How Does Creating a Landscape Design Work?

Creating a Landscape Design

The Range of Landscape Design

A design can come in the form of a formal construction document or a scribble on a napkin. As long as there is a vision that can be understood, whether you complete the installation all at once or in phases, you can be confident that you’ll have a yard in Seattle (or anywhere) that feels connected and complete when finished. A well-thought-out design ensures the space works for you, no matter the scale of the project. For homeowners in Seattle, the design can also reflect the unique characteristics of the Pacific Northwest.

The Importance of Planning

Planning is a huge part of a great design. Recognizing your wants, as well as the needs of your landscape, is crucial to figuring out what the design will need to address. Drainage, slope, and existing elements you want to keep are all things to consider when beginning a design. Sometimes these elements will help dictate how the space is shaped or formed; other times, they can easily be worked around. As a landscape designer in Seattle, understanding local conditions—like rainfall and the natural topography—helps to inform these decisions and ensures the design is functional year-round.

Understanding How You Want to Use the Space

Taking the ideas you have and how you want to use the space should be considered when creating a landscape design. Once you know how you want to use the yard and how you’ll move from space to space, you can then begin to shape how these elements of the yard will interact. Whether you’re designing an outdoor retreat in Seattle or a functional space for entertaining, how you move through your yard is just as important as the elements within it.

The Role of Plants in Your Design

Adding plants to your design in the spaces surrounding the elements you want in the yard is essential to giving your space life and adding greater interest to the landscape. From trees for shade to evergreens that provide winter interest, plants bring color and vitality to the yard where it’s needed. In Seattle, choosing the right plants for the climate can be the difference between a design that thrives and one that doesn’t. Local flora like ferns, rhododendrons, and evergreens work wonderfully in Seattle’s rainy, temperate environment.

DIY vs. Hiring a Landscape Designer

Some projects can be planned on your own as a homeowner. You may already have great ideas that make creating the design easy. Other times, you may have a sense of what you want the space to be, or what needs to be addressed, but lack clarity on what exactly that could look like or what materials can be used to bring it to life. A landscape designer is a great resource in those moments, taking your ideas and working with you to curate a plan that meets your wants and needs. Whether you’re in Seattle or elsewhere, a professional landscape designer can help you make your vision a reality, turning your backyard into a functional and beautiful outdoor space.