Creating Elegant Outdoor Living Areas with Landscape Design PlansLandscape design plans are the foundation to any attractive and functional outdoor design. These plans take into account every single detail of your yard, including the size, the shape, and the terrain, and have all the information needed to create the perfect landscape design according to your specifications.
There are a few different ways to develop landscape plans. The most reliable method is to hire a professional landscape designer to create the plans that will work best for your tastes, as well as your home. There are also several types of landscape design plans. The plans your outdoor area require will depend on the various types of features you would like in your yard. Most every landscape design begins with a topography, or plot plan, and most include a concept plan as well as a hardscape plan planting plan. Irrigation, drainage, and lighting design plans are also popular and often required. Below you will find examples of landscape design plans of a small project that we designed in Orange County California . The scale of this modest project makes it ideal to illustrate some of the layers involved in a landscape plan set.
Landscape Plot PlanPlot plans, or topography charts, are the basis of all other types of design plans. These plans must be drawn to scale and typically require the services of a land surveyor. Your plot plan should include at least the following elements:• Property boundaries, as well as fences, walls, roadways, and other existing hardscape features. • Water features within the landscape, including ponds, streams, and swimming pools. • Structures on the property with details regarding electrical outlets, access to water, and features that could obstruct the outdoor design like air conditioning units and decks. • Terrain features of your outdoor area, including slopes and grades, hills, and areas with poor drainage. Plot plans can be used to develop other types of landscape design plans and can help you decide what changes or additions may be needed to create the ideal design. Trees, shrubs, and plants already growing in your yard can be noted, making it easy to determine which vegetation to keep and which to remove. These plans can also be used to place shade trees, walkways, and to designate specific living areas.
Site PlanThe site plan or sometimes referred to as concept plan consist of the preliminary illustrations that bring everything together within your landscape design. This plan typically are drawn in scale, offer full color or black and white, highly detailed layouts, and may include photographs and specifications of selected plant and hardscape materials. Your landscape site plan is an essential tool for generating and solidifying ideas. Generally, the plan is a CAD rendering but can be also be hand drawn. And because it is drawn to scale it can be used to provide estimates for construction.
Landscape site plans displaying the most spectacular outdoor spaces are usually created by a professional designer. With modern CAD technology, it is possible to get high end concept plans and complete landscape designs starting with our free on-site consultation service for Southern California homeowners. Another option becoming increasingly popular in affluent communities around the world is our online landscape design service where we create your landscape design through correspondence or will travel to your location anywhere in the world. Field visits are popular options for large estate garden and commercial properties.
Click here to view examples of color-rendered site plan views.
Elevation ViewsThe elevation plan gives a front-on view of various structures within the landscape design. These plans can assist in understanding what key hardscape features would look like from a 2D perspective. Details associated with the items like garden walls, outdoor fireplaces, pool walls, patio structures and gazebos can be clearly viewed. Here are examples of elevation drawings taken from our landscape design example.
Click here to view examples of color-rendered elevation views.
Hardscape PlansYour hardscape plans include the unnatural elements of your outdoor space. Fencing, decks, and outdoor buildings can all be included in these plans, as well as walkways, driveways, and even outdoor kitchens. Hardscape designs include both functional and decorative outdoor features. Retaining walls and patios are common examples. Materials such as brick, stone, concrete, and metal are typically used to construct these outdoor elements.Your hardscape plans will reflect the overall theme of your landscape design and should be carefully drawn to scale. It is important to add these elements to your master landscape design plans before planning vegetation, water features, and other design options. Color and texture should be an integral part of your hardscape as well.
Landscape Planting PlansPlants and vegetation are an essential part of an attractive landscape design. The planting plans give detailed information with the specific locations and requirements for all plant materials within your outdoor space, including flower beds, hedges, and trees.Planting designs hold specific information for installation, like both scientific and common names for the plants within the plan as well as precise characteristics including size, shape, color, and quantity. This information is generally contained within a legend and the plant locations are usually noted with a matching symbol.
There are a few things to consider before creating your planting plan: • The type of vegetation you choose will depend on the amount of sunlight and shade, the soil and climate, and how much time you would like to put into your garden. • Trees can add a vertical angle to your landscape design plans. • Shrubbery can be used for privacy and fencing, while colorful flower beds are wonderful accents.
Click here to learn more about the landscape planting plan.
Irrigation Design PlansIrrigation plans are optional landscape features that provide convenience for maintaining your garden, especially during dry, warm months. There are many different brands and types of sprinkler systems so it is recommended to learn more about each before designing your irrigation plan.
One major decision will be selecting between a spray irrigation system or a drip method of watering. Spray sprinklers are the most widely used, providing large amounts of water to a specific area of the lawn through one of many sprinkler heads. Drip irrigation runs beneath your lawn and waters flowers, shrubs, and grass at their roots. Drip systems are more efficient and beneficial than spray irrigation, but they are also more costly and installations are more complicated.
Landscape Drainage PlansDrainage plans are also optional features and are just as valuable as irrigation systems. These landscape design plans suggest a variety of techniques to drain excess water away from your outdoor space. Pipes, grates, and basins are integral parts of drainage systems and can prevent disease and decay in trees and flowers resulting from water accumulating around the plant roots.
Drainage plans can address a variety of problems, including: • Pathways, drives, and other hardscape elements that may flood or develop puddles after heavy rains. • Removing water from overly saturated soil around delicate trees and shrubs, usually with the aid of sub-surface drainage. • Buildings and structures that may accumulate heavy rain water on rooftops. • And a number of other issues created by nature.
Outdoor Lighting PlansOutdoor lighting is not a necessary part of your landscape design plans but can be a convenience for evening entertaining and can make your outdoor space safer. There are several different lighting techniques that can enhance your home and yard, including accent lighting, shadowing, and silhouetting. Lights can also be used to illuminate paths, drives, steps, and terraces.
Your lighting plan should include details regarding:
There are many different elements involved in creating complete landscape design plans. Some are essential parts of any outdoor design, like a topography plan and planting design, while others are an added convenience that increases the beauty and value of your estate. Most of these plans can be developed and installed by the average homeowner, but for the best results, we recommend contacting a professional landscape designer that can guarantee an effective plan and an efficient installation.
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