by Lynda Jaisel

Created on: October 08, 2008   Last Updated: October 22, 2008

The best way to improve the look of your home is through landscape design. With proper landscaping, the front of your home will become inviting and your backyard will turn into an outdoor oasis. The most popular home-improving landscape designs include adding a deck, outdoor dining, fountains, ponds, pools, waterfalls, gardens and lighting.

If you are a hands-on, before spending a ton of money on a design that might not turn out the way you had envisioned, you should first see the changes you will be making by acquiring a landscape and garden software program. If you aren't hands-on, you should consult a professional.

You don't have to commit to any design until you actually see what it would look like by using a landscape and garden design software. These programs are quite visual, you can make changes, create walkways, illuminate, make color arrangements, add focal points and inform yourself on which plants to use for your climate zone before actual implementation of your landscape design plan. You won't have to be stuck with something you don't like.

Simple CD-ROM landscape design software range from $5-7, while more elaborate programs such as 3D Home Architect Landscape Design Deluxe costs between $14-33. After seeing your design, you can then shop around for implementation.

With gas prices and travel expenses rising, the backyard has become the main source of family entertainment. You can create your own private paradise with all the amenities of a resort based on a theme of your choice.

If you are up to the challenge, follow the guidelines below. If you aren't, consult a landscape design professional. You should still follow the guidelines to better understand what your personal style is before speaking to a professional. You need to be prepared to discuss what your design idea is, not someone else's.

1. Discover your personal style. What are your architectural tastes? If you still don't know, try to match a natural flow from the design of the inside room(s) that leads into the backyard.

2. Define your outdoor spaces. The biggest front/backyard landscape mistake is one big grassy (or cemented) area with plantings on the borders. It is bland, useless and won't bring up the value of your home, let alone create privacy. If you have a large family, or are planning on having more than 4 people over, then your yard should be broken up into different group areas such as swimming, eating, relaxing, playing, sleeping, outdoor theatre, etc.

3. Create Focal Points. Both

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>