Crafting an outdoor room that meets client expectations within the space and budget requires a delicate balancing act for all landscape professionals. Installers from design/build firm Breaking Ground in Elkhorn, Nebraska, installed this water feature as part of a residential renovation that earned the company kudos from the Ultimate Backyard Challenge, a landscape installation contest sponsored annually by Watkins Concrete Block.

It doesn't take a winning lottery ticket or acres of land to create the ultimate outdoor living space.

Meeting the goals of the homeowner by specifying the right mix of elements, providing useful spaces and tying an installation together with cohesive themes is a true blueprint for successful projects.

A recent National Association of Realtors survey and the Better Homes and Gardens 2013 Consumer Report shows that homeowners are focusing on:

• Fire Pits/Fireplaces for year round use
• Outdoor kitchens for entertaining
• Outdoor rooms with comfortable seating
• Ponds for fish or vegetation
• Privacy
• Safety and accent lighting
• Vegetable or herb gardens
• Weather proof outdoor entertainment systems

 

PVC pipes direct runoff from the residence's six downspouts to a 1,700-gallon underground reservoir in this suburban backyard outside Omaha, Nebraska. Pumps direct water from the reservoir to the fountain, and an overflow pipe allows excess water to slowly leach into the ground, assisting with lawn and plant irrigation. The underground water storage will retain and process as much as 52,000 gallons of water annually, saving the homeowner up to $400 every year.

Tips for the Ultimate Backyard

Hire a Professional

While the homeowner should have a vision before starting a project, a professional landscape designer is critical to a successful residential makeover. The homeowner should do their own due diligence, making sure the designers and installers they hire have references from suppliers and past customers. Hardscape certifications, especially from respected trade organizations like the Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute (ICPI) and the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) show proof of knowledge and experience.

Hardscapers that want to foster a good working relationship with clients can offer homeowners references up front as a sign of good faith. If the contractor and homeowner begin with open and honest lines of communication, the overall project will have a much greater chance of success.

Permeable pavers were selected for the driveway and pool deck at this Houston-area residence. The cleft surface of Pavestone's Eco Venetian Stone• gives the pavers a non-industrial look, while complementing the stormwater detention and pollutant discharge reduction system.

Share a Vision

The homeowner should stand inside their home and look out at the backyard and imagine what they want to see. The owner and designer should spend time walking through the space before renovation, sharing ideas and possibilities to assist the designer in meeting a client's needs. Designers want customer feedback and can make modifications as the plan unfolds on paper or computer screen.

From Imagination to Installation

Homeowners should gather ideas via publications or the Internet to give their designer a starting point for creating their projects. These tools will help the designer understand the homeowner's style, and what elements are required to meet their needs.

Standard Venetian-style pavers that matched the permeable stone were installed for the outdoor kitchen and patio adjacent to the pool deck. Permeable surfacing on this project was a necessity, as city codes rejected installation of impervious surfacing, because of the increasing footprint of the house.

Money Matters

As always, budgets are a major factor in what can be accomplished in the backyard. Both parties need to understand expectations and timelines. Written documentation will be of great help during all communications.

Be "Sense-itive"

The ultimate backyard should go beyond visual appeal by incorporating stimuli for all the senses. The smell of flowering shrubs or wood burning in an outdoor fireplace will tantalize the nose. The sound of trickling water from a water feature will provide relaxation and buffer street noise. Comfortable outdoor furniture will invite visitors to kick off their shoes and stay a while.

Landscape architects should maintain perspective on the overall project when preparing a hardscape plan. Additional amenities like shade structures, site furniture, landscape lighting, plantings and privacy gates should inform the selected surfacing.

Details, Details

Don't forget to provide shade for late afternoon reprieves. This can be accomplished with trees, umbrellas or wood structures. Every backyard should also include a sense of entry. Let each visitor know the appropriate way to enter the ultimate backyard with a beautiful walkway or decorative gate.