Landscape Design and Principles

Landscapers and gardeners alike can utilise basic principles to design their own landscape and gardens. However, they might need some help from an expert landscaper or designer.

Proportion, ordering, repetitions, and unity are the basic ideas that landscape designers use to compose any kind of open space.

To create great landscapes, you need to look at things from an artistic perspective — something that most people don't think about when they're designing their gardens or parks. So when designing your own unique landscaping project, understanding the basic principles of landscaping will help you develop new ideas while increasing your creative skills.

Understanding Landscape Design

If you create something by yourself, you're usually involved in creating design. However, if you were aware of the designing processes, you would be able to appreciate them even more.

And so it is when we do landscape design. We begin with the basic tools, such as the compass, measuring tape, level, and shovel, and these soon grow into a full tool set for creating a beautiful outdoor space. From there, we move on to the fundamentals of planting and landscaping, where we can start building our own outdoor paradise.

These basics are the foundation upon which we build – they are the building blocks for success in landscape design.

Landscape design elements and principles

Although the design process involves much more than just sketching out the shape of your landscape, it is important to start off with a clear idea of what you would like to achieve.

 When you think about where you live, what do you love about your home? What aspects can you improve upon? Are there any special considerations that you must take into account?

Once you know what you want, it is time to plan how best to accomplish these objectives. You may choose to draw inspiration from the environment, architectural styles, or popular trends, but remember that every element of your outdoor living area should serve a specific function.

Landscape elements can be described visually using the physical properties of:

 

-       lines,

-       forms,

-       colours,

-       textures,

-       and visual weights.

These properties are known as the elements or principles of good landscaping. Good landscaping involves following the guidelines that help organise these elements into a pleasing arrangement.

Landscape design principles

The principles of landscape architecture encompass the way in which different aspects of landscaping should be utilised. These include aesthetics, function, safety, and sustainability.

Here, we talk about four principles, namely:

1. Proportion
2. Order
3. Repetition
4. Unity
5. Balance

Proportion

Landscape architects must take into account the proportions of the landscape, including trees, shrubs, lawns, walkways, and building materials. Proportions can be measured either mathematically (by calculating the ratio of height to width) or aesthetically (through visual comparison). However, a garden should not just consist of one type of plant; variety adds interest and beauty. A balance between order and chaos is important, because too much symmetry may make a scene look artificial.

Order

"The Principle of Order" considers the three-dimensional arrangement (or spatial) of the landscaping and structures. Equal visual weight means establishing spatial order by balancing the layout from one direction to another and from one end of the space to the other.

Repetition

You don't need to repeat everything exactly every time; however, repeated use of form, texture or colour throughout the entire garden helps to create patterns.

You can alternate between two elements that are similar enough to each other so they can be used together. In order to make your designs interesting and unique, try incorporating a few unexpected patterns into them. Don’t feel constrained to just one type of element either – mix in shapes and textures too!

Unity

Using a unified landscaping approach can lead to a feeling of cohesion between various parts of your property. However, adopting an established garden style is not necessary to achieve this effect. To create unity - balance, order and proportion are needed.

To achieve a unified look throughout your landscaping project, consider using a well-established formal garden, Japanese garden, or xeriscape (or some combination) as a foundation for your new yard. Use these styles to guide your planting choices and plant arrangements so they harmonise and complement each other.
Effective uses of dominance, connectivity, unity of three and simple arrangements of texture, colour, and form are ways to achieve these effects.

Balance

Consistently repeating patterns (balance) make your garden visually appealing. When used in appropriate places, they can help create the illusion of depth. They also add interest to your garden because they provide a sense of symmetry. In addition, the use of strong focal points can guide the eye around the area and make viewing pleasant to the eyes.

In conclusion…

While it can help to have an understanding of landscape architecture theory, you do not necessarily have to invent the wheel. One great way to develop a strong sense of style is to look around you at existing designs. You may see something that inspires you, whether it’s a flower bed, fountain, or outdoor living space. You could also look at how people in your area live—what they drive, where they hang out, and what kind of decor they have. Then, adapt these things into your own vision.

Use what you learn about the elements and principles of landscaping to bring your idea from concept to reality.

Landscape design in Melbourne with Bayside Landscaping

We love creating beautiful gardens that work perfectly, with plants that are healthy, easy to care for and grow quickly. We know how important it is to save energy and use resources wisely – so we do everything we can to make our landscapes sustainable, including planting native species, implementing water efficient irrigation systems and using low maintenance plants.

And if you’d like an idea for your own backyard, then let us know what you’d like to see! Talk to one of our friendly landscaping experts today.

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