Redesigning a yard can be overwhelming, especially when working with budget constraints. Breaking the project into manageable phases allows homeowners to create a beautiful outdoor space over time and complete each area in sections. This approach not only spreads out the cost but also enables you to adapt your design as you go.
In this article and the video above, landscape designer Jenn Nawada demonstrates how to transform a yard by dividing it into distinct “rooms” with specific functions.
Creating a Master Plan For Your Yard
Before embarking on any landscaping project, create a comprehensive master plan. This plan will serve as a roadmap for your yard’s transformation, ensuring that each phase contributes to a cohesive final design. Intelligent planning will save time and effort and result in a harmonious landscape.
Breaking Down the Landscape
To create an effective master plan:
- Assess your yard’s current layout and features
- Create a timeline for implementing each phase
- Determine your priorities and budget constraints
- Divide your yard into distinct functional areas or “rooms”
- Identify areas for improvement or redesign
Pro Tip: Landscape designer Pfeiffer, quoted in This Old House Magazine, advises: “Look carefully at the areas that lead out of the house and into the garden, and at the transitions between outdoor rooms.” Starting with paved surfaces like terraces and paths is a priority most designers agree on, as these hardscape elements form the backbone of your phased plan.
Defining Functional Areas
When designing your yard, think about incorporating various functional areas such as:
- Dining area
- Entertainment space
- Entry and exit points
- Garden beds
- Relaxation zones
Each of these areas should have a specific purpose while flowing seamlessly together. A well-thought-out design ensures that every part of your yard is beautiful and practical.
Implementing Room 1: The Outdoor Entertainment Area
For this particular project, Nawada traveled to Florida to assist a new homeowner with their yard design project.
The first phase of the project focuses on creating an inviting entertainment area. This space serves as the centerpiece of the homeowner’s yard, providing a comfortable spot for gatherings and relaxation. A well-designed entertainment area sets the tone for the entire outdoor space.
When creating a home plan, keep in mind that you can customize each “room” to fit your interests, climate, and budget.
Pro Tip: When planning a phased yard project, always work from the house outward. As the This Old House team discussed after reviewing the completed project: “That’s the beauty of a big plan — you can plan for the whole thing and you can work on just what you can afford and pick the rest later. But you don’t do it backwards. You work your way out.” Starting with the entertainment area closest to the home ensures you get the most use from your investment right away.
Patio Resurfacing
To give the existing patio a fresh look, Nawarda uses artistic concrete. The process involves these steps:
- Apply a dark-tinted base coat
- Tape a tile pattern
- Add a lighter tinted texture coat
- Apply a tinted sealer
- Remove tape to reveal simulated grout lines
- Clean up and apply a final top coat
This technique transforms a plain concrete patio into an attractive, low-maintenance surface.
Shade Solutions
You can also add a shade structure to make the entertainment area more comfortable during hot days. In the project featured in the video, Nawada installs a shade sail to cool off the patio. These versatile structures provide protection from the sun while adding a stylish element to your outdoor space. Additional shade options include pergolas, retractable awnings, and umbrellas.
Designing Room 2: The Florida-Friendly Garden
In the project’s second phase, Nawada works on creating a lush, eco-friendly garden space that complements the entertainment area. Nawada incorporates native plants and sustainable practices to ensure long-term success.
Selecting Native Plants
When choosing plants for your garden, opt for native species that are well-adapted to your local climate. In the video, Nawada and her team use these Florida-friendly plants:
- Andonidia palm
- Coontie palm
- Crepe myrtle
- Iris
- Nandina
- Smooth cordgrass
Native plants thrive in the local environment and require less maintenance and water once established. They also support local wildlife and contribute to regional biodiversity.
Creating a Butterfly Garden
The team also incorporated a butterfly garden to add visual interest and support local wildlife. If you want to build a butterfly garden yourself, choose plants that attract butterflies and other pollinators, such as:
- Butterfly bush
- Lantana
- Milkweed
- Pentas
- Salvia
Place these plants in a sunny area with protection from strong winds to create an ideal habitat for butterflies.
Planting Tip: When installing your plants, bury them so they sit about two inches above grade. This prevents them from being smothered by the pine straw mulch that goes on top. Be sure to loosen the root balls as they go into the ground to encourage healthy root growth. If your plants come with slow-release fertilizer already embedded from the nursery, you can skip an initial feeding.
Using Natural Mulch
Use natural mulch materials to complete the garden look and improve soil health. Nawada recommends pine bark mulch for walkways and pine straw for general garden areas.
Pro Tip: When applying mulch, spread it about 2 to 3 inches thick, but keep it away from the base of your plants so you don’t smother them. After everything is planted and mulched, give the entire garden a deep soaking to start, then check it once a day to see if it needs more water until plants are established. As the This Old House team discovered during the project, the results can be almost immediate—a butterfly arrived in the garden before the crew even finished the installation.
Connecting the Yard Rooms
Establish connections between different areas of your yard to create a cohesive outdoor space. Thoughtful design ensures that each room flows into the next, creating a harmonious experience.
Creating Pathways
Install meandering paths to guide visitors through your garden and connect different functional areas. In the video, Nawada uses pine bark mulch to create natural-looking walkways that complement the surrounding landscape.
You can also use materials such as gravel, stepping stones, and brick, depending on your design preferences and budget.
Focal Points
Incorporate focal points throughout your yard to draw the eye and create visual interest. These can include garden sculptures, seating areas, specimen plants, and water features.
Working with Existing Yard Design Features
Incorporate existing elements into your new design to maximize your budget and preserve the character of your yard. Repurposing and enhancing existing features can create a unique and personalized landscape.
Accentuating Mature Plants
If you have established plants, keep them and enhance their surroundings. In the video, Nawada works with an existing magnolia tree, accentuating it with complementary plants like coontie palms and ornamental grasses. This approach preserves mature plants and creates a cohesive design.
Repurposing Hardscapes
Instead of completely replacing existing hardscapes, consider updating them to fit your new design. Applying new materials, textures, and colors can refresh old surfaces and create a modern look.
Utilizing Existing Structures
Incorporate existing structures into your design to save on costs and labor. We recommend cleaning, painting, or staining existing decks, pergolas, and fences to match the theme of your new design. Enhancing these structures with climbing plants or light fixtures can integrate them seamlessly into the new landscape.
Planning for Future Phases of Your Yard
While implementing your initial phases, keep future plans in mind to ensure a seamless transition as you develop your yard. Planning ahead helps maintain consistency and avoids disruptions.
Expert Insight: Landscape designer Monique Allen advises tackling drainage and heavy disruptions first: “People should always improve drainage as part of the first stage. Most plants don’t like soggy soil, and dealing with the problem later would mean tearing up landscaping you’ve already installed.” She also recommends that any work requiring heavy equipment—such as removing dead trees or planting large shade trees over 30 feet—should be completed in the earliest phase to avoid damaging finished areas.
Leaving Room for Growth
When planting, consider the mature size of your chosen species and leave adequate space for them to grow. This foresight will prevent overcrowding and the need for major renovations in the future. Proper spacing also ensures that plants receive sufficient sunlight, water, and nutrients.
Preparing for Additional Features
As you work on your initial phases, prepare for future additions by doing the following:
- Considering how future elements will integrate with existing designs
- Installing necessary infrastructure (e.g. electrical conduits, irrigation lines)
- Leaving space for planned features (e.g. outdoor kitchens, water features)
Resources
The shade sail installed in the video to cool off the patio was manufactured by Creative Shade Solutions.
Expert assistance with this project was provided by Power Lawn Care in Winter Haven, FL, and Playground Services by David Bloom.
