fbpx
Woman smiling in an outdoor hammock located in a backyard

UPDATED: May 01, 2019

 

Winter is a thing of the past, evenings are getting longer, and the warmth of the sun is bringing Calgarians outside to enjoy the beauty of nature.

 

Now is the perfect time to organize your thoughts and begin planning a new backyard for springtime. It is important to plan ahead so that you will have more time to spend with family and friends once the spring season arrives (In your new backyard perhaps!). There are a few steps to planning and we are happy to share our basic guide to help you get started.

 

 

Identify your landscape goalS

Determine what is it that you would like to get out of this new landscape. Is it more space to spend with friends and family? Is it to watch the sunset with a significant other or is it to spend some tranquil time reading a novel? With your desires in mind we will work with you to then solidify the design layout. Don’t worry if you have more than one goal in mind, customization is our pleasure.

Dinner for two in a backyard overlooking a koi fish pond in Calgary

3 Things To Consider When Planning Your Landscape Goals

Do you like to have guests over? Hosting friends and family over to hang out in your new backyard is a great way to showcase off your new landscape. However, maybe your goal isn’t to host parties but to create a tranquil place to relax on your own after a long day of work.

Consider how you plan to utilize your landscape, including how many guests you plan to entertain and what kind of features you might utilize on a regular basis (a hammock or an outdoor fireplace).

How much space do you have to work with? It’s important to look at the landscaping you currently have and decide if you will be incorporating new features to them, or removing them all together.

Naturally your designs and plans are limited by the amount of space you are working with. There are always creative solutions to every size yard, but it’s important to be realistic about your goals based on how much space you have to work with to avoid disappointment later in the planning phase.

Do you have a green thumb? Depending on your vision for your landscape, maintenance is always a part of making sure your yard stays looking beautiful. If you sport a bright green thumb (like we do!), it’ll be easier to tend to a wide variety of plants and trees to create a lush green environment. Of course, you may want something that virtually takes care of itself, and lean towards stone and wood work to create a beautiful and functional low maintenance space. Deciding how much time you plan to invest in the upkeep of your landscape is important when setting your goals during the planning phase.

Planning a 2D sketch of a landscaping project

Do your research

Research is an important part of any plan, especially in building your one of a kind custom landscape. The good news is that much of the research you’ll be doing involves looking through beautifully crafted yards to pull inspiration from. The hard work CAN be fun!

Take a look at current landscaping work and what you are particularly drawn to. We have some wonderful ideas on Pinterest that you can utilize for some backyard inspiration. You may also want to browse our own gallery to view what we have created to date. Keep in mind that we are a custom landscaping company and your landscape dreams are what we thrive to create.

Make sure to dig into your research, understanding what’s possible within your set landscaping goals. There are a number of variables that go into creating a backyard oasis, like planning around gas lines for your outdoor kitchen, or regulations on how close your fireplace can be to your fence / house. (Plenty of information is available for free in our blog).

Of course, research can get a little overwhelming, and after doing the initial idea hunting, it’s worth getting an experts opinion to help inspire and discuss options with. We LOVE planning and designing backyard landscapes, and so use us as a resource in helping you with your plans (when you’re ready). Always feel free to reach out to us (contact page is here).

4 Quick tips to Set a budget

Like any home renovation, having a proper budget plan ahead of time will make the entire process more enjoyable and less stressful. Landscaping projects can quicly grow to be very expansive and expensive jobs. By setting a plan, scope, and budget for you and your professional designer ahead of time it makes it easier to plan and build your personal paradise. There are wonderful additions to be done with a variety of budgets. Here are 4 key tips to help you create your landscaping budget:

  1. Work Closely With Your Designer
    • Be sure to be up front with your designer on your budget and the landscaping you want done. Don’t spare any of the details. The more that your designer knows, the more they can help you build your own personalized landscaping that fits your budget.
  2. Be Realistic
    • Understand what features you truly desire. Make these “must-have” features a priority when creating your budget. Do not choose features that don’t fit your budget. This will make the planning process much easier for you and your designer.
  3. Be Flexible
    • Understand that a budget is not concrete so set a budget range. Materials might cost more than you realize and your plans may change. Setting this range allows you some wiggle room and will make the entire process a lot less stressful for you and your designer.
  4. Think About Return on Investment
    • Think long-term. Many people do not realize that proper landscaping can increase the value of their property. Understand what features are worth spending a bit more money on now so that you reap the financial rewards down the road. Your designer should be able to help you with this.

We want to build the landscape of your dreams and keep you within your budget, so schedule a consultation with us to determine your specific project needs. We are very transparent when it comes to the costs so do not fear fine print! We look forward to working with you and making your dream outdoor oasis a reality!

Contact us today if you have any questions about getting started on your landscaping project. We would be happy to talk with you, and the possibilities to creating your dream backyard are endless. We can’t wait to help you develop the biggest room on your property!

Bring your
outdoor oasis

Complimentary Brochure

Download our brochure to get inspired and plan your backyard oasis.

Follow Us

© Copyright 2019 - Ananda Landscapes. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Sitemap

© Copyright 2019 - Ananda Landscapes. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Sitemap