Landscaping is like adding the final touch to your newly-built home. Like the icing on top of a cake, landscaping will add endless curb appeal to your home as well as increase the value and functionality of your property. Here at Trenz Create a Home, we know that landscaping can seem a daunting prospect at first. Especially if you’re a beginner or first-time home buyer. But with just a bit of planning and advice, you can create the perfect outdoor oasis for your new home that you’ll never want to leave!

Read on for five helpful design tips to consider when landscaping your new outdoor area:

Consider your location

An obvious factor to consider in landscaping is your home’s location. More specifically, your wind and sun exposure. For example, you won’t want to put a pool in a windy area where it won’t get any use. Or you may need to consider erecting a wall for wind-protection. Likewise, a sunny site will have different requirements compared to a shadier one. 

Decide on your entertainment hotspots

Us Kiwi’s love to spend time outdoors, which is why it’s important to consider your focal entertainment and relaxation areas. Will you want a lap pool? A covered spot for alfresco eating? Avid entertainers might want to customise their outdoor section with features such as a barbeque pit, outdoor seating and hammocks, pizza oven, high-top bar learners or even a petanque court. Of course, this all depends on the type of space you have to work with.  

Plan your plant purchases ahead of time

You can’t have a garden without plants, and picking the right ones is essential for softening any hard landscaping you’ve done. Not to mention, plants are an easy way to add some personality and vibrancy to your outdoor area. Before planting anything, study your landscape first. Take note of where the sun rises and sets as some plants might need more sun than others. Another trick? Choose native plants that don’t need a lot of water, as they will typically require less attention. 

Incorporate your personality 

Don’t forget to add personal touches to your garden. It’s easy! You can do this with statues, fairy lights, water features, garden art or interesting architectural fragments. There are a hundred and one ways you can weave your personality into your outside oasis – Just take a look at Trenz’s Pinterest board for all your garden inspiration. 

Start small

Landscaping is no small job, so we strongly recommend tackling your garden design in stages. By making a plan and identifying key areas to focus on you can avoid becoming overwhelmed by it all and simply giving up. Because is there anything worse than a half-finished garden that taunts you every time you glance outside? We suggest starting on the hard landscaping and outdoor living areas (i.e pavements, patios, etc.) and screening/shelter plants first. You can then gradually develop the rest of your garden as time (and your wallet) allow. 

Thinking about building a new home in 2021? Browse our range of lifestyle home plans here to find the perfect house for you. Our team of experienced home builders will transform your dream home into reality! Give your local Trenz team a call on 0800 2 548 738 or flick us an enquiry here to get started on your new home.