must have a sophisticated and thoughtful design. Moreover, the entryways can be decorated with warm light lamps and plants. So, with entryway landscaping, the design options are endless. 

 

Lawns

 

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It is a well-known proverb that the grass is always greener on the other side. Now is the time to transform the home’s exterior space into a luscious green lawn. A well-cared lawn makes for a beautiful landscaping feature. Maintaining a lawn is not as complex as it seems. The key is to keep an eye on thatch, do a monthly mow, water it now and then, and invest a little in lawn fertilizer. A little effort can make the grass so much greener on your side this time!

 

Flower beds

 

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Neatly planned flower beds and planting foundations are extremely important for a well-planned garden design. A garden without the designated or organised design of planting beds is nothing but chaos. The key to forming ideal flower beds is based on anticipation. You need to visualise the texture, height, mass, and colour of the plants to create a balanced garden design with contrasting textures and colours. Arrange the rows heightwise for a layered pattern, and do not forget to add a focal point while making the flower beds. 

 

Shrubs

 

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All beautiful garden designs are incomplete without tons of shrub combinations. The shrubs encompass all the fresh berries, foliage, autumn flowers and plants with colourful leaves. However, while selecting shrubs for your garden, do learn about the blooming season so you can arrange their planting beds accordingly. Lilac, Witch hazel, Forsythia, and Hibiscus are some of the most popular shrubs for gardens.

 

Flowering trees

 

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Is there anything better than a house landscape marked with magnificent flowering trees? Trees are the backbone of a landscape, and one that bursts into delicate blooms is a cherry on the cake. If you want to stand out in the neighbourhood, opt for statement flowering trees like Magnolias, Oleanders, Palash, or the good old Amaltas tree. So, bring the serenity of a jungle to your vicinity now with flowering trees. 

 

Driveway 

 

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Landscaping a driveway is a task for professionals. However, you can pick and choose the design, material, and aesthetic for your driveway. Landscaping a driveway is a specialised project that requires a lot of planning design, budgeting, and material knowledge. There are a plethora of material choices available for a driveway, ranging from asphalt to concrete. To landscape your existing driveway, you can use mini walls, fences, or a series of pedestal lamps for a wow factor. 

 

Walkways

 

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Another popular feature of home exteriors is a walkway or sideway. A stone walkway looks rustic and natural. It is a perfect option for garden paths too. Increasingly, landscape designers are using the glass leak and stone pavement technique, which is visually stunning. Additionally, landscaping a walkway allows you to incorporate different stone designs, colours and textures, adding a hard contrast to the green of the lawns. 

 

Fences

 

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A fence is a barrier or railing that is typically made of wood or metal and is used to demarcate property. Encircling your home’s exterior with a fence makes your space safer and also looks cosy. Some of the most popular types of fences are the picket and baluster styles. Large residential buildings also use a wall as a fence for better security purposes. So, add a fence to your property to evoke those English country cottage vibes!

 

Water garden

 

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As the name suggests, a water garden is a body of water with accents of a garden like plants and flowers. A water garden is a unique feature of residential landscaping that can uplift an ordinary house to the extraordinary. Add beautiful floating plants like water lilies and marginal plants like papyrus. If you want to upgrade to level pro in water gardening, add some Japanese rice fish to keep the mosquitoes and insects away from the pond.

 

Fountains

 

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Fountains are a mesmerising feature of the landscape. Also, these are the focal points of any landscape that commands attention from any visitor. Installation of a fountain is a little bit more complex in design than other features of landscaping. Therefore, it is advised to use professional help. However, nowadays, you can even purchase a basic fountain system online! So, all the more reason to get creative and make a statement with an extravagant fountain that makes all heads turn!

 

Gazebos

 

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Gazebos are freestanding or attached canopies that provide us shelter and shade. It is a popular landscape feature for resorts and hotels. However, gazebos are great for residential spaces too. The little canopy space can offer an activity room or an open space for hosting. Additionally, a gazebo can make your yard stand out and also add value to your property. 

 

Artificial grass

 

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Artificial grass is a blessing for those who don’t have the luxury of space or time. The availability of artificial grass in the market has proven to be wonderful for people planning a terrace garden or vertical gardens in balconies. Besides artificial grass adds the green factor and you don’t even have to water it! Also, its easy maintenance and cheap price make it a good alternative. 

 

Garden lights

 

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Firstly, no matter how much you invest in your landscaping project, it is nothing if the outdoor lighting is not proper. Garden lights are the most important feature of an outdoor landscape design. Also, proper outdoor light can make all other features look welcoming and also add to home safety. There is a wide variety of outdoor lighting available to suit different styles and themes. Moreover, the use of spotlights, downlights and string lights can create a cosy and inviting atmosphere. 

 

Delightful landscaping ideas for your home exteriors

 

Hammock backyard

 

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Add a hammock to your backyard for a lazy Sunday chill vibe. Hammock ends tied to trees look so aesthetic and allow you to enjoy the sweet tree shade.  Moreover, this setting makes for a great reading corner for the spring season. 

 

Unique hardscape landscaping

 

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If you are someone who finds grass backyards too hectic to maintain, then go for a hardscape. As the name suggests, the landscape is paved with hard materials like concrete or wood for a more sturdy and clean appeal. Also, the hardscape can be transformed into various settings according to the requirements, for example, a setup for a barbeque lunch or an open gym. 

 

Integrated landscaping design

 

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If the space and budget allow, go all out with landscaping features and designs like a pool, hardscape, or lawn. Furthermore, design the space well so that all the features integrate and complement each other. 

 

Bougenville spillage

 

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Ever notice a white wall covered with dainty Bougainville? Landscaping does not always have to be about the land. Also, a wall covered with climbers or flowers can be as charming as an elaborate garden.

 

Open-air activity room

 

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One of the biggest trends in the residential buildings currently is the open-air activity room. So, you can design a little space for your favourite sport in your backyard! Love basketball? Insert a hoop on the back of a wall. Love skating? Bring a skating ring home. So, nothing is off-limits here, since this also reflects your wealthy taste and personality.

 

Glamping nook landscaping

 

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If you are someone who enjoys camping and hosting, build an earthy glamping nook. Also, right now it is all over the internet, and yes, it is super chic. Add a couple of lounges and an outdoor fireplace to start a bonfire whenever!

 

Asymmetrical pool

 

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Swimming pools are great for recreation and exercise, so adding one to your home can help you stay fit. Also, who doesn’t love poolside dinner with their loved ones? So, invest in a water pool for swimming or a water garden to keep your house cool and exciting.

 

Overgrown floors landscaping

 

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One of our favourites is green grass growing from stone floors, creating beautiful patterns throughout. The overgrown floors give a sense of a tropical theme. So, decorate the floor with planters and chairs to create a tropical look. 

 

Low-water landscaping

 

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If you live in a dry climatic area, then a low water landscape can be a life-saver. A low water landscape is made up of combinations of succulents, desert plants, and hardscapes. Thus, these plants do not require constant watering and thrive well in harsh sunlight. 

 

Open cottage bar landscaping

 

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Open cottage bars are gaining momentum now. Inspired by the commercial bars on beaches, these can now make your backyard the party hub! Also, a minibar set up in the backyard can provide that extra space to host guests.

 

Herbal garden landscaping

 

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Gardening is a therapeutic experience. Gardening not only makes your space beautiful it also is a great form of stress reliever. Engage in herbal gardening and add all types of native herbs to your plant collection. Moreover, a herb garden landscape will make your space aromatic and leave a lasting impression on the visitors. 

 

Conclusion

A little forethought in the exterior of your home can transform an ordinary front or backyard into a stunning landscape oasis. It is hard for urban dwellers to maintain close contact with mother nature, but with little effort and investment in landscaping, you can bring nature home! Even if you do not have enough space for a lawn or extravagant landscape features, there is always scope for tiny balcony gardens or terrace gazebos. Landscaping will not only beautify your space but will also add a touch of personality and uniqueness. So, without further ado, pick up your landscaping tools and start the much-needed landscaping project now! Thus, choose any of the ideas for the landscape mentioned above and enjoy the exquisite view of your home’s landscape. 

 

*The featured image used in the article is by Thomas Flint