Five tips for designing a functional yard

Building a beautiful and functional yard always starts with the plan. Building a yard is a big investment, so it’s worth doing it with care at once. Without a plan, it is impossible to accurately estimate the cost of building a yard. When you invest in yard design, you save time, effort and money. These tips will help you get started with the design of your dream yard!

1. Map out the use of the yard

At the beginning of the design, you should consider for what the yard is going to be used. Do you want an easily maintained yard or do you enjoy being busy with plants? Should there be an area in the yard where you can grill and entertain guests in the summer? Sports lovers can reserve a part of the yard as a field for ball games or as a yoga space. Families with children may consider building a playhouse or a sandbox. You can create the yard that is as versatile or simple as you want – design it to reflect your own needs and preferences!

2. Find out what permits are needed

Although you are building on your own site, you may need permission for some changes. Before you start making changes, find out the planning regulations from your municipality. A permit may be required for a variety of buildings, such as a gazebo, barbecue deck or glazing on the terrace, as well as for felling a tree or for significant landscape changes.

3. Visualise

Visualisation is the cornerstone of every project, and it is also important to design the locations of all objects to be implemented in yard design. While you are thinking about the locations, consider the permanence and transformability of the objects. The sandbox may no longer be in use after a few years, but later it would be a practical herb box. Perhaps you are dreaming of a Jacuzzi near the sauna, but its purchase is not yet topical. However, you should plan a place for it already. The yard lives with its inhabitants, and its use changes over the years. Consider as many aspects as possible to ensure that your yard meets your wishes, both now and in the future.

4. Choose the right plants

Before choosing the plants to be planted, it is advisable to find out their growing conditions. The choice depends among other things on how much light comes into the yard. Keep track of the sun’s movements during the day and keep in mind that the sun is shining at different angles depending on the season. A bright spot in the spring may not be bright anymore in the summer when tree leaves cast a shade. Also find out about soil composition and moisture. Often the best option is easily maintained plant varieties that thrive where they are almost without attention.

5. Plan the practicalities

It is advisable to plan the paths of the yard so that they are practical. People tend to take a shortcut, so make sure that the yard decorations are not placed on potential routes. Carefully consider all the everyday issues such as the location of cars and the location of the compost and waste bins in the yard. There should also be space for snow, and its piling should be made as easy as possible.