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Landscaping a summer cottage is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. Many small details and nuances can well test the nerves for strength and quarrel the whole family. Problems can be avoided only by compromises and preliminary detailed planning of all details.
A detailed plan is the key to a successful design
Usually in the summer cottage more attention is paid to the house and utility rooms. And on the backyard territory they are often limited only to a garden, a vegetable garden and sometimes a specially constructed recreation area. In fact, landscaping the area on the site is quite simple, the main thing is to have a detailed action plan.
Everything must be outlined in the plan: from the style of the future site and zonal separation schemes to the materials and tools that will be needed. A scheme painted in the smallest detail will help not only save time and effort, but also reduce material costs.
Plot Style
The style of the site is the main detail of landscape design, with which all other elements and details must be coordinated. Starting from scratch in this matter is much easier, since it is possible from the very beginning to do everything as you wish. In the case of acquiring a house with an already equipped territory, it is more difficult to act.
Finished buildings and landscape design elements require thoughtful actions, so you should not make major changes. It is necessary to take into account the general nature of the design and the characteristics of the environment. Also, when choosing a landscape style, you should “try on” a house and other buildings to it – they should harmoniously fit into it. Do not mix too different styles, such as folk and high-tech.
Also, when choosing a style, you need to consider the size of the site and the surrounding landscape. It is much more difficult to work with a small area than with a large area. It needs a more rigorous and detailed approach.
Zone Planning
An absolutely “bare” site rarely comes across, so you need to draw a diagram of the entire site on paper and note in detail the buildings, garden, vegetable garden, flower beds, paths, etc. If there are cultivated plants, such as fruit trees, then the site must be planned so that it does not getting rid of them – growing new ones will take a long time.
After everything that is already there has been noted, it is necessary to note what is planned. By overlaying one scheme on another, it will be possible to determine what should be changed and what can be left as is. The standard project of a summer cottage includes:
- recreation area: gazebo, bench, stove, barbecue, etc.;
- playroom: playgrounds for games and entertainment with swings, sandboxes, labyrinths;
- economic: all ancillary buildings (garage, utility room for storing inventory, cellar);
- garden zone: areas with the most suitable conditions for growing cultivated plants, protected from drafts as much as possible, well lit, with good soil.
Zones can be removed and added at will, based on the capabilities of the territory and the desire of the owners. The main condition is one – harmony and practicality.
hedge selection
The choice of a fence depends not only on material possibilities. Items such as privacy, security, decorativeness, etc. should also be taken into account. If the site is located near a forest or you are afraid of an undesirable neighborhood, then it is better to take care of a reliable fence made of durable materials. It is difficult for other materials to compete with a stone or forged fence, and they look great. But the price of such a fence for the entire land plot will be solid.
A fence made of cheaper materials will become less expensive: inexpensive popular varieties of wood, plastic, tin, and durable mesh.
To fence the site, you can use compositions with stones
Arrangement of territories
After developing a detailed scheme, you need to move on to the details. Here it is recommended to get acquainted with modern gardening and building trends, which greatly simplify the tasks of a particular zone and allow you to use the space as productively as possible.
Garden layout
In large areas, you can afford to act the old fashioned way and set up a large vegetable garden with separate beds for all crops. But today, thanks to “smart beds” and greenhouses, it is possible to achieve the same results in a compact area as in a large garden. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the details of arranging a “smart garden” and the rules of “useful neighborhood” for cultivated plants.
Do not forget about the advantages of greenhouses and greenhouses, which allow you to grow plants and get a harvest even in winter.
“Smart” beds – the best option for a summer cottage
Galvanized beds look more interesting
Garden paths
You can’t do without paths and paths in the country, because they guarantee convenient and comfortable access to any place, and can also serve as a kind of zonal separator. Garden paths can be made of any material: covered with coarse sand or pebbles, filled with concrete, paved with stone or tiled, and also made of wood.
Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, so when choosing, you need to proceed from the characteristics of the site: location (proximity or distance from moisture sources, low or high ground), soil type, general landscape style.
For the design of garden paths, you can use a tree frame
The combination of small stone and slabs will emphasize the style of the site
Sea pebbles are used for arranging paths in the garden
Rest zone
Usually, a recreation area is located away from the house, as a barbecue or gazebo with a barbecue oven is often planned. The best place is a partially shaded lawn in the garden or a place near an artificial or natural reservoir. The main requirement is the convenience of rest (the ability to retire) and safety (it is better to place an open fire source away from buildings). Also, if possible, you need to choose a place with a beautiful natural view.
The recreation area will become a favorite place for all households
A quiet and secluded place is suitable for arranging a recreation area
For the manufacture of garden furniture, you can use old euro pallets
A place to relax should be supplemented with an open fireplace
Playground
Comfort is an important requirement for the zone, but in this case, first of all, you need to take care of safety. Often children play in the country without the close supervision of adults, so the site should be away from the locations of the barbecue, stove, ponds and other places that may pose a health hazard.
An open, well-visible place, close to home, is ideal. Better with a safe fence, without holes and high slides.
Video “Useful ideas for giving your own hands”
This video presents original and interesting decor options for a summer cottage.
DIY landscaping and decoration
The improvement of the site is most often associated with its landscaping. This is a great opportunity to decorate the area to your liking, as well as satisfy your gardening needs if you don’t have one.
The landscaping of the site is associated with its landscaping
Shrubs and lawns
Previously, ornamental flower shrubs were chosen as an addition to flower beds. However, over time, they adopted the urban trend, in which shrubs often play the role of a decorative fence. They also began to use not only decorative, but also cultivated species, which not only bloom beautifully, but also bear fruit.
Lawn coverings appeared in the vastness of our country not so long ago. Previously, grass was sown, which often had to be mowed and harvested. The appearance of the lawn has greatly simplified this task: it retains a bright green color for a very long time, and grows slowly. But it costs more and requires maintenance.
Alpine hill – an interesting option for decorating the local area
Flowering plants are used to decorate arches
Ornamental shrubs look stylish and interesting
flower beds
Today, thanks to the Internet, you can find any flower planting scheme to your taste. Flowers with different flowering periods are planted in the flower beds, and this makes them bright and fragrant from early spring to late autumn. The main thing is to choose the right place and take care of the fertile soil.
Flower beds can be decorated with additional decorative details: fencing, path, lighting elements.
Author’s advice
Artificial ponds
The arrangement of an artificial reservoir requires not only space, but also material costs. But ponds can decorate the site in any style you choose. And properly selected green spaces will create an image of an oasis. It can be a stream flowing down a small hill or a small decorative pond with fish and water lilies, or it can be a kind of natural pool with modern details (lighting, heating).
Near the pond you can equip a garden gazebo
It looks interesting decorative pond with a bridge
An artificial reservoir with decorative elements will decorate the site
Barbecue areas
Typically, barbecue ovens or barbecues are located under a canopy. There are also many options for their location in semi-closed, closed and open gazebos. The main requirement is remoteness from home and compliance with fire safety regulations. Wood-stone options look great in a hunting or rustic style.
Typically, barbecue ovens or barbecues are located under a canopy.
The barbecue area requires additional lighting
Site lighting
Properly located lighting devices will make the site not only comfortable, but also functional in the dark. Moreover, it can be both conventional, electric, and modern, solar-powered devices. Lanterns along the paths, flower beds, ponds, gazebo lighting, decorative lamps on lawns in the form of various figures – you can choose any option that matches the general nature of the garden and residential area.
Decorative elements
The chosen style dictates its own conditions, so the details must be chosen accordingly. It can be anything – figures, decorative mini-gardens, hammocks. The main thing is to harmonize with the rest of the design details. You should not add romantic floral arches or wooden log cabins and wells to high-tech minimalism, and strict technique in black and gray colors is unlikely to add attractiveness to the Mediterranean style or Provence.
Useful tips and tricks
To help with the arrangement of a suburban area will help the advice of experts:
- do not copy a picture blindly seen in a magazine or on the Internet, proceed from the characteristics of your own site and material capabilities;
- do not abuse details and decorative elements, especially in small areas;
- if you do not plan a permanent or frequent stay in the country, plant plants that are unpretentious in their care;
- separate zones, you can use decorative or “green” fences;
- take care not only about beauty, but also about practicality.
You can find many great ideas for landscaping the cottage. However, we advise you to soberly assess your capabilities and not start what you cannot finish. Let the decoration be the simplest, but complete.