The backyard of your dreams is just a few steps away
If you’re like most Washingtonians, designing your dream backyard has probably been moved to the back burner in favor of spending your time and money inside. And it makes sense – we spend a lot of time inside our homes, especially in the PNW with the gloomy weather we get most of the year.
But, with the short part of the year we can use and enjoy our outdoor spaces, shouldn’t we spend the time to make them as perfect as we can?! We certainly think so.
No matter the current state of your backyard, completely transforming your space can feel like an impossible task, but, if you break it down to the key four steps, the process may not be as daunting as you think!
Step 1: Create a wish list & set a budget
Wish lists aren’t just for Christmas anymore! Building a wish list is the first, and one of the most important, steps to a backyard transformation. Start by writing down all the things you’d like to see in your dream backyard. Some examples may include:
- Backyard kitchen
- Synthetic turf
- Covered patio
- Water feature
- Garden beds
While it’s always a good idea to start big, it’s important to have a realistic wishlist, as well. To help narrow things down, there are a few questions you can ask yourself:
- Do you have the space for all the items on your list? If not, what are the priorities?
- How do you plan to use your space? Do your wishlist items reflect functionality?
- How much maintenance can you handle when your project is complete?
The last part of this step is setting a budget, which will help your landscape designer pick materials and put together a plan that fits within what you’re able and willing to spend.
Step 2: Start designing (with help from an expert)
Once your wishlist is finalized and your budget is set, it’s time to call an experienced professional to help make your dreams a reality (like the team at Greenhaven!).
Transforming your backyard can be a personal and emotional project, so it’s crucial to pick a designer you trust and that you’re confident can deliver on your wants and needs. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get bids from multiple designers!
Questions to ask before hiring a landscape designer
- Can you deliver the items on our wishlist within our budget and timeline?
- What’s your design and build process, and how do you ensure budgets and timelines are maintained?
- Can you share examples of your work and references from past clients?
Step 3: Put together a plan & timeline for your project
Once you’ve picked a design partner, and all the important details are in place, it’s time to make a game plan and set a timeline!
An experienced landscape designer will be able to guide you through the planning process step-by-step and will allow you to be involved in planning as much or as little as you’d like. One of the benefits of hiring an experienced designer is that they will handle most of the planning while keeping you informed of the details and allow you to make crucial decisions along the way.
They should also have enough experience to set a reasonable timeline to complete the project, but if you have any limitations or requirements on the timeline, be sure to communicate that early so they can work with you on a timeline that can be met.
Step 4: Enjoy!
When your project is finally complete and you’ve successfully built your dream backyard, then comes the easy (and we think the most fun!) part of any transformation: enjoying the fruits of your labor (or, maybe more accurately, your landscape designer’s labor)!
After months of planning, you can finally build a fire on your patio, listen to the calming sounds of your water feature, play with your kiddos, or throw some burgers on the barbecue in your new outdoor kitchen.
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Transforming your backyard into your dream oasis can be daunting, but with the right design team, anything is possible.
Ready to get started? Our experienced landscape design and construction team is ready when you are! Give us a call or contact us today.