How to Plan a Landscape Architectural Remodel
In 2007, October was officially proclaimed Architecture Month by the City of Los Angeles to further awareness and the role of architecture and design across L.A.
Blending nature and man-made design, landscape architecture is a beautiful artform, and one anyone can enjoy at their own home—with the right amount of planning.
This short guide will help you turn your landscape remodel dream into a landscape remodel reality.
Know what you want.
Making lists is boring, but that’s exactly what you need to pin down your goal. Maybe you do best by answering questions.
Do you want to start gardening? Are you trying to create a play-space for your children? A pool for you to play in?
Or, maybe you’ve looked out at your ordinary yard and see it like Michaelengo saw blocks of marble. Making a list of what you want to create will keep you focused.
Check out joneslandscapes.la for some inspiration.
Draw it out.
Unless you’re normally involved in math or design, you probably haven’t used graph paper since your last algebra class.
In order to bring your landscape remodel to life, start by putting it on paper. Measure the area you want to remodel, and transfer the basic dimensions to graph paper. You can also use design tools like CAD or Google Sketchup.
Next, plot the position of things like buildings, trees, driveways and yard entrances that you can’t change (or don’t want t0 bother with).
You now have a map, and with it you’ll be able to test different layouts, object placements and more before going to the expense (or trouble) of committing to them in real life.
If you need help with this step, try a company like Studio H2O.
Pick the materials.
You have your vision and you have your map. Now it’s time to decipher the materials you will use.
If you have all the plants you want to use in mind, that’s great, but you’ll still have to research where to buy them, size and other details — not to mention other materials such as stones, lights, plant-bed filler, irrigation systems, outdoor furniture and more.
And regarding the plants—make sure the flora you want is actually able to thrive in your specific landscape’s climate and lighting conditions.
Mickey Hargitay Plants can help with that.
Assemble the team.
Everything’s set to go, now you just need help making it a reality.
Landscape contractors are your go-to for this job, able to meld hands-on skill with a green thumb (not to mention horticulture training) to complete your project.
Fortunately for us, Los Angeles has some of the most talented in the biz!
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