Craftsman-style homes are known for their attention to detail, both inside and out. To create a harmonious outdoor oasis that complements the design of your craftsman home, it’s essential to consider various landscaping elements such as plant selection, hardscaping, and functional features. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore different ideas and tips to help you craft the perfect landscape for your craftsman style home.
Assess Your Front Yard
Before diving into specific landscaping ideas, take a step back and evaluate your front yard from different angles. Walk down the street and approach your home from various directions, noting its curb appeal and any potential issues. Keep in mind the climate, budget, and available space when planning your landscaping project.
Curb Appeal: Making a Great First Impression
Craftsman landscape designs are an opportunity to make an outstanding first impression. Consider incorporating flower gardens, low-maintenance succulents, bushes, or hedges to enhance your home’s exterior. If you lack a green thumb, explore simple landscape design ideas like grass, gravel pathways, water features, statues, wood fences, or stone walls to create an inviting atmosphere.
Functional Features: Enhancing Your Outdoor Space
While aesthetics are essential, incorporating functional features into your craftsman landscape design can elevate your outdoor space. Design your garden with entertaining and relaxation in mind, incorporating seating, dining areas, play spaces, and sunny spots. Consider adding a vegetable or flower garden, pergola, arbor, walkway, or fence for added interest. For a lively touch, incorporate bird baths and feeders, or create the ultimate party space with a pool, patio, fire pit, outdoor fireplace, or outdoor kitchen.
Favorite Garden Designs by Landscape Professionals
When planning your craftsman style landscape, take inspiration from the work of professional landscapers. Here are some examples of beautiful garden designs that can serve as a starting point for your own outdoor oasis.
Charlene Moore: Flowertown Garden Center
Charlene Moore, co-owner of Flowertown Garden Center, offers a variety of outdoor and indoor plants, including annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees. Her designs showcase plants staged throughout the garden, incorporating pottery, fountains, and benches to create a visually appealing space.
Linda Greenberg: Linda Greenberg Landscape & Design
Linda Greenberg’s landscape designs have been featured in the book,Inspired Outdoor Living Spaces. Her work emphasizes unique, strategically placed planters, water features, and benches that serve as “jewelry” in a garden. Greenberg believes in the transformative power of outdoor lighting to create ambiance and highlight the beauty of a garden.
Selecting Trees, Shrubs, and Ground Covers
Trees, shrubs, and ground covers are long-term investments that require low maintenance and increase in value over time. Consider incorporating native species and plants that offer color, texture, and fragrance to enhance your landscape’s curb appeal.
Trees: Framing Your Home
Trees play a crucial role in framing your home and enhancing its overall aesthetic. Plant taller trees on either side and behind your home to create a sense of permanence and soften the roofline against the sky. Choose trees based on their seasonal color interest, outline, shade, and energy control.
Shrubs: Adding Structure
Shrubs can add structure and visual interest to your landscape. Select shrubs that complement your craftsman style home and consider their maintenance requirements. For example, evergreen shrubs may require occasional trimming but can provide year-round visual appeal.
Ground Covers: Low-Maintenance Beauty
Ground covers are an excellent choice for low-maintenance landscaping that still offers visual interest. Consider incorporating drought-tolerant ground covers, especially in areas with hot or dry climates.
Flower Power: Adding Color and Interest
Flowers can be a simple way to add color and interest to your craftsman landscape design. Plant a mix of perennials and annuals to ensure a continuous display of blooms throughout the season. Experiment with different color schemes and combinations, and plan your palette around bloom times.
Hardscaping: Creating Balance and Functionality
Hardscaping elements, such as walkways, patios, and fences, can help create balance and functionality in your craftsman landscape design. When planning your hardscape, consider the following tips:
- Use materials that complement your home’s exterior and blend with the surrounding landscape.
- Incorporate curves, steps, or jogs in your walkways and patios to add visual interest and improve accessibility.
- Opt for low-maintenance materials, such as stone or brick, that require minimal upkeep.
Functional Features: Enhancing Your Outdoor Space (Continued)
In addition to the functional features mentioned earlier, consider adding sports courts or play areas for active families. Don’t forget about outdoor furniture, such as benches or weatherproof seating, to create comfortable spaces for relaxation and enjoyment.
Lighting: Illuminating Your Craftsman Landscape
Outdoor lighting can significantly enhance your craftsman landscape, creating a welcoming atmosphere and highlighting the beauty of your garden. Consider incorporating pathway lights, accent lighting for trees or architectural features, and ambient lighting for outdoor living spaces.
Water Features: Adding Tranquility
Incorporating water features into your craftsman landscape design can create a sense of tranquility and enhance the overall ambiance of your outdoor space. Consider adding a fountain, pond, or stream to your garden for a soothing, natural touch.
Creating Privacy: Fences and Hedges
To create a sense of privacy in your craftsman landscape, consider incorporating fences or hedges into your design. These elements can help separate different functional areas and provide a sense of seclusion, especially in smaller or more densely populated neighborhoods.
Final Thoughts: Crafting Your Craftsman Outdoor Oasis
By incorporating these ideas and tips into your craftsman landscape design, you can create a harmonious outdoor oasis that complements your home’s architectural style and enhances its curb appeal. With careful planning and attention to detail, your craftsman style home will be the envy of the neighborhood.