In the past, many of us often view our patios as simple slabs of stone and concrete that is attached to the back of the house. However, things have changed and patios are no longer boring places. With a good pool landscaping patio design, you can actually make your patio into one of the most beautiful areas of your home. To get you started in the right direction, here are some points that you need to remember when doing your pool landscaping patio design.
Decide On A Function First
When doing your pool landscaping patio design, you need to think of what purpose your design shall serve. There are times when you can indulge your artistic side, but do not let your imagination run away with you when designing your patio. Remember that your patio should be both functional and beautiful. For instance, if you plan to serve tea for your afternoon visitors in the patio, design your patio according to this purpose.
Choose The Right Stones
You need to consider the types of stones to use when doing your pool landscaping patio design. No, those old and colorless slabs of stones and concrete are no longer in fashion. Forget about using those hideous looking things. There are a number of colored stones that will suit your patio well so do some research in this area.
Find some nice patterns for your stones, too. Nice patterns will give your patio a more vibrant look. If you can afford it, you may also use those traditional marble floorings for your patio. Yes, marble flooring can be quite expensive but if you want something that looks really elegant and last for a long time, marble flooring is your best bet.
Consider The Lighting
You need to include good lighting as part of your pool landscaping patio design. Lighting is not only essential to help you find your way around your patio at night; it can also give your patio a more beautiful look at night. There are many types of patio lightings that you can choose from.
To know more about patio lightings, read some landscaping books and magazines, which can give you a wealth of information. If you do not have time to go out and find some landscaping books and magazines, do your research online. There are a number of online resources that can help you choose the right types of lights for your patio, as well as show you other types of stones.
No matter how much hard work you place into home improvement, the job is not complete without the pool landscaping. Many people are content with the standard grass and trees, maybe some flowers or shrubberies around the house, but many people want so much more than that. They want lighting, flower beds, gravel paths, contoured land, and generally every aspect of the yard to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible. To make your yard beautiful, prepare yourself for some very heavy duty pool landscaping.
Just Like On Television
Recently seen any of those pool landscaping shows on television? They can be absolutely great for ideas about where to start. There is literally so much to do to improve your yard that it can be a daunting task just to figure out where to start! A good suggestion is to develop a budget of how much you are able to spend. Several hundred dollars can go a long way, but a few thousand are almost sure to cover the entire yard.
The next step of pool landscaping is to look at pictures. Several fantastic magazines in print contain some of the most beautiful examples of yards, and television shows help you figure out a way to go about fixing up the yard. As always, the Internet is also a great source of ideas. Because you’re going to be spending hundreds or thousands of dollars, you want to make sure any investment you make is the right one which you’ll be happy with potentially for decades. It wouldn’t make much sense to pour thousands of dollars away only to realize that you’re not happy with the results, would it?
Get Some Help
So when it comes to getting around to actually landscaping, another good suggestion would be to hire some friends and family, especially if it’s a big project. Placing too much work on your own shoulders will not only take longer, but it will also increase the chance that you’ll get burned out and will leave the project go for later, and we all know what that means. Just because you spent the money to buy tons (literally) of dirt, gravel, and mulch doesn’t mean that you’ll want to move all of that by hand when the time comes. It can be a very daunting task, and one that you shouldn’t tackle on your own. Especially when you’re just setting out on landscaping, the road can seem very long ahead of you.
Mix some imagination, creativity and a few essential facts about plants, and your pool landscaping project will be the envy of the neighborhood. Most yards feature the pool as the focal point, which makes any landscaping around it a very important consideration. You want both beauty and practicality; the greenery you put around the pool needs to be compatible with the purpose of this area.
The Basics
The first place to start is with the placement of your pool. Check to see if there are any nearby trees with branches overhanging the pool; these will need to be trimmed to prevent debris from getting into the water. Next, decide on how people will approach the pool. A stone pathway can be installed, and you can choose either a straight-line route or curve the walkway to complement the shape of the pool. Having a path is essential to minimize grass clippings or dirt from getting into the water when you or your guests step into the pool.
Another basic consideration in pool landscaping is the planting of certain shrubs, flowers or ornamental grasses that will add a touch of beauty or privacy. If these plants may be splashed by chlorinated water, check with an expert at your local garden center to see which types of plants are hardy for this situation. Certain ornamental grasses are very popular in pool landscaping because they are low-maintenance.
Shrubs can be planted strategically around the pool for privacy, but don’t choose evergreens that shed their needles; this will make cleaning the pool that much harder. If you want a more private area, consider landscaping with trellises. These can be painted to accent or blend in with your surroundings as you choose. There are also several vine type plants that can be trained to grow on a trellis, which would give this area a cozy feel.
Accessories
After you have begun your pool landscaping, take a few steps back. Do you have a patio? In many ways, a patio is like an outside room, and care should be taken when choosing the furniture and other accessories. There are many options to select from when it comes to patio furniture, from wicker sets to casual hammocks.
Wind chimes, a bird feeder or several pots of colorful flowers can complete this look. A gazebo can offer shade and privacy, while a fountain can add soothing sounds to enhance the peace of your relaxing retreat. Pool landscaping gives you an excellent opportunity to create a mood that can as inviting or as invigorating as you desire.
If you would like to share your pool landscaping ideas and photos with us, please contact us here. We would love to hear from you!
Learning how to landscape your property will add both beauty as well as a higher financial value to your home. While many people hire a professional for swimming pool landscaping and yard design, a beginner with the right motivation can learn how to landscape by understanding a few basic principles.
The Basics of Pool Landscaping & Yard Design
By definition, landscaping is making improvements to the area outside your home. These changes can be for practical or for artistic reasons. For instance, installing pool landscaping lights can provide much needed illumination on a sidewalk or pathway, while planting certain flowers and shrubs can offer a touch of color and fragrance. The amount of sun and shade is also a major factor in designing your yard.
Everything that surrounds your home, whether plants or junk or tools, affects the atmosphere of your property in either a positive or negative way. Learning how to landscape begins with this simple concept and then builds on the premise that by adding or subtracting items from your property, you can improve the overall look and value of your home. Another basic principle in pool landscaping and yard design is that everything must be in harmony with each other, either through colors, textures or placement of certain plants. This is known as landscape designing and even a beginner can accomplish this.
Let’s get started!
The first step in landscape design is to access the current state of your property. Are the trees healthy or do they need to be trimmed or even removed? Do you have dead shrubs or cracked sidewalks? Perhaps you have a vine that has taken over a fence? Basically, you will need to clean up, remove or prune any existing plants or deteriorating conditions in your yard. As you look around your property, define exactly what bothers you the most. Is there an empty area that needs “something” to make is special? As you walk to your car or your mailbox each day is there something that catches your attention?
For cleaning up your existing landscaping, you may have to call in a tree trimmer for the bigger trees, but for small trees and shrubs, check your local stores for the right tools to complete this task. After this step is finished, it will be time to design your new landscape.
One of the best ways to learn how about pool landscaping and yard design is by looking at photos. The general idea in pool landscaping is to group certain flowers and plants together for color or for practical reasons. Select a color scheme that is in harmony with the color of your home. Many people like to add a vivid touch to their gardens and may even match the flowers to the color of their shutters or trim work on the house.
Think about this:
Another important consideration in designing your yard and pool landscaping is placing plants where they will grow the best. Plants that need a lot of sun or extra shade should be allowed to grow in areas where those conditions are present. If your new plants need a lot of water, consider installing an automatic sprinkler system, although watering your plants and trees manually can be very relaxing and therapeutic. It’s helpful to draw a picture of your yard and even color in the plants to get a more visual idea of how your pool landscaping project will look. Learning how to landscape your property will give you a sense of fulfillment as well as an increased financial value to your home.
If you have any questions or comments, please email us and we will reply as soon as we can.
Another basic consideration in pool landscaping is the planting of certain shrubs, flowers or ornamental grasses that will add a touch of beauty or privacy. If these plants may be splashed by chlorinated water, check with an expert at your local garden center to see which types of plants are hardy for this situation. Certain ornamental grasses are very popular in pool landscaping because they are low-maintenance.
