After months of planning and punch lists, you’ve finally moved into your new home. While the interior of your house is immaculate and ready for your Pinterest board takeover, you may not be quite sure how to add your own personal touch to your yard. Where – and how- do you start?
We’ve compiled a beginner’s list of steps and considerations when making your landscaping plan. When you’re ready, dig in! (See what we did there?)
- Sun or shade?
The first thing you should do is determine how much sunlight your lawn gets. Which areas get more sun, and which areas get more shade? How is your house positioned in relation to the sun? If there is a large window that is going to catch a lot of sunlight, you may want to think about putting in trees or a fence that will offer some privacy as well as cool the house down a bit.
Sunlight is something you’ll definitely want to consider if you plan on putting in a vegetable garden. Drawing a rough sketch of the yard, which portions get more sun and shade, and where you plan to add a garden, trees, shrubs, or a fence will be a great way to start your landscaping project.
- How do you plan to use the space?
Another important consideration will be how you plan to use your outdoor spaces. Does your family like to eat meals outside? Do you play yard games? Or are you creating a quiet place to retreat and read or meditate in? At the end of the day, you want the space to be useful to your family so that the outdoor areas feel more like an extension of the interior of your home.
- Decide on your budget.
For many people right after they have purchased or built a new home, there is not always a hefty budget left over for landscaping. And that is perfectly fine! You don’t have to accomplish all of your outdoor goals at once. Prioritize and make a plan over a few years to make your yard all that you dream of.
- Get started.
The first thing to go in will be any patios, decks, fountains, or other solid fixtures. Next will be irrigation, followed by plants. When selecting your plants, consider trees, shrubs, and flowers that bloom at different times of the year so that there is always something new to enjoy. Keep root systems in mind when planting in close proximity to your house. Finally, add lighting, furniture pieces, and decor to personalize the space and make it yours.
The first step, of course, is finding the right house for your family. Take a look at our floorplans, and contact us today to get started building your dream home.