8 Landscape Architecture Ideas for Creating a Well-Designed Outdoor Space

The most stylish and well-designed homes extend their active living to the great outdoors. The landscape design acts as an extension of how the homeowners live their lives indoors—with perhaps a more inviting and stylish atmosphere. To achieve the look you want for your El Dorado Hills, CA, property, here are eight landscape architecture ideas for creating a well-designed outdoor living space.

Repetition Can Ease the Visual Senses

Repetitive elements create patterns that soothe the eye. Unify multiple outdoor rooms by using the same field pavers, bound by the same color in their accents or borders.

Create a Refuge

Nature invites relaxation away from everyday worries. But just because you’re under the big blue sky doesn’t mean you have to be on display. A great backyard retreat begins with privacy to create a sense of seclusion, whether that’s set by a structure or plantings.  

Remember the Details

Small details make all the difference. Be sure to put time into the transitions between the various features of your outdoor space, such as how you’ll ease from the patio onto your lawn. Similarly, where will your outdoor kitchen and dining room connect, and is the transition between the two seamless? The materials you choose play a big role here.

Use the Right Proportions

The beauty of working on a home project outdoors is that you don’t have to be afraid to go big. In many cases, when you’re up against a decision to take a patio seating area smaller or larger, the answer is usually larger, depending on your space constraints, of course. Any structure or focal point you put in place has to compete with the big open sky. A well-designed outdoor space will make your spot in the world feel just right.

Plant for the Future

Trees should be planted with consideration for their mature size. This involves giving each new planting room to grow to their full maturity and keeping in mind how the plantings around them will mature as well. Trees, shrubs, perennials, and finally ground cover are ideally placed in a particular order.

Consider Your Lifestyle

Be realistic and be true to yourself. If you dislike gardening or weeding, you will want to opt for low-maintenance trees, shrubs, and perennials. If it is something you love to do, make it easy on yourself with easy-to-reach plant beds and a spot to admire your handiwork. When it comes to entertaining, if you love hosting parties but prefer intimate gatherings, you could be sure your outdoor rooms are fairly contained.

Plan Ahead

You may be unsure of how your future needs will evolve and how your landscape should evolve with them. Some homeowners take a phased approach to their landscape renovations and install water, gas and electric lines while initial work is being done so that they can more easily add in an outdoor kitchen or additional lighting when the time comes. This approach allows you to build out your landscape in phases to suit emerging needs or stay within budget.

Remember Shade

Nothing will drive you indoors faster than the blazing sun, so consider either a permanent shade structure, trees, or temporary shade solutions that let you enjoy your landscape even on the hottest days.

Related: Landscape Design: What Shade and Structure Can Do for your Roseville, CA, Outdoor Room