This is the secret to a beautiful garden says gardening guru Charlie Albone
A gorgeous garden brings pleasure and boosts curb appeal. The easiest way of creating one is by doing this one thing.
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The right layout is most important in designing you garden area, says Charlie Albone.
“I often see houses and gardens where various elements have been added on over time and there is no continuity or consistency to the design,” he adds.
But when investing in a garden, it’s vital that all the areas are considered and thought through and that’s long before the first spade hits the soil.
Getting the right layout is the most important factor in designing a space, the level of finish will be determined by budget and some elements may have to be dropped or added on at a later date, explains Charlie, but as long as the layout and proportions in that layout are right, then you can rest assured that the garden will be on the right track.
Getting plans drafted allow you to see the full potential of your property and give you the opportunity to make mistakes without the cost of building them, he says.
“Make sure you have an accurate base plan with levels to work from as this will form the basis of the design,” says Charlie.
A surveyor will be able to provide this if there isn’t an existing one already for your property.
If drafting up plans yourself make sure you work to the correct scale and be realistic about all the things you can fit in your space.
There are things to consider. For example, just because you can fit a pool, dining area, lounge area, fire pit and kid’s play area on a drawing may not mean you can actually fit all of those elements in real life.
Nor may you wish to.
Three-dimensional plans allow those who don’t have the experience of reading plans to see the design come to life.
They are also a great tool for the designer and builder to really determine the junction between elements so all is resolved before building commences.
“Getting plans drawn up by a professional with experience will inevitably save you time and money in the long run and give you a cohesive and well-resolved design,” says Charlie.
Make sure when engaging a landscape designer you explain all the things you want to see as well as all the things you don’t want.
“This will allow your team to help transform your ideas into a full set of plans that can be used to build the garden of your dreams.”
Charlie Albone is the co-host of Selling Houses Australia and director behind Inspired Exteriors.