When planning your urban landscaping, there are many things to consider when you are considering your outdoor living space. You want to make the most of your space as it is an extension of your house, you will want it to be functional and stylish, yet fit within your budget.
Putting some thought into some of the following steps will not only help you get the most of your outdoor living space but give you a head-start when it comes to your plan.
What Do You Have To Work With
Think of this as your canvas – whether it’s blank or otherwise, the area of your outdoor living space plays a large part in your urban landscape. You want to maximize the use of your space, which could be limited by your area, but that also largely depends on what you want to get out of your space.
For example, if you have a small backyard, a pool is not likely a possibility simply because of the size. However, you might be able to accommodate a swim-spa, sitting on top of a paving stone patio or another landing.
Consider What You Want From Your Space
Think about what you want to do in this space Properly landscaping your space should consider your intended use, functionality, as well as aesthetic appeal, are important in your investment. The possibilities here are endless, some of the more common uses we see are:
- Outdoor cooking/dining
- Conversation or sittings areas
- Gardening space
From these considerations, you can start planning on what you want to incorporate into your space and start planning.
Keeping Up Appearances
You’ve started to get an idea of what you want from your urban landscape, now put some thought into how much upkeep do you want to do? Many options exist for low or maintenance-free urban landscaping possibilities, as well as your traditional backyard options.
Certain features such as sprinkler systems, artificial turf, or crushed rock can take some of the work out of maintaining your yard. While planters, garden beds, and sod can give you that traditional look and maintenance.
How Much Do You Want To Spend
The million-dollar question – what is your budget? What you are able to spend will determine how much can be done with your project. If you are limited in your budget you can think about ways to add on to your project in the future. Starting with foundations like a paving stone patio, or retaining walls are good initial projects, which can be added on to in upcoming seasons.
You don’t want to skip out on spending money on your project. Your outdoor living area is not only functional but will add value to your house for years to come.
Making It A Reality
Finally, it’s time to build your project – are you the DIY type, or do you prefer to use a professional? Generally, it’s true that professionals will cost you more, but it’s also true that you get what you pay for. Professionals should warranty their work – if the ground settles or something isn’t right, they will honor the work that they do.
That isn’t to take away from the DIY crowd, if you have the skills and time, landscaping can be a great DIY project. The sense of accomplishment felt following a big project is second-to-none.
Your budget and skill set will be the main factors when it comes to your choice. There’s no wrong answer here.
We hope you found this guide about urban landscaping helpful. With some careful considerations, you can have that outdoor living space that you have always wanted. If you have any questions, please contact us, or give us a call (403) 617-3225.