Key Factors of Design
In order to create beautiful outdoor spaces, a design process should be followed. This procedure will aid organizing ideas to help create the best design solutions for each circumstance. A process is made up of design “rules” and factors which are applied as the project is carried out. Design rules, or principles, are aesthetic guidelines that help the designer create a visually pleasing design solution. None of the
se factors are of greater importance, because they are all crucial to a successful design. However, a key question that a designer has to remember to ask is, “Is this space functional?” At Outdoor Makeover & Construction, we want to make sure homeowners are getting the best use of their property, all the while beautifying it. Landscape design is the combination of dealing with the land and the natural environment while making it both useful and beautiful for people. Some of the natural factors that have to be considered when creating a functional design are: drainage, grade changes, views, sun and wind exposure, noise, and what existing natural features can be pla
yed off of. Additionally, to create the most functional space, a designer has to consider how a person moves through a space, which thresholds are used most frequently, privacy preferences, and how they want to use the space. Being able to give all these elements an artistic touch is what makes us true landscape design professionals. Everyone has an artistic eye to some degree, but it takes a designer to be able to bring those aesthetics to life. Examples include, but are not limited to, appealing color combinations, matching architecture, playing with heights for balance, creating a harmony between hardscape and softscape elements, using focal points, and understanding textures. Outdoor Makeover & Construction understands how to tie everything together into the very best possible unified design for your space.
The following are problems and their solutions that OM can provide:
- Drainage- Water comes in from: rainwater- fix: French drain, roof drains- fix: downspouts, topography (low point, water path)- fix: large drainage boxes
- Erosion- build walls, flatten yard (lower slope), rocks .
- Too much heat/sunlight- build a pergola, portico, screen porch, arbor, plant large trees, plants, structures Mosquitos- screen porches, tiki torches, automated mosquito screen systems, repelling plants with eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary
- Privacy- large evergreen plants, fences (6-8 ft.), point structure strategically.
- Darkness-lighting (privacy, ambience, path lighting, moon lighting from trees)
- Watering- automated underground sprinkler/irrigation systems
- Heat- fire tables, electric infrareds, fire features
- Smell- install plants that smell really good
- Sound- sounds systems, water features to block highway sound
- Cooling systems- fans, misting systems, trees to block sun
- Boredom- TVs, electricity, outdoor games (basketball, chess, putting green, bocci ball)
- Playground- tether ball, blackboard, rock climbing walls
- Storage- sheds, storage units, spaces under decks
- Muddy areas/erosion- gravel areas, gravel pads
- Areas that can’t grow real grass- putting green, turf, other types of grass (shade tolerant)
- Concealment- for trash cans, A/C units, plants/paths Outdoor kitchens
- Growing food- vegetable gardens
- Entertaining- creative seating solutions
LET'S BE SOCIAL: