Landscaping not only adds beauty to a home, it also increases the resale value of a property. Landscaping Boca Raton is a multifaceted art that requires specialized knowledge and skills to create a beautiful, functional outdoor space.

Unity is an important aspect of landscape design. This means that different elements of the landscape should relate to each other. This can be achieved through a theme of colors or plants with similar features, but should not be overdone.

Front Yard

The front yard of a residential home is the first outdoor space neighbors and passersby see. It presents unique challenges and opportunities for landscaping and is often the first impression your house makes. Front yard landscape design aims to create a welcoming space that welcomes visitors and passersby while providing the homeowners with a space that suits their lifestyles.

Traditionally, a front yard consists of green lawn, foundation shrubs and a concrete driveway and sidewalk leading up to the front door. In many areas, the city owns the first 8 feet of your front sidewalk and street. While your neighbors can camp and have picnics in these public areas, you are responsible for the rest of your front yard, including any plantings that occupy this area. A well-designed front garden is a great way to enhance the curb appeal of your property and increase your home’s value.

Front yard landscape designs can include plants, trees, shrubs, a rock garden or water feature and an inviting entryway such as an arbor or trellis planted with a climbing vine. A front yard can also serve as the site of a vegetable garden, cottage garden or wildflower meadow. Front yard landscaping should always consider the amount of sunlight the space receives, as sun-loving plants will thrive while shade-loving plants may need to be protected from direct light. It is also important to consider the function of the front yard, whether it is a place for lounging or play or serving as a privacy barrier.

When designing your front yard, choose plant species that will thrive in the climate and soil conditions of your region. If your front yard is primarily sunny, choose plants like brightly colored heucheras and a variety of hydrangeas, while for an area with shade, select low-growing evergreens, such as ivy or ferns.

A beautiful front yard does more than increase the aesthetics of your home; it can also reduce traffic noise and other disturbances near your property. Well-placed plants and shrubs can screen unwanted noise, as well as absorb excess rainfall and runoff from streets and other properties.

Back Yard

Backyard landscaping can transform the most private area of a residential home into an oasis for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Unlike the front yard, which is designed to appeal to guests and passersby, the backyard landscape should focus on how its owner uses the space. For example, the yard may be centered on entertaining family and friends or on growing food, flowers, or other plants. It could also be dedicated to a recreational activity such as playing sports, swimming, or gardening.

Like the front yard, there are three primary functions of a residential back yard: aesthetics, leisure, and utility. Chairs, tables, grills, and other furniture serve the leisure function; while a pool, play set, horseshoe pit, or trampoline can be used for recreational activities. A garden shed or gazebo provides a service and utilitarian element, while a pond, fountain, or waterfall can provide visual and aural interest.

Residential back yard landscaping is a huge undertaking. It can take up to a couple of months from the start of the design process to completion, depending on the size and complexity of the project, the availability of materials, and other factors. For large projects, a professional landscape architect should be involved in the design process to ensure that the final product is cohesive and functional.

To get started, homeowners can start by identifying what they want to use the backyard for. Then, they can develop a list of goals and priorities. This can help them make informed decisions about the best options for the back yard, including structural elements, lighting, and plantings.

The structure of a backyard is important because it defines the space and gives it shape. For this reason, it’s a good idea to prioritize structural features before adding anything else. For example, a pergola with a vine-covered roof is the perfect way to create a shady area for lounging and dining. It also provides a link between the house and other parts of the yard.

Fences and walls are an essential part of any residential back yard because they offer privacy and security, conceal unpleasant sights, and mark property boundaries. However, it’s important to balance the need for enclosure with the desire for open sightlines and views of landscapes near and far.

Public Area

The public area is any part of a residential home, business, restaurant, school, hospital, church, school bus stop or government building that is open to the general public. Landscape design and planning are a great way to make an inviting impression on people who visit or pass through your property. A landscape theme can be as simple or complex as you choose and can relate to architectural style, color schemes or horticultural characteristics. Plants that are native to the area look especially good in the landscape as they have naturally adapted to local conditions and appear “at home” in the environment.