A private house good because it has its own yard. It's a good place to relax, you can decorate it the way you want. But everything should be done according to certain rules - landscape design of the yard, that's what it's called. The task is not as simple as it seems.

General principles

To make your yard beautiful, harmonious and comfortable, it is advisable to create a plan before starting work, and then implement this plan into reality. And, by the way, in most cases, when independently developing landscape design, the result is very different from the project. Either we saw a new plant that was not on the plan, or we didn’t like in reality what looked “super” in the picture. However, the landscaping of your home’s yard should be done according to the rules, otherwise you may end up with an uncomfortable yard and an unpresentable appearance.

Preparing a site plan

The first thing you will need is a site plan to scale. You can draw it on a checkered sheet or on graph paper. Accept a certain scale, for example, one meter is one or two cells. In the second option, it will be possible to draw out small details in more detail, but the plan will be large. The plan should indicate:

With this initial plan, you can begin planning your yard. On this plan, it is immediately necessary to highlight shaded areas (the sun appears only for a few hours), partial shade (half of the day is illuminated by the sun) and sunny areas (there is almost no shadow at all) zones. To do this, it is best to take colored pencils and shade the areas with different colors.

A large area for parking cars, a little smaller for barbecue, swimming pool and summer recreation. Large or small area - it doesn’t matter. Anyone can be cozy Plantings are only around the perimeter of the site, the main area is free - for lawns and flower beds

If there are lower and higher zones on the site, they should also be highlighted. It is also necessary to indicate sources, springs, retaining walls or their intended installation locations, and all other landscape features. All this information should be taken into account when developing the landscape design of the yard.

Deciding on the central object

Before you begin landscaping your yard, you need to decide what you would like to focus on. This refers to a large object: a pond, a fountain, a gazebo with or without a barbecue, a pergola. This object is placed in the central place, and all the other, smaller ones are placed around it. Moreover, if you have chosen a pond, it does not mean that there will be no gazebo or fountain on the site, just that the main object will be the pond. It is the main “feature”, and all other structures will only play on it and complement it.

In this case, the central zone is a recreation area and a lawn

The same rule applies if you want to make the main “theme of the yard” a recreation area - a gazebo or pergola, just a platform with sofas, benches, a hammock, etc. A pond, a fountain, and small architectural objects may well be located next to them. The idea is that this zone is the highlight of your yard, and all other objects will play off it. Because, in a usually small space, two or three competing ideas mean chaos and lack of harmony.

We find a place for everything

Having decided on the set of desired objects, take a sheet of cardboard and cut out all the objects from it. We cut it out to the scale in which the map was drawn, of the shape in which the construction is planned. You can color it, you can sign it.

We take the images and lay them out on the plan. Place the selected “main object” in the center of the composition. This does not mean that its place is strictly in the center - it can also be on the side of the site. This corner just needs to be visible from the windows and/or from the entrance. After all, you should receive aesthetic pleasure from your yard.

When we have found a place for the central zone, we begin to figure out where to put all the other larger objects. Some may be located close to each other, others at a certain distance. If everything you want doesn’t fit in your space, you’ll have to sacrifice something or downsize. Here everyone decides what is more important to him.

We lay paths and develop a lighting system

When everything you want to see on the site is placed on the plan, it’s time to lay paths and think through the lighting system. Why these two different systems do you need to plan at the same time? Because the paths are usually illuminated, otherwise walking along them at night is not very convenient. So they pull the cables along them, supplying voltage to the lamps, and also extending the lighting to all key points of the yard - to the gazebo, fountain, stream, etc.

When planning paths, there are two basic rules. First, if you need to visually bring an object closer, we lay a straight path. This rule applies if the site is large in area or long and narrow. Another possible area of ​​application is a courtyard decorated in a minimalist style. Here, other forms are simply unacceptable - only strict geometric shapes. Although, broken lines are also welcome.

In all other cases, they try to avoid straight paths. There is no need to “loop” too much, but winding, smoothly turning paths fit harmoniously into any other yard design style.

When you have outlined it on the plan, draw the lamps to illuminate the yard. Along the paths - every one and a half to two meters, for lighting gazebos and platforms - more often. Illumination of water also looks beautiful if there are “water” objects.

Site layout from improvised means

How else, besides a site plan on graph paper and cardboard analogues of various landscape objects, can you visualize your design project? There is a simple way - using ordinary plasticine or other improvised means. It is better to make a house and other buildings from foam plastic and cardboard, and a gazebo from sticks. Lay out the paths from a material similar to the planned “original”. This will help you evaluate the invented texture and color scheme. Everything else - benches, a pond, fountains, trees, bushes, flowers - we sculpt all this from plasticine. To make it look more realistic, trees and shrubs can be made from twigs by attaching “foliage” of approximately the same shade. And yes, we do everything to scale (for example, 1 meter is equal to 1 cm or 2 cm). This is definitely a three-dimensional 3D image that will accurately convey to you the proportions, convenience and all other nuances of the yard landscape design you created.

Plasticine yard design project - excellent 3D visualization

Landscape design programs

Are you confident user PC, then landscape design programs will help simplify the task of design development. Bad news The problem is that they are paid, but creating a landscape design for the yard of a private house will be easy and interesting. There are about a dozen programs, but here are the most popular:

• Our garden. There is a large built-in library of plants, a planner for paving, fences, gates, etc. It is possible to load missing materials or textures, plants.
• Google ScatchUp. This is not a specialized program, but it has a landscape planning section, which is very good - it’s full of lessons on working specifically with creating a landscape.
• Punch. The disadvantage of the program is that it is not possible to add your own objects. You can only use those that are in the software library. Another disadvantage is that there is no way to export the results, that is, you will not be able to use the created project in other programs. But it is simple and requires almost no time to learn.
• Sierra LandDesigner 3D. Large database of plants and other objects. It is possible to enter your own data and use it in your work. Each possible action has a hint, so it's easy to figure it out as you go. The program specifies the soil type and style you want to decorate your yard. The program will automatically select suitable objects. Once the work is completed, you can print the project and receive an estimate.

Examples of local area planning

Independent landscape design of the yard of a private house is not an easy task. The difficulty is that often what looks good in a picture or “in your head” turns out “not so good” in reality. Therefore, it is easier to rely on photos of real objects. At least you can see what happened there. You can take the idea “entirely”, or you can partially adapt it to your own desires or conditions.

Example one - with water bodies

For example, center - . Do you also want to have a gazebo, a fountain and a stream, flower beds, benches? In this case, this option would look good:

The option with a “real” stream is easily implemented if there is at least a slight difference in height on the site. The fountain is then placed at the highest point, the pond at the lowest. With this arrangement, water flows by gravity; you just need to organize its supply from the pond to the fountain (using a pump of a certain power and a pipe system).

Landscape design courtyard of a private house with a swimming pool opposite the doors

If there is no height difference, there are two options - to make it artificially (a very large amount of work and significant material costs) or to make two autonomous water bodies- a fountain and a pond, and make a “fake” stream out of stones. Another option is not to make a stream at all. An unrelated pond and fountain are also a very viable and beautiful design option. local area.

Example two - in the center there is a recreation area

If the pond is usually located at some distance from the entrance to the house, then a recreation area is often made nearby. But the “recreation area” can be perceived in different ways. For some it is comfortable sofas, benches on which it is convenient to read, for some - a platform with a gazebo and a table, a barbecue located next to it.

Recreation area - everyone understands it differently

Depending on your wishes, a recreation area of ​​any type can be close to the entrance, or maybe at the opposite end of the site. And near the same gazebo there may be a pond or fountain. But not a gazebo near a pond, but a pond near a gazebo. This is the difference. The path from the entrance leads to the gazebo, and from it you can get to the pond.

Near the gazebo, indoor or outdoor area for recreation, flower beds, rock gardens, and rock gardens can be located. Along the path there are flower beds, taller plants - bushes and trees, in the shade of which it is reasonable to place benches. But no matter what you plant along the path, the main object should be visible in perspective - a gazebo or area with sofas.

Photo ideas of beautiful corners of private courtyards

Landscaping a yard is not an easy task even for professionals, and even more so for amateurs. There are too many nuances to know. It’s much easier to find a design you like and then reproduce the photo on your site.

Front garden

A front garden is a small part of the area between the facade of the house and the fence. Not everyone wants to place a house close to the sidewalk, just as not everyone wants to move it far into the interior of the site. So you end up with a narrow (a meter or two) strip of land in front of the house, which cannot be improved in any way except with flowers and shrubs.

No matter how narrow the strip between the fence and the house is, it is advisable to divide it into two zones - a flower garden and a path. A path is not necessarily a continuous tile or other covering. This can be lawn grass with tiles laid in random order (with gaps).

A path is desirable - you will need to take care of the plants once again without worrying about the cleanliness of your shoes

If the climate is hot, the area is dry, or there is no desire/opportunity to tinker with the grass, you can replace the grass with mulch or fine gravel. An excellent composition is obtained from painted colored gravel and several beautiful plants.

Pay attention to the location of the plants - it depends on the type of fence. If the fence is solid, you need to develop a planting plan so that they look good from the windows. In this case, the most tall plants They are located closer to the fence, the shortest ones are located closer to the house. If the fence is sparse, more decorative, and you want a beautiful view from the street, we change the planting plan exactly the opposite: the tallest plants are along the house, the shortest ones are closer to the street.

If the “face” of the front garden is facing the street Flowers or plants of approximately the same height - if you need everything to look decent from all sides An interesting option - convenient, beautiful and unusual Traditional design area in front of the fence

If you want a beautiful view from both sides, there are two options. First, we plant small and medium-sized varieties of flowers and greenery in the flower garden. Secondly, we divide the front garden into several zones, make separate flower beds or alpine slides/rock gardens that look good from any point.

Entrance/entrance group

The entrance group is the area near the porch, the entrance group is near the gate. As you understand, the design is different, although there is common features: all “decorations” should not block the view. You should be able to clearly see who is entering or entering your territory. Therefore, mainly medium-sized and low-growing plants are used.

The traditional way to design an area near a porch or gate is flower beds or flower beds. They can be standard view- only plants of different species that create a constantly blooming or green carpet.

Dwarf trees - unusual and beautiful

You can also follow the latest trends in landscape design - occupy most of the area with decorative crushed stone or mulch, and plant plants at a distance from each other. Except modern look This option is good because fewer plants require less care, and less money will be spent on purchasing. This will really help you get by with “little blood” if you have just started to implement the landscape design you created for the courtyard of a private house into reality. Buying and planting too many plants at one time requires a lot of money and time. And so, you can add plants step by step, at the same time adjusting the plan along the way.

Path design

Having planned the paths, you still need to choose the material from which they will be made. The standard approach is paving slabs, but it requires a lot of money, although the coating is reliable and comfortable. If finances are tight, you can temporarily. Some of them require little money, but they look great and are good to use.

You can plant low-growing shrubs along the edge of the paths - make it low-growing. If you have no time to wait until the shrub grows, plant low-growing varieties of flowers. They come in different heights, colors and flowering times.

The second often built-in design option for places along paths is flower beds. And, again, they can be made “in a modern way” - against the background of backfilling with crushed stone or mulch. This cannot be called a rockery, although the idea was taken from there.

Backyard

All theoretical calculations about landscape design of the yard were, in fact, about how to arrange the backyard. It is this part of the courtyard that is closed from prying eyes and it is here that you want it to be beautiful, cozy and comfortable. We won’t talk about planning again, but we’ll talk about how and what is the best way to pave this area.

If you are planning a piece of paradise in your backyard, you have no problems. Plants, lawns, paths, everything will be described, how and what to do is clear. But if you want to make a recreation area here so that you can put a table for the summer, lounge chairs to lie in the sun, maybe install a pool? What should the backyard cover be like then? There are options:

• Lawn. This is an excellent option if the groundwater level is low, the soil drains water well, or the area is well-drained. If not, there will be puddles, mud, problems with the grass.

  For some, comfort is tall grass. A barbecue area at the far end of the yard is reasonable. In the backyard of a private house, you can arrange a waterfall, and also a brick barbecue. The most natural landscape is possible.

• Lay down paving slabs or pave everything with flagstone - a good option even for clay soils With high level groundwater, easy to maintain. But he is too “urban”, tough and unforgiving.
• Combine lawn with tiles. Very the right approach. It’s comfortable, and beautiful, and there’s not much dirt, and there’s room to walk around barefoot.

As you can see, there are three options, but there are thousands, or even more ways to implement them. Different design styles, different plants, material combinations, furniture, decorations, ponds/fountains/benches/swings. It’s impossible to count everything. All this allows you to create your own yard. Individual and different from others.

Just a photo

Fence off the rest area - perfect solution for many

Rules for selecting plants: the highest ones are near a wall or fence, further away - lower

The courtyard of a private house with a fountain and a stream - stylish and beautiful

Beautiful paths are not always difficult and expensive

Recreational flooring can be made of planks or planken, a polymer similar to wood.

Retaining walls - difficult and expensive, but unusual and beautiful

The areas allocated for planting vegetables are becoming smaller and smaller. More and more, owners are beginning to pay attention to the beauty of appearance and a comfortable stay in the fresh air. How to arrange a summer cottage with your own hands?

Classic options

Decoration with flowers - a classic of the genre

Decoration with flowers - not invented by us

Improvement summer cottage The easiest way to start with your own hands is with flowers. When creating flower beds, it is important to pay attention to the color scheme used. Flowers can be planted both in the form of flower beds and in the form of a border. At the discretion of the owner, perennial or annual plants, as well as decorative herbaceous plants and flowers varying in height. We described what flower beds are and how to arrange them correctly in separate thematic articles. Today we are talking specifically about ideas for garden styling.

Plants and flowers planted along the lawn and forming a flowering border will look appropriate. The center of a lush, bright lawn can be decorated with a flower bed with colorful plants different heights. There are a lot of options for designing flower beds! You can frame them wooden fence or picturesque stones, make a fence from plastic bottles, sow the edges with ornamental plants or decorate with wooden cuts. Even unnecessary household items and a wide variety of improvised devices are suitable for decorating a site with your own hands.

Alpine slide: without snow, but with flowers

The Alpine slide always attracts attention

Landscaping a summer cottage is possible by installing an alpine slide with your own hands. Alpine slides are now very popular even among novice garden designers. It is important to remember that their creation will require a change in the topography of the earth, as well as the selection of the necessary stones. Having folded the alpine slide onto flat surface and decorating it with cobblestones and flowers, you are unlikely to see your dream in the end. Such a slide will not add any aesthetics, but, on the contrary, will only add foreignness to it.

When the entire plot is already occupied and it is difficult to find a free corner, pay attention to the space next to the house. This place would be an excellent option for creating a blooming front garden.

Mobile solutions - for decoration

When there is no time and opportunity to fully improve the garden, you can use tubs, flowerpots or flowerpots. By planting unpretentious plant species in them, you can easily distribute all the beauty throughout the territory, and, if necessary, rearrange them, thanks to the portability of such a solution.

Flowerpots made from decorated buckets are a great option

By showing your imagination, you can elevate even an ordinary wooden box. By painting it in an unusual manner or hanging it from ropes that look like hands, you will add some humor and fun to the design.

Flower pots are great for creating sculptures. Having selected pots of different sizes, they are fastened with wire, refreshed with paints, flowers are added and woo-a-la - you have very cute and unique figures in front of you!

Ponds visible from afar

What else do they like to decorate summer cottages with, besides flowers? Of course, bodies of water. Ponds and little ponds in combination with green plants will become a piece of paradise in your garden. On hot summer days, sitting here will be a real pleasure. Ponds can be decorated in different ways; here an immense horizon of possibilities opens up for your imagination. Along the shore of the pond you can build a deck from wooden planks, which, in order not to have to worry about their impregnation and painting, can be replaced with composite ones. The advantage of this material is that it does not rot, does not change color and is very reminiscent of wood. The correct name for this coating is decking. It is also perfect for building a veranda or terrace, or for the side areas of a swimming pool.

Even small pond will bring the charm of water

Stone slabs will also do an excellent job as banks. The time spent will be justified, because as a result you will get a stunning and reliable pond. To better fix the stones, you should prepare the soil. Part of the soil is removed, crushed stone is poured in, thoroughly compacted and covered with a layer of sand on top. Stone slabs are already laid on top of the sand layer. For greater reliability, sand and cement should be poured into the gaps between the slabs in the form of a mixture. You need to remove the excess and wait for the rain, which, by wetting the blind area, will allow the cement to fasten the slabs to each other.

The owners, whose house is located not far from a quiet river, can collect suitable boulders on the shore and decorate the pond with them. However, it is quite possible to buy such stones at a garden center.

Made from paving stones garden paths It would be appropriate to move it to the shore of the pond. Then all the garden decoration will be decorated in the same style. The technique is similar to what we already mentioned above.

Lawn - beautiful music

Arranging a summer cottage with your own hands will be half finished if you create a well-groomed lawn on a small area. Maintaining green beauty is not easy. Consider the following lawn care tips:

• seeds for planting must be of high quality and suitable for the local climate;
• the edges of the lawn should be neat (you can use border tape);
• Regular mowing of grown grass is necessary;
• Don’t forget about weeding, watering, fertilizing and repairing lawn imperfections.

How to use a lawn to make your property unique and inimitable? Plant it in an unusual shape. This landscaping technique will add zest to your garden.

Lawn as the basis for the wealth of green spaces

Arches and pergolas so that the flowers are not naked

When thinking about how to improve a summer cottage, one cannot help but think of pergolas, arches, and trellises. You can decorate the path to your home by installing a pergola or decorative arch. A durable, but at the same time elegant structure, entwined with a variety of bindweed, will be the ideal conductor to the recreation area. By installing the arches at a short distance from each other, you will eventually, after some time, get a shady corner where it will be so nice to sit and read on hot summer days.

The arch at the entrance lifts the mood

Selecting plants for landscaping decorative arches very wide: it can be ivy, grapes, honeysuckle, or climbing rose, which have very beautiful buds when flowering. If you choose virgin grapes as a plant, you won’t go wrong either. The color of the leaves will change from time to time: in early spring you will be pleased with soft green fresh leaves, in summer the foliage will acquire a rich green color, and in autumn you will enjoy the sight of bright red leaves.

Decorating the toilet as if it doesn't exist

The first building in a dacha is usually not even a change house, but a toilet. A necessary thing, I must say. How can a toilet become a decoration, you ask, since our conversation today is about transforming the site? We'll tell you how to turn a very prosaic thing into a source of pride for the owner.

Of course, putting the toilet in a visible place is not the best idea, but it can be beautifully decorated. For example, make it from logs in the form of a birdhouse. Such a cute hut in itself evokes sympathy, and if you do some landscaping and plant flowers or low shrubs around, and even decorate a stone path, then the building will sparkle in a new way. See the photo below for an example.

A royal toilet for a royal owner

When we are arranging a site, it is important to pay attention to style, where the priority is appearance Houses. That is, when choosing a toilet design, you need to coordinate it with existing buildings.

If you want to make a toilet out of stone, show your imagination and depict it in the form of a knight’s castle. My home is my fortress, but don’t overdo it, otherwise neighbors and passers-by will consider it a rarity and want to visit it.

Original options

Dacha is a small country for creativity and limitless design. For beautification own plot the owner can use a variety of means and materials. We'll tell you how to transform and landscape a boring garden patio and help it become cute, cozy and unforgettable. Sometimes you don’t even need to buy anything, just look around and you will find a lot of useful, but, alas, unnecessary things. We offer ideas for the design of a summer house, garden and vegetable garden that are easy to implement with your own hands.

Flower bed but can't sleep

An old unnecessary bed will be an excellent base for a flower bed. Fill the base with soil and sow with perennials. This design solution will certainly fit perfectly into the garden landscape. In the photo below is one of interesting options.

If only all dreams were like this

Fairytale straw goby

Your house is so reminiscent of your native village, where your grandmother kept a cow, pigs and other animals. How to bring back nostalgia into modern landscape design? A hay bull will be very appropriate, and most importantly, not much labor will be required. A frame is tied from wire and covered with hay on top. Be curious how great it turns out.

The touching charm of something made by hand

The stump feeder is not a rattle at all

It is not necessary to uproot the old stump that remains on the site. Make a bird feeder out of it. In cold weather, your yard will become a haven for titmice, sparrows and other birds looking to refresh themselves. Everyone: both children and adults, will enjoy watching the birds' meal. The inside of the stump should be hollowed out, leaving intact side surfaces. Place some grains inside, and your feeder is ready to receive its first guests. Having made it from a tree stump, you can hang the product on a branch near the house.

Birds on a homemade feeder always sing beautifully

The grass figures are right in their own way

Something similar happens if the figure is trimmed with linen on top artificial grass. The coating is reliable, weather-resistant and does not require watering. The frame can be made from almost any material, taking into account, of course, exposure to moisture and sun. Wonderful example garden sculpture- rhinoceros in the photo below.

A donkey from the grass drags a mass of beauty

Mesh figures are just sweets

Mesh garden figures are becoming increasingly popular. It could be a jug, a bird, a donkey, etc. Of course, you need to tinker a little to tie it with wire beautiful figure made of mesh with green PVC coating. Such products are complemented by weaving and climbing plants. Internal cavities can be lined with fine plastic mesh also green, and then filled with soil. Then you can plant any plants that do not require moisture.

The weight of responsibility from flowers will not allow the peacock to fly away

Decorative well - landscape miracle worker

Flower wells look beautiful, from which various flowers seem to spill out. Availability of a well or a well at the dacha concrete rings, will allow you to create decor on an existing base. Choose brick or stone to clad the walls. Such materials are most suitable, because they tolerate dampness well, and, therefore, will be a reliable “shelter” from rain, sun and frost. When to disguise frameless installations, choose any material for decoration - lining or boards, siding, plastic panels or tiles. The photo shows one of the options.

Decorative well goes well with the decoration of the house

Cart for decoration - support for vision

Such an unusual design solution solves two problems at once: it serves as a flower bed on which you can place the volumes of two flower beds at once, and it will also be a very original decorative element. Today you can choose the most different variants carts Both sizes and styles will vary. Classic version- a cart in a rustic style, but some people prefer to choose a cart in the style of the Wild West or from Provencal streets for their garden. Carts can be made of wood or metal, or have combined parts.

The old cart scatters beauty

Small confusions and ways to solve them

Let's look at the most common site problems that worry owners the most. We improve uncomfortable and inconvenient areas:

1. Lack of space for a flower bed. An excellent solution would be to select beautiful stylized pots, flowerpots and flowerpots in which you can plant any plants. Such point decorations are very mobile and can be easily moved from one point in the garden to another.
2. A simple chain-link fence does not have decorative feature and does not protect from prying eyes. The problem is solved by planting climbing plants next to the fence, which, entwined around the mesh, will not only create protection from prying eyes, but also give aesthetic pleasure. For plants, choose climbing rose, virgin grape or ivy.
3. Lack of space for arches and pergolas. As an alternative, choose any vertical object available in the garden: an old tree, a fence, walls of house buildings. This way you will receive blooming garden with climbing plants and decorate unsightly objects.
4. An unsightly pillar on the place of execution, spoiling the view. Decorate it with flowers that can be planted in cans. You can also plant bindweed at the bottom of the post and let it brighten up the ugly object.

If you tickle your heels, you'll laugh

1. You can beat up a boring vegetable garden with shrubs and plants that can be trimmed, such as boxwood. Thanks to this find, you will decorate your garden plot with original figurines made of greenery.
2. Places that require camouflage, such as a crack in the foundation, can be decorated with cushion-shaped plants with a pleasant shade and three-dimensional shape. Such plants are usually shade-tolerant and can be planted in both shade and sun.
3. The compost heap has an unpleasant odor and does not add aesthetics to the landscape. Having created a green barrier around the perimeter from berries or decorative ones, but fragrant shrubs, You can solve both of these problems at once.
4. The unkempt appearance of the area is created by fallen autumn leaves. Due to the abundance of work, you don’t have time to remove them, and they spoil the whole look. Plant in the garden ground cover plants, which perfectly decorate fallen leaves.
5. The existing path made of concrete slabs can also be used. It is worth removing the slabs in a checkerboard pattern and planting low ones in their place. ornamental plants. So, the appearance of the path will become more attractive.
6. Children run shortcuts across the lawn, and new paths appear that do not look very aesthetically pleasing. Fill them with gravel and it will look like it was intended.
7. You can refresh the faded and dull colors of buildings and fences by painting. Wall painting will give the garden a bright, unusual and attractive look.

In this article we will talk about how landscaping of a summer cottage is carried out. Some may think that the topic is irrelevant, since most people associate a summer cottage with a modest shed and garden beds. But actually it is not.

After all, even country houses made from block containers will harmoniously combine with flower beds and other decorative elements.

Features of landscaping

The photo shows an excessive number of design elements concentrated in a limited area

After reading the relevant articles on our portal, you can learn how to plan the territory of a summer cottage for maximum efficiency of its use. We will not return to the basics of planning, but will simply tell you how, using a number of simple recommendations, you can improve your summer cottage area.

Important: Do you think that decorating the area adjacent to a country house will cost a considerable amount of money?
In fact, this is not the case, since most of the work can be done using available tools and available materials.

Before we improve the dacha plot, we will decide on the purpose of the territory and, as a result, on the list of upcoming works.

• Is your dacha intended not only for growing gardening plants, but is also used from time to time for recreation? In this case, it is necessary to ensure that this area is conducive to relaxation and a pleasant pastime.
• On average, the development of the territory adjacent to a country house consists of work in the field of landscape design. In addition, it may be necessary to build or update existing outbuildings, fences, etc.

Important: Speaking about the full improvement of the site, we note that it may be necessary to purchase or rent a diesel generator for the dacha.

On the picture - hedge from cypress trees

• Having decided to improve the dacha plot with our own hands, we avoid excesses in every possible way, both in landscape design and in the design of outbuildings. Regardless of the area of ​​the territory adjacent to the country house, remember that there is an overabundance of small architectural forms, plantings, pieces of furniture and other elements will create an atmosphere of discomfort and disorder.
• If the dacha is used only on weekends or during vacations, it makes no sense to plant plants that require constant care. By abandoning a flowering front garden in favor of shrubs or decorative low-growing trees, you will significantly simplify the care of the site without compromising its appearance.
• Often in landscape design, one significant detail is enough to create a bright and memorable image.. In relation to the design of a dacha, it can be a small artificial pond or an alpine slide.
• The vegetable garden should be separated from the recreation area by a flower wall, preferably a colorful one. In this case, having completed the day’s work, in the evening you can fully relax near the garden.
  In order to complement the recreation area equipped in this way, you can use wicker furniture that will fit into the overall picture.
• If the dacha is used for long-term living, you can take care of planting lawn grass or shrubs. This is a very good decorative solution, but you need to understand that the grass will have to be cut promptly and the bushes trimmed.
  Therefore, when purchasing grass seeds and shrub seedlings, take care of purchasing a trimmer and pruning shears.
• A stone-lined path in place of the usual paths will give the site a finished and landscaped look.. As an alternative natural stone You can use brick or concrete paving stones.
  A completely budget-friendly solution in terms of arranging paths can be the use of backfill made of fine-grained crushed stone or pebbles.
• When selecting decorative elements for the garden, we must take into account their functionality..
  For example, it would not be entirely correct to buy a beautiful forged bench, which, despite its excellent appearance, is uncomfortable. The same can be said about, which, in addition to an attractive appearance, should illuminate the area.
• If to garden plot the forest is adjacent, it is advisable to carry out landscape design in a forest theme. The absence of sharp contrast and the smooth flow of the forest into the garden will not be visually straining and will not cause rejection.
• There is a trend everywhere where summer residents blindly copy design ideas from glossy magazines. This is the wrong instruction, since the copied idea may not take root in your area. As a last resort, when copying someone else’s ideas, do not forget to listen to your feelings.

Arrangement of a recreation area

In the photo - construction of a gazebo

The recreation area can be comfortable even on a plot of 6 acres. It's all about how you arrange this area.

For example, in a small area you can allocate space for a covered wooden gazebo. Wooden gazebo- This universal solution, which is equally suitable for both comfortable spending time in hot weather and for use as a summer dining room.

Using a gazebo as a dining room is the optimal solution if, instead of a house, a cramped shed with limited internal space is used. If it is possible to make a brick gazebo with a roof made of corrugated sheets, then you can also install a barbecue or wood-burning stove there for use as a summer kitchen.

This solution will relieve the load on the main dacha building, which can be used as a bedroom and as a room for storing equipment. However, a good gazebo will not hurt even if there is a full-fledged country house on the site.

Hedge selection

In the photo - a fence made of corrugated sheets

When answering the question of how to landscape a summer cottage with your own hands, one cannot help but attach importance to making a fence.

A properly made fence can perform two functions at once, namely, protect the territory from unauthorized entry and decorate the summer cottage. If it is built only as a protective fence, you can use corrugated board.

Corrugated sheets of thin galvanized or painted steel are affordable and durable. However, such a fence, despite its functionality, cannot be called an example of grace.

If you are interested in an aesthetically pleasing but... inexpensive fence, you can use a chain-link fence. The advantage of this solution is the absolute transparency of the structure, and therefore plants can be planted directly under the fence without fear of a lack of sunlight.

Important: A fence built using wire mesh is an excellent basis for growing climbing plants and forming hedges.

A wooden fence made from tongue-and-groove edged boards is an excellent solution. The only problem is the insufficient strength of wood that has not undergone special treatment. Therefore, when deciding to build a beautiful wooden fence around the site, the boards should be treated with antiseptic solutions and then completely dry paint.

Conclusion

In this article we have listed several effective recommendations, using which it will be easier to carry out landscaping of a summer cottage with your own hands.

Of course, in addition to these tips, there are many other points of view regarding the improvement of areas adjacent to a country house. Even more useful and educational information you can find it by watching the video in this article.

Landscaping the site of a private house, urban or country-type, is a process no less labor-intensive, costly and creative than creating the interior of a home. Beautifully decorated and spacious personal plot or a small backyard, captivating with its originality - in order to realize your ideas about the beauty of landscaping the local area, all means are good. Even within an urban private household with a small piece of land, you can create not only an attractive, but also practical green corner. Well, on the scale of suburban areas, the implementation of various types of landscape design will be limited only by your own imagination and budget for landscaping the territory. In our extensive selection of design projects for decorating adjacent areas, we tried to collect examples for every taste, budget and stylistic preference. We hope you can be inspired by interesting design ideas and bring to life your own ideas for organizing landscape design at your summer cottage, garden area or private yard.

A detailed plan is the key to a successful design

Before you start purchasing the necessary equipment, seedlings and finishing materials, it is important to draw up a clear and detailed plan for the location of all elements of landscape design - from large buildings to the smallest bush. After all, even creating the image of a site that seems to have been created by nature itself requires the tireless attention of the owners. The more detailed and accurate your layout of elements and the sequence of their occurrence on your site, the less time, effort and money you will spend on landscaping the local area. Agree that it would be a shame to spend a lot of effort creating a flower bed in a place where you will subsequently have to lay a water supply for an artificial reservoir.

On detailed plan The location of landscape design elements on the site should be noted:

• buildings (gazebo, summer kitchen, canopy, veranda, outdoor shower, children's playground);
• reservoirs or water structures (laying drainage and water pipes carried out first);
• alpine slides, cascading structures made of stones;
• garden paths;
• places for planting trees and shrubs;
• the location of flower beds and flower beds (the time it takes to organize the design element of the site will largely depend on the type of flower bed);
• fencing of the local area (in some cases, zoning of a large area is carried out using small fences, “living” walls, the location of which must also be foreseen in advance);
• decorative elements;
• lighting and illumination system for the facade of the house and site.

There are a lot of options for landscape design; there are design styles with their own basic concepts and motifs, within which some classification can also be distinguished. But we can safely say that all the basics of stylistic trends are just a “skeleton” of design, to which you can add your own ideas and fantasies.

Conventionally, all design options for local areas can be divided into those that look as if nature itself created the image of the site, and man was only able to effectively fit into the resulting picture. It seems that perennials they themselves grew up in surprisingly organically selected places, bushes and flowers were located around them, and small ponds seemed to have existed in their places for many years - the person only laid paths between these harmonious elements of the site and used a lighting system to highlight the most spectacular ones.

The second option is a qualitative opposite - strict symmetry, precise sizes and shapes, clarity in the arrangement of all elements, indicating the tireless attention of the owners to the appearance of their local area. If there is a lawn on such an area, then it is perfectly trimmed, the garden paths are stunning with the clarity of their shapes, and in the flower beds the flowers are arranged according to their blooming time.

Garden paths - practicality and beauty

Garden paths are not only a necessary element of landscape design for moving around the site at any time of the year, but also a way of zoning the territory and decorating it. Proper placement of paths will help you spend a minimum amount of time and effort moving around the site, between its main elements. Regardless of what style of territory design you choose, what to fill your garden plot or small yard with - paths are necessary to move from the house to the garage, gate or gate, buildings (gazebo or canopy) and various landscape elements.

The main requirement for a garden path is the shortest distance from one element of the site to another. Sometimes, to shorten the path, it is necessary to sacrifice the beauty or originality of the landscape design element being laid. As for the width of the paths, there is an unspoken rule for the main tops - 1-1.5 m. For small paths leading the owners of the site to the most hidden corners of the yard - at least half a meter wide.

In addition to size, there are also some requirements for the appearance of the tracks. These territory design elements should not resonate with the image of the site. Paths must also correspond to the basic choice of landscaping materials. If there are an abundance of stone structures (barbecue, fencing, facing the foundation of a building or even finishing the facade), it would be logical to use natural material for arranging the site with garden paths.

Conventionally, all types of paths can be divided into two types - solid and non-solid. The name speaks for itself. The choice of one type or another will depend on the size of the site (the length of the paths) and the role of garden paths in its arrangement (whether they are key element design or perform an exclusively practical role).

By type of material, garden paths can be divided into:

• stone (plate, pebbles, paving stones and more);
• wooden;
• concrete;
• brick;
• paths made from scrap materials and construction waste (from glass to used plastic covers).

Here is an example of designing a garden path in the now popular steppingstones style. Elements of such trails seem to represent places to place your feet - you move along large stones or sawed logs dug into the ground. One of the practical and at the same time economical ways design of such a path - making concrete tiles various shapes. You can make a beautiful, modern and practical path on your own.

An original and outwardly very attractive effect can be achieved by combining the material used for garden paths. For example, strictly square concrete slabs look harmonious when combined with pebble stone. No less effect can be achieved by combining solid wooden paths with small pebbles or plasters.

Flower beds and flower beds - site decoration

Flower beds and flower beds are a necessary element of any landscape design. Even in the most modest-sized courtyard you can find a place to organize a flower bed, especially since there are a lot of types of these landscape design elements. Flowerbeds differ in shape and size, location in relation to the horizon and the choice of plants for planting. Find yours best option every owner of a personal plot can dacha area or private courtyard.

Flowerbeds are divided into the following types:

• regular - they are planted in such flower beds different plants, blooming at a certain period of time, but arranged in the form of a certain pattern;
• irregular - the most popular type of flower beds, capable of delighting the owners of the site and their guests with flowering throughout the warm period of the year;
• raised - differ in design features, the structure is a frame made of wooden boards, stones or bricks, covered with earth and located above the horizon line;
• vertical (“living” walls) - the best option for small areas or decorating fences, walls of some buildings
• carpet - plants are planted so tightly and in a clear order that it allows you to create an imitation of a carpet pattern;
• monoflowers - the name suggests that such a flower garden contains plants of the same type.

You can often find raised flower beds in garden plots and in the courtyards of private houses. Which are used not to decorate the territory, but as an agricultural element - for growing cucumbers and tomatoes. The concept of “dacha hard labor” has sunk into oblivion for many of our compatriots, but the opportunity to bring it to the table fresh vegetables and greenery, overpowers modern trends in landscape design.

Artificial ponds in the local area

Small ponds, fountains, ponds and home waterfalls have always been popular with both landscape designers and their customers. Looking to the side Japanese design gardens and parks, which have become an example in many areas of this type of design art, then stones, plants and water should be present on the site.

When organizing water structures on a site, first of all, you need to decide for what needs you need them - will it be an exclusively decorative pond or will the water from it be used for irrigation, for example.

Fencing the site - using the fence as decoration

Any area needs fencing. Of course, the fence design, material and color palette will be chosen by you in accordance with the design of the facade of your house. But fencing the local area can be used not only to mark the boundaries of the site, protection from uninvited guests and prying eyes, but also to decorate the landscape design of your yard. Climbing plants planted near a mesh fence or fence with special hooks will create a green image of the boundaries of the site.

By combining fencing with vertical flower beds, you can create a completely unique image of the boundaries of the site and the entire territory as a whole. Original “live” inserts of greenery and flowers will refresh the appearance of even the most urban fence.

Buildings, recreation areas and barbecue areas

Having even a very modest-sized local area, any owner wants to organize places for outdoor recreation, an area for meals, barbecue preparation, sectors for accommodating guests and holding parties. Depending on the size of the plot, your needs and financial capabilities, you can design recreation areas with different functional backgrounds.

From European countries, the motif of organizing recreational areas similar to Spanish patios has penetrated into landscape design. A small area, most often fenced on all sides by buildings, structures or a fence, is arranged in a universal way - here you can simply talk in the fresh air, have a snack, drink refreshing drinks, receive a small group of guests and even have a modest party. IN Russian realities such a place to relax must be accompanied by the presence of a barbecue - rest on outdoors without cooking the kebab is not considered successful.

In order to organize a place for dining, terraces or areas under canopies are ideal, so that you can enjoy delicious dishes in the fresh air without fear of rain. Most often, garden furniture is used for the dining area - metal, wood, wicker. Considering that the functional segment is located under the roof, it is possible to use soft pillows to increase the level of comfort and even organize a soft relaxation area on sofas and chairs made of artificial rattan. Here, under the canopy, you can place barbecue equipment. On the one hand, such an installation is convenient in terms of traffic, on the other hand, it is safe, because the barbecue equipment is not part of the main building.

Site lighting is an element of landscape design

Providing the local area with a sufficient level of illumination at night is a matter of not only safety, but also beauty. Thoughtful and competent location lighting fixtures will allow you not only to move around the site without a hand-held flashlight, but also to create a completely unique atmosphere in a private courtyard and the facade of a house. Highlighting parts of buildings, flower beds and paths, steps and decorative sculptures, you can end up with a unique image of your personal plot.

Formally, all lighting for the yard and home can be divided into functional (utilitarian) and decorative. From the names it is clear that the first is necessary to a greater extent for safety (this includes illumination of the entrance to a building, garage, gate or gate, the entrance to the site itself), and the second is responsible for decorating the territory with the help of lighting (illumination of the most prominent elements of landscape design, which can be either fountains and bridges across a pond, or the most ordinary lilac bush).

For small areas, backyards of private urban houses and just small cottages, it may be enough to evenly distribute the lamps along the garden paths and hang the lantern on the building at the main entrance. For large territories You may need different types of lighting fixtures - from pendant lamps for buildings to LED strips for large trees and shrubs.

Lighting equipment must be all-season, durable and preferably powered by solar energy. When using any type of lighting, it is necessary to plan the placement of lamps in such a way that the boundaries of the site can be seen even at night. But at the same time, the lighting should not be too bright - a garden path flooded with light in pitch darkness makes a psychologically difficult impression on the person walking along it.

Just ten years ago, our compatriots were proud to decorate their summer cottage or the local area of ​​a private courtyard with various sculptures. But following Europe, where the use of garden gnomes and animal sculptures began to be considered bad form, Russian owners of courtyards and estates stopped decorating their garden paths in this way. But the use of flowers will never go out of style. Flowering plants in large garden pots and tubs, fancy flowerpots or monolithic concrete structures will always be relevant.

The advantage of this type of decoration is that you can use flower pots everywhere - on a spacious area to decorate a terrace or a dining area under a canopy and on a small backyard, where, in addition to a couple comfortable chairs and nothing fits on the table. But in the realities of the Russian climate, you need to make sure that you have a place to hide flowers during the cold season.

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You have invested a lot of effort and money in building a luxurious country house. Everything in it is thought out to the smallest detail: the delights of the interior, the practicality and convenience of all rooms, the grandiose façade. Do you think this is the end of the job? No! Like any diamond, your home needs a worthy setting. The area on which it is located must not lag behind the main building. Our topic today is landscaping the territory of a private house. How to design the territory and garden so that all ill-wishers suffocate with envy, and you and your loved ones enjoy a truly luxurious landscape?

Beautiful garden- business card country house owners

Don't trust smart people who believe that beauty and practicality are two different things. If you spend enough time on design, you can achieve an excellent result and take into account the wishes of the entire family.

First, make a list of these same wishes, this is the first stage of work. You will have to interview all household members, fill out the fields for your pets and jot down items that you would like to please your guests with. Only at first glance it seems that it is impossible to satisfy all these requests. If your area around the house occupies at least 6-8 acres, believe me, everything will work out.

Before you pick up a pencil, study ready-made landscape design projects. On the Internet it is not difficult to find not only photos of beautiful estates, but also numerous videos from professional companies involved in the design of local areas.

Advice! Planning the territory near your home and arranging it with your own hands is an excellent occasion to communicate closer with your family. Do it common cause, and you will get great pleasure from the process.

What else is important for drawing up a plan for a summer cottage:

• Features of the landscape. If it is complex, you should not waste time and money on leveling slopes and filling lowlands. Use these punchlines to play them up attractive sides. But remember: the slopes must be reliably strengthened, and the lowlands must be equipped so that water does not stagnate in them.
• Architecture of the main buildings. The design of the personal plot must comply. Otherwise, you will get dissonance that will ruin the whole experience.
• Climate. Do not try to plant palm trees near your house in the Arctic. Use plants that will thrive in your weather conditions. A beautiful garden is a big part of landscaping work. Stunted, suffering exotic plants will not be pleasing to the eye.

Do not strive for global investments in the landscape. The most simple ideas sometimes the best solution for a small yard. The exception is, of course, areas with castles. Here, whatever one may say, if you are the owner of such a treasure, you will have to keep the mark, no matter how much it costs.

And one more piece of advice: before planning flower beds, draw out the locations of communications on your project. This is an important point because all these networks periodically require maintenance and repair. You won't be happy with the idea of ​​disassembling the gazebo to clean it. Think about such situations in advance.

So, what should be noted on the site plan:

Here are some example projects:

Another good place is at the entrance to the site

Advice! Flower beds look very good in combination with a lawn. The contrast of bright inflorescences and lush greenery pleases the eye. This option is well suited for a yard in a private house if it occupies at least 6 acres.

When the location for the flower garden has been determined and outlined on the main plan, it is time to decide what to plant. So that the flowerbed pleases you for a long time, with early spring until late autumn, you will have to work hard. Should be planted. Study which flowers begin to bud at what time. In early spring - tulips and crocuses, in early summer - asters, begonias and marigolds, closer to autumn - dahlias and chrysanthemums. Don’t forget about perennials, they are unpretentious and favorable conditions They will also bloom all summer.

Advice! When planting flowers in a flowerbed, do not leave too much free space. It will quickly be filled with weeds.

When planting plants for landscaping, consider their size. The tallest ones should be placed in the background. For a colorful flower bed, it is important to combine colors correctly, avoiding variegated disorder. The center is usually where the most bright elements, and at the edges there is a neutral background.

Photo examples of how to beautifully plant flowers in the yard:

Related article:

Beautiful gardens and courtyards: photo examples of garden furniture design

When landscaping your garden, don’t forget that everything should be harmonious. Must be combined in the ornaments and design of the path garden houses, gazebos, flower beds in the garden of a private house. Photographic examples of such compositions include both the original and the garden.

Furniture can be made with your own hands. For work, use industrial wood or improvised material. The main thing is that the product is comfortable and fits well into the overall landscape.

Advice! For garden furniture It is better not to use coniferous wood, it will stain clothes.

If the task is how to arrange the territory without extra costs, use available materials. You can use it to make furniture, car tires and cable reels. Photo samples of such products:

Related article:

Outbuildings in a private house: photos and recommendations

A suburban area is not only a garden. To have a pleasant time at the dacha, you need different buildings in the yard., do-it-yourself gazebos - all this should be an organic part of the landscape. The house and yard with outbuildings should look like one whole.

How to build a yard so that there is enough space for a recreation area, parking and a pond?Let's look at the features of different yard structures.

Photos of the best gazebos in the courtyard of a private house

It is not difficult to build in a private house. The main thing is that the architecture of this light building is combined with the architecture of the main building. The choice of site style should also be supported in the gazebo. For country style, it is logical to choose rough wood and natural materials finishing. High-tech involves the use of modern building materials, glass and metal. Mediterranean style suggests use lightweight design with climbing plants.

Some tips for placing a gazebo:

• if the site has complex terrain with changes in height, install the gazebo on a hill: this solution will provide a good overview;
• if there is a pond on the site, the canopy is installed no closer than three meters from the water. This will protect the structure from the adverse effects of high humidity;
• paths and paths leading to the gazebo should be provided high-quality lighting. Using solar-powered flashlights or flashlights is a good idea.

If you don’t know how to arrange a gazebo inside, think about what purposes to use it for. If this is a place to relax on hot days, light sofas will be required. For friendly and family feasts, you need to install a table under a canopy and, possibly,.

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