What is it Like Working With a Landscape Designer?

Working with a Landscape Designer

The Landscape Design Process Begins

You’ve decided it’s time to call in some backup for your backyard renovation project. You have some ideas of what you want to do but aren’t sure how to execute them or how to make everything come together. So, what does working with a Landscape Designer look like? While I cannot speak for all designers, I can confidently say that most likely share common processes with the approach used here at Waterwheel Creek when it comes to Landscape Design.

Initial Consultation: Discussing Wants and Needs

The Landscape Design process begins when you walk through your yard with a designer and have an Initial Consultation of some form. Together, you’ll discuss the wants and needs for your space—how you want to use it, whether for entertaining, playing with your kids, or creating an oasis to relax in the privacy of your yard. All of these factors are important and will be considered during the design process. Along with your wants, your yard may also have needs that must be addressed, such as drainage issues, a sloped hill, or elements that need to be worked around. These factors may need to be incorporated for safety, usability, or simply to make an eyesore disappear.

Taking Measurements and Moving to the Draft Phase

After the Initial Consultation, your designer will likely take the necessary measurements to create an accurate plan. The designer will then go to the drawing board, and the Draft phase of the design process will begin. Over the course of a couple of meetings, you’ll be presented with plans that incorporate your wants and needs, as discussed. You’ll have the opportunity to provide all the feedback you’d like—both likes and dislikes are equally important. It’s your yard being designed, so you should be left with a space you will actually want to enjoy. More often than not, seeing the drafts helps people discover what their yard can become and inspires them to refine how they envision using the space.

Refining the Design: The Master Plan

After a couple of rounds of drafts and discussions about plants, materials, and how the space will look and feel, the Master Plan can then be created and presented. This final plan will be the culmination of all the prior meetings, from the Initial Consultation to each Draft. The Master Plan should include all necessary details, from materials and plants to everything needed for a successful installation. This plan is the foundation for successfully installing the yard of your dreams. When the Master Plan is presented, there should be no questions about what the final design will look like, as everything has been thoroughly discussed in all the meetings leading up to it. In my experience, the presentation of the Master Plan can sometimes feel a little underwhelming because everything on the plan has already been discussed in detail.

Final Thoughts: Your Landscape Designer's Role

From start to finish, your Landscape Designer is there to help you create a yard that can be enjoyed for years to come.