Landscaping plays an essential role in making your house feel like a home. It’s an exterior expression of who you are and what you stand for.
For that reason, it’s not something that can be done just once and locked in place for years to come. You may get tired of your initial landscape design after a while and start looking for new ideas.
So we have some useful landscaping tips for you. They incorporate some of the most inspired landscaping trends of the new year. Just as you formulated resolutions to improve your life, put your landscaping among your goals and try some of these trending notions.
1. Edible Gardens
In 2017, many of the trends in home décor and landscaping have returned to the basics, including a garden that contains plants you can eat and use in your cooking. No one wanted to see rows of tomatoes and carrots in the backyard in years past, but now they’ve become a sustainable and attractive alternative to grass.
You can incorporate a functional garden that’s also beautiful into your yard in any number of ways. Pots, cute picket fences, tiered gardens, and other attractive garden structures can enliven the brown dirt and make the area seem like more of an art piece.
2. More Structure
Stiff concrete corners and tightly manicured grass are also popular for today’s residential landscapes. Don’t let your plants overgrow their pots, and use archways and fences to rein in some of the profusion.
Concrete patios and cobblestone walkways are also very popular. People have begun turning their yards into a sort of splendid garden setting, and structures and quality maintenance can complete the look.
3. Minimalism
An effective way to create greater structure in your landscape design is to minimize what’s in it. You don’t need a lot of plants to make your yard beautiful.
Instead, select a variety of plants that go well with your geographic location. When they’re sized right and planted in a regimented structure with pots and beds, you’ll have a more simple and minimal feel that creates a sense of purity and strength.
4. Better Grass
This is one trend that probably isn’t ever going to wane, to be honest. A beautiful, green grass lawn will always be in style, so don’t expect 2017 to be different.
If you have brown spots or a poorly manicured lawn, resolve to solve that this year. Pay for regular landscape maintenance and repair.
A problem we often see is that the homeowner has installed grass that’s not right for the area. Perhaps it requires more water than the regional weather can bring to it naturally, or it’s a coarser variety than we prefer to see in a beautiful lawn. It’s vital for you to get the right sod installed for your area to complete the look.
5. Sustainability
Right now, one of the most popular trends in home design is sustainability. The greener the materials and lower the maintenance, the better.
You might try replacing some of your water-loving lawn with a rock garden. This approach makes an attractive statement that typically entails native plants that require less water than other popular choices. Rocks and garden structures can also bring out the beauty of the space.
6. Water Features
There’s nothing quite like a water feature to create a relaxing atmosphere. There are many options for a water feature in your yard, and any one of them can give your flat, silent, boring lawn an immediate facelift.
You might consider a natural rock waterfall if you enjoy the sound of water rushing over rocks and hitting a pool below. Free-standing fountains and outdoor ponds can also be highly appealing. Of course, you’ll want to install a feature that uses recycled water so as to avoid wasting it.
7. Outdoor Living Spaces
In Oklahoma, summers and winters are both fairly pleasant. The mild climate calls for a functional and attractive outdoor living space, which is another top item on our list for trending landscaping updates in the new year.
A functional outdoor space starts with a concrete or stone base. After that, you can install fences, retaining walls, pillars, pergolas, or other structures that will give your area a home-like shape.
Then some furnishings, such as a rug, weather-resistant seats or deck chairs, pillows, and a mini-bar will complete the look. Potted plants and surrounding shrubbery can make the scene a little cozier.
8. Scented Gardens
We talked about edible gardens, but there’s another sense that can be pleasured by your updated landscaping: the sense of smell. Essential oils, which come from plants, have a million uses for relaxing you and curing maladies, and everyone wants in on the action.
You can plant some of these useful plans in your personal garden. Lavender, for example, is great for warding off pests and relaxing stress. Mint can be helpful for headaches and reduce mosquitoes.
A variety of roses and other strong-smelling flowers can create a peaceful getaway. Use the power of scents to enhance your garden in brand-new ways.
9. Patio Fire Pits
Hardly anything can beat the feeling of relaxing around a fire, and gazing at the stars or sharing pleasant stories. A fire pit built into your patio can offer such a place of respite.
There are many styles of fireplaces to choose from. You can design yours to match your unique tastes. Any kind of fire pit in the yard will increase your home value and create that “wow” factor you want for this year.
10. Vine-Climbing Fences
Letting nature grow free and unrestrained can lead to a beautiful result. The organic look of this landscaping décor can provide the touch of glamor your dull backyard may need.
Install some fences and trellises that will allow your vines to grow freely. If you’re not sure how to do this, talk to a professional landscaper who can advise you on the growth process.
Let Proactive Landscaping Give Your Yard a Facelift
When you put your landscaping New Year’s resolutions into motion, give Proactive Landscaping a call. We have decades of experience with lighting, maintenance, design, and installation.
We want your landscaping dreams to come true just as much as you do. For more information about our services and how we can improve your 2017, contact us today!
