Important Landscape Rules to Remember When Designing & Building Your Outdoor Living Space

Today, it’s an absolute necessity to have a functional outdoor living space. With proper planning, you can create an outdoor oasis that will function just as well as the other rooms in your home, all while providing you with more living space.

You should create a space that serves as an extension of your home, rather than just wasted space. In Scottsdale, the climate is ideal for an outdoor space to serve as a functional living or entertaining area. However, if you want to make the most of your outdoor area, you need to plan and design the space carefully. Keep reading for some helpful tips to ensure your outdoor living space is everything you hoped it would be.

Evaluating the Options

Even if you hire a design team to help you with the planning, designing, and building of your outdoor oasis, there are still several choices that only you (the homeowner) can make. Before scheduling a consultation for design purposes, it’s a good idea to think about what you expect from the space. This includes your whole yard, rather than just a single area or feature. Professional planning and a proper layout, even for the initial phase of the landscape plan, will help determine how other areas will be developed and then used down the road. Consider areas for the following:

• Outdoor entertaining or dining
• Outdoor cooking
• Swimming pool or spa
• Covered area for relaxation
• Splash pad
• Sport courts and play equipment

Each of these spaces should provide smooth traffic flow, and they should complement each other, even when added or built in different stages. Therefore, think about the access needed for future construction projects. This type of proactive planning will save you time and money in the long run.

Thinking Ahead and Your Outdoor Living Area

While it is necessary to plan your layout, including all the features of your outside living area, it is also a good idea to think about existing landscaping. You may know that your plants are going to grow and get bigger in the following years, but make sure you consider the mature size of the small plants you are currently putting in place, as well.

Even if things seem a bit sparse right now, the plants will eventually grow into a much lusher and fuller backdrop for your outdoor living area. The biggest surprise for the majority of homeowners is that many plants do very well in the Scottsdale climate. If you over plant in the new landscape, however, this will result in more maintenance and may be too crowded and visually unappealing.

Selecting the Right Type of Plants

While plants need care and maintenance, there will be other features that require this, too. If you don’t enjoy yard work (some people really don’t), then choose lower maintenance vegetation. You can speak with your neighbors or your professional designer to help you find someone to handle the maintenance for you.

Your hardscape features, such as fire pits, BBQ islands, fireplaces, and stone patios, will require care to remain functional and safe year after year. Your professional designer can help recommend the maintenance and care needed for all the features you select.

If you choose to install a spa or pool, these elements will need your most attention. Also, consider that it’s probably going to be the most expensive feature in your landscape design. It’s essential that you put time and effort into maintaining the water chemistry if you want to extend the life expectancy of your spa and pool to ensure the safety of your family and friends who are using the water. You can even hire someone for regular pool maintenance if this isn’t something you want to handle on your own.

Creating the Perfect Outdoor Area

If you want to create the perfect outdoor space for your Scottsdale home, be sure to consider the information here. Doing so will help ensure you make the most of this space and that it meets all your wants and needs. Keep in mind, if you aren’t sure what to do or how to get started, the best step you can take is to contact professionals in Scottsdale for help, as they can ensure you get the outdoor area you want and are dreaming of, regardless of your budget.