Every home with children should have an area somewhere outdoors for them to play. For those who have children, adding an outdoor play area to the landscaping can have its rewards: the children are happy with an area to play in, parents are at ease knowing the kids are safe, and kids are more likely to stay out of the rest of the garden. In fact, it may turn out that if you create a nice enough place, It could become a favorite hangout of all the kids in the neighborhood, which might or might not be something you want. It is usually reasonably easy to adapt  landscape plans so that at least a small play area can be provided for the younger members of the family.

For homes with smaller children, a play area should be placed closer to the house. The kids will be within sight but not feel locked up. An area, such as a kitchen window, that is visible from the most used areas of the house is good. A lot of manmade toys like swings and slides are made for play areas. However, young kids are really good at coming up with their own games using nothing more than sticks, rocks, dirt, and other natural objects. A basic simple sandbox, with cover when not being used to keep neighborhood critters out, will keep small children busy for hours. Equip the sandbox with some common elements like small rocks and sea shells. (Later, you can change the sandbox to a garden.) As does a small tree with strong branches close to the ground, an old log works good as a frame for climbing.

Older children enjoy playing further away from the house, but they still need a safe area created in the front yard or backyard landscaping where they can enjoy imaginative play. Older kids still like to use their imaginations so hold off a bit before giving them a treehouse. Start simply, possibly with some board steps nailed to a tree or a rope ladder up into the branches of a tree. The tree can then be anything. A house, plane, ship, or anything the imagination can come up with.

A rough grassy patch can be good as a play area as it is soft enough to fall in and possibly long enough to be a hiding spot. If this doesn’t fit the rest of your landscaping plans, consider using bark chunks or chips as a surface cushion under play equipment which can help ease the pain of those falls and tumbles that are bound to happen.

A concrete pad will also serve many uses and purposes as the kids grow up. This is where they will wheel dolls in prams, try out the rollerblades, learn to ride a tricycle and, later, a bike, and practice various other skills. And those other skills may even include gardening, if you give them a small, sunny place of their very own.

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The entrances to your home should be designed to provide easy access through your landscaping. First impressions count for a lot, so aesthetic appeal surrounding your landscaping and entryways is important. It’s easiest to start with the highest traffic access area which is usually how you’ll reach your home from your parking area. Next, assess the paths and walkways to and from all access areas of your home. The plantings that surround these spots should lead a persons eye towards your entries or exits. If you use a side entrance as often, or more often, than your front door, focus attention here as well. Shrubs, flowers, pathways, border beds, and lighting can be used.

If you plant to create some height, start by building up towards your house. Start lower and then increase the height of your plants as they get closer to the house. Doing this will help direct attention to the entryway. Landscaping beds that border a walkway can distract attention away from the entryway. Think of the beginning of your path or sidewalk simply as an opening directing you towards your door.

Your entryway should be inviting as well as safe. If your neighborhood is poorly lit, a little lighting and moderate visibility can help keep you safe at night when walking to or from your parking area. If you have a mudroom, laundry room, or utility room that is next to your front or rear entry, plan for making it look good as well as functional for traffic flow.  

So how do you guide and lead visitors to your entry and through your access areas? Most professional landscaping companies basically follow the same pattern here. Walks, hedges, borders, edging, fences, trellises, screens, and railings are all good ideas. Add a planter box to frame and accent entryways to certain areas. Fences, raised beds, and screening can also be used to hide spots that have visible utilities from view.

When using plantings to define access areas, consider their mature size and spread when spacing. This is often an overlooked consideration in landscaping ideas. Since your access walks and paths will usually lead to or near your house, plants sted with enough distance from your foundation so that you can maintain both the plantings and home should be plan. It’s good practice for plants to be planted far enough from your house, garage, sheds, and other buildings so that you can maintain them once they are mature. Shrubs and hedges given time to grow provide a natural boundary and screen, while fencing offers immediacy once installed.

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Lots of easy landscaping ideas for the yard and garden can be done in just one weekend. You may have recently moved into a new home or have lived at the same location for many years and decide the yard needs a little pizazz.

There are many places to search for outdoor landscaping ideas if you are new to this type of development. Local home and garden centers are a great place to start if you prefer to implement it yourself rather than hire a professional landscaping service. The Internet has a huge online resource of information for anyone that is a beginner or for someone who is knowledgeable in landscaping but just needs a few new and creative ideas for their home.

It is important to do a simple sketch with measurements of your outdoor space. Note where the doors and windows of your home are. Decide what locations you want to change. Do you want an area for the kids? Would you like a vegetable garden or an outdoor kitchen? How about a small koi pond?

After you have decided what you want in your yard and where to put them do some online research to find the best place to purchase the plants or kits for your project. Some things may require a little more muscle but you can always invite your brother-in-law over to help.

Do a little research on the types of plants that will do well in your area. If you live in the Southwest you will probably not plant the same flowers and trees that do well in the Pacific Northwest or on the East coast. The local nursery would be a great source of advice and will have in stock most of the plants you may want.

Easy care, low maintenance plants and construction materials is what you should look for if you do not want to be chained to your backyard. Most of us want a place to barbecue and entertain but don’t like the raking, weeding, trimming etc.

The key to landscaping is to not be afraid to try something new. Not all yards need to have a grassy area. Grass is so high maintenance. Try using different types of rock and paver for pathways and sitting areas. The visual interest will be heightened with plants of different sizes, shapes and colors.

Landscaping ideas for the yard and garden you can do yourself are very rewarding. Anybody can write a check to a landscape architect but only a few can accomplish a back or front yard landscaping project themselves. It will be your own creation designed by your imagination.

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