Bathroom renovation portal. Useful Tips

Do-it-yourself personal plot. Improvement of the territory of a private house or how to build your own Neverland How to equip a personal plot in a private house

The beauty and functionality of a private courtyard is one of the priorities of a good owner. When creating a comfortable space on the allotted plot of land, sometimes you have to make an effort comparable to that required for arranging a home interior. However, this process is not only within the power of a professional designer.

The courtyard of this private house is intended for relaxation.

Let's clarify the purpose of our yard

First of all, you should think about what functions the allotment of land will perform. Some owners of private houses cannot imagine their vacation without a shady garden, while others certainly need an artificial pond with ornamental fish, and in winter - a skating rink for children. All this requires additional space, which should be immediately taken into account in the site improvement project. On the allocated territory, it is necessary to correctly place structures for economic needs. To facilitate the task, we have compiled a list from which you can choose what is difficult to do without:

  • sauna and outdoor shower;
  • garage;
  • various outbuildings;
  • pool or decorative pond;
  • a summer kitchen in which you can provide a barbecue;
  • a house for a dog;
  • playground for children;
  • fruit trees and shrubs;
  • garden;
  • paths and green spaces.

Having made your own list, it is worth expressing on paper all the ideas for landscaping the territory so that the necessary structures fit on the site - from the kitchen to the garage. This process allows you to consider the shortcomings of the scheme, as well as to understand everything, considering the composition from above. It is important to consider how convenient it will be to move around the territory, as well as how the allotment will look from different points of view.



When planning a site, it is necessary to think over in detail all the necessary buildings and plantings

We divide the yard into plots by function

To increase the functionality of the personal plot, it makes sense to consider dividing it into zones. This technique allows you to allocate a place to relax, make a children's corner, and also separate vegetable beds from the main territory. To indicate clear boundaries, you can use several options for railings:

  1. For the separation of a sports, children's corner or a relaxation zone, a low picket fence is suitable.
  2. Sometimes you need to build a cozy corner that will not be visible from the street. In this situation, trellises or modern garden trellises are suitable.
  3. The partition can be constructed conditionally - for example, using forged arches, braided with roses or other climbing plants. Such fences will serve as the basis for landscaping the site, they are easy to make with your own hands.
  4. Some types of partitions made of natural material - bamboo, vines, rattan, are in perfect harmony with any structures in the yard, and also serve as a wonderful element of decor.
  5. Fencing mats will help you create an oriental style for your private patio. In this case, it is recommended to plant plants that love the sun in flower beds.
  6. The garden can be separated with a fence made of bricks, stones, cemented with mortar, and other improvised means.


The yard is divided by a trellis into a recreation area and an economic territory

Tracks for movement and decoration

Walkways are a necessary functional element of any yard. If you pay enough attention to them, they will become a real decoration of the territory. We will note several options for arranging the paths:

  1. For the improvement of the central part of the courtyard, it is best to build paths made of stone, paving stones or concrete tiles. To make them unusual and effective, the gaps between the slabs can be filled with small pebbles or glass granules. Or plant grass and other low-growing plants in these gaps. It is important that the plantings are not too demanding to care for.
  2. The yard will be decorated with paths made of wooden saw cuts. They are fixed as close to each other as possible, and sawdust or bark are poured into the gaps between the round elements. These paths are appropriate anywhere in the courtyard - they look good both in the center and between trees.
  3. Modern landscape designers often suggest using wood planks as the base of paths. In this case, each element must be carefully adjusted to each other in order to obtain the most even surface. After the construction of such paths, they need to be painted or varnished to increase their service life.
  4. The simplest paths can be built in the garden - just sprinkle them with gravel.


Easy and pleasant to move along a beautiful path

Plantings and decor

Landscaping of a land plot is an important component of its appearance. With the help of thoughtful and well-executed flower beds, correctly selected shrubs and trees, a simple and unremarkable courtyard can be easily turned into a cozy garden.

A house surrounded by greenery

If the walls of the house have lost their original appearance, they can be hidden behind climbing plants. Do-it-yourself vertical gardening is quite simple. You should choose the most unpretentious plant specimens: hops, ivy, grapes or wisteria are suitable. It is advisable to plant them under the wall facing the sun. All that is needed for this is a strip of earth under the house, or long container boxes with soil.

The second option for vertical gardening is simpler. You need to start by fixing the same containers with earth on the wall or fence, in which flowers and greens should be planted. You can use plastic bottles, milk cans, and other unnecessary material.

Vertical gardening at home has its own characteristics. It is worth remembering that the walls of the house, entwined with greenery, better keep the coolness, since the dense foliage traps the sun's rays. Probably, this method of landscaping is not suitable for those whose house is located in the shady part of the yard.

The garden is made of stones

It is not difficult to arrange a garden of stones on your site, besides, such a decor will cost quite inexpensively. Landscaping in general and landscaping of the site, in particular, will become more original if you emphasize it with a stone composition. Note that such a solution has many advantages, the main one of which is easy maintenance.

With a competent approach to the issue, the rock garden will become the highlight of any private territory. For its construction, large boulders will be needed, which should be placed in the allocated area. It is better to select stones of different colors and textures, harmoniously combining them with each other.



Stone sellers have already thought of a stone garden

Gabions will emphasize the stylish design of the site

Many summer residents successfully use unexpected materials, the purpose of which may be different. Landscaping specialists suggest using gabions in the improvement of the site. These are metal frame meshes that are designed to create retaining walls. Such elements in the design of the site will not only give it a modern look, but also serve as a support.

Gabions can be filled with rubble, stone and even bottles. With their help, it is easy to equip a place to relax with a barbecue, to make a fence near the reservoir, to build a small table. They are used to create fences, fences for tall flower beds or beds, and as the basis for a long garden bench. As you can see, with a certain level of imagination, it is easy to come up with your own application for such constructions.



Gabions can perform a wide variety of functions.

Expanded clay concrete for garden decoration

Perhaps, after construction, you have unused blocks of expanded clay concrete. You do not need to throw them away, it is better to use them for arranging the site. Thanks to its hollow structure, this material is excellent for small flower beds, it is also used for fencing garden beds. In addition, expanded clay concrete blocks can be used to create a barbecue, on the sides of which it is proposed to store firewood. An interesting example in the photo.



To build a barbecue, even one block may be enough, on which you can cook mini vegetable kebabs

We create comfort from unnecessary things

For those who decide to decorate a garden from scrap materials, you can successfully use unnecessary pieces of furniture, things, as well as any household utensils for decoration. See also: Let's offer some simple ideas:

  1. Do-it-yourself vertical gardening of the courtyard is much easier to perform on a ready-made basis. So, on a step-ladder, you can comfortably place boxes with flowers, and old chairs and a chest of drawers will serve as the basis for creating a flower bed.
  2. Tin teapots, galvanized buckets, watering cans can do a good job for a prudent owner. All these junk materials that can no longer be used for their intended purpose can bring the design of the courtyard to life. It is enough just to pour earth into each of them and plant your favorite plants.
  3. If you paint your old bike bright yellow, white, or orange, you can hang it under the roof of a shed or garage. This decor looks very unusual and stylish.
  4. You can also use wooden boxes in which apples and potatoes are stored. It is advisable to paint the boxes, strengthen the open side parts, pour soil into them and plant bright, unpretentious plants. All this will help create a special atmosphere - rustic comfort, naturalness and closeness to nature.


It is very simple to use an old umbrella, transforming it into a bright and unique flower bed

Mill

Any site will be decorated with a decorative mill. It seems to us that such a decor of a private courtyard surprisingly combines popularity and originality. The decorative mill pleases both adults and children alike. It can be easily and simply made by hand from a variety of materials. Just do not overdo it with the size: too large will seem inappropriate.



A simple mill enriches the landscape

Everybody's bored tree trunk

It so happens that in the yard there is a tree that has become obsolete. The owner's first impulse is to turn it into firewood for barbecue so that it does not spoil the appearance of the garden. Landscape designers advise not to rush to get rid of this tree, but try to create an element of garden decor from it with your own hands.

For example, if you cut down the branches and the top, the tree can be used as the basis for a decorative house or castle. It is enough to build a roof from old boards, attach doors, windows - and the elf's house is ready. It is even easier to make a flower bed out of a stump, or arrange a flower garden in a hollowed-out trunk, laying it on the ground. The photo shows an interesting option for decorating a dried tree.



From the stump, you can build an unusual flower bed, it is enough to gouge the necessary hole in it, cover it with earth and plant flowers

Floral car monument

It so happens that the owners have kept an old grandfather's car for decades, which has not been running for a long time. Designers suggest using its body as a decorative flower bed. Some craftsmen plant climbing plants in such a way that they completely cover the car body, leaving only the windows. Landscaping offers another option for landscaping - filling the space under the hood and in the trunk with earth in which to plant the plants. The body itself should be painted with bright paint.



For such a flower bed, the make of the car does not matter

The necessity and charm of lighting and illumination

One of the key features of a beautiful courtyard is the backlighting. There are many ways to illuminate an area today. The backlight will help in the improvement of any land plot. It will allow you to highlight accents, enhance the perception of one or another decorative element. In addition, lighting will help you navigate a large area and spend your evenings in comfort.



Nice to watch, comfortable to move around with the right backlight
  1. Landscape designers recommend paying special attention to the illumination of sculptures, fountains, paths, as well as beautiful plants.
  2. Not too budgetary, but LED elements mounted in tiled paths look incredibly impressive. With the help of the highlighted dots, you can create a starry panorama right on the track. The project of such a composition can be completed without the help of a professional.
  3. Water lily lamps are designed to illuminate a pond or other artificial reservoir. They float freely, bouncing off the surface of the water, creating a double light effect. It turns out to be a pretty graceful sight.
  4. Poles with lanterns are the most practical solution. With the help of vertical lighting it is easy to find the way from the gate to the house. It is also important to light the porch - here you can fix a decorative lantern in the medieval style.
  5. Site lighting is a necessary element of the decoration of celebrations. If a wedding or an anniversary is planned, it is simply necessary to illuminate the surrounding area well. Not only stationary lamps, but also garlands that can be used to decorate trees, partitions, hedges, can cope with the task of creating a festive mood.

We have demonstrated affordable and popular ways to decorate a site. Our article is intended to give inspiration to those who dream of turning their garden into a design creation. If you are new to this business, do not hold yourself back, fearing a lack of experience. Practically, any of us can implement the most extraordinary and daring decisions. In fact, in order to beautify your property, it is important to have a burning desire and put in a little effort.

Do you have a personal plot? Do you dream of creating a natural corner on it, combining inanimate compositions with green spaces? At the same time, do you have a desire to enjoy the gifts of fruit trees and cultivated plants? Then you need to familiarize yourself with the basics of landscape design, agronomy and plant growing. Our article will help you with this!

If you decide to start landscaping the territory, then, first of all, you will need to carry out several preparatory activities, which, as it may seem, are not directly related to planting. However, a competent approach and adherence to the outlined plan will help to plant the plants and create a personal plot with your own hands as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Let's dive into work! We draw up a project design

Any work begins with drawing up a plan or project, and landscaping a personal plot is no exception. It is important to take into account all the details here: household, natural and climatic features. Plots with a small area deserve special attention.

The choice of plants depends on weather conditions and temperature: heat-loving, cold-resistant, annual or perennial. An important role is played by how the site is illuminated during the day. For planting light-loving, shade-loving and partial shade-tolerant flowering plants, different conditions are needed, but in almost all cases they can be combined. The landscaping method, among other things, depends on the presence or absence of inland waters and irrigation systems. If there is a lot of groundwater in your area, then you need to drain it. It also depends on whether artificial reservoirs will be created on the site.

When planning landscaping work, attention should be paid to the features of the relief. Each seemingly unsightly slide or depression can serve to create a unique design.

Consider the location of the site - this is the northern or southern slope. This is the only way to determine whether the area is protected from the wind or not, which also affects the choice of plants.

The fence can not only fulfill its main purpose, but also serve as a decoration of the site, therefore, when creating a project, attention should be paid to its choice. A hedge ennobles the site and gives it individuality and naturalness. Usually it is done in a double row. For safety, a low metal mesh is pulled in the aisle. After two years, the shrubs grow into the netting, which makes it invisible to the eyes. For the design of a green hedge, Japanese quince, hawthorn, thuja and other ornamental plants are suitable. Shrubs are cut in the second year after planting. A hedge is formed with a lateral and apical haircut, and it is carried out no more than twice a year.

You can design using special programs on your computer. Thus, you will create a 3D image, which will allow you to visually see the results of labor and, if necessary, make immediate changes. On the Internet, you can download free programs for creating landscape projects. If computer design is beyond your power, then the problem is solved with a pencil, ruler and compass. To begin with, you will need to transfer the plan of the personal plot to graph paper. Then you can make all the desired changes to the project in landscaping and small construction.

We take into account the important! Landscaping rules

The method of landscaping a plot belonging to a house depends in large part on how much time you spend there a year. If you have to improve the summer cottage, then perhaps you should not complicate the design, for example, equipping it with reservoirs that need to be looked after, especially in early spring and late autumn, but as practice shows, there is no one to do this. A more effective solution may be simple gardening using both ornamental and cultivated plants.

The first thing the owner should take care of is to equip the drainage system of the entire site.

It is great when there is an opportunity to organize automatic uniform irrigation of the entire territory. In the process of preparing a summer cottage for landscaping, you need to install lighting devices and install retaining walls. If you are planning to build a gazebo and a bathhouse, try to do this before planting perennial plants. Pay special attention to the paths on the site. It is very important to stick to your previously drawn landscaping plan as closely as possible.

To make the paths look more natural, make them curvy with natural materials. Use pegs and ropes to mark out the project accurately.

If you have to plant greenery in the area adjacent to the estate, but do not particularly have time to take care of the plants, then it is better to give preference to those that do not need to be replanted for the winter. These can be conifers, large fruit trees and deciduous plants. For high-quality planting of shrubs, the period of late autumn is best suited, but it is permissible to do this in spring. Plant plants, trees and shrubs in pre-prepared trenches with a drainage layer. It should also be borne in mind that hedges and vines are very sensitive to care, namely mulching and fertilization.

In order for the flower beds to be attractive throughout the warm season, it is necessary to combine annual and perennial plants that bloom all season:

  1. Crocuses, snowdrops, tulips and daffodils bloom in early spring.
  2. Lilies of the valley, irises, peonies, violets and lilies bloom in late spring.
  3. Phloxes, bells, gladioli, delphiniums and poppies bloom throughout the summer.
  4. In early autumn, dahlias, asters and goldenrod will delight you with their flowering.
  5. Chrysanthemums bloom in mid-autumn.

It is important to know that when forming flower beds, warm soft and harmonious flowers should be planted on the sunny side of the site, and contrasting flower beds take root well and look in shaded places.

Non-standard landscaping. Create a vertical landscape

The method of landscaping is called vertical, which is carried out by arranging standing and suspended structures with their subsequent landscaping. Among other things, the vertical landscape can hide unsightly walls of outbuildings. Most often, such a project is created in places where it is impossible to plant plants using the usual method. For it are used:

  • lattices;
  • stairs;
  • hanging flowerpots.

Any home plot becomes extraordinary when it is landscaped vertically.

In order to make living vertical plantings look attractive and aesthetically pleasing, think carefully about the design parameters and their configuration. Choose the appropriate flowerpots that can take their rightful place in the composition. They are made more often from ceramics and less often from other materials with different shapes and textures. Pots can be made in the form of various shapes or objects.

A structure that is designed for a vertical landscape is a series of special fixtures used to position plants in sequence and then fix them to wall surfaces. They look like frames, on which PVC plates are fixed with two layers of fiber, similar in structure to felt, although in fact they consist of polyamide.

Such structures, together with equipment for the delivery of fertilizers and moisture to plants, are sold in specialized stores. But, if you have a great desire to work hard, then you can do them yourself.

As for plants for a vertical landscape, there are also some nuances here. They should be chosen based on the conditions in which they will grow. You need to plant plants in this order:

  • Bottom row - moisture-loving and shade-loving species.
  • The middle rows are specimens that need less shading and watering.
  • The top row is light-loving and not afraid of the wind.

When deciding to purchase ready-made vertical structures for landscape design, pay attention to the quality of the materials used for manufacturing, and be sure to follow the operational instructions indicated on the product packaging.

Owners of country houses are faced not only with the need to arrange it in accordance with their individual needs and the needs of the family. It is also required to pay attention to creating a unique environment in the courtyard of the house and in the garden.

The implementation of a successful idea in landscape design makes a country house original and unique, but each person has his own vision of how to achieve this.

This article presents several approaches to arranging the space near the house, which will help you create a small, unique world in its own way.

Planning the space of the local area

Many people believe that landscape design requires special knowledge and skills that they do not possess.

This is partly true, but such difficulties are often exaggerated. Every person with imagination and a little free time is able to show creativity and transform their local area.

It is necessary to understand that entering the territory of the site, you must feel comfort and safety. And it is important for guests and visitors to feel the originality of a new environment for them.

In order to implement design solutions, when planning a local area, you should pay attention to a number of features.

The center of home ownership is always the structure of a private house itself, therefore any design change on the site must correspond to the general concept of arrangement.

The need for preparatory work is determined by your plans for the transformation of the territory. In particular, it is advisable to carry out drainage or strengthening, which in the future will greatly facilitate the implementation of all other work.

Each family member can have their own wishes, their own vision of the arrangement of the territory of the house. Therefore, you must first plan what specifically you would like to see on your site. Take a plan of the house and garden area, apply new objects and decorative elements, evaluate how they fit together.

If the area of ​​a country house is not too large, then it is often difficult to realize all wishes and ideas. In such conditions, one should think about the possibility of combining different zones that can be quickly transformed.

How to efficiently arrange recreation areas?

By combining several architectural elements that are similar in functionality, you can effectively manage the space of a country house. Combined elements provide the ability to transform into a zone that is relevant at the current time. The following options for combining are often used:

  • terrace with gazebo;
  • dining room with kitchen;
  • sauna with a gazebo, etc.

When arranging recreation areas, it is advisable to use light garden or country furniture. It is quite compact and lightweight, does not take up too much space. If necessary, you can move it to another part of the house or supplement it with other interior items.

For example, light rattan armchairs and chairs will look good in the gazebo, and installing sun loungers in the garden allows you to create a cozy afternoon relaxation area.

  • children's and playgrounds should be located within good visibility;
  • the backyard is ideal for arranging a parking or recreation area;
  • not only the thematic zones on the site should be comfortable, but also the paths for moving between them.
  • if you like gardening, then it is better to remove the beds from the zone of open visibility by placing them inside the yard.

Dividing the site into zones

After you depict the placement of the planned decorative elements on the site, you need to clearly visualize your idea of ​​the new architectural ensemble. In this case, you need to plan how the individual zones will be delimited among themselves.

  • delimitation of arches;
  • the use of fences;
  • installation of screens;
  • natural delimitation of green spaces.

The choice of method depends on the decorative elements being equipped. The garden recreation area can be limited by an arch intertwined with plants. But it is advisable to separate the sports ground with a decorative fence, a screen or a low picket fence.

The recreation areas can be separated by means of trellises, complemented by garden trellises. And so that these elements do not stand out much, it is advisable to decorate them under a green wall. Rattan screens will help not only create a cozy secluded corner in the yard, but also protect vacationers from the sun or cool wind.

Garden paths help to separate the thematic zones from each other. For their arrangement, a variety of materials can be used - special slabs, stones, bricks, gravel, cobblestones or pebbles.

For decorative purposes, areas between slabs or stones can be left untreated or covered with sand. Planted undersized plants will also look good.

It is advisable to give some areas of the house maximum naturalness, leaving wild plants. Such a site can be paved with tree cuts, the joints of which can be covered with fine gravel or pebbles.

If your site is characterized by a multi-level relief, then these disadvantages can be turned into advantages. To do this, it is enough to build original steps and transitions.

Arrangement of the yard

Small pools and ponds add originality to the country house. For pools that perform not only a decorative role, it is advisable to use composite materials, rigid PVC materials or equip a concrete pit.

A pond in the yard can be arranged by tearing out a foundation pit and covering it with PVC foil. On the banks of the pond, you can lay out pebbles and plant moisture-loving plants. You can also create waterfalls or fountains.

The recreation area will be original around a barbecue, a massive stove or a stone fireplace. Here you will be able to receive guests. But at the same time, the hearth itself will become a reference point for the further arrangement of the courtyard space.

The backyard is often used as a seating area. For this, a convenient wooden platform is being built, surrounded by flower beds. The use of light garden furniture will allow you to use this area as a dining room. You should successfully choose furniture from a suitable material - plastic, light metal, rattan or bamboo.

A decorated fence will help to separate the recreation area, and the site can be paved with stone or laid out with pebbles. If you want to equip a barbecue area, then you can consider the option of installing a stationary hearth with a smoke collector.

When landscaping a site, you need to remember that:

  • to avoid problems with fallen needles, you should not plant conifers near terraces and areas;
  • it is inappropriate to place reservoirs near deciduous trees with abundant foliage discharge;
  • tall bushes should be located at the boundaries of the site, which will create a hedge.

Country house lighting

The plot of a country house should be lit so that in the evening and at night it does not lose the feeling of coziness and comfort. The most popular solution is to use architectural lighting with energy efficient lighting fixtures.

LED spotlights can be positioned along the paths. It is also advisable to highlight individual decorative elements - sculptures or fountains, place lamps floating around the pond.

If the central path leading to the house should be illuminated with bright lamps on the lighting poles, then the secondary paths should be illuminated with flashlights with a soft dim light.

The arrangement of a country house requires imagination and creativity in the implementation of design solutions. It is important not only to correctly plan the space of the house, but also to place unobtrusive decorative elements on its territory, to create an original lighting system.

Photo of ideas for arranging the courtyard of a private house

Vegetable planting areas 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 equip a summer cottage with your own hands?

Classic options

Decoration with flowers - a classic of the genre

Flower decoration - not invented by us

Beautification of a summer cottage with your own hands is easiest to start with flowers. It is important to pay attention to the color scheme used when creating flower beds. Flowers can be planted both in the form of flower beds and in the form of a bed. At the discretion of the owner, perennial or annual plants are selected, as well as ornamental herbaceous plants and flowers of varying height. What kind of flower beds are and how to equip them correctly, we talked about in separate thematic articles. Today our conversation is about ideas for styling a garden.

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

Alpine slide: no snow, but flowers



Alpine slide always attracts attention

Landscaping of a summer cottage is possible by installing an alpine slide with your own hands. Alpine slides are now very relevant even among novice gardening designers. It is important to remember that their creation will require a change in the relief of the earth, as well as the selection of the necessary stones. Having folded an alpine slide on a 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 add alienness to it.

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

Mobile solutions - for decoration

When there is no time and opportunity for a full-fledged garden improvement, you can use pots, flowerpots or pots. Having planted unpretentious types of plants in them, you can easily distribute all the beauty throughout the territory, and if necessary, you will rearrange, thanks to the mobility of such a solution.



Flowerpots made from painted buckets are a great option

Having shown imagination, even an ordinary wooden box can be ennobled. By painting it in an unusual manner or hanging it by ropes played like hands, you will bring a share of humor and fun to the design.

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

The ponds are visible from afar

What else do they like to decorate summer cottages with, besides flowers? Of course, bodies of water. Ponds and ponds in combination with green plants will become a piece of paradise for your garden. On hot summer days, it will be a pleasure to sit here. Ponds can be decorated in different ways, here an immense horizon of possibilities opens up for your imagination. Along the bank of the pond, you can build a flooring of wooden boards, which, in order not to suffer with 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 surface is decking. It is also perfect for the construction of a veranda or terrace, or for the side sections of the pool.



Even a small pond will add charm to the water

Stone slabs will also do a great job with the role of the banks. The time spent will be justified, because the result is a stunning and reliable reservoir. To better fix the stones, prepare the soil. Part of the soil is removed, crushed stone is poured, carefully compacted and covered with a layer of sand on top. On top of the sand layer, stone slabs are already laid out. For greater reliability, sand and cement should be poured into the gaps between the slabs in the form of a mixture. The excess must be removed and wait for the rain, which, having moistened the blind area, will allow the cement to hold the plates together.

The owners, whose house is 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 in the garden center.

It would be appropriate to transfer the garden paths made of paving stones to the shore of the pond. Then all the decoration of the garden will be decorated in the same style. The technique is similar to the one we already mentioned above.

The lawn is a beautiful Mouzon

The arrangement of the suburban area with your own hands will be half finished if you create a well-groomed lawn on its small territory. Maintaining green beauty is not easy. Consider the following tips for lawn care:

  • seeds for planting must be of high quality and appropriate to the local climate;
  • the edges of the lawn must be neat (you can use curb tape);
  • regular mowing of grown grass is necessary;
  • do not forget about weeding, watering, feeding and repairing the defects of the lawn.

How to make a plot unique and unrepeatable with the help of a lawn? Plant it in an unusual shape. This landscaping technique will add zest to your garden.



The lawn as the foundation of the wealth of green spaces

Arches and pergolas so that the flowers are not naked

Thinking about how to ennoble a summer cottage, one cannot but recall pergolas, arches, trellises. You can decorate the path to the house by installing a pergola or decorative arch. A robust yet graceful design, entwined with a variety of bindweed, will be the ideal guide to the recreation area. Having installed the arches at a short distance from each other, you, in the end, after a while, will get a shady corner where it will be so pleasant to sit and read on hot summer days.



The arch at the entrance cheers up

The choice of plants for landscaping decorative arches is very wide: it can be ivy, and grapes, and honeysuckle, and climbing rose, which have very beautiful buds when blooming. Choosing girlish grapes as a plant, you will not go wrong either. The color of the leaves will change from time to time: in early spring you will be delighted with soft green fresh leaves, in summer the foliage will acquire a rich green color, and in autumn you will enjoy the view of bright red leaves.

We decorate the toilet as if it weren't there

The first building in the country 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, because our conversation today is about transforming a site? We will tell you how to turn a very prosaic thing into an object of pride for the owner.

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



A regal toilet for a regal owner

When we set up a site, it is important to pay attention to style, where the priority is the appearance of the house. That is, when choosing a toilet design, it must be coordinated 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 house is my fortress, but do not overdo it, otherwise neighbors and passers-by will consider it a rarity and want to visit.

Original options

Dacha is a small country for creativity and limitless design. To ennoble his own plot, the owner can use a variety of tools and materials. We will tell you how to transform and improve a boring garden courtyard 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 already, alas, unnecessary things. We offer ideas for the design of a summer house, a garden and a vegetable garden, which are easy to implement with your own hands.

Flower bed, but you can't sleep

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



I wish all dreams were like this

Fabulous straw goby-third

Her house is so reminiscent of her native village, where my grandmother kept a cow, pigs and other animals. How to bring back nostalgia to modern landscape design? A hay goby will be very appropriate, and most importantly, not much work will be required. The frame is tied from the wire, and the top is covered with hay. Curious how great it turns out.



The touching charm of the DIY

The stump feeder is not a rattle at all

It is not necessary to uproot the old tree stump that remains on the site. Make a bird feeder out of it. In cold weather, your yard will become a haven for titmouses, sparrows and other birds that want to eat. Everyone, both children and adults, will enjoy watching the bird meal. The inside of the stump should be hollowed out, leaving the side surfaces intact. Put some grains inside and your trough is ready to welcome your first guests. Having made it from a stump of a tree, 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 on top with a canvas of artificial grass. The coating is reliable, weather-resistant and does not need watering. The frame can be made, practically, of any material, of course, taking into account the effects of moisture and the sun. A wonderful example of garden sculpture is the rhino in the photo below.



Grass donkey drags a lot of beauty

Mesh shapes are just candy

Mesh garden figures are becoming more and more popular. It can be a jug, a bird and a donkey, etc. Of course, you need to tinker a little to wire a beautiful figure from a green PVC-coated mesh. Such products are complemented by weaving and climbing plants. Internal cavities can be covered with a fine plastic mesh, also green, and then filled with soil. Then you can plant any plants that are not demanding on moisture.



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

Decorative well - landscape wonderworker

Wells-flower beds look beautiful, from which a variety of flowers seem to splash out. The presence of a well or a well made of concrete rings in the country will allow you to create decor on an already existing base. Choose brick or stone to line the walls. Such materials are most suitable, because they tolerate dampness well, which means they will be a reliable "shelter" from rain, sun and frost. When you need to mask frameless installations, choose any material for decoration - lining or boards, siding, plastic panels or tiles. The photo shows one of the options.



The decorative well is in perfect harmony with the decoration of the house.

Decor cart - support for vision

Such an unusual design solution closes two tasks at once: it serves as a flower garden on which the volumes of two flower beds can be placed at once, and it will also be a very original decorative element. Today, you can choose from a wide variety of options for carts. Both sizes and styles will vary. The classic option is a country-style cart, but some prefer to choose a wild west or Provencal-style cart for their garden. Carts can be made of wood or metal, or have combined parts.



The old cart scatters the beauty

Small perplexities and ways to solve them

Let's take a look at the most common site problems that landlords are most concerned about. We refine uncomfortable and uncomfortable areas:

  1. Lack of space for a flower bed. An excellent solution would be to select beautiful stylized pots, pots and flowerpots in which you can plant any plants. Such point decorations are very mobile and easily move from one point of the garden to another.
  2. A simple fence made of a chain-link mesh has no decorative features and does not protect from prying eyes. The problem is solved by planting climbing plants next to the fence, which, twisting around the net, will not only create protection from prying eyes, but also give aesthetic pleasure. For plants, choose climbing rose, maiden grapes, or ivy.
  3. Lack of space for arches and pergolas. Alternatively, select any vertical object in the garden: old tree, fence, walls of houses. Thus, you will get a blooming garden with climbing plants and decorate unsightly objects.
  4. An unsightly pillar on the frontal place, spoiling the view. Decorate it with flowers that can be planted in cans. You can also plant a bindweed at the bottom of the post and let it decorate an ugly object.


If you tickle the heels, it will laugh
  1. You can beat a boring vegetable garden with shrubs and plants that can be sheared, for example, boxwood. Thanks to such a find, you will decorate your garden plot with original figurines from greenery.
  2. Places requiring masking, for example, a crack in the foundation, can be decorated with cushion plants with a pleasant shade and volumetric shape. These 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. By creating a green barrier around the perimeter of berry or ornamental, but fragrant shrubs, you can solve both of these problems at once.
  4. Fallen autumn leaves create an untidy look of the site. You do not have time to remove them from the abundance of work, and they spoil the whole view. Plant ground cover plants in your garden that will perfectly decorate fallen leaves.
  5. The existing track made of concrete slabs can also be beaten. It is worth removing the plates in a checkerboard pattern and planting low ornamental plants in their place. This will make the track look more attractive.
  6. Children run a short way on the lawn, and new paths appear that do not look very aesthetically pleasing. Cover them with gravel and it will look like it was intended.
  7. You can brush up on the faded and dull colors of buildings and fences by painting. Wall painting will give the garden a bright, unusual and attractive look.

Landscaping of a plot of a private house of an urban or suburban type is a process no less laborious, costly and creative than creating an interior for a dwelling. A beautifully decorated spacious personal plot or a small backyard, fascinating with its originality - in order to realize your ideas about the beauty of the local area landscaping, all means are good. Even within the framework of an urban private household with a small piece of land, it is possible to organize not only an attractive appearance, but also a 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. In our extensive selection of design projects for decorating local areas, we tried to collect examples for every taste, wallet and stylistic preferences. We hope that you can be inspired by interesting design ideas and realize your own ideas for organizing landscape design in a summer cottage, a backyard or a private yard.

A detailed plan is the key to a successful design

Before proceeding with the purchase of 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 the creation of an image of a site, which, as it were, created by nature itself, requires the tireless attention of the owners. The more detailed and accurate your layout of the elements and the sequence of their appearance on your site, the less time, effort and money you will spend on the improvement of the local area. Agree that it will be a shame to spend a lot of effort on creating a flower bed in the place where you will later have to lay a water supply system for an artificial reservoir.

On a detailed plan for the location of landscape design elements of the site, it should be noted:

  • buildings (gazebo, summer kitchen, shed, veranda, outdoor shower, playground);
  • reservoirs or water structures (the laying of drainage and water pipes is carried out first of all);
  • alpine slides, cascading structures made of stones;
  • garden paths;
  • planting sites for trees and shrubs;
  • the location of flower beds and flower beds (the time for organizing the design element of the site will largely depend on the type of flower bed);
  • fencing of the adjacent territory (in some cases, the 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 system and illumination of the facade of the house and site.

There are a lot of landscape design options, there are design styles with their own basic concepts and motives, 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 the options for decorating adjoining territories can be divided into those that look as if nature itself created the image of the site, and the person was only able to effectively fit into the resulting picture. It seems that perennial plants themselves have grown in surprisingly organically selected places, bushes and flowers are located around them, and small reservoirs seem to have existed in their places for many years - a person only paved paths between these harmonious elements of the site and used the lighting system to highlight the most effective ones.

The second option is a qualitative opposite - strict symmetry, verified 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 a site, then it is perfectly trimmed, the garden paths are stunning with the clarity of forms, and in the flower beds the flowers are located according to the flowering 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, its decoration. The correct arrangement of the tracks will help you spend the minimum amount of time and effort moving around the site, between its main elements. Regardless of what style of decoration of the territory you choose, what to fill your personal plot or small yard - the paths are necessary to move from the house to the garage, wicket or gate, buildings (gazebo or shed) and various elements of the landscape.

The main requirement for a garden path is the smallest 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 laid element of landscape design. As for the width of the paths, there is an unspoken rule for the main top - 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 dimensions, there are also some requirements for the appearance of the tracks. These design elements of the site should not resonate with the site's image. Paths should also match the basic choice of landscape design materials. With an abundance of stone structures (barbecue, fencing, facing the foundation of a building or even finishing the facade), it will be logical to use natural material for arranging the site with garden paths.

Conventionally, all types of tracks can be divided into two types - solid and not solid. The name speaks for itself. The choice of this or that type will depend on the size of the site (length of paths) and the role of garden paths in its arrangement (whether they are a key design element or play an exclusively practical role).

According to the type of material of execution, garden paths can be divided into:

  • stone (plastic, pebbles, paving stones and not only);
  • wooden;
  • concrete;
  • brick;
  • paths from scrap materials and construction waste (from glass to used plastic covers).

Here is an example of decorating a garden path in the now popular steppingstones style. Elements of such trails seem to represent places for placing a foot - you move along large stones or saw cuts of logs dug into the ground. One of the practical and at the same time economical ways to design such a path is to make concrete tiles of 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 for the execution of garden paths. For example, concrete slabs of a strictly square shape look harmoniously in combination with a pebble stone. No less effect can be achieved by combining solid wooden paths with small pebbles or plastic.

Flowerbeds and flower beds - site decoration

Flowerbeds and flower beds are a necessary element of any landscape design. Even on 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 elements of landscape design. Flower beds differ in shape and size, location in relation to the horizon line and the choice of plants for planting. Each owner of a personal plot, summer cottage or private courtyard will be able to find his best option.

Flower beds are divided into the following types:

  • regular - different plants are planted in such flower beds, blooming at a certain period of time, but arranged in the form of a certain pattern;
  • irregular - the most popular type of flower beds that can delight 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 level of the horizon;
  • vertical ("living" walls) - the best option for small areas, or decoration of fences, walls of some buildings
  • carpet - planting of plants is done so tightly and in a clear order that it allows you to create an imitation of a carpet pattern;
  • monoclumba - by the name it is clear that in such a flower garden there are plants of the same type.

Often, raised flower beds can be found on personal plots and in the courtyards of private houses. Which are used not to decorate the territory, but as an agricultural element - for the cultivation of cucumbers and tomatoes. The concept of "dacha hard labor" for many of our compatriots has sunk into oblivion, but the opportunity to pick fresh vegetables and herbs to the table overpowers modern trends in landscape design.

Artificial reservoirs in the local area

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

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

Fencing the site - we use the fence as a decor

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

By combining the fence 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 in style.

Buildings, recreation areas and barbecue areas

Even having a very modest in size adjoining territory, any owner wants to organize places for outdoor recreation, an area for meals, barbecue, sectors for accommodating guests and holding parties. Depending on the size of the site, your needs and financial capabilities, you can arrange recreation areas with different functional backgrounds.

From European countries, the motive of organizing recreation places like Spanish patios has penetrated into landscape design. A small area, most often fenced on all sides by buildings, structures or a fence, is equipped in a universal way - here you can simply chat in the open 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 for recreation must be accompanied by the presence of a barbecue - outdoor recreation without cooking a barbecue is not considered successful.

In order to organize a place for a meal, terraces or areas under awnings are ideal, so that you can enjoy delicious meals 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 seating area on sofas and in armchairs made of artificial rattan. Here, under the shed, you can place barbecue equipment. On the one hand, such an installation is convenient in terms of traffic, on the other, it is safe, because the barbecue equipment is not part of the main building.

Site lighting - an element of landscape design

Providing the local area with a sufficient level of illumination in the dark is a matter of not only safety, but also beauty. A well-thought-out and competent arrangement of lighting devices will not only allow you to move around the site without a hand-held flashlight, but also create a completely unique atmosphere of a private courtyard and the facade of the house. By highlighting parts of buildings, flower beds and paths, steps and decorative sculptures, you can end up with a unique image of a personal plot.

Formally, all courtyard and home lighting 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 (it includes the illumination of the entrance to the building, garage, gates or wickets, the very entrance to the site), and the second is responsible for decorating the territory with lighting (highlighting the most outstanding elements of landscape design, which can be both fountains and bridges across the pond, and the most common lilac bush).

For small plots, backyards of private urban-type houses and just small summer cottages, it may be enough to evenly distribute the lamps along the garden paths and hang a lantern on the building at the main entrance. Large areas may require different types of lighting fixtures - from pendant lights for buildings to LED flasks for large trees and shrubs.

Lighting equipment should be all-season durable and preferably powered by solar energy. When using any type of lighting, it is necessary to draw up a plan for 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 the pitch darkness makes a psychologically difficult impression on a person walking along it.

Some ten years ago, our compatriots were proud of decorating their summer cottage or the adjacent territory of a private courtyard with various sculptures. But after Europe, where the use of garden gnomes and animal sculptures became considered bad form, the Russian owners of yards and estates stopped decorating their garden paths in this way. But the use of colors will never go out of style. Blooming 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 - in a spacious area to decorate a terrace or dining area under a canopy, and in a small backyard, where nothing can fit in addition to a couple of comfortable chairs and a 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.