How to landscape around a house: Transform your outdoor space with these landscaping tips

Landscaping around your house is more than just adding curb appeal—it’s about creating a welcoming environment that frames your home’s architecture while supporting functional outdoor living. As a designer, I always start with a holistic plan, considering climate, existing features, and personal style. First, evaluate your home’s facade and property lines to determine the ideal placement for plants, walkways, and outdoor living areas. Incorporate foundational plantings, like evergreens or shrubs, near the foundation to soften harsh lines and provide year-round interest. Use layered landscaping—plant taller trees and shrubs in the back and smaller perennials or groundcovers in front—to create depth and visual interest.

Paths, lighting, and seating areas should guide movement and draw people to essential zones, like entrances and patios. Mulch beds not only unify the design but also retain moisture and deter weeds. Don’t shy away from accenting your space with boulders, water features, or ornamental grasses for texture. Finally, as a designer, my advice is to map everything digitally first. Tools like a 3D Floor Planner make visualizing plant heights, colors, and hardscape placement easier, ensuring your landscape plan is both beautiful and functional before you break ground.

Tips 1:

Choose a limited color palette for plants and materials to create a cohesive look. Use repetition of shapes and species to bring unity throughout the landscape, echoing the geometry or color scheme of your home’s exterior.

FAQ

Q: What plants are best for landscaping around a house?

A: Opt for a mix of evergreens for structure, blooming perennials for color, and groundcovers for low-maintenance borders. Native species are generally hardier and require less maintenance.

Q: How can I add privacy to my yard?

A: Plant tall shrubs, trees, or install trellises with climbing vines along property lines or near patios to buffer views from neighbors.

Q: Do I need professional design help?

A: Not always, but consulting a designer (or using professional-grade design tools) can help avoid costly mistakes and ensure optimal plant placement and drainage.

Q: How do I prevent water damage when planting near the foundation?

A: Keep larger plantings at least 3 feet from the house. Grade soil away from the foundation and avoid overcrowding with dense vegetation that traps moisture.

Q: What’s the easiest way to try out landscaping ideas?

A: Use a digital planner like a 3D floor planner to experiment with plant types, pathways, and garden beds before starting actual work, ensuring your vision aligns with your property’s space and sunlight conditions.