When you live with an Interior Designer there is never any question about what to do on the inside of your home; they always make it look spectacular! I have also recently discovered that their design knowledge carries over to the outside as well with a couple of tweaks here in there.

A good example is the use of color. You have so many plants to choose from but you also must consider where they will be planted because of sun placement during the day. This is hardly an issue when you are dealing with the indoors!

After you have considered all the types of plants and color you would like to use, you will be able to bring design elements into the planning and creation of the perfect yard for you and your family. Also know you may need some additional help. That could mean hiring a contractor or asking friend with good building skills for some help. But let’s look at the fun stuff now.

One that comes to mind first is always balance. At first it would seem that balance would be whatever is on the left should also be on the right but that’s not really true. Balance is achieving a flow throughout your outdoor space where no one thing that overwhelms the whole. In other words, putting up a large greenhouse in the middle of your backyard does not create balance. Having paths that go to the greenhouse along with other gardens and areas can create a wonderful balance throughout the entire space.

If you can look at your outdoor space as a natural place for meditation and think in terms of what one would love to hear, see, touch or smell then you can imagine bringing in elements such as water, fire, wind and earth. Planting flowers that bring the earth out of its shell or a water fall or small stream to listen to and just relax. All of these are wonderful ways to fulfill this since of balance in a natural way.

The above is also an example of a natural rhythm, which is another basic element of design. Rhythm can also be accomplished by the use of patterns throughout your yard and garden. It can be as simple as the cushions you have on your outdoor furniture or the pattern of your fence. You can also have more complex patterns in your gardens by the way you plant your flowers and lay stones or other walking paths.

Good use of balance and rhythm naturally brings about harmony, another basic element of design. You must remember that yin longs for yang; so harmony does not mean “the same”. Instead it means different or contrasting items that compliment each other whether that is in style, color or tone.

The last thing is focal points of interest. Sometimes we have focal points that we wish to diminish such as a greenhouse or storage shed. In these cases, use other elements such as a grand pergola or garden seating area that draws your attention away from what you do not want to be seen to that you do want to be seen.

This discussion could go on and on with ideas flowing about great design for your yard and garden. I hope it is clear that bringing in a great designer for your yard is just as important as having one for the interior of your home. Using great garden dcor is as important as what furniture you choose and can make or break the look and feel of your overall project. You can have the perfect yard for you and your family with a little planning and some good design. Don’t be afraid to go for it!