Given the importance of landscaping to the beauty and value of the home, it's a pity that most homeowners have no clue about how to design an attractive and functional landscape. More often than not, the paltry shrubs, narrow driveway and front walk remain the same as it was when the builder installed it. Skilled professional landscape architects and designers understand how to select and position plants and paved areas to create a beautiful and functional landscape that enhances a home.

Builders often skimp on landscaping, putting in a straight, narrow walk way to the front door and lining the front of the house with an unexciting variety of shrubs and trees. A professional is more creative, enhancing the appearance of the home with the layout of the landscape and choosing plants that are beautiful on their own. A good landscape design makes access to various parts of the house and the outdoor living spaces easy. The design considers where people will walk and locates walkways for routes most commonly traveled. Walks lead to all entrances, but the design makes it obvious which is the main entrance. The landscape plan will provide adequate parking for your family and guests, and allow for easy maneuvering of cars. It will also increase your outdoor living space by creating private places for relaxing and entertaining, providing your family and guests a place to enjoy the outdoors. It can also improve both the indoor and outdoor climates by moderating sun and wind. A screen of Evergreens such as pines can be located to block street noise, trap dirt, and provide privacy. Deciduous trees such as oak or maples can be positioned to shade and cool the house in the summertime, but let warm sun in wintertime. Evergreen hedges positioned on the north and west sides of the house will slow winter winds and lower heating costs.

In the same way a persons clothing can flatter a figure, landscaping can be used to trick the eye, and flatter a house. A well designed property can make your house or property seem smaller or larger. For instance a diminutive house can be turned into a quaint cottage with the addition of a picket fence, flower beds, and a large shade tree. To make a house look more substantial, anchor the house with medium-height trees, a formal hedge, and a symmetrical planting of foundation shrubs.

Whether you do it yourself, or hire a contractor, a landscape makeover doesn't need to be completed all at once. Don't fret over it taking years to complete. You can begin landscaping the front yard by first planting the large shade trees and installing the walks, driveway and lawn. Next put in the foundation planting and follow with the shrub borders along the edge of the property. In the back, begin by planting trees and privacy screens then follow it up with patio and garden beds. Installed and planted over several years, larger, more elaborate landscapes are more easily handled by a do-it-yourselfer. Alternately, spreading the work over several years may also make hiring a landscape contractor more affordable to homeowners.