Hello all! Welcome to Saylee Greer’s official first blog!
Let’s discuss the first step to designing your yard. I know to most, this is an overwhelming thought. Lucky for you, though, I’m here to assist. The design is most overlooked yet, the most important first step to building anything. In my experience, most people get consumed by all the “finish options” when trying to plan their spaces. They seem to skip all preliminary processes and go straight for the idea of what material items to place here or there. With so much being marketed these days in storefronts and online, it’s easy to fall in love with something you see and rush straight to the thought of implementation. Instead, slow down a bit. There are many things to address prior to placing “finish materials”. Discover your “wants and needs” first.
During my initial visit with a client, I discover what it is they want to accomplish. In other words, what do you want to use the space for? Some clients have this figured out by the time we meet for a design consultation, and we’re able to skip a few steps. This is exactly what you need to ask yourself when starting your design process. Sit down and actually write thoughts and ideas out if needed. Ask yourself questions like; do you want less grass area and more living space for gatherings, or would you rather have more plants for added greenery and lush gardens? Do you want a pool or spa? Is a patio cover or pergola necessary for shade? Do you plan to entertain? Looking for a garden shed to store tools and equipment? You can see where I’m going with all this. Discover what you want the space to do for you, first things first. And for those of you who want to do multiple things, that’s okay too (and we’ll discuss this later)!
There are so many options and design possibilities. Don’t get overwhelmed. I always tell clients, “this is as much art as it is science”. Have fun with this first step! Discuss things with friends, family or your spouse. Write down your thoughts and ideas without worrying with what goes where and how! And don’t forget to consider things in future tense!
To be continued…