Landscape Design
10 Must-Have Landscape Features Pros Recommend
Landscape designers and contractors share the elements, ideas and details they always like to include in their projects
One of the first questions you might ask when renovating your landscape is, “What should I include in my new yard?” We asked 10 landscape pros on Houzz to share the top outdoor features they recommend for their clients and why. Read on to learn more about which elements pros think nearly every landscape could use.
2. Patio or Deck
Adding a patio or deck tops the list for most landscape pros. “Prior to all of the ‘fun’ items like an outdoor fireplace or kitchen and much more, the patio is the starting point which will tie all other elements together,” says master mason and contractor Scott Arnold of Arnold Masonry & Landscape in Atlanta.
Landscape designer Robin Parsons of Spring Greenworks in Kirkland, Washington, agrees that a gathering space is one of the most important outdoor features. “Creating outdoor spaces to relax and engage with friends and family in is the No. 1 request from my clients,” she says.
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Adding a patio or deck tops the list for most landscape pros. “Prior to all of the ‘fun’ items like an outdoor fireplace or kitchen and much more, the patio is the starting point which will tie all other elements together,” says master mason and contractor Scott Arnold of Arnold Masonry & Landscape in Atlanta.
Landscape designer Robin Parsons of Spring Greenworks in Kirkland, Washington, agrees that a gathering space is one of the most important outdoor features. “Creating outdoor spaces to relax and engage with friends and family in is the No. 1 request from my clients,” she says.
Find a landscape designer near you on Houzz
Because of its prominence within a landscape, your patio or deck should blend style with purposeful design, according to Chicago-based landscape designer John Algozzini of Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors. “Make sure the patio or deck is practically and functionally related to the client’s needs, the home and the architecture,” he says.
Algozzini also advises homeowners to choose features they’ll use and that make sense within the overall design. “Components such as pergolas, outdoor kitchens, fire pits and grills should apply to the design requirements of the client and not just be in the design because they are currently trending,” he says.
Algozzini also advises homeowners to choose features they’ll use and that make sense within the overall design. “Components such as pergolas, outdoor kitchens, fire pits and grills should apply to the design requirements of the client and not just be in the design because they are currently trending,” he says.
3. Centerpiece
A central element that draws people outside is another cornerstone of a good landscape. “A centerpiece will bring all the pieces of the design together and gather people,” says Kara Gorski, part of the team at Landed in Alexandria, Virginia. She adds that often this will be a fireplace or a fire pit, but it can also be a pool, covered structure or dining space.
A central element that draws people outside is another cornerstone of a good landscape. “A centerpiece will bring all the pieces of the design together and gather people,” says Kara Gorski, part of the team at Landed in Alexandria, Virginia. She adds that often this will be a fireplace or a fire pit, but it can also be a pool, covered structure or dining space.
4. Overhead Structure
Protection from the elements will allow you to enjoy your outdoor space longer, whether you’re facing sun or rain. Rather than opting for an umbrella or generic structure, Douglass recommends turning to your home for inspiration. “We feel the best thing a homeowner can add to their overall landscape design is a patio cover or outdoor living area that looks and feels original to the home,” she says.
What to Know About Adding a Pergola
Protection from the elements will allow you to enjoy your outdoor space longer, whether you’re facing sun or rain. Rather than opting for an umbrella or generic structure, Douglass recommends turning to your home for inspiration. “We feel the best thing a homeowner can add to their overall landscape design is a patio cover or outdoor living area that looks and feels original to the home,” she says.
What to Know About Adding a Pergola
5. Sitting Wall
A sitting wall, or seat wall, is an effective multiuse feature, especially in smaller spaces. “We think a sitting wall with under-capstone lighting is essential. It’s not very expensive and it makes a patio vastly more efficient,” says Daren Langhorne of Core Outdoor Living in Clifton, Virginia.
Langhorne adds that a seat wall can also serve as a retaining wall or one side of a raised garden bed. “Moreover, a sitting wall really helps define a patio. It anchors the design and says ‘something special happens here,’ versus an island of stone floating unmoored in a yard,” he says.
A sitting wall, or seat wall, is an effective multiuse feature, especially in smaller spaces. “We think a sitting wall with under-capstone lighting is essential. It’s not very expensive and it makes a patio vastly more efficient,” says Daren Langhorne of Core Outdoor Living in Clifton, Virginia.
Langhorne adds that a seat wall can also serve as a retaining wall or one side of a raised garden bed. “Moreover, a sitting wall really helps define a patio. It anchors the design and says ‘something special happens here,’ versus an island of stone floating unmoored in a yard,” he says.
6. Fire and Water
Landscape designer Linda Greenberg says fire and water features are two of her favorite elements to include in a design. The Charleston, South Carolina, pro notes that homeowners love spending time by a fireplace or fire pit. “It’s perfect for allowing good conversations and entertaining,” she says.
Greenberg includes a water feature in most projects as well. “People love to linger and listen to the soothing sounds, and the fountain also creates a relaxing and inviting ambiance,” she says. The flowing water also attracts pollinators, who appreciate a drink and occasional dip.
Have Your Garden Fountain and Be Water-Wise Too
Landscape designer Linda Greenberg says fire and water features are two of her favorite elements to include in a design. The Charleston, South Carolina, pro notes that homeowners love spending time by a fireplace or fire pit. “It’s perfect for allowing good conversations and entertaining,” she says.
Greenberg includes a water feature in most projects as well. “People love to linger and listen to the soothing sounds, and the fountain also creates a relaxing and inviting ambiance,” she says. The flowing water also attracts pollinators, who appreciate a drink and occasional dip.
Have Your Garden Fountain and Be Water-Wise Too
7. Herb Garden
It may be an unexpected recommendation, but landscape architect June Scott advocates including some herbs in every garden. “It can be as small as a few potted plants or the entire garden could be devoted to herbs,” she says. Being a Southern California-based designer, Scott often combines citrus trees and herbs for a low-maintenance, highly productive garden.
12 Essential Herbs for Your Edible Garden
It may be an unexpected recommendation, but landscape architect June Scott advocates including some herbs in every garden. “It can be as small as a few potted plants or the entire garden could be devoted to herbs,” she says. Being a Southern California-based designer, Scott often combines citrus trees and herbs for a low-maintenance, highly productive garden.
12 Essential Herbs for Your Edible Garden
8. Connection With Nature
A place where you can relax outside and connect with the natural world around you is a must-have landscape feature for landscape designer Laurie Van Zandt of The Ardent Gardener Landscape Design. “It may be a place to start your morning with a cup of coffee or tea, a place to end the day and unwind or even a place to take a midday break,” the Utah-based designer says. It can be a small or large space, up on a deck or nestled in a garden, so long as it’s a spot where you can just be.
A place where you can relax outside and connect with the natural world around you is a must-have landscape feature for landscape designer Laurie Van Zandt of The Ardent Gardener Landscape Design. “It may be a place to start your morning with a cup of coffee or tea, a place to end the day and unwind or even a place to take a midday break,” the Utah-based designer says. It can be a small or large space, up on a deck or nestled in a garden, so long as it’s a spot where you can just be.
9. A Personal Touch
Adding personal elements such as favorite plants and finishing details can bring a sense of calm and put you in a peaceful state of mind. “As each of us makes personal, specific choices in designing an interior space, so should a homeowner make the same choices in their exterior space,” landscape designer Todd Haiman says. For example, this terrace in New York’s Greenwich Village reflects the homeowner’s desire for a space that brings to mind a homestead on a ranch.
Adding personal elements such as favorite plants and finishing details can bring a sense of calm and put you in a peaceful state of mind. “As each of us makes personal, specific choices in designing an interior space, so should a homeowner make the same choices in their exterior space,” landscape designer Todd Haiman says. For example, this terrace in New York’s Greenwich Village reflects the homeowner’s desire for a space that brings to mind a homestead on a ranch.
10. A Sustainable Approach
Incorporate sustainable features to keep your landscape and the surrounding environment healthy and beautiful. “Sustainability means creating a balanced ecological environment,” says Deborah Gliksman of Urban Oasis Landscape Design.
The Los Angeles-based landscape designer uses natives and climate-appropriate plants that thrive in local conditions. She also focuses on proper grading, rain catchment, permeable paving and water features for birds and insects.
10 Things to Consider for a Sustainable Landscape Design
Your turn: What are your must-have landscape features? Share in the Comments.
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Get inspired by landscape photos
Find a pro for your home or garden project
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Incorporate sustainable features to keep your landscape and the surrounding environment healthy and beautiful. “Sustainability means creating a balanced ecological environment,” says Deborah Gliksman of Urban Oasis Landscape Design.
The Los Angeles-based landscape designer uses natives and climate-appropriate plants that thrive in local conditions. She also focuses on proper grading, rain catchment, permeable paving and water features for birds and insects.
10 Things to Consider for a Sustainable Landscape Design
Your turn: What are your must-have landscape features? Share in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Get inspired by landscape photos
Find a pro for your home or garden project
Shop for outdoor products
The pros we spoke with agree that having a master plan for your outdoor space will result in a more beautiful and cohesive landscape, even if you plan to complete your project in phases. You may tweak the design along the way, but you’ll be able to logically and efficiently work toward your long-term vision for the space.
“An overall plan is a great way to begin,” says Katherine Douglass of TCP Custom Outdoor Living in Houston. “When homeowners start with little things and don’t have a full vision, the result tends to look like the backyard was put together piecemeal.”
How to Get Started on a Landscape Redesign