A well-landscaped backyard adds natural ambiance to an outdoor patio or deck.
Landscaping adds more to your home than value and curb appeal; a well-landscaped yard can create a personal oasis right outside your door. Create an outdoor living space that is both functional and stylish by seamlessly incorporating natural elements into your outdoor deck or patio design. A landscape organized around a style theme establishes a cohesive space that offers distinct aesthetic appeal. Does this Spark an idea?
Country Garden
Country gardens are romantic and playful options for outdoor landscaping.
Country gardens are warm, romantic and welcoming spaces that borrow from the English-style cottage gardens. Create a livable outdoor space by laying a natural cobblestone patio in a variety of cream and light gray rocks. Irregular-shaped pieces that evoke a sense of natural carving are best suited for a country patio. Provide shade by installing a simple white trellis beside the patio. A variety of climbing vines including English ivy, climbing roses and morning glory can be planted to cover the trellis in romantic, colorful foliage. Frame the patio with beds of both garden flowers and wildflowers; lavender, heather and iris are elegant garden additions, while buttercups, bluebells and daisies are playful wild varieties. Complete the country garden look with a simple spread of white wicker chairs and simple wooden side tables.
Contemporary Outdoor Spaces
Lay large gray tiles in a symmetrical pattern to create a contemporary patio.
Contemporary style is often characterized by clean lines, neutral color palates and unexpected uses of accent colors or materials. Carry the contemporary style outdoors into a contemporary patio and landscape. Designate the patio area by laying symmetrical slate tiles in a uniform color, size and shape. Create unexpected visual interest by reserving small patches within the patio for grass; either skip a tile or cut out an asymmetrical shape from the tile and plant thick grass such as wheat grass or bluegrass. Surround the patio with elegant broad-leaf shade trees like gingko or maple trees. Space the trees so that monochromatic flower beds can be planted between them. Choose a modern color palate such as yellow or orange and plant like-colored flowers within each bed; for example, one bed may be comprised of yellow daisies and marigolds while another bed may be a mix of orange poppies and pansies. Choose simple furniture with black iron framing and square or rectangular cushions to continue the clean lines of the patio.
Mediterranean Oasis
Add herbs to a Mediterrean garden.
Mediterranean landscapes are sunny, warm spaces that are designed as livable outdoor spaces. Create a Mediterranean feel by laying a patio in natural stones with red, orange and brown undertones. Avoid strict uniformity of size and shape; lay the stones so that the edges of the patio are curved or irregular. Surround the edges of the patio with low trellises that support olive vines and grapevines. Many Mediterranean gardens host whimsical wildflower beds filled with tall grasses and a variety of flowers plants including poppies, lavender and oleander. Herbs are also a common plant in Mediterranean garden; sage, rosemary and thyme add foliage and fragrance. Accessorize a Mediterranean garden with simple stone water fountains, wrought iron chairs and tile top tables.
Low-Maintenance Options
A containter garden is low cost and low maintenance.
Not all landscapes and patios require an expert green thumb. Create a colorful outdoor space that is also low maintenance by accessorizing a wooden or brick patio with a variety of potted plants. A container garden is a versatile and cost-effective way to add greenery to your landscape. Creeping Jenny, cannas and million bells are all suitable and adaptable container plants to accent your container garden. Select a wide variety of pots for an eclectic look, or stick to a theme like terracotta for a more unified appearance. For a simple yet effective landscaping update, install an arbor over the patio to provide both shade and a location for climbing plants.
Tags: patio with, space that, clean lines, container garden, contemporary patio, Country gardens, edges patio
