Kelly - DIY Projects: How to Design Your Own Landscape

DIY Projects

How to Design Your Own Landscape

By Lori Kelly

Copyright 2015 by KeLu Internet Marketing

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, nor transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of Lori Kelly. Except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, please send an email to the author at Lori@LoriKellyWrites.com

DEDICATION

To my husband, best friend, and partner in life, Tom.

In loving memory of my dad and brother. We created many landscape projects together and I am forever thankful for the skills you both taught me. Although you're not able to join me in my landscape projects now, you're always in my heart and etched in my memory. Forever.

And to all of you who have always wanted to design your own landscape but have been afraid to, this book will guide you through the landscape design process. You CAN design your own landscape - create your own space that makes you happy. Enjoy life and enjoy the great outdoors!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1: The Basics

A. Lines

B. Form

C. Scale

D: Color Theme

E. Textures

Chapter 2: Getting Started

Step 1: Make a List.

Step 2: Set Your Budget

Step 3: Buy Graph Paper & Colored Pencils

Step 4: Sketch Existing Hardscapes & Softscapes

Step 5: Observation

Chapter 3: Hardscapes

A. Decks

B. Trellis and Fences

C. Pergolas and Arbors

D. Outdoor Kitchens

E. Outdoor Fireplaces or Fire Pits

F. Driveways

G. Sidewalks & Paths

H. Borders

Step 6: Sketch & List Hardscape Elements

Chapter 4: Softscape Elements

A. Flower Beds

B. Perennials

C. Annuals

D. Succulents

Step 7: Selecting Softscape Elements

Chapter 5: Irrigation

A. Designing a New Irrigation System

B. Existing Irrigation System

Step 8: Sketching Your Irrigation System

Chapter 6: 15 Money Saving Ideas

1. Containers

2. Paths

3. Patios

4. Unattractive Walls

5. Yard Art

6. Sitting Areas

7. Refinish Furniture

8. Use Natural Elements

9. Entry

10. House Numbers

11. Grill Makeover

12. Dress Up a Pergola or Covered Patio

13. Light it Up

14. Create an Inexpensive Outdoor Entertaining Area

15. Vertical Hardscapes

Chapter 7: Low Maintenance Tips

No More Edging!

5 Tips for Drought-Tolerant Plants & Hardscape Elements.

Design Ideas

Chapter 8: Flowers, Shrubs, and Trees.

Flowers

Grasses

Shrubs

Groundcover

Trees

Your home is where you feel secure. A place where you can relax after a long day's work. A place to create memories, from backyard barbecues with family and friends to holidays and special occasions. We have a desire to add our unique style and personality into our homes.

We spend our days off working on our DIY projects. And when the projects are complete, we stand back and admire our work. It's that sense of pride and accomplishment that brings a smile to our faces. Landscaping, whether a simple or elaborate plan will not only value to your home but will also create a great space for you to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

As a landscape designer for many years, I've enjoyed transforming a tired yard or a blank canvas into comfortable, functional, exquisite outdoor living space. It is very rewarding to create a design that is your own, planting trees, shrubs, and flowers in colors you love. Adding pergolas, patios, and decks for families to enjoy for years to come.

After I worked as a landscape designer, I became a real estate investor. My favorite part of investing in real estate is creating new landscapes and doing the work myself (other than demolition day when I get to go crazy with a sledge hammer!).

Most of the homes I bought were left in disrepair. The yards were neglected. It was challenging yet satisfying to design my own landscapes and complete the work. When completed, what a great sense of satisfaction with the transformation - from completely neglected into an awesome outdoor space - a space I knew a family would enjoy for many years.

I can't wait to help you do the same thing! Design your own landscape, inject your unique personality, and transform your outdoors into an awesome place you won't want to leave.

This book is a STEP-BY-STEP guide to help you design your own landscape, saving you thousands of dollars. When you're finished, you will put your hands on your hips, stand back, and admire your masterpiece - a spectacular outdoor space, a place you won't ever want to leave.

Happy Landscaping!

There are two basic types of elements in a landscape: hardscape and softscape.

Hardscape is anything hard, such as sidewalks, driveways, paths, garden beds, arbors, trellises, pergolas, planters, pools, ponds, storage sheds, and decks or patios.

Softscape refers to the soft features in your landscape, such as flowers, trees, shrubs, and plants.

The five basic elements in landscape design are: Lines, form, scale, color theme, and textures.

Lines of your design include hardscape materials - sidewalks, driveways, paths, garden beds, arbors, trellises, pergolas, storage sheds, pools, ponds, and decks or patios.

Lines also refer to softscape materials, flowers, groundcovers, shrubs and trees.

The lines in your landscape create either a formal or informal setting.

Formal ~ If you want a formal landscape, use materials with straight lines and angles.

The picture above is a formal design.

The hardscape materials used is the stone path (straight).

The softscape materials, are the straight lines of purple plants, tulips, shrubs.

The line of shrubs and tulips continues around the front of the house.

Informal ~ An informal design is achieved by using curved lines in hardscape materials and free-flowing, round, softscape materials.

Pictured below is a small backyard.

The hardscape material is the curved path.

The softscape materials are the variety of flowers used in the flower beds.

TIP : An informal design in a small space makes the space appear larger.

You'll notice the curved path makes the small yard appear larger. If the path was constructed with straight lines, it would make the yard appear smaller.

Why?

Because your eye is drawn to the curves in the path, as opposed to the harshness of a straight line.

If you're working with a small space, consider an information design.

Form is the shape of hardscapes and softscapes.

Formal

The hardscape form of materials used in the photo below are the concrete and stone path.

The raised planter on the right is rectangular - straight lines.

The softscape form of the plants pictured below are in a straight line. The shrubs on the left are in a straight line with trees in containers in a straight line inside the shrubs. The grass areas - straight lines in a rectangular shape.