When it comes to garden redesign, there are likely to be a million things going through your head that it seems almost impossible to begin, let alone finish, any task!
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With so many things to consider, the easiest way to start a garden remodel is to think of your yard as a simple extension of your home. Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? If you're still scratching your head, we'd like to make your job a little easier by giving you five things to consider when redesigning your garden!
1. What is the purpose of your garden?
First things first, before you can start your remodel, you need to figure out what type of outdoor space you want. If you have a family, will it be a place for the kids to play? Eating out somewhere or entertaining family and friends? Or maybe a room that is about growing plants, fruits and vegetables?
Deciding what to do in the garden is the first thing to consider as it will allow you to plan and allocate the space available. The last thing you want to do is create a large area to relax in if the kids need space to run around. We now want to not just focus on one primary purpose of your garden, but rather create a space that is suitable for the whole family. Focus on distributing the available space precisely to everyone's needs. Unless you live alone and can do what you want with the space available!
2. Know your garden
Obviously, if you want to redesign your garden, you need to consider more than just the theme or dimensions. You really need to know what your garden is about. Things like understanding your garden's microclimate and soil type in the early stages of planning go a long way in making your redesign a process you can enjoy, rather than a nightmare you would have liked to avoid. And here is why.
The climate and local geography: The most beautiful and healthiest gardens in the world work with the local, natural environment. If you know the local characteristics of your place of residence, such as For example, salty breezes near the coast or strong winds can make your garden a much more habitable place, both for yourself and for whatever you want to grow there. If you are moving to a new area where you are not that familiar with the area, the best thing to do is to speak to your neighbors for early advice.
Throwing the floor out: Using good soil is critical to a healthy, picturesque garden. If you are looking to grow plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables, knowing what type of soil you have will help you determine what you can and cannot grow. Knowing your soil type is also crucial for landscaping projects, as some soil types are more difficult to work with than others.
Understand the aspects of your gardens: The aspect or direction your garden is facing is another important thing to consider when redesigning as it will help in knowing where to go. There's no point in creating a new beautiful composite deck area to soak up the sunshine in the shadiest corner of your yard, does it? Drawing the arc of the sun in your original plans will help you make the most of your space.
3. Check the regulations and talk to the neighbors
Another important aspect are building and planning regulations. These vary from area to area, but there can be very strict restrictions on what you are and what you are not allowed to do with listed buildings in nature reserves, including their gardens. Even if your home is a new building, it can still be subject to some regulations. It is therefore always worthwhile to clarify with your local council or the authorities whether the work you are planning is permissible.
Unless you plan on making major changes to your yard that would require council approval, always call your neighbors to discuss any work that may cause them inconvenience. In most cases, simply speaking to them about possible effects helps to avoid discomfort or problems.
4. Understand the cost
Remodeling a completely new garden can cost more than you think, even if you decide to keep some of the existing features. It is often very difficult to finish even a small garden with a relatively simple design for less than £ 6,000 when design fees, materials and manpower are taken into account. Most new garden landscape designs cost over £ 10,000, and that goes for a small garden. If you think of a larger garden, the fees are more likely to be in the region of £ 15,000 + which seems like a lot. However, when you consider how much money you can possibly spend on a new kitchen or bathroom, and how much value you can add to your home and quality of life, the cost is worth it.
5. Take into account the time scale
The time it takes to complete your garden remodel depends on the scope of the project. However, it doesn't have to be completed all at once. On a tight budget, this is highly unlikely. Instead, consider planning your project in stages and completing parts of your plan when the finances are available. Unfortunately, the most important parts of a garden remodel like building retaining walls, steps, ramps, borders, and patios are often the most expensive. Therefore, design details such as ornamental plants, pots and furniture should be left until the garden bones are finished.
You also need to think about the seasons. Most of the gardening work is done between spring and early fall, when the nights are shorter and the weather is warm. Good contractors and landscapers are usually booked out early. So if you don't plan on doing the redesign yourself, it is best to develop the actual design as soon as possible so that you can book the necessary arrangements with little effort.
