Today, there are many technologies that involve the construction of a good Russian bath, a lot of information is available on how to properly and uniquely equip it, but not a word about how to organize the design of the site in front of the bath. But landscape design is a reality that can create a great mood and location for an excellent leisure time.
In order not to spend extra money by ordering expensive designers, you can decorate your site exclusively on your own, landscaping it with various plantings, equipping special alpine slides and bridges. As a rule, this aesthetic appeal of the pre-bath area can always please the owner of the summer cottage.
Planting and landscaping
Regardless of how much territory you intend to decorate, it is initially necessary to select the appropriate vegetation for planting. Note that landscaping is the laying of the fundamental foundation for landscape design, since not a single element of decoration that is performed even exclusively independently can compete with the natural appearance. The most important attribute in this business is the creation of a lawn with a unique and original coating. It is possible to equip an attractive lawn by first sowing special plant seeds intended exclusively for growing lawn surfaces.
The area in front of the bath room Please note that it is impossible to arrange the landscape design of the territory without the use of plants such as conifers, since they practically do not need care, but such a planting looks just great. Juniper is in particular demand in decorating the bath area, which in turn has a beautiful appearance, and is also able to fill your area with indescribable aromas. Note that coniferous plants can also be used in combination with other types of plants.
In addition to all this, you can complement the design of the bath area using large stones. Also, in addition, you can use other decoration elements, for example, original pots.
Unique options for arranging the bath area Choosing a landscape design style
First you need to decide in which particular style you prefer to equip your site. Of course, the bath itself will act as a semantic element here, since it is from it that you need to build on your subsequent actions and undertakings. Create your garden exclusively according to individual preferences and desires.
Today, modern landscape designers offer the following styles for organizing the space around the bath room:
Regular.
This style involves the location of a steam room with rather strict forms on the site. The material for the construction of such a bath will be or. Directly from the bath, plants are planted in a checkerboard pattern, between which there is a territory for leisure activities, for example, a gazebo or a pond. Plants should be planted, giving them a strict form. The terrace can be equipped from several levels, while connecting it with gazebos or bridges.
The regular style of the site, sustained in strict lines Mauritanian.
This style involves the arrangement of the territory as follows:
- Planting herbs for amazing flavor;
- The location of benches and deck chairs directly throughout the garden;
- Providing minimal plant care;
- The complete absence of tracks - only grass;
- Equipment mini fountains to maintain the optimal level of humidity and coolness in the shade.
This style is characterized by calmness and unhurried relaxation along with bath procedures.
Picturesque Moorish style cottage.
It is here that the rustic style dominates, which is dominated by the presence of a huge number of stones. The complete absence of strict lines is ensured; moreover, the cottage style guarantees exceptional comfort and coziness. For the arrangement of this style, experts provide the following recommendations:
- Choose stones and wood as materials, this is especially true;
- The paths are equipped with stone, however, it is preferable to use concrete directly in front of the bathhouse or garage;
- Garden furniture should be made exclusively of wood, preferably a light shade;
- Garden swings, a well, as well as sun loungers are most welcome.
Arrangement of the design of the site in the cottage style Japanese.
The main principle of the Japanese style is simplicity, an abundance of stones, as well as perennial undersized plants. In this case, exclusively green and gray shades prevail, only in some places red bushes grow.
Water is completely absent here, but its imitation is present: the arrangement of dry rivers using stone, through which wooden bridges are laid.
The originality of the Japanese style of landscape design Russian.
Landscape design of this type involves. In some parts of the territory, firewood for the steam room is neatly stacked. Also, as an element of decoration, you can use a huge wheel from the cart. It will not be superfluous to have a flower bed of various varieties of flowers. Please note that pots for such plants must be made from buckets or watering cans. Thus, the ideal landscape design in the Russian countryside style is arranged.
The simplicity and practicality of the Russian country style Of course, each of the proposed styles is distinguished by the presence of both advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is up to you to decide which of the options for arranging the design of the site in front of the bath to choose.
A plot of land with an area of 12 acres is the best option where you can fit everything you need for a comfortable life. Here you can build housing, equip a garden, make a recreation area, equip a playground, and other necessary areas - the style and design of a plot of 12 acres depends only on the preferences of its owners. Despite the fact that there are quite a lot of development plans and improvement of such a territory, there are general planning and zoning rules that you should know.
Arrange your backyard so that you want to admire it forever
Preliminary stage - planning
Before proceeding with the arrangement of a summer cottage, it is worth studying the recommendations of experts regarding the layout. This will allow you to use the area most rationally, avoiding the fact that everything will be located chaotically, inconveniently, ugly.
The design of the suburban area is based on the allocation of characteristic zones
So, first of all, you need to familiarize yourself with the set of building codes and regulations (SNIP). From there you can get useful information, for example, about the recommended distances between buildings, fences, plantings. For example, experts advise placing a garage closer to the gate.
The main types of layouts of a summer cottage
Pay attention to the shape of the suburban area, its relief. The location of hills and ravines here can significantly "correct" the overall design. The relief is important to take into account when placing the foundation of the house and utility buildings.
Another important point is the type of soil: it affects which green spaces will take root in the summer cottage. When initially the soil is not sufficiently enriched with organic matter, most likely you will have to additionally fertilize it, import black soil. The side of the world where the site is located, the level of natural light are important, firstly, when choosing plants, and secondly, determining the location of buildings.
Site planning is a creative process, depending on the flight of fancy and your wishes, but generally accepted standards must be observed in order to avoid typical mistakes.
It is imperative to provide for the arrangement of the drainage system, especially if the summer cottage is located in a lowland. It will remove excess water from the dwelling and, as a result, the soil will not sag, it will be possible to avoid washing away the foundation of the building, the entire landscape will remain in its original form.
Zoning of the territory
Since the considered area of the land plot is quite large, six zones can fit here. It is not necessary to use all of them when planning an allotment, but it is worth listing them.
An example of a functional layout of an elongated area
Living sector
This includes the house plus outbuildings and a garage. Speaking of the garage: it can be located at some distance from the living quarters, built in or attached nearby. Each option has its own advantages. The main advantage of the first one is that no smells (gasoline, exhaust gases, etc.), sounds from the garage will be heard at home. In favor of the second or third solutions is the fact that this way you will save space, money (a separate garage will cost more), besides, in winter you can get to the car directly from home. True, you will have to make sound and heat insulation.
Residential can be located in the depth of the site or with access to the street, but not closer than 3 meters from the road
The location of the house in the foreground makes it possible to hide other areas from prying eyes
Hozblok
Here are sheds for poultry, domestic animals; premises where feed, inventory, any workshops, etc. will be stored.
If you want to hide the unpresentable appearance of outbuildings, line them with trees
A barn can also be a landscape decoration
Garden or vegetable garden
According to the recommendations of experts, the optimal location for the garden is on the south side of the plot, where there should be no buildings and tall trees that cast a shadow on it. For the location of the beds of vegetables, the cardinal points and the type of soil play a big role: for example, when the soil is clay, they should be placed from north to south, sandy - from east to west. It is advisable to plant large trees at least 2 meters from the fence so that they cast a shadow on their neighbors to a minimum. Fruit trees are usually planted from the east or southeast side, performing a purely decorative function - from the north.
Fruit trees should not be planted too close together.
The garden should harmoniously fit into the overall design of the site.
Rest zone
There are gazebos, benches, tables, barbecue, barbecue oven and more. In addition, flower beds, flower beds, decorative fountains or ponds are usually placed here.
Rest area next to the house
A place to rest can be located in the center of the site, away from the fence and the road
Bath, sauna
This building occupies a separate place in the zoning of the territory, since it cannot be attributed to an obligatory element of the overall design of the site, however, there are a lot of people who want to equip it. You can place it in the same way as a garage - either attached to a living space, or built separately. The combined option, again, is more economical in every sense, more convenient: you don’t need to separately make water supply, a shower room, a bathroom, and besides, you don’t have to run home from the bathhouse in the cold. However, there are drawbacks: without suitable hydro-, thermal insulation, high humidity and temperature can damage the dwelling itself, due to stove equipment, the likelihood of fire increases, and if the ventilation is installed incorrectly, it is easy to get carbon monoxide poisoning.
The best option would be a location away from home
If there is a bathhouse on the site, then you need a place to store firewood
Playground
A family with children or a replenishment is planned cannot do without it. The safety of the child is paramount in its equipment. Therefore, it is worth placing it where there is a good overview so that children are constantly supervised. It can be fenced off from the rest of the territory by means of a small decorative fence, a hedge. Given the age of the children, the playground can be equipped with a slide, a sandbox, a swing or some kind of horizontal bars: bars, metal ladders, crossbars, and so on.
The playground should be located in such a way as to freely look after the children from the house, and from the gazebo, and from the garden beds
It is necessary to equip the playground taking into account the age of the children.
Features of planning and zoning
There are a number of planning principles that should be considered when landscaping a site. We are talking about the distances between buildings, the location of different zones, including relative to the cardinal points.
Basic rules for placing buildings on a summer cottage
So, the dwelling should be at least 20 meters away from the toilet, garbage cans (if any), 15 meters away from outbuildings (sheds, aviaries, other premises for birds, animals), 7 meters from the compost pit . If the structure contains combustible materials, the dwelling is built 15 meters from other buildings, for non-combustible materials 6 meters are enough.
Zoning scheme of a plot with a house, a separate garage, a bathhouse and a utility block
Now about the cardinal points. It is recommended to place a residential building on the north side of the site, and it is preferable that the windows of the main premises face east and west. If you plan to add a veranda, then it is better to place it on the south side of the dwelling - then it will be cool there in summer and warm in winter.
Flowerbeds, fountains, garden figurines, other elements of landscape design
Landscaping is best thought out in advance. This will allow you to fit everything you want on the existing territory, without frills, making the territory as attractive as possible. There are many details that help to equip 12 acres, so everyone can choose exactly what they like, it will be in harmony with all the other components of the site design.
Irregularly shaped lawns look good in combination with decoratively trimmed shrubs.
One of the main decoration options is the lawn. It is necessary to choose its type even during the design: the function of the lawn, performed in each specific part of the plot (just a decorative lawn or, for example, children will play there, undergo sports training), directly affects the type of grass that can withstand the corresponding loads.
In second place in terms of frequency of use when decorating the territory near the house are flower beds. Standard solutions not suitable? Then, instead of flower beds, you can plant flower beds on free land. They do not have clear boundaries, so you can make absolutely any shape. They are located between trees, shrubs on the lawn, there are also curbs, where plants are planted along the paths. By choosing the right plant varieties for planting in flower beds, flower beds, you can ensure their almost year-round flowering. The main rule here is also moderation: a lot of different colors will create the impression of chaos, disorder.
Flowerbed near the house
One of the most common varieties of flower beds is an alpine slide. The difference from the usual flower bed is the use of decorative stone, which is laid out between the flowers.
Classic alpine slide in garden design
Another element of landscape design is paths, paths that separate different zones, while at the same time providing a convenient passage between them. Most often they are paved with garden tiles or decorative stones.
For a garden of absolutely any style, combined paths lined with various materials are suitable.
Water objects are another option for decorating the space near the house. Even if there are no natural reservoirs in your possessions, if you wish, you can create artificial ones: a pond, a fountain, a lake, or even a small waterfall.
Even a small pond in any design will bring peace and relaxation to you and your loved ones.
On the site you can place garden sculptures. In their manufacture, concrete, stone, gypsum or polyurethane foam are used. The style of such sculptures should be combined with the overall design of the site. Experts advise using a moderate number of figures so as not to oversaturate the space and everything looks original, harmonious, stylish.
Do-it-yourself garden decorations are the soul of the site, its zest and charm
There are many options, but you don't have to have all of them. Sometimes one or two elements, combined in style, make the area near your home much more attractive than many different ways of decorating.
Video: the secrets of planning a narrow area
Photos of beautiful garden plots
Since ancient Soviet times, it so happened that a dacha is not a place to relax, but a place where you need to “work hard” in the truest sense of the word. Stop dreaming, looking at pictures with beautiful suburban areas! It's time to make your site so that it was not only pleasant to be on it, but also pleasing to the eye from the outside.
Country yard design. Where do we start?
The first step is to start directly from the site used for planting vegetables and fruits. In addition, the summer cottage is a great opportunity to try yourself as a landscape designer.
To begin with, estimate on paper a plan of your suburban area. Start from how exactly the house is located. It is important to note which and where buildings are already standing. Also think carefully about what you would like or just do not have enough to fully relax. Perhaps you would like to admire a pond with small fish, do you have a gazebo, or do you still need to ennoble such a structure. Maybe you love strawberries, so think about where it would be convenient for you to pick it. And in general, everything that your soul desires!
It should be borne in mind that plants in height should decrease from the north side to the south. The beds should be ennobled on the side where it is warmer, while the trees should be on the north side.
If you are creating a landscape design with your own hands, be patient, and knowledge in numerous areas, as well as efforts. With all this, you should remember all the time what you originally wanted to see on your own site. After all, in fact, in the process of creating a design, it can very easily turn out that the main idea is simply lost. As a result, you may end up with not a garden, but a collection of beds, from which it all started initially.
Be bold! Embody bold ideas and ideas, trust your own intuition, and do not go far from the original idea so that your idea comes true!
Landscape design of a summer cottage
Track design
Laying a path scheme should be based on which garden plots you need an approach to. A very good solution would be to lay the so-called excursion route right past the most attractive places in the garden. If the appearance of your flower beds and beds is preserved, be sure to consider making the path to them, as well as the beds, as simple as possible.
Keep in mind that the main tracks need to be done with smooth, but not with sharp turns!
As for the walking route among the bushes and trees, it can be winding and quite difficult. So you will allow each of your guests to enjoy all the delights of your site.
Yes, in fact, not everyone has as much free space in the country as we would like. But at the same time, the width of the tracks should not suffer at all. Take into account that two people can easily pass on it in a situation. The most optimal width of the tracks is up to one and a half meters.
Also, garden paths should have a slope, at least a small one, so that puddles do not linger on them after precipitation. At the same time, such water will additionally pour, moisten the plants planted nearby, and once again wash the paths from dust and dirt.
As for the materials used for garden paths, it should be as resistant as possible to temperature changes, the effects of various weather conditions. As a rule, stone, concrete, decorative tiles are used for these purposes. The most natural option is paths that are sprinkled with gravel or sand. Pebble paths lined with mosaics are also attractive.
Lighting design
If not only the design of the flower beds, but in general, the design of the entire landscape was given little attention, or even there was absolutely no such attention, compared to the interiors of the house, then what can we say about lighting at all ?! But if the lighting is chosen correctly, the area at night will be so interesting that you will like it even more than in the daytime.
Of course, functional lighting is always used. But you should not forget about its decorative options at all. To illuminate the paths, turns and structures on your site, diffused lighting is enough, but so that it is soft. Then you can absolutely safely move around your own site, at the same time, the observation of it will remain untouched.
But as for functional lighting, a great option is to use built-in lights. They are mounted along the paths and railings, as well as along the edges of the steps. Their main purpose is to be guide lights, but at the same time they should not blind or irritate the eyes at all. The option of using lamps on columns is also suitable. Such options can be bought in different styles.
Using decorative lighting, you can highlight all the advantages of your site, while highlighting individual trees, flower beds or figures in the garden.
You can also use for the latter case - spotlights, which are now special - mini. They create a warm / cold tone, and also perfectly illuminate the perimeter due to the filters on their glasses.
Features of lighting in your own summer cottage include:
- The need for less powerful lamps than in the city
- It is best to choose energy-saving lamp options
- Technical and decorative lighting should be thought out so that it is always possible to connect it separately
- Insulate the backlight power cable well so that it is not accidentally damaged during gardening
figures in the garden
Such products in the form of animals and gnomes, as well as various mythical characters, are quite popular all over the world. The decor can be installed on the site absolutely any, at your own discretion. The main task is to make sure that it is not detached from the entire main design. For example, gnomes are hidden somewhere in the bushes, but if you choose a forest fairy, then it should be placed near a tree. You can also create your own story.
Landscaping of a garden plot
When choosing tall plants, place them on the north side. Shrubs should be identified in the middle lane of the site. But tomatoes with lettuce pepper should be planted in the south of the garden.
Trees with flowers should be placed as naturally as possible. At the same time, you should pay attention to the relief on the site, for example, you don’t need to level the hillocks in the plots, beat it by creating your own, unique design.
Install an alpine slide
But such structures are like real mountains, but only those that you create yourself, with your own hands. But if you just pile up a hill of stones, and stick flowers between them, this cannot be called an alpine hill. In fact, creating such a design is not so simple as it might seem at first glance. Before turning the composition into reality, plan everything on a piece of paper, how and what should be. So, for example, in the real alpine mountain itself, there are cliffs with peaks, flat areas, as well as a valley of greenery.
Start equipping the hill in the fall, gravel / broken bricks are taken for a start, and a mixture of earth is poured on top. The height is approximately a meter, it will probably be a little lower after shrinkage.
When the earth sags, large stones should be mounted in the hill, and elements of medium and small shapes should be placed on top. Choose plants based on the style of site you prefer, as well as the soil and equipment requirements.
At the base of the slide, it is imperative to plant perennial plants, as for annuals, you can transplant them several times a year, thereby changing the general appearance of the structure.
The most popular plants for slides: edelweiss, stonecrop, saxifrage, backache, sponge.
flowerbeds
They do not have to be in the form of a circle, or a rectangle, filled with flowers, planted in an even row. Create interesting options for flower beds, showing your taste, as well as making some effort for this, and you will see that the resulting composition was thought out for a reason!
Vertical form of flower beds
This is a fairly popular way to design a flower garden. But the colors on the ground - this is not at all necessary! Yes, flowers need soil, but it can be filled in different containers, and at the height of your height!
The advantages of this method are:
- The need for less space compared to conventional flower beds
- The fact that with the help of their sections are very original, and non-standard.
At the same time, they may not necessarily contain ordinary flowers. It will also be interesting to look at some decorative options for vegetables, herbs, etc.
The classic vertical flower beds include:
- Pyramid shape where plants are planted in a container of many tiers.
- The shape of the tower, which is very reminiscent of a pyramid, but the tiers are reduced in diameter.
The use of rabatka
Such structures are real stripes of flowers, which are located right along the paths or fences, lawns. They are planted at least 50 cm wide. And when the plants begin to bloom in such stripes, the earth seems to be covered with a bright rug.
Rabatki are of different types, for example:
- Unilateral
- bilateral
Mixborders
They are flower beds in which herbs are interconnected quite organically. There may also be small shrubs, or even trees. Weeding them can be problematic, especially when the plants are densely planted. Such beds are suitable for landscape gardens, where plants are arranged as if by chance.
Mixborder features include:
- The lines, as well as the shapes of the flower beds, are quite free
- Tall plants are planted in the back or in the central part.
- Contrasting colors will look very original and spectacular.
In general, now you know the basic nuances and techniques for designing a landscape design at a summer cottage with your own hands, so you can organize it as you wish! And so that you do not have to involve designers, stock up on construction and agricultural skills, as well as an agronomist and a talented artist!
Study the features of the forms, as well as the location of the site, create your own plan, on which you mark everything as you want to see as a result of the work performed. And everything will work out for you!
75 photos of the design of the country yard
The bath is an integral part of many cultures. Russian, including. It is a guarantee of health of the body and soul. Here you can have a great time with family and friends, improve your health, relax. Every year, the construction of a bath on a suburban area is becoming more and more popular. It can be both a separate building and part of the house. The traditional location of the steam room is a separate building located in a remote part of the courtyard, hidden from prying eyes. Previously, the location of the bath was determined by the proximity of the location of the water source. In the modern world, where landscape design can fulfill any desire, a place for construction can be chosen based on the general style of the landscape.
The building can be executed in the traditional style: as a wooden frame. If the style of the site is modern and progressive, then the building can look completely different, taking the familiar image to a new level. A mandatory procedure after the bath is swimming in a cool pond. This must be taken into account during construction.
The project can be of two types: with a pond outside or swimming pool inside the building. The first option involves a convenient and short path to the reservoir, which is framed by a dense hedge of non-deciduous plants. Such a natural "screen" will avoid discomfort and awkward situations. In the building with a pool there is also a steam room, a shower room, a dressing room and a relaxation room.
Decoration Materials
The steam room, in any case, is finished with natural wood that does not emit resin and has good thermal conductivity. The tree is in no case amenable to chemical treatment. When choosing a wood species, it is worth considering its color and harmonious combination with the main shades of the room. Total wood finishes can be effectively diluted with natural stone masonry. A part of the wall made of this material will not only look original, but also contribute to greater heat conservation. During construction, the number of people who will use the steam room is taken into account. From this factor, the area of \u200b\u200bthe building is calculated.
The most convenient materials for showers and pools are tiles and stone. For the pool, it is optimal to install a heating system. In your free time from using the steam room, you can heat the water and use the pool in the traditional way. The use of several types of stone and wood gives originality and a special charm to the room.
The external arrangement of the bath can repeat the architectural forms of the house or be individual. Most often, the outside is trimmed with wood and stone. In the regular style, the building has a fairly strict outline. The cottage style represents the steam room as a room made of bricks and tiles.
Paths from the house to the steam room are laid with stone or tiles. Near the building itself, it is better to fill the soil with concrete. If the bathhouse is built in a real Russian style and is heated with firewood, then a wood-burning house is equipped next to the wooden room. It is also perceived as a colorful object of decoration.
Water
A pond or pool is equipped specifically for a bath.
If there is a natural source of water on the site, then the room is built next to it. If the lake is artificial, then it is located closer to the place where the steam room is being built.
The pond must be equipped with a pump with a cleaning filter. The water must be clean. The presence of several light sources is important. Spotlights are often used, located at the bottom of the lake and along its edges. As a functional element of decor, wooden railings and comfortable steps to the middle of the depth of the pool lead to the pool. If its territory is large, then a wooden bridge with lanterns can be built over it.
Plants in combination with a bath
When choosing plants, preference is given to evergreen, non-deciduous species. The ideal crop is needles. It is used for a hedge that frames the paths from the bathhouse to the pool and the pond itself. This is a beautiful and reliable protection from prying eyes, and uninvited guests. In addition, the needles emit very useful phytoncides, which enter the human body much more actively after a steam room. In winter, the needles not only retain all their protective and decorative properties, but also become even more spectacular with the advent of snow.
For the summer season, a flower bed with primroses (daffodils, crocus, primrose and many others) is laid out around the building with the steam room. If the territory is large, a recreation area is created next to the bath. A gazebo with a swing and a bench is installed on it. Bright fragrant flowers will create a real spring atmosphere. Planting flowers in containers is allowed. To create a real Russian flavor, old tin buckets, wooden tubs, watering cans act as containers.
As at the entrance to the bath, you can plant flowering shrubs (, lilac, jasmine). It is undesirable to plant large trees near the building. In the steam room, one or two small windows are allowed, and usually this is a sufficient dark room. It is preferable that the sun's rays fall into these windows, creating a pleasant atmosphere. Suitable varieties will be:
- Linden;
- pear;
- plum;
- dwarf maple.
Fruit-bearing trees are most valued next to the Russian bath. As a symbol of wealth and fertility of the Russian land.
Near the reservoir it is appropriate to land with herbs: cilantro, mint, lemon balm. Their fragrance will be carried in a pleasant wave to the bathers. A large pond can be decorated with reeds and plants that love water. It is important to ensure that garden plantings and the water surface are separated by a coastline.
Decorative items in and out of the bath
A wooden well will become an amazing and truly colorful object of decor. It does not have to be real and functioning. It is enough to build its outer part, as similar as possible to the original. Near the bath, this element will look very natural and organic. As if they were about to leave the steam room for a bucket of ice water. The place, near the well, is decorated with flowers, shrubs (lilacs, raspberries, grapes). The well should have a small roof, decorated with carvings and wooden plant elements (leaves, flowers, clusters). A wooden bucket at the well will complete the image.
There is also a place for a waterfall near the bathhouse. But not in an exquisite aristocratic style, but in a simple, rustic one. To do this, you can use the same imitation of a well. A pump is installed inside, which will supply a stream of water from an inverted bucket.
Video - decoration of the territory near the bath
Landscaping of a plot of a private house of an urban or country type is a process no less time-consuming, costly and creative than creating an interior for a dwelling. A beautifully decorated spacious backyard or a small backyard, captivating with its originality - in order to embody your ideas about the beauty of the landscaping of the local area, all means are good. Even within the framework of an urban private household with a small piece of land, it is possible to organize not only an attractive outwardly, but also a practical green corner. Well, on the scale of suburban areas, the implementation of various types of landscape design will be limited only by your own imagination and budget for landscaping. In our extensive selection of design projects for the design of adjacent plots, we tried to collect examples for every taste, budget and stylistic preferences. We hope that you can be inspired by interesting design ideas and bring to life your own ideas for organizing landscape design in your summer cottage, backyard or private yard.
A detailed plan is the key to a successful design
Before proceeding with the purchase of the necessary equipment, seedlings and finishing materials, it is important to draw up a clear and detailed plan for the location of all elements of landscape design - from large buildings to the smallest bush. Indeed, even the creation of an image of the site, which seemed to be created by nature itself, requires the tireless attention of the owners. The more detailed and accurate your layout of the elements and the sequence of their occurrence on your site, the less time, effort and money you will spend on landscaping the local area. Agree that it would be a shame to spend a lot of effort on creating a flower bed in the place where you later have to lay a water pipe for an artificial reservoir.
On a detailed plan for the location of landscape design elements of the site, it should be noted:
- buildings (gazebo, summer kitchen, shed, veranda, outdoor shower, playground);
- reservoirs or water structures (laying of drainage and water pipes is carried out in the first place);
- alpine slides, cascading stone structures;
- garden paths;
- places for planting trees and shrubs;
- the location of flower beds and flower beds (the time for organizing the design element of the site will largely depend on the type of flower bed);
- fencing of the local area (in some cases, zoning of a large area is carried out using small fences, "living" walls, the location of which must also be foreseen in advance);
- decorative elements;
- system of illumination and illumination of a facade of the house and a site.
There are a lot of options for the execution of landscape design, there are design styles with their own basic concepts and motives, within which some classification can also be distinguished. But we can safely say that all the basics of stylistic trends are just a "skeleton" of design, to which you can add your own ideas and fantasies.
Conventionally, all design options for adjacent territories can be divided into those that look as if nature itself created the image of the site, and the person could only effectively fit into the resulting picture. It seems that perennial plants themselves have grown in surprisingly organically selected places, bushes and flowers are located around them, and small reservoirs seem to have existed in their places for many years - a person only laid paths between these harmonious elements of the site and used the lighting system to highlight the most spectacular ones.
The second option is a qualitative opposite - strict symmetry, verified sizes and shapes, clarity in the arrangement of all elements, indicating the tireless attention of the owners to the appearance of their local area. If there is a lawn on such a site, then it is perfectly trimmed, the garden paths are stunning with the clarity of forms, and in the flower beds the flowers are arranged according to the flowering time.
Garden paths - practicality and beauty
Garden paths are not only a necessary element of landscape design for moving around the site at any time of the year, but also a way of zoning the territory, its decoration. Proper arrangement of tracks will help you spend a minimum amount of time and effort moving around the site, between its main elements. Regardless of which style of territory design you choose, how to fill your backyard or small courtyard, paths are needed to move from home to a garage, gate or gate, buildings (arbor or shed) and various landscape elements.
The main requirement for a garden path is the smallest distance from one element of the site to another. Sometimes, in order to shorten the path, it is necessary to sacrifice the beauty or originality of the laid element of landscape design. As for the width of the paths, there is an unspoken rule for the main tops - 1-1.5 m. For small paths leading the owners of the site to the most hidden corners of the yard - at least half a meter wide.
In addition to dimensions, there are also some requirements for the appearance of the tracks. These design elements of the territory should not resonate with the image of the site. Paths should also be consistent with the basic choice of landscaping materials. With an abundance of stone structures (barbecue, fencing, facing the foundation of a building or even finishing the facade), it would be logical to use natural material to equip the site with garden paths.
Conventionally, all types of tracks can be divided into two types - solid and non-solid. The name speaks for itself. The choice of one or another type will depend on the size of the site (the length of the paths) and the role of garden paths in its arrangement (whether they are a key design element or play an exclusively practical role).
According to the type of material used, garden paths can be divided into:
- stone (plastushka, pebbles, paving stones and not only);
- wooden;
- concrete;
- brick;
- paths from improvised materials and construction waste (from glass to used plastic covers).
Here is an example of a garden path design in the now popular steppingstones style. The elements of such trails seem to be places to set the foot - you move along large stones or saw cuts of logs dug into the ground. One of the practical and at the same time economical ways to design such a path is to make concrete tiles of various shapes. A beautiful, modern and practical path can be made on your own.
An original and outwardly very attractive effect can be achieved by combining the material of garden paths. For example, strictly square concrete slabs look harmoniously in combination with pebble stone. No less effect can be achieved by combining solid wooden paths with small pebbles or flats.
Flowerbeds and flower beds - decoration of the site
Flowerbeds and flower beds are a necessary element of any landscape design. Even on the most modest-sized courtyard, you can find a place to organize a flower bed, especially since there are a lot of types of these elements of landscape design. Flowerbeds differ in shape and size, location in relation to the horizon line and the choice of plants for planting. Each owner of a personal plot, summer cottage or private courtyard will be able to find his best option.
Flowerbeds are divided into the following types:
- regular - different plants are planted in such flower beds that bloom in a certain period of time, but are arranged in the form of a certain pattern;
- irregular - the most popular type of flower beds that can delight the owners of the site and their guests with flowering throughout the warm season;
- raised - differ in design features, the structure is a frame of wooden boards, stones or bricks, covered with earth and located above the horizon line;
- vertical ("living" walls) - the best option for small areas or decoration of fences, walls of some buildings
- carpet - the planting of plants is carried out so tightly and in a clear order that it allows you to create an imitation of a carpet pattern;
- mono-flowers - by name it is clear that plants of the same type are located in such a flower garden.
Raised flower beds can often be found in household plots and in the yards of private houses. Which are used not to decorate the territory, but as an agricultural element - for growing cucumbers and tomatoes. The concept of "dacha hard labor" for many of our compatriots has sunk into oblivion, but the ability to pick fresh vegetables and herbs to the table overpowers modern trends in landscape design.
Artificial reservoirs in the local area
Small ponds, fountains, ponds and home waterfalls have always been popular with both landscape designers and their customers. If you look towards the Japanese design of gardens and parks, which has become an example in many areas of this type of design art, then the site should contain stones, plants and water.
When organizing water facilities on the site, first of all, you need to decide for what needs you need them - whether it will be an exclusively decorative reservoir or water from it will be used for irrigation, for example.
Fencing the site - use the fence as a decor
Any site needs a fence. Of course, the design of the fence, the material of execution and the color palette will be chosen by you in accordance with the design of the facade of your house. But the fencing of the local area can be used not only as a demarcation of the boundaries of the site, protection from uninvited guests and prying eyes, but also to decorate the landscape design of your yard. Weaving plants planted near a mesh fence or fence with special hooks will create a green image of the boundaries of the site.
By combining a fence with vertical flower beds, you can create a completely unique image of the boundaries of the site and the entire territory as a whole. Original "live" inserts of greenery and flowers will refresh the look of even the most urban style fence.
Buildings, recreation areas and barbecue areas
Having even a very modest house territory, any owner wants to organize places for outdoor recreation, an area for meals, barbecues, sectors for accommodating guests and holding parties. Depending on the size of the site, your needs and financial capabilities, you can design recreation areas with various functional backgrounds.
From European countries, the motif of organizing recreational areas like Spanish patios has penetrated into landscape design. A small area, most often fenced on all sides by buildings, buildings or a fence, is equipped in a universal way - here you can just talk in the fresh air, have a bite to eat, drink refreshing drinks, receive a small group of guests and even have a modest party. In Russian realities, such a place to relax must be accompanied by the presence of a barbecue - outdoor recreation without barbecue is not considered successful.
In order to organize a place for a meal, terraces or areas under awnings are ideal, so that you can enjoy delicious meals outdoors without fear of rain. Most often, garden furniture is used for the dining area - metal, wooden, wicker. Given that the functional segment is located under the roof, it is possible to use soft pillows to increase the level of comfort and even organize a soft seating area on sofas and chairs made of artificial rattan. Here, under a canopy, you can place equipment for barbecue. On the one hand, such an installation is convenient in terms of traffic, on the other hand, it is safe, because the barbecue equipment is not part of the main building.
Site lighting - an element of landscape design
Ensuring the local area with a sufficient level of illumination at night is not only a matter of safety, but also of beauty. A thoughtful and competent arrangement of lighting fixtures will allow not only to move around the site without a flashlight, but also to create a completely unique atmosphere of a private courtyard and house facade. Highlighting parts of buildings, flower beds and paths, steps and decorative sculptures, you can end up with a unique image of a personal plot.
Formally, all lighting of the yard and house can be divided into functional (utilitarian) and decorative. From the names it is clear that the first is necessary to a greater extent for safety (it includes the illumination of the entrance to the building, garage, gate or gate, the entrance to the site itself), and the second is responsible for decorating the territory with the help of lighting (illumination of the most outstanding elements of landscape design, which can be both fountains and bridges across the pond, and the most common lilac bush).
For small areas, backyards of private urban-type houses and just small summer cottages, it may be sufficient to evenly distribute the lamps along the garden paths and hang a lantern on the building at the main entrance. For large areas, different types of lighting fixtures may be needed - from pendant lights for buildings to LED linens for large trees and shrubs.
Lighting equipment should be all-weather durable and it is desirable to work from a charge of solar energy. When using any type of lighting, it is necessary to plan the placement of fixtures so that the boundaries of the site can be seen even at night. But at the same time, the lighting should not be too bright - a garden path flooded with light in pitch darkness makes a psychologically difficult impression on a person walking along it.
Some ten years ago, our compatriots were proud of decorating their summer cottage or the adjacent territory of a private courtyard with various sculptures. But following Europe, where the use of garden gnomes and animal sculptures began to be considered bad form, Russian owners of yards and estates stopped decorating their garden paths in this way. But the use of flowers will never go out of style. Flowering plants in large garden pots and tubs, fancy flowerpots or monolithic concrete structures will always be relevant.
The advantage of this type of decoration is that you can use flower pots everywhere - in a spacious area to decorate a terrace or a dining area under a canopy and in a small backyard, where nothing fits except for a couple of comfortable chairs and a table. But in the realities of the Russian climate, you need to make sure that you have a place where to hide flowers for the cold season.
