Exterior Spaces

Consider the following areas:

Many retail stores and restaurants have an front customer entrance.It is often simply regarded as the means to get into the designed interior space.
Create a welcoming invitation to your customers.

Add durable planters, hanging baskets or a few large pots full of colorful flowers. It is that extra touch that set your business apart from the rest.

Do it yourself or hire a professional.
In some cases, hiring a company to look after the exterior display means less maintenance work for a high traffic operation.

If you are in a leased space, get written approval from your landlord before adding anything at the outside entrance.

Keep it simple and make the addition to your exterior entrance a seasonal one. One or two large-scale items reflect an orderly business inside. Several small ones look cluttered.

Place a planter or two at the entrance. Fill them with a colorful display of real flowers and ferns for the spring and summer months. Change the arrangement to seasonal flowers and grasses for the fall. Plain and colored branches will carry the attraction through the winter months. Add a few lights.

A display of large rocks, a sculpture, or artificial foliage can work well for areas where climate does not support real plants. If you decide on artificial planting make sure it is highly realistic and keep it simple. It may be better to use only tall grasses or colored branches. Even when doing it yourself you still want to maintain a professional appearance.

Contact a nursery or florist to determine what types of containers and foliage are available for exterior use. Find out if they offer a package of supplying and maintaining outdoor displays.

Summer and even seasonal displays do make a difference. Customers will notice and unconsciously be drawn to your business.

Incorporate the same idea for an outside restaurant patio space for the summer and early fall months.

The front yard is a showpiece to the front entry of your home.Enhancing the exterior entrance area adds value and uniqueness.

Even if you are not planning any renovation work on your home, simple changes to the front can create the impression that you have.

Rebuild, repair or replace a damaged exterior porch or walkway. Refresh an existing painted surface with a new color.A few well-placed large items create a polished exterior look. Too many small items convey a cluttered appearance. Keep it simple and transform your entrance.

Consider a new exterior walkway with curved elements in it rather than just a straight one.Consider a simple yet interesting layout for a front garden. Make an unusually shaped tree or bush the focal point.Keep the plants to a reasonable height. The front entrance door should still be clearly visible.

Check with a plant nursery as to the type of foliage best suited for a sunny or shaded area. Have a quick sketch of your front yard with some dimensions handy. Note any plant that exits and that you may wish to keep. Also indicate any utility boxes or fire hydrants that are on your property. The staff can then make appropriate suggestions for plants or garden patterns.
The exterior climate or maintenance may be an issue.
An interesting pattern to your walkway with one unusual boulder or sculpture is another approach. It is easy to maintain and can withstand most weather conditions.

Devote time into designing this exterior space. It does not need to be extravagant or costly. A few simple changes make a difference. Make the front yard of your home as individual as you are.

If you are aiming for a totally professional look, hire a landscape company specializing in residential work. A local nursery may provide this service or make a recommendation.

Take some time and consider all the options for your backyard before making a decision.

The most common practice is adding a one level deck attached to the exterior of a home.
A tiered deck adds more interest. It’s an opportunity to create separate areas for cooking, relaxing and playing.

Depending on your location a screened enclosure designed to blend with the exterior elements of your home, may be a better solution. It keeps the mosquitoes and black flies on one side while you entertain on the other.
A screened gazebo placed off in the garden becomes a special place to read or just enjoy the outdoors.A sunroom or solarium provides year round enjoyment. It is a unique way to mix the outside with the inside.

Remember, before adding any structure to your yard, check with the local building department. A building permit is often required.

Back yard gardens should provide a feeling of flow from the interior to the exterior. In order to accomplish this, you must establish in your own mind, the style of your home and interior. Aim to co-ordinate this style with the furnishings and planting of your garden.

It is essential to get your thoughts on paper, regardless of how simply you do it. On plan you can you can easily see the relationship between house and garden.

You may already have a survey plan of your home showing the exterior layout of your propery. If not, do your own plan.
Take measurements of your property and draw a plan on paper. Do the drawing on graph paper where each square represents twelve inches. Measure and place an outline of your home on the plan.

Indicate where the windows and doors are located. Draw any structures or mature trees that cannot be removed or that you wish to keep. Take copies of your drawing or your survey plan. You can try out different ideas. You always have another copy to work on.

Check out plant nurseries and stores to determine what plants, shrubs and trees they carry. Determine which is best suited to your climate. Find out what types of paving stones, planters, sculptures, water fountains, ponds or lighting are available. Look for items that blend with the style of your home.

On your plan you can decide on how much hard surfacing such as stone pathways you want. Lay out areas for soft surfacing such as grass. Provide places for a vegetable garden, compost bin, flower garden, sitting, fountain, or whatever best suits your goal.

Invest in interesting or stylish outdoor furniture for your deck or backyard. Put away those ‘plastic’ chairs. Chose items that will compliment the planned exterior look. Shop during the fall months and take advantage of summer end sales. Always verify the furniture is made for outdoor use and will stand up well, in all types of weather. Some items may need to be stored away or covered during the winter months. Simple untreated solid wood benches can age nicely and develop an individual natural look all their own.

Wooden garden bridges can enhance the natural beauty of your landscape and add something special to your garden. Click on the heading below.

Garden Bridges – Gift of Beauty to Your Landscape!

Yard work does not necessarily need to be done all at once.
Stonework, planting, etc. can take place over a period of time.
When a plan is established, a direction for your backyard is established.
It keeps you focused and on track each time you set out to work on your yard.

Choose a heading below to continue to other overlooked spaces.

The Overlooked Garage

Overlooked Interior Spaces

Plan any exterior or interior residential project with six easy steps.