At the heart of our design philosophy, our landscape architects excel in weaving together innovation, functionality, and aesthetic appeal to transform ordinary outdoor areas into extraordinary spaces. By focusing on five key features—custom pools, home putting greens, outdoor lighting, outdoor kitchens, and lush greenery—our team crafts environments that are not just visually stunning but also deeply engaging and personalized. These elements are the building blocks we use to turn your backyard into a captivating oasis, reflecting the latest trends in landscape design while catering to your unique lifestyle needs. Join us as we dive into the five features our landscape architects are loving right now and how these features can redefine how you experience your outdoor living space.

Custom Pools: The Centerpiece of Upscale Landscape Design

Custom pools can be a centerpiece of an upscale landscape design. Incorporating a pool into your landscape design is not just about having a place to swim. It creates a tranquil oasis right in your backyard, providing a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Additionally, a well-designed pool can significantly increase the resale value of your home, making it a wise investment in the long run. It also serves as a versatile entertainment area, perfect for hosting gatherings or enjoying family moments.

Why do your landscape architects love custom pools so much? Custom pools come in a myriad of designs, catering to a wide range of tastes and backyard sizes. From sleek infinity pools that offer unobstructed views to natural-looking lagoon styles that blend seamlessly with lush greenery, the possibilities are virtually endless. These pools can be designed to match the home's architectural style, ensuring a cohesive look that enhances the overall property value.

Land Design by Armstrong Design Tips for Custom Pools

When integrating a pool into your landscape architecture, it's crucial to consider how it will interact with the other elements of your outdoor space. For a truly upscale landscape design, the pool should not feel like an afterthought but rather an integral part of the overall design. This can involve strategic placement to maximize views and sunlight, as well as incorporating features such as waterfalls or integrated spas for an added touch of luxury.

Adjacent to the pool, consider adding an outdoor kitchen or a comfortable lounging area to create a multi-functional outdoor living space. The addition of an outdoor kitchen and comfortable lounging area next to the pool creates a seamless environment where guests can swim, dine, and relax without ever needing to step indoors.

Putting Greens: Bringing the Game Home

A home putting green is quickly becoming a must-have feature for golf enthusiasts and families. The appeal of having your own putting green extends beyond the simple joy of golf. It presents a unique opportunity to refine your short game daily, a convenience that can significantly improve your overall golfing skills. Additionally, home putting greens are known for their low maintenance compared to traditional lawns, requiring no watering, mowing, or chemical treatments. This eco-friendly aspect makes them an attractive option for homeowners looking to reduce their environmental footprint while enjoying their hobby.

Why do Land Design by Armstrong architects love home putting greens so much? They can be tailored to fit any size backyard, from expansive estates to more modest urban gardens, ensuring that even the most enthusiastic golfer can find space for practice. These greens are designed to mimic the feel and performance of real golf course greens, providing a realistic and challenging practice environment.

Land Design by Armstrong Design Tip for Putting Greens

When integrating a putting green into your landscape, it's important to consider its placement and how it will blend with the existing design elements. For a cohesive look, landscape architects recommend positioning the green in a way that it flows naturally with the rest of the yard, utilizing similar design motifs and materials. For instance, the bordering of the green can feature the same type of stone used in pathways or retaining walls throughout the property.

In addition to aesthetics, functionality should also be a key consideration. The surface of the putting green needs to be level, with subtle slopes and contours to provide a challenging practice surface. Incorporating different holes and flag positions can also add variety and interest, making practice sessions more engaging.

Moreover, surrounding the putting green with tasteful landscaping can enhance its beauty and make it a focal point of your backyard. Low-lying shrubs, perennial flowers, and even small water features can add to the ambiance, creating a tranquil and inviting space for both play and relaxation.

In conclusion, the inclusion of a home putting green in your landscape design is more than just a luxury—it's a statement of passion for the game of golf and a commitment to leisure and entertainment at home. With careful planning and professional execution, a putting green can transform your backyard into a personal golf retreat, providing endless hours of enjoyment and a unique feature that sets your property apart. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or simply seeking a distinctive addition to your outdoor space, a home putting green is a feature that combines fun, functionality, and flair in modern landscape design.

Outdoor Lighting: Illuminating Beauty and Function

Outdoor lighting is a pivotal element in landscape architecture, serving aesthetic and practical purposes. When the sun sets, it’s the lighting that transforms the outdoor space into a magical, welcoming environment, extending the usability of the area well into the evening. Beyond its beauty, outdoor lighting plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of your property.

Why do Land Design by Armstrong architects love outdoor lighting so much? The strategic placement of outdoor lighting can dramatically enhance the beauty of a landscape, highlighting architectural features, trees, and plants, and creating intriguing shadows and silhouettes. It invites homeowners and their guests to enjoy the outdoors after dark, creating an ambiance that indoor environments cannot replicate. Outdoor lighting for pathways, entrances, and driveways improves navigability and significantly increases the safety of these areas, reducing the risk of trips and falls. Additionally, a well-lit landscape is a deterrent to potential intruders, thereby increasing the overall security of your property.

Land Design by Armstrong Design Tips for Outdoor Lighting

Lighting technology has advanced to offer a wide range of energy-efficient options, such as LED lights, which provide high-quality illumination at a fraction of the energy consumption of traditional bulbs. One popular technique is uplighting, where lights are placed on the ground and aimed upward to highlight trees, sculptures, or architectural details, creating a dramatic effect. Another technique, path lighting, involves placing lights along walkways and paths for safety and aesthetic appeal, guiding visitors through the landscape.

Silhouetting is another innovative approach, where a light is placed behind a feature to create a backlight effect against a wall or fence, showcasing the outline of the object. Moonlighting, achieved by placing lights high in trees to cast gentle, dappled light downwards, mimics the natural glow of the moon and provides a subtle, natural ambiance to the space.

Integration with Other Features

Coordinating outdoor lighting with other landscape features, such as pools, outdoor kitchens, and seating areas, is essential for a harmonious and functional outdoor living space. For instance, integrating lighting into a pool’s design can transform it into a luminous focal point at night, enhancing its visual appeal and extending its use. Similarly, incorporating lighting into an outdoor kitchen not only ensures that the area is functional after dark but also creates a warm, inviting atmosphere for evening entertaining.

The goal is to create a cohesive look that blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment. Using lights to accentuate textures, colors, and forms in the landscape can add depth and dimension, making the outdoor space more engaging and dynamic.

Image from Belgard Pavers, Land Design by Armstrong is an Authorized Contractor and Preferred Installer

Outdoor Kitchens: The Ultimate in Entertaining

The allure of dining al fresco has never been stronger, with outdoor kitchens emerging as a pivotal feature in upscale landscape design. These culinary havens extend the comfort and functionality of the indoor kitchen into the beauty of the outdoor environment, creating a perfect setting for entertaining and enhancing the overall living experience.

Why do Land Design by Armstrong architects love outdoor kitchens so much? The enhanced entertainment space and expandable living space is a place for families to gather and create memories year after year. Outdoor kitchens provide a central gathering spot for guests during barbecues, parties, and casual outdoor meals, making entertaining easier and more enjoyable. The open-air setting adds a unique ambiance that indoor spaces simply cannot match. By incorporating an outdoor kitchen into your landscape, you effectively increase the usable living space of your home. It encourages a seamless flow between the indoors and outdoors, making your backyard an extension of your home where you can cook, dine, and relax.

Land Design by Armstrong Design Tips for Outdoor Kitchens

Grills and Cooking Appliances: The grill is often the heart of the outdoor kitchen, but many homeowners are now including additional appliances like pizza ovens, smokers, and side burners to diversify their cooking options. Choosing high-quality, weather-resistant appliances is key to ensuring longevity and performance.
Countertops and Storage: Durable countertops are essential for food preparation and serving, with materials like granite and stainless steel being popular choices for their durability and ease of maintenance. Ample storage for cooking utensils and outdoor dishware is also important to keep the space organized and functional.
Seating and Dining Areas: Comfortable seating and adequate dining areas are crucial for entertaining. Incorporating bar-style seating, dining tables, or even lounge areas around the outdoor kitchen can create a versatile space for any type of gathering.

Seamless Integration

Harmonizing with Landscape Design: An outdoor kitchen should blend with the surrounding landscape and architectural style of the home. Using complementary materials and colors can help achieve a unified look.
Strategic Placement: Consider the kitchen's proximity to the indoor kitchen for ease of food preparation and cleanup. Additionally, placing the outdoor kitchen with a view of the backyard’s highlights, such as a pool or garden, can enhance the overall dining experience.
Lighting and Ambiance: Proper lighting is crucial for functionality and ambiance. Task lighting over cooking and prep areas ensures safety, while ambient lighting can set the mood for evening gatherings.
Covering and Weather Protection: Incorporating a pergola, canopy, or even a full roof can protect the kitchen from the elements and extend its usability throughout the year.

Smart Softcaping: The Importance of Greenery

Lush greenery is not merely an addition to the landscape; it is the very essence that breathes life into every outdoor space. As the backbone of landscape architecture, plants, trees, and shrubs play a critical role in creating an environment that is not only visually appealing but also functional and sustainable. The strategic use of greenery can enhance the beauty of the property, provide privacy, and even improve the local ecosystem.

The inclusion of plants and trees in landscape design goes beyond aesthetic appeal. Greenery contributes to the creation of a tranquil and refreshing outdoor environment, essential for relaxation and leisure. It serves as a natural privacy screen, offering seclusion for homeowners from neighbors and passersby. Moreover, plants play a crucial role in improving air quality and supporting local wildlife, making your garden a haven for birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects. The thoughtful integration of greenery into landscape architecture transforms a mere outdoor area into a vibrant, living space that enhances the overall quality of life.

Land Design by Armstrong Design Tips for Greenery

Selecting the Right Plants

Choosing the right plants for your landscape is pivotal to achieving a harmonious and sustainable outdoor space. Consideration of the local climate and soil conditions is the first step in ensuring that your greenery thrives with minimal maintenance. Opt for native plants that are well-adapted to the local environment, as they require less water, fertilizer, and care than non-native species. Additionally, consider the growth habits and mature sizes of plants to ensure they fit well within your design both now and in the future. Homeowners should also reflect on their maintenance preferences, opting for low-maintenance varieties if they prefer a more hands-off approach to gardening.

Incorporation Strategies

Incorporating greenery into landscape design requires thoughtful planning and creativity. One effective strategy is to create natural borders with shrubs and tall grasses, which not only define different areas of the garden but also add depth and texture to the landscape. Layering plants of varying heights and colors can create a dynamic and visually interesting space. Consider using greenery to enhance the areas around focal points, such as pools, outdoor kitchens, and seating areas. For example, softscaping around a pool can create a more natural and inviting environment, while plants near an outdoor kitchen can add a fresh, vibrant touch.

Incorporating greenery around walkways and paths not only makes these transitions more appealing but also guides visitors through the landscape, creating an immersive experience. Climbing plants can be used on trellises or pergolas to create shaded, intimate spaces perfect for relaxation. Finally, incorporating edible plants such as herbs, fruits, and vegetables can add a functional and interactive element to your garden, encouraging outdoor living and healthy eating.

Work with the Land Design by Armstrong Landscape Architects

As we reflect on the transformative power of these five features—custom pools, home putting greens, outdoor lighting, outdoor kitchens, and lush greenery—it's clear they do more than just enhance the visual appeal of an outdoor space. They redefine the very essence of modern landscape design, creating multifaceted environments that cater to relaxation, entertainment, beauty, and functionality. These elements not only elevate the aesthetics of your property but also significantly boost its value and the quality of life for those who enjoy it. Incorporating such features into your landscape requires a blend of creativity, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of the natural environment, all of which a professional landscape contractor brings to the table.

If you're inspired to transform your outdoor space into a personalized oasis that reflects the pinnacle of modern landscape design, we encourage you to contact us today to get started. At Land Design by Armstrong, our team of seasoned landscape architects and contractors is at the forefront of integrating these innovative features into cohesive, stunning outdoor environments. We're dedicated to turning your vision into reality, ensuring every element of your landscape is harmoniously aligned with your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences.

Don't let your dream outdoor space remain just a vision. Contact us today for a consultation and embark on the journey to create your own upscale landscape design project. Let's craft a space that not only meets but exceeds your expectations, making your outdoor living area a beacon of beauty, functionality, and tranquility.

Get in Touch

5 Features Our Landscape Architects Are Loving Right Now