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landscape

If you’re planning on raising a family, Baton Rouge in Lousiana is an excellent option. The pleasant neighborhoods, lots of green spaces, friendly people, calm weather, and the best schools for children; make it a very attractive city. 

Being the capital of Lousiana isn’t a complete description of Baton Rouge; the affordability of common stuff makes this city the go-to for most families. 

If you’re a resident of Baton Rouge and own a nice house here, congratulations. You’ve made it, haven’t you? 

The weather is great, isn’t it? Summer is a time for indulging in backyard barbecue parties and swimming pool splash dates with family and friends. 

It’s also a great time to get creative and have fun in your backyard. From putting together an Obstacle Course to playing games like badminton or Frisbee, you can do plenty of activities right in your backyard. 

It’s time to get outside and start having some fun!

Oh, wait! Before you can start having fun, you need to have a backyard worthy of summer gatherings. And that means you need to put some thought into your backyard landscaping! 

Take your backyard from “blah” to “wow” without spending a fortune with these brilliant ideas! We’ve got something for everyone, from pergolas and water features to rambling gardens and fire pits. 

No matter what your style or budget. So get ready to fall in love with your backyard all over again! 

Deal with Overpowering Trees

When you stare at the sky and take in the beauty of stars on a summer night, the last thing you want to see is a big, leafy tree blocking your view. 

Oh, what a pain it is to deal with leaves, branches, and falling acorns constantly! But before you grab your chain saw and go all “The Shining” on that tree, take a step back and think about other options. 

Maybe it’s time to pull out your tech-smartphone and find a specialist who could deal with it? Type in tree cutting service baton rouge la on Google and hit Enter to get a list of tree surgeons in your area to handle the issue.

If your love for the tree goes far and beyond those glimmering stars, then you may want to find a way to work around it. 

You could also be creative and use the tree as an advantage. For example, build a tree-house or a swing! Try planting low-lying shrubs or flowers at its base.

Spectacular Stepping Stone:

Have you paved your backyard paths yet? If not, you’re missing out on a dirt-cheap and easy way to add some real personality to your outdoor space. Stepping stones come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. 

You can find them at your local home improvement store or online. And the best part is that they’re relatively easy to install! Just be sure to follow the instructions on the package.

If you want something more unique, try using different materials like glass, ceramic, or even shells. You can also get creative with the shapes. Try something more abstract instead of going for the traditional round or square. Just have fun with it!

Greece Up Your Garden:

Remember those big creative plant containers you saw in Santorini last summer? The ones so big you could fit a small tree in them? 

Well, it’s time to get your own! Over-sized planters are a great way to add instant drama to your garden. Plus, they’re a great way to show off your green thumb!

Try something more modest if you’re not ready to go all-out with a giant planter. A simple terracotta pot can be just as effective. 

Splatter paint it or wrap it in twine – get creative! Just be sure to choose a plant that will thrive in the pot. And don’t forget to water it!

Make it a Honeymoon Backyard:

Romance your backyard with some beautiful lighting. String lights are a classic choice, but they can be boring. If you’re looking for something with more personality, try lanterns or paper lanterns. You can even make your own!

If you wish to gee-whiz your guests (or that special someone), try hanging lanterns from tree branches or installing floor lamps and tiki torches

A floral-container-tiki torch combination is ideal for creating a Punta Cana -style backyard appearance. This fantastic combination combines earth, flowers, and fire to demonstrate that you may make your yard seem as beautiful as you desire. Just be sure to use safe, weatherproof materials.

The Succulent Fairy:

Think Peter Pan, but with succulents instead of Tinkerbell. If you love all things miniature, this is the perfect backyard trend! 

Plant your favorite succulents in tiny pots or teacups and arrange them around your garden. You can even make a fairy village complete with houses, bridges, and paths.

Don’t have a green thumb? No problem! There are plenty of faux succulents on the market that look just as good as real. Just be sure to get your hands on weatherproof and durable ones.

Sing-Along the Birds:

That melodious singing contest between the birds is not just for their sake; it also signifies their affection towards one another. As we all know, nature is the best musician, and the bird’s song is one of the most beautiful music.

One of the perfect ways to enjoy the birdsong is hanging birdhouses in your backyard. No backyard is complete without a bird feeder or two. But why stop there? 

If you want to attract some feathered friends, try adding a birdbath or birdhouse. You can even make your own! Please make sure you’re using non-toxic material!

Birds are beautiful creatures, but they can also help keep your garden pest-free. So go ahead and give them a little love!

Minimum is the New Maximum:

We’re all about going big here, but sometimes less is more. That’s why we love the minimalistic trend. Just because your backyard is shrimpy doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful!

Try using a few large pieces instead of a lot of small ones. A few well-placed potted plants or a single piece of patio furniture can significantly impact. 

And don’t forget about the power of negative space! Sometimes the best way to make your backyard look bigger is to leave some room.

Maybe plant a huge palm in the heart of a freshly mowed and trimmed lawn. Or place a large, comfortable hammock under a shady tree. Whatever you do, keep it simple.

Rockin’ Rock Beds:

Oh boy, this trendy yet straightforward backyard landscaping idea is music to our ears! We’re talking about rock beds, people. And no, we don’t mean the kind you have to sleep in.

A rock bed is simply a garden that uses rocks instead of (or in addition to) soil. And they look pretty darn good too! They’re perfect for areas that are prone to drought or erosion.

Handpick your favorite rocks and arrange them in a pleasing design. Then add some drought-resistant plants, and voila! 

The Gist:

Your backyard should narrate a story and be an extension of your home – a place where you can hang loose and enjoy the outdoors. 

With a little creativity (and maybe a small budget), you can transform it into a space that you’re proud of. So get out there and start landscaping! And don’t forget to have fun!

 

Designing a beautiful outdoor space is just as important as creating an appealing interior design. The best proof of that is that landscaping can add significant value to a property that is listed on the market. In fact, it is the curb appeal that contributes to 28% of the house’s overall value, because the home buyers are immediately astonished by the first impression. However, not all landscape and outdoor construction projects are the same when it comes to value, appearance, and functionality. In this article, we’ll share some valuable insights into the outdoor projects with the biggest potential, so that you have a clear image of all the things your front and backyard can benefit from.

Planting a lawn

Many people look at planting the lawn as designing a flat square green surface, but it doesn’t have to be that way. The best lawns are central access points to other features. A swath of grass should connect pathways and bush and flower areas. It should also be integral to creating harmony between different shapes and colors, and lead the eye to a focal point, such as a fountain or a flowerbed. For a formal look, you can go with the symmetrical design. This is also a good choice for easy maintenance because it makes mowing a breeze. Gentle curves bring slightly more maintenance, but they have a more organic feel.

Creating natural shade

Before we move on to various outdoor installations which can provide you with shade, it is vital to mention that natural shade is the best one you can get. A mature tree can add from $1,000 to $10,000 to a property while creating a fairytale-like ambiance in the back and front yard. The choice of the tree depends on the local climate and the amount of sunlight and rain the outdoor space is receiving. Another way to create cover from the sun is to add a vine arch or a pergola.

A roof over your head

Outdoor entertaining has always been popular, but sometimes it is impossible due to harsh sun or mild rain, that is unless you have some type of roof over your head. This shelter can come in the form of a wooden pergola, a simple shade sail, or an awning. This setting can be installed on the back side of your house, or it can stand alone as a backyard focal point.

Something to stand on

A seamless connection between the interior and the exterior is one of the biggest trends right now, and for that, you won’t be able to stand on your lawn. Wooden decks are believed to bring the most significant return on investment, but if you are looking for endurance and high-end appearance, you can also go with limestone paving patio slabs, which are durable, roughly-finished, textured, and compliment every outdoor space. Some other popular options are concrete, gravel, and bricks.

Indoor features

As mentioned, indoors and outdoors can coexist in a happy marriage. What better proof could you ask for than the existence of outdoor kitchens and dining areas? All the things that will make the exterior feel almost like the interior are welcome, as long as they are in coherence with natural surroundings. Excellent additions, for example, would be a stone oven, fire pit, wooden dining table, etc.

A place to sit

Since you already have a place to prepare food and hide from the sun, you should also have a seating arrangement worthy of these updates. Outdoor furniture should have the feel of the indoor comfort but with the added endurance and weather-resistance provided by materials like plastic, aluminum, steel, wrought iron, wicker, eucalyptus, and teak. 

The final stamp

Finally, every backyard should be a reflection of the homeowner. Depending on the landscape designer and the homeowners, the personal stamp can come in the form of mystical pathways made of stone, brick, or planks, a central fountain, a natural lake, a swimming pool, an outdoor spa pool, a vegetable garden, string lights, lanterns, solar torches, or anything else that results in an outdoor space you’ve always wanted to have.

A home is not only what’s inside the interior walls. A home starts with the entrance to the front yard and ends with the furthest point of the backyard. This is why investing time and money in landscaping and hardscaping makes sense, regardless of whether you want to live in that house for years or you want to sell it.

Your garden can be your retreat spot after a long day of work, but, to make it into the sanctuary you can really enjoy, you will have to add a number of features to make it stand out. Garden pathways might seem like a waste at first, though, they can bring the whole garden together and give it the look you always wanted it to have.

Image source: ognature.com

Go with Simple Gravel

Perhaps the simplest of materials to use for a garden pathway will be gravel. If you look into how you can use it to spruce up your garden, it will be a feature that you will greatly appreciate. Do not think that cheap material cannot add class to your well-organized garden as you will be able to create marvellous designs, once you get the hang of it.

Image source: kibin.biz

Make Use of the Old

You do not have to assume that your next garden pathway will be pricey, especially if you want to get creative. Keep in mind that you can recycle old wooden pallets and give them a new purpose. Furthermore, they will give your garden a unique look that not many will have. On the other hand, it is a great DIY project which will give your garden, even more, value. Nevertheless, understand that natural materials like wood will start to decompose after a while so a change will be in order.

Image source: humideas.com

Get Creative with Your Pathway

Most of the people will usually go with stone or stone-like material to have for their pathway, in the long run, it can be an easier solution maintenance-wise. However, using wooden logs  can be tricky at first, though, when you plan it out, you can end up with a magnificent pathway that will tie the whole ambient together nicely. Be sure to get good tools when working on this design as you will have to do a lot of digging.

Image source: sunset.com

Stick to the Good Ol’ Look

Depending on your garden’s landscape, the polished stone look can be the best solution for your pathway. Be wary that there are many concrete and stone materials to choose from, and depending on their strength, maintenance can be a nightmare. Using designs which come in many colours and shapes, you can create a truly exceptional pathway which will give your garden the boost it needs to look amazing. Once set, your pathways will be built to last with minimal effort to keep them in good condition.

Image source: greendesigns.eu

Make a Brick Pathway

Bricks can be used in more ways than one when it comes to design. Even though it will take a bit of time and expertise to make the perfect design your garden deserves, a brick pathway can look amazing. Be sure to plan ahead, in order to avoid having to take the brick out every time you are not happy with its look.

Garden upkeep might be tricky for most people to deal with, and unless you are ready to sacrifice some of your time, you cannot really expect to have a place where you can relax. Pathways can be used to create unique designs and to take your landscaping to the next step as well. Always make a plan before you start creating your pathways, to avoid unnecessary digging and reorganization.

Recent gardening trends mostly concentrate on eco-friendliness and experimentation with technology and gardening philosophy, compared to past years where the color of flowers was the main concern. This is due to our rapidly-changing climate that poses a threat to human survival, especially if we keep on wasting resources. So, if you’re interested in becoming more sustainable, here are the most interesting landscaping trends to keep an eye on.

Water conservation

Water conservation has been a buzz subject in the landscaping industry for a few years now, but this season it will be on everyone’s lips. It’s actually more than a trend, but more of a guideline for new garden designers and outdoor architects that will completely change the way landscapes are created. The use of drought-resistant plants, smart irrigation systems and xeriscaping will soon become a norm in every garden.

Planning with climate change in mind

home weather
The climate is getting more and more unpredictable and with it comes the need for more resilient landscaping that can survive these capricious weather patterns. For instance, extreme heat waves that often strike Australia, especially Sydney, can be destructive for many plants, but they can also ruin the garden’s functionality. However, planting greenery and building protective structures with weather in mind can allow people to use their outdoor spaces even during the most extreme conditions. Resilient plants that provide shade combined with pergolas with ceiling fans in the summer and patios with heaters in the winter will allow homeowners to push through the extreme temperatures. Consulting with professionals in landscaping who know the punishing climate of Australia can help many Sydneysiders get the garden of their dreams.

Implementation of tech

Technology is slowly making its way into every aspect of life, outdoor spaces and landscaping included. So, it’s not a surprise that many designers and architects opt for tech implementation in gardens that can help people get more personalized outdoor spaces that require very little care. Traditionally pieces of gardening equipment like lawn mowers and leaf blowers are getting replaced by battery-powered models that create no pollution and have a reduced noise level. Additionally, there are also robotic lawn mowers and smart sprinklers that reduce maintenance time and water waste.

Landscaping design is also getting a tech-up. The use of 3D modeling, mobile apps and drones can help designers create and present their innovative landscaping ideas to clients.

Upcycling

Using salvaged items in the garden design can do a lot of good, both for your space and for your environment. Upcycling helps keep the landfills empty and it enriches your garden with many interesting and “think outside of the box” design and décor solutions. For instance, using old gardening boots as planters or old beer barrels as ponds is a very eco-friendly way to add some interest to your landscaping.  

Sensory gardens

garden
Usually, most of the garden elements are there to impress your eyes only. However, new gardeners and garden owners want to interact with their gardens a bit more. For instance, you can install a giant chess set that will entertain your eyes and mind and keep you moving and touching the pieces. Another way you can awaken the sense of touch is with reflection pools. These small water features will not only provide you with a beautiful visual effect, but also allow you to touch and play with water for a multisensory experience.

Meditation and mindfulness

For many, the hustle and bustle of urban living are becoming unbearable and they are choosing to retreat to their gardens. That’s why mindfulness, meditation and Zen spaces are becoming more prominent in gardens. In order to achieve this sense of tranquility, people choose to utilize mirrors, privacy screens, interesting planting, water features for relaxing sounds and strategically placed seating to help with relaxation and garden immersion. Early birds even choose to place their seating facing east to have a clear sunrise view every morning.

Gardens like these will both improve human interaction with their outdoor spaces AND protect the environment that needs all the help it can get.