When landscape construction design is done well, your new outdoor space becomes an extension of your home. That is true both in looks but also in the overall experience. A key way that this is achieved is when the landscape complements the architectural design of the home.
Although we really love to be involved in landscaping at the time that a home is built (it is truly the best way to ensure the home and the landscape complement one another), we recognize this isn’t always possible.
Oftentimes, homeowners get in touch with us after purchasing a home when they want to upgrade the outdoor residential landscaping from the “builder’s grade” landscape they received.
In this article, we’ll dive into some important ways that you can ensure your landscape complements your home’s architectural design, even if they weren’t completed at the same time.
#1: Understanding Your “Architectural Style” for Your Landscape Construction Design
Your home already has an “architectural style.”
Is it modern? Rustic? A little of both?
Whatever the style might be, you want your landscape and its design to complement that so that they flow well.
For instance, if you have a very modern-looking home with a lot of clean lines and straight edges, then you would want the landscape design to complement that.
But if you have more of a natural or rustic home, you might want a lot of free-flowing and natural elements. The latter might solicit more meandering lines and organic curves as opposed to the straight lines and geometrical design you’d want for a highly modern home.
These are the types of details that an artistically skilled landscape designer will consider. People don’t always realize how much the landscape can contribute to the beauty of a home.
On the flip side, when the landscape and the architectural design clash, it can detract from a home’s appeal.
It’s important to work with a landscape designer who will take your home’s style into account.
#2: Consider Complementing Materials in Your Architectural Landscape Design
One of the ways that your home and your landscape can complement one another is by considering the materials that were used to build your home. Many homes here in Bozeman and Big Sky Montana use a lot of natural stone.
We love working with natural stone in the landscape because it is the superior choice. But it’s also a great way to ensure that the home itself and the landscape blend seamlessly.
Natural stone can be used to create your patios, walkways, and other hardscape areas. We also like using boulders and large rocks in our landscape designs. This is another great way to get natural stone into your design in a way that complements the home.
Boulders can be used as decorative accents or to build retaining walls. We have also used large slabs to build steps.
#3: Considering the “Colors” of your Bozeman or Big Sky, MT property
Your home already has colors associated with it, too. Whether you have siding, stone, or some other material, your home might have one or more different colors that create its aesthetic look.
While you do not necessarily need to identically match your hardscaping color to your home’s color it helps when they complement one another (as opposed to clashing).
Every home is different. Sometimes, it makes sense to use the identical stone used on a home within the landscape. For instance, fieldstone is commonly used on the walls of homes. We can incorporate fieldstone boulders into the landscape design to create a complementary look that isn’t overly matchy-matchy.
Other times we might just tie in the same stone on a feature like a fire pit or a fireplace. This helps tie the look together without overdoing it.
The design for residential landscaping should truly be a case-by-case decision depending on what’s already there, what the homeowner is looking for, and what will help tie the entire look together.
Obviously, the softscaping materials (plants) that you add to your landscape design will also contribute to the colors of your property. Your landscape designer will be selective about what plant materials add the right colors (and textures) to your space.
Again, the goal is to complement the home’s exterior as opposed to clashing with it.
That means if your home has a lot of warm tones and textures, then similar plants (like those flowering with creamy whites and earthy pinks) will have a nice complementary look. But if your home has a lot of cool gray tones, then plants with bluish and purplish hues might be the best complement.
Again, every home is unique.
In general, color harmony is really important in your landscape design. A landscape and home that have good color harmony look balanced and appealing. But extreme variations can look “busy” or even “messy” to the eye. There should not be too much visual stimulation going on.
A landscape designer will help create just the right balance, keeping your home’s colors in mind.
#4: Don’t Forget About Shape
A lot of custom-built homes here in Bozeman and Big Sky, MT also have unique shapes. They aren’t cookie-cutter designs but are truly original.
You must also consider your home’s shape when designing the perfect and complementary residential landscaping. This will help with a blended look.
This is quite similar to what we talked about in the first section when discussing a home’s architectural style. A modern home is likely to have more sharp angles and straight lines and the landscape can complement that.
But a home with a more fluid design might look best with rounded shapes that complement the softer, more natural look.
Often homes don’t fit into a singular box, either. Many homes here in Montana might fit into the category “Modern Rustic.” They have a little bit of both. No matter what the case, you want your landscape design to be an attractive complement.
Landscape Design in Bozeman and Big Sky, MT that Complements Your Home
Making sure that your landscape complements your architectural design ultimately comes down to working with a landscape professional who will take every small detail into account.
While you might assume that most landscapers would do this, that’s not the case at all. It’s a matter of making sure that you’re getting truly custom design work. You don’t want to work with a landscape designer who uses cookie-cutter designs again and again.
At Blanchford Landscape Group, we have a very comprehensive, multi-step landscape design process that helps us to hone your design to perfection. No two projects are alike, so this is a very individualized process.
We start each project with the mindset that the landscape is a true extension of the home both functionally but also aesthetically. An outdoor living space looks and functions better when it seamlessly blends with the home itself.
It should not look as though your landscape was added on without any care for the home’s architecture.
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, the earlier that we can be involved in a project, the better. Because of our dedication to architecture, we’ve also partnered with architects over the years and been involved with the landscape design process as early as when the home was being built. This is really the optimal situation as it allows both of us (the architect and the landscaper) to work together to create an amazing home and landscape.
However, we’re obviously often brought into the process after a home has already been designed and built and we can certainly work within that situation, too. While the home’s architectural design elements have already been chosen, we can still find creative and custom ways to achieve landscaping to match the architecture.
Once completed, your landscape will look as though it was always meant to be there. And as a result, it will make your experience on the property even more enjoyable.
Are you ready to get the process of bringing your outdoor dreams at your Bozeman or Big Sky, MT home to life? Let’s connect and talk about your project. Then, we can meet and begin talking about your ideas. We can’t wait for you to enjoy a beautiful outdoor living space.
