Functional

Before you ever begin the design process, it is important to determine what you want to be able to do in your yard. Then, separate areas of your yard into those functional spaces. For example, if you have young children, you may want to include play areas as well as a sectioned off garden area and patio to watch the children play from. If you are an avid entertainer, you will probably benefit from a large patio and grilling area. If you want to keep your yard as low-maintenance as possible, then non-living installments as well as drip-bed planters will be your best friend. If you work based off of a solid design, you can resolve (and avoid) problems. 

A well-designed landscape includes elements that allow you to fully utilize and enjoy your space. Regardless of the activities you plan to do in your yard, the 3 crucial functional elements of any yard include a primary open space, recreational areas, and social areas. Using the Simplyscapes design tool, you can easily plan each of these elements and more. 

Beautiful/attractive

When you see other homes with perfectly manicured lawns, flowering bushes, and hummingbirds flying over a pristine water feature, you may feel like creating something like that is out of the question (and out of the budget) for you. However, with the right design, you can simplify the process of turning your yard from a barren desert or overgrown weed jungle to a show stopping oasis that doesn’t break the bank. If you plan to install your yard in phases, the Simplyscapes app will also help you to know which zones and plants to prioritize, saving you tons of money on plants that don’t work. 

Investing in your landscape increases the curb-appeal of your home. This is where many home-owners make mistakes. Rather than prioritizing their property, they focus on every detail inside, leaving the landscaping for later (AKA never). As your property appreciates, it's the land gaining value, not your light fixtures. Most people who see you home will never know that you upgraded your door knobs, flooring, or laundry backsplash. However, everyone who passes will be able to appreciate your yard as a work of art.

It’s also important to remember the old adage, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Finding the design style that suits you will help you to feel at home. When it comes to beautiful yards, there’s no one size fits all approach. As you look for inspiration, focus on designs that appeal to you personally, not what you think you should like. When you have a beautiful yard, it supports your mental wellbeing and adds serenity to your home.

Sustainable

In today’s world, we may not be as concerned about finding resources, but we should certainly care about using them in a way that does not deplete them. When designing your yard, it is important to consider what works for your climate. If you live in an area that is prone to droughts, you may opt for limiting or replacing your grass area for something more water-wise. If you live somewhere with daily rain, you may want to include areas that can hold excess water. 

Environmental concerns aside, there’s another personal aspect of sustainability that you must consider before designing your yard. What level of maintenance will you be able to sustain for the next several years and potentially throughout your lifetime? The landscape of an avid gardener will certainly look different than that of an individual who only wants to work on their yard a few times a month. Ultimately, you should consider what suits you and your family’s lifestyle. If you do that, you will find that your yard helps to make your life more fulfilling and enjoyable.