Originally posted on HGTV.

Make a great first impression with your outdoor areas. Our Landscaping Planning Guide walks you through the basics, including how to assess your needs, set goals, find design ideas, and choose the right products.

Getting Started

A well-maintained lawn gives your home a welcoming feel and added value. When thinking about landscaping, consider important factors like your home’s architectural style and zoning laws.

• Setting Goals
• Assessing Your Needs
• Basic Considerations

Planning Your Spaces

Start by evaluating the current site, noting features that you’d like to add and what activities you envision taking place in the space.

• Taking Inventory
• Planning Questionnaire
• Ways to Add Curb Appeal
• Site Analysis Worksheet
• Tips for Creating Privacy
• Setting a Budget

Developing a Master Plan

Create rough sketches, deciding where to put what and the proportion of one space to another. Evolve these drafts into a detailed plan that you’ll use as your design road map.

• Public vs. Private Use
• Directing Traffic Flow
• Spatial Composition
• Tips for Hardscapes
• Creating a Concept Plan
• Designing a Scale Plan

Choosing Materials

Now that you have a well-thought-out plan for your outdoor space, shop for materials that will complete your design and enhance the look, from the plants to the cobblestone to the lighting fixtures.

• Plants
• Hardscapes
• Irrigation Systems
• Lighting

Getting the Project Done

One of the biggest decisions for a landscaping project is whether to hire a landscape architect, landscape designer or landscape contractor. Know which professional will work best for your project.

• Assembling Your Team
• Managing Expectations
• How to Hire a Contractor