Modern landscape design. Main trends. Landscaping design of a summer cottage - the best styles and beautiful ideas Simple DIY landscape design

A summer cottage or a country house is a cherished dream for most city dwellers. The modern rhythm of the metropolis exhausts people, and they strive at any cost to free time get into the lap of nature.

First steps

If you are lucky enough to acquire your own plot of land, then sooner or later you will want to arrange it to your own taste. Landscape summer cottage Not only a professional can create. Even the most ordinary gardener can do this kind of work - you just need to know some of the laws and rules of this art.

The design and landscape of a summer cottage will be in harmony if all plantings are selected in the same style, in combination with the exterior of the buildings. The main task of design in a garden plot is harmony and beauty in a separate area.

Country landscape rules

First, you should create a plan of your site and indicate on it all existing and proposed objects - a house, a bathhouse, shrubs and trees. This way you will clearly see how best to organize your free space.

Designing the landscape of a summer cottage is an extremely exciting activity. It is better to group the plants that you have selected for your “hacienda” than to plant them individually. But here it is necessary to ensure that they do not interfere with each other’s growth. In addition, you should not plant trees in a straight line - strict symmetry usually deprives the area of ​​naturalness.

Landscape of a summer cottage: creating masterpieces with our own hands

All owners of summer cottages strive to fence off their territory from prying eyes. To do this, it is not at all necessary to build a three-meter brick fence. Looks much more attractive hedge. It will not only protect the area from prying eyes, but will also decorate it. Think about what you want it to be - climbing or evergreen, tall or short. A flowering hedge looks very impressive, for the creation of which almonds, lilacs, mock orange, and bird cherry are perfect.

If you select conifers, then it is better to add annual climbing specimens to them. This could be morning glory, sweet pea, ivy, etc.

For a large summer cottage plot, it is not difficult to create decorative and plant areas. It is much more difficult for owners of modest-sized dachas. How to create a landscape for a summer cottage with your own hands, if the latter is no more than six acres? Small cottages are always charming with their unique comfort. Here every bush, every design element is in plain sight. Therefore, all details must be thought through especially carefully. For example, in the absence of a large amount of free space, you can create multi-level garden compositions.

IN small garden the land should not be empty, but this does not mean that the site should be oversaturated. You can visually expand the space with the help of artificial hills, fenced with low stone walls.

Landscape of a summer cottage with a slope

For some, such a dacha seems like a punishment, while others perceive it as a great success. Such a site opens up great opportunities in creating landscape design. Don't rush to level the slope. It should be strengthened and played beautifully.

Style selection

The landscape of a summer cottage with an unconventional shape requires a special approach. Plants for landscaping are selected depending on the natural characteristics of the slope - drying out of the soil, openness to winds, composition and depth of the soil layer. On a site that has a slope, you can do:

Flower garden with level differences;

Alpine slide;

Heather Garden;

Waterfall or rocky stream;

Vineyard.

Plot of 10 acres

This is not the smallest cottage. To make the landscape of a 10-acre dacha plot organic, make a list of everything that, in your opinion, should be in the dacha. Choose the style you will stick to - it largely depends on final result. If you feel that you cannot cope with this work, contact a specialist. A designer landscape for a summer cottage, of course, is not cheap, but the costs will be worth it.

If you nevertheless decide to do this work yourself, then after drawing up the project, proceed to choosing plants. They must match the climate in which the dacha is located. Do not overload the area. All buildings, paths, swimming pool or natural body of water require special attention and patience. Create the landscape gradually, it is impossible to do everything at once. Plan the work and complete it in stages.

Japanese garden

It's very original and very unusual design. It conceals comfort and tranquility. The Japanese garden combines three elements - stone (strength and durability), water (movement and growth of plants) and living elements - conifers, as well as beautifully flowering trees. Required elements such a garden should be a bridge over a pond and a gazebo. A plot of 10 acres will allow you to create Japanese garden, where you can retire or spend time with friends.

"Wildlife" in the garden

If your site is located on the border with a forest, then your decision to create a “wild” nature reserve on it will be completely natural. Wild trees will go well with the cultivated ones you diversify them with. Plant under trees shade-loving plants, for example, fern.

Country style

This garden is filled with details from village life. It may seem that it looks a little neglected and a little rustic. Nevertheless, it requires no less attention. Flower arrangements in such a garden they are created in boxes. A wattle fence with pottery and buildings with whitewashed facades are relevant here. A cart will fit perfectly into such a landscape. It can become a luxurious base for flower bed. A Moorish lawn is also suitable - a flower meadow that delights its owner with bright colors.

High-tech style

It is used not only in the interiors of apartments, but also in the design of a summer cottage. The peculiarity of such a landscape is its laconicism and severity of forms, color scheme. It is characterized by clear and straight lines in furniture and path layouts, the use modern materials during production Such a garden is distinguished by open spaces, plants are most often of a strict shape, trimmed.

Mediterranean style

It should remind you of a vacation in warm countries on the Mediterranean coast. IN last years it became very popular among summer residents. Such a garden must have a patio, shady corners, paved natural stone light-colored paths, herbs and flowers in ceramic pots, forged or wicker furniture.

Landscape of a small cottage

The center could be a round flowerbed, perhaps with a small fountain. You can do it yourself. If a fountain is not included in your plans, then install a small statue instead. It is better to fill the path deep into the garden with crushed stone or gravel, and paving slabs and refuse altogether. For plants, it is better to use ornamental grass, bright phlox, lavender or geranium.

Even the smallest pond, which can be made, for example, from a bathtub, will revive the area. Plant daffodils, mint, primroses and irises along the “banks”.

We design the center of the site

Start from the center to create a harmonious landscape. At a summer cottage, it is often decorated in the form of a tree with a shaped crown, a fountain surrounded by a sculptural group, and flowers in vases of different heights.

Children's playground and lawn

If you have children, then you will need to create a special landscape for your summer cottage. You can make an excellent playground with your own hands. It is more advisable to create it under the windows of the room where parents or other adult family members spend most of their time. It is better to make a lawn when exiting the terrace or veranda. You can arrange a recreation area on it. At the edge you can build a platform with a barbecue shelter.

Benches

Perhaps, not a single landscape of a summer cottage can do without this detail. Make the most with your own hands a simple bench Probably every man can. Only a master can make some kind of original, exclusive model. First, decide what kind of benches you want to see on your site. Today there are a great variety of them - metal, stone, wooden benches, rocking chairs and other models - it all depends on your financial capabilities and imagination.

Lighting

Finally, let's talk about the role of lighting when creating the landscape of a summer cottage. It performs the following functions:

Accent lighting;

General light.

Accent lighting does not illuminate objects in the area, but only indicates their contours. Its purpose is to set boundaries and indicate the direction of a person’s movement in the dark.

The general one illuminates paths, recreational facilities, and other key objects. Lighting a summer cottage does not necessarily have to be dull and simple, as in years past. You can do it yourself, but it is better to entrust this work to professionals. They will be able to correctly place landscape lights in flower beds and provide high-quality lighting for the garden, fountain, and gazebo.

Original lamps

The main problem with landscape lamps is their high cost. There is an exit. You can make lamps yourself from scrap materials - from wood chips and skewers, from clothespins. This way you can make a street lamp with LEDs, plastic lighting and garlands.

A person who is not professionally involved in design is quite capable of creating his own little oasis around the house. However, as in any science, in landscape design there are several rules that must be followed in order to achieve the desired result.

Maintain style

Many owners suburban areas they neglect the choice of style and fill the territory of the site with sculptural compositions and plants of various styles. The resulting chaotic composition, as a rule, hurts the eye. In order not to repeat the mistakes of unlucky homeowners, you need to choose a single design style for your site and stick to it.

Harmonious composition

When choosing design elements for the site, remember that they all must be harmoniously coordinated with each other. For example, a large fountain among a small flowerbed will look awkward and more repulsive than beautiful. Also remember about the compatibility of the materials used, their texture and color.

Laconic design

An annoying accumulation of various sculptures, plants, architectural forms has long ceased to be popular. Even if each object of the composition individually can be a real work of art, in combination with a dozen other catchy designs it will lose its charm. Laconism and simplicity are in fashion now, implying a combination of a small number of objects that perfectly complement each other.

Style selection

As already mentioned, one of the main rules of landscape design is compliance with a single style. To make your choice, consider several possible options and choose the one that suits the design of your home and, of course, suits your taste.

Classic style

Classic design suburban area implies the presence on the site of a house made in a classical style, and the reign of ideal geometric shapes and symmetry around it.

Elements classic style:

• regular, round-shaped pond (with or without a fountain);
• solemnly executed main entrance;
• shrubs in the form geometric shapes and an evenly trimmed lawn;
• massive benches, arches, columns, gazebos, flowerpots;
• plants - blue spruce, roses, grapes, begonias, lilacs, rose hips, honeysuckle, jasmine.

Country style

Rustic design style is the complete opposite of classic. This style is characterized by light, sweet negligence and the absence of regular geometric shapes. The flowers are arranged randomly, the flower beds are replete with a combination of the most different colors, becoming like a bright kaleidoscope. The paths, as a rule, are paved with non-continuous tiles of unequal shape, and the lawns are trimmed deliberately carelessly.

English (landscape) style

The beauty of the English style lies in maintaining a well-groomed but natural environment.

Style elements:

• arches and arbors with climbing roses and vines;
• irregularly shaped reservoirs;
• winding paths, alternating hills with flat areas;
• hedge;
• predominance of low shrubs and trees on the territory;
• a “carpet of flowers” ​​bed with scarlet sage, begonia, Indian canna and summer cypress;
• large flowering shrubs at the entrance to the house.

Provençal garden

French style It is distinguished by grace and lightness, and it can be recreated in a small area. The main thing is to capture the romanticism of the style and get rid of clear, straight lines.

Elements provencal style:

• gazebo made of wood or natural stone;
• gravel or stone ornate paths;
• flowers in round flower beds or in boxes, flowerpots;
• grape vines or ivy on the gazebo, fences;
• fruit trees with palmettes (with a fan-shaped crown) next to light walls made of stone.

Japanese style

This is the perfect landscape design country house, if its territory is not too large. Main element– a pond with a bridge, islands, decorative stones and lamps. Among the plants, juniper, rhododendron, and bonsai predominate, which look great among moss, stones and water. The peculiarity of the Japanese garden is minimalism, symbolism (emphasized by round elements) and tranquility.

Art Nouveau style

This landscape design of a suburban area denies negligence and lightness, and is distinguished by thoughtfulness and bold lines.

Elements of Art Nouveau style:

1. A perfectly trimmed lawn.
2. Neat geometry of the site, giving preference to arched, round lines.
3. Mandatory presence of a fountain or artificial pond.
4. Mainly used natural materials, possibly in combination with metal.
5. Bright flowers(for example, irises), trees and shrubs of non-standard shape.
6. It is possible to have a terrace and various kinds retaining walls.

Country style

Country is exaggerated country style. Landscape design A country house of this type, when executed correctly, looks amazingly simple and romantic.

Country style elements:

1. Slight sloppiness of paths made of tiles and natural stone.
2. Chaotic arrangement of bushes, trees and flowers.
3. Fruit trees, a huge amount of greenery, abounding in colors, bright flower beds and beds with sunflowers, tomatoes, strawberries, and blooming pumpkins.
4. Outdated kitchen and garden utensils as decorative elements.
5. Pond with a bridge and wooden gazebo near.

Chinese style

This style is reminiscent of the connection between nature and man; its peculiarity is the thoughtful arrangement of each element in accordance with the rules of Feng Shui. In a Chinese garden there is always a key element that attracts the most attention, and the remaining elements are arranged according to the Yin-Yang principle (the principle of contrast): for example, a combination of stone and water, shadow and light. There are usually traditional Chinese buildings on the site as well.

High-tech style

Landscape design of a country house in this style is suitable for those who do not like to spend a long time working on flowers and beds.

High-tech style elements:

• general orderliness, straight lines, clear geometrization;
• dim flowers and plants: hostas, ferns and the like;
• clear plant shapes;
• predominantly artificial materials in finishing: plastic, glass, concrete;
• a large number of original lamps.

Below in the article you can see different styles of landscape design for a country house in the photo.

Path design

Garden paths form and define the landscape of the site, giving it a certain character. To design paths, you can use gravel, concrete, decorative tiles, stone, and paving stones. You can combine materials: for example, the middle of the path can be occupied by slabs, and around them there can be a space filled with gravel.
Optimal width garden path– 1-1.5 meters, so that two people can easily pass on it. For practical purposes, there should be a slight slope on both sides of the path so that rainwater did not collect in puddles, but flowed onto the grass.

Flowers and greenery

There can be a great variety of solutions for filling and decorating a site. Let's look at the most common of them:

Lawn

This classic solution, which most people resort to when choosing the landscape design of a country house. The lawn can be garden (ordinary), parterre, or non-grass. With the right choice of type and careful care, the lawn will bring harmony and atmosphere to your site.

Flower garden

Choosing the shape and style of a flower bed is not as easy as it seems at first glance, but the result is definitely worth the effort. Remember that a modest house on a plot will be ideally complemented luxurious flower beds, and it is better to choose a laconic flower garden for a lush structure.

Flower bed shapes:

1. Mixborder is the most popular type of flower garden, in which flowers, shrubs and maybe even small trees are harmoniously combined. This type of flower garden allows you to choose different kinds plants and any form of flower bed that can “flow around” paths and buildings. The combination of contrasting colors and sizes looks impressive ( tall plants located either in the center or along the edges of the flower bed).
2. A rabatka is a ribbon of flowers that match each other in color and size. The rabatka is usually planted along paths, lawns, and can be one-sided or two-sided (for example, grow on both sides of an alley).
3. A vertical flower bed is an excellent solution for a flower garden in a small area. Flowers are planted in a multi-tiered container, filled with flowering, climbing fruit-bearing plants, herbs or greens.

Green spaces

Another option for landscaping the site is planting shrubs and non-fruiting ornamental trees. For example, boxwood with a topiary can give your site a completely unusual look. You can also grow vines along the walls of the buildings on the site.

Alpine slide

Alpine slide is special landscape composition, which represents hills with flowers, shrubs and other decorative elements. The first layer of the slide - broken brick or gravel, which is covered with a mound of earth. After the earth shrinks, stones are installed, then medium- and small-sized elements. The best plants for the hill are sedum, edelweiss, saxifrage, and lumbago. A properly designed alpine slide looks incredibly impressive.

Trees

If the size of the plot allows you to not only decorative trees, feel free to plant trees such as white acacia or horse chestnut: they will be an excellent addition to any design. Rowan and bird cherry will add coziness to the site, and euonymus will add originality.

Different types examples of landscaping, as well as the design of a country house site - photos can be viewed in our photo gallery.

Reservoirs

When choosing the type of pond that can become the highlight of your garden, proceed from your preferences, the style of the site and the purpose that the pond should serve. It may have an exclusively aesthetic role, but it may also have a practical role: for example, water from a reservoir can be used to irrigate a site.

Pond options:

• fountains;
• ponds;
• pool;
• waterfalls and cascades;
• circulating rivers;
• water mills.

Landscape design of a country house, photo examples using ponds, see below.

Selecting a fence

The fence that limits your plot from the neighboring one should stylistically match the house and garden. Choose the material carefully: brick, wood, stone, metal, green hedge– and remember about compatibility. You can decorate the fence with climbing vines and vines. Fences within a site can be used to separate different areas (for example, vegetable garden, garden, recreation area). Any material will do, the only requirement is compliance general style plot.

Arrangement of a recreation area

The recreation area can be areas of various sizes, shapes and purposes.

Alcove

The simplest, most unpretentious option for a relaxation area and at the same time very functional. In the gazebo you can sit alone, enjoying a book with a cup of coffee, you can meet friends and spend time playing exciting games and conversations. The gazebo can be made of wood, metal, brick and stone, can be open or glazed, round, square or in the shape of a polyhedron - as the owner wishes. The most important requirement for a gazebo, as for any element of landscape design, is compliance with the design of the area.

Patio

The patio is called small patio, which usually looks like a terrace or open veranda. The patio area is chosen on a flat, sunny spot in a picturesque corner of the garden, covered with tiles, wood or clinker bricks and arranged at your discretion. Patios usually have benches or sofas for sitting, street lighting, a small table, flowerpots with flowers, there may also be an outdoor fireplace.

Cooking area

Many owners of a country plot want to have a place in the backyard where they can cook shish kebab or barbecue. Options for organizing a place for cooking over a fire depend on the cooking method. Can choose:

• B-B-Q;
• barbecue;
• Russian stove;
• open hearth;
• fireplace with garden kitchen.

A separate safe area is required for a Russian stove and barbecue, while a canopy on a wooden floor is sufficient for a barbecue. Dinner Zone with an open hearth will decorate any yard, and a kitchen with a fireplace, although a very expensive project, makes it possible to constantly enjoy cooking and eating food in the fresh air.

Additional simple option is to place an open-air dining room (you can make a special area with a canopy, a long table, sofas, or just install a small table with a few chairs) to cook food in the house and eat outside in a picturesque corner.

Decorative elements

Decorative figures in a suburban area have long ceased to be limited to garden gnomes. There is a huge variety of garden decor elements that can be chosen according to your preferences and overall composition plot. The most interesting options:

Sculptures

The sculptures vary in shape, size and subject matter. It could be an animal or fairy tale character, peeking out from the shadows of the foliage - the story of this creature can be invented and told to guests. The sculpture can also be an avant-garde design composition that will become the highlight of your garden.

Vases

Vases with flowers are an alternative to flower beds, which is increasingly gaining popularity. It is easier to care for plants in a flowerpot, and this composition looks no less impressive.

Lighting

Decorative lighting – original way diversify your garden design. The combination of lamps of different heights looks most advantageous. Light contrasts can emphasize the beauty of any element of landscape design, giving the garden mystery or romance. White (yellow) lighting emphasizes the naturalness of nature, while colored lighting creates unique visual effects.

Stones

Do not rush to get rid of stones removed from the ground. Small, smooth, perhaps colored stones can be sprinkled, for example, between a flower bed and a path, and large stones can be used to imitate an oriental style rock garden.

Decorative elements in the landscape design of a suburban area in the photo you can see further.

Design options for areas of different sizes

At the sites various sizes can be implemented different ideas.

Plot of 6 acres

A low fence and winding paths will give a feeling of spaciousness to a small area. The best option design in a small area is a geometric style, which could often be found in Soviet dachas: it uses space as efficiently as possible. In the northern part of the site you can locate a greenhouse and technical buildings. There may also be a row of trees that will provide shelter from unpleasant winds and help organize the space of the site. Make sure that the house in a small area does not cast a shadow on light-loving plants. Can be used in decoration vertical gardening, which will be original and the best option for decorating a small area.

Plot of 10 acres

Trees and shed on the site bigger size are still located in the northern part, but there is much more scope for decorating the remaining space. You can plant a lawn on such an area, just large flower beds or undergrowth (low grasses and shrubs that do not need much light: bluebells, ferns, daisies). You can install a gazebo or even a sauna - all buildings will fit perfectly into the surrounding design if they are entwined with neat vines. The size of such a plot also allows you to arrange more complex compositions: a Japanese garden with a gazebo and an artificial stream or a “wild nature corner” with forest trees.

Plot of 12 acres

A garden of this size provides enormous opportunities to express your imagination. In addition to residential buildings, you can install a pond with a waterfall on it, and the soil that is extracted to equip the reservoir can easily turn into the foundation for an alpine slide. The main path of the garden can branch into small paths and go to remote corners. On a large area you can create a safe play area for children or arrange a patio for relaxation.

Photo gallery

In our gallery you will find 19 more great ideas how to make a landscape design for a country house.

Landscape design of a personal plot or private yard is not just the ability to transform the area around the house, it is the real art of creating beauty and harmony of your “I” with surrounding nature. Only at first glance everything is simple - I planted several fruit-bearing trees on the site, a couple of bushes near the entrance, laid out a flowerbed and covered the rest of the space with a lawn. But what to do if such a scenario does not meet your requirements on the aesthetic side of the issue. If in your dreams you saw a well-groomed summer cottage or a small backyard, where you can relax in a hammock in the fresh air or have lunch with the whole family in a cozy gazebo, or maybe read a book near a small pond?

How to arrange the territory near a country house or private household so that both the owners would be pleased to look at the fruits of their labors, and the guests would have something to surprise? We hope that our selection of interesting landscape design projects created for the most different sizes and shapes, territorial location and practical purpose, will help you be inspired for “gardening” exploits on your own site.

Planning the design of the area near the house

After a dusty and noisy city, it’s so nice to plunge into an oasis of greenery and freshness, which is located on its own backyard private household or go to the country on the weekend and plunge into a world of incredible closeness to nature. But in any case, it will be necessary to work hard to create not only a green, blooming space, but also a practical place for relaxation with the whole family and in the company of friends and acquaintances.

Before you start planning landscape design on your territory, you will have to work on paper or in a special planner program:

• designate exact dimensions and the shape of the site;
• mark existing buildings (house, garage, etc.) on the plan;
• mark the buildings that you would like to build (place absolutely everything on the plan - from a doghouse to a gazebo), even if it seems that the building is small and there will always be a place for it, it is better to take everything into account right away, there is always not enough space, no matter how much there is was;
• divide the entire area into segments - squares, each of which will contain one or another design element (this will make it easier for you to evenly distribute everything landscape elements, especially if the area is large);
• check all perennials that are already growing on the site and plan to plant new ones (remember the distance between trees and in relation to buildings and structures);
• mark the location on the plan engineering systems(irrigation and water supply of ponds, fountains and cascades, lighting), perhaps at this stage you will need specialist advice.

Next, it is necessary to carry out “reconnaissance on the ground” - to find out the characteristics of the soil and flow groundwater(if any), identify areas of stagnant water and carry out drainage if necessary. You also need to decide on the level of hilliness of the site and find out whether you want to level the soil or leave the pristine landscape of a private area.

Choosing a color palette for landscape design

Cleverly selected color palette landscape design, can transform and make even the simplest and low-budget project unique. But for such a harmonious appearance of your summer cottage or garden plot, you need to take into account color scheme elements that can be divided into the following groups:

Elements of natural landscape. These are bushes, trees and other plants, hills and stones, ponds and paths that were created by nature itself. Whatever you choose to leave in to add a natural feel to your landscaping will impact the color palette of the area. It is important to take into account that natural shades will change depending on the time of year and the climate of the area where you are located.

Objects of architecture. This is, first of all, the main building of the house and its extensions - garage, veranda, terrace, bathhouse, greenhouse. As well as bridges, gazebos, canopies and other buildings. The facade of the building and the elements of all buildings must be in a harmonious color combination. This does not mean that it is necessary to paint all buildings the same color. Perhaps some building on your site is destined to become an accent spot, stand out from the general background and take on the role of a focal point. But more often than not, it is the house that becomes the focal point around which the entire concept of decorating the surrounding area is built.

Items of social and decorative landscape. This group includes all plantings, ponds, rock gardens and flower beds that were created by the hands of the designer or the owners of the site. In this case, the possibilities for manipulating shades and halftones are endless, using flowering plants you can create a unique colorful “carpet” of plantings that will change throughout the warm season (usually from April to October in our country). After all, you can use entire avenues of evergreens to ensure a consistent dominance of color in your personal plot or backyard areas.

Other site design elements. These include garden paths and platforms, decking and platforms, sculptures, hammocks and swings. All these elements leave their mark on the overall color scheme of the area near your country house or private home. In matters of creating a certain mood in landscape design, it is the color palette that plays a key role. By using color combinations you can disguise the imperfections of the territory, visually enlarge the space or give it a certain shape, without resorting to drastic actions.

Relaxation area with barbecue or fireplace

Most of our compatriots, who have become the happy owners of a summer cottage or who have decided to improve the yard of a private household, decide, first of all, to organize a place for preparing shish kebab and barbecue. For some, it is enough to build a barbecue and place a couple of garden chairs; for others, a major canopy with a dining group near the outdoor stove and a soft area made up of garden chairs and sofas are needed. There are as many opinions as there are owners of private houses. But we are sure that from the proposed options for organizing a place for relaxing cooking on a fire, you will be able to find an inspiring project.

Barbecue equipment can be installed under a canopy on a wooden deck. But for a barbecue or Russian stove you need separate plot, preferably on an area paved with stone or clinker bricks. For the convenience of cooking over a fire, it is better to place a couple of chairs and a small table next to the grill. The choice of materials for garden furniture is now wide – plastic, wood, rattan, metal and their combinations. Furniture made from plastic is the cheapest. But also practical. Wicker products made from natural rattan look very respectable and even festive, but their price is high. Based on your financial capabilities and the planned frequency of using furniture for outdoor gatherings.

Even in a small yard you can compactly but safely place the necessary attributes for cooking over a fire. It would be most logical to place a small lunch group so that you can dine in the fresh air and taste freshly prepared dishes.

If we talk about an open hearth, then, as a rule, it is made in a round shape. The logical design of the rest area next to it is again a circle. The harmonious and compact shape of the recreation area not only fulfills the functionality assigned to it, but is also able to decorate any garden plot or private yard.

Capital building garden kitchen under a canopy and an adjacent outdoor fireplace, requires a lot of effort and financial investment. But the cost of such a project quickly depreciates, given how often everyone wants to cook and eat food outdoors.

Outdoor dining

A wonderful opportunity to dine with the whole family outside or host an outdoor dinner party should not be missed. Moreover, this does not require much effort. Of course, you will need to purchase a dining set for the street (choose light but durable table options; it is better to take folding chairs or armchairs or easily assemble into one if you place them vertically). It will be easier for you if your dining area is sufficiently mobile, because in the winter or simply in bad weather you will need to put the furniture under a canopy or bring it indoors.

It is better to place a table and chairs for outdoor dining on a platform paved with stone or any other tile. This way you can provide sufficient stability for the furniture without allowing the metal garden furniture, for example, went deep into the ground.

If you choose a table with a hole for installing an umbrella (there are plenty of such models among garden furniture), you will be able to provide your family with the opportunity to dine outside on hot sunny days.

Also, an umbrella for sun protection can be installed, if necessary, next to the outdoor dining table. But remember about weights to stabilize the structure in windy conditions.

The canopy looks incredibly beautiful, the frame of which is made of wood, and the role of an awning is played by climbing plants. Any food at such a table will taste better in the romantic and pleasant atmosphere created by man together with nature.

Garden paths and lawns

It is the combination of garden paths with a lawn (if there is one on your site) that forms the landscape design pattern. Paths not only provide free movement around your yard or garden plot, but also form certain segments of the landscape.

Some people like the clear geometry in the arrangement of paths, for others it is more pleasant to look and walk along winding stone paths that go around certain landscaping objects of the site. Paths can be paved with different material– paving stones, stone, clinker or regular bricks, fine gravel and decorative pebbles. The paths made from combined material. For example, you have large stone slabs along the path of the garden path, and fill the space around it with fine gravel.

Another way to make original, but at the same time incredibly functional paths is to fill the space around concrete slabs small pebbles. Against the backdrop of a green, perfectly trimmed lawn, such paths look amazing and create an orderly and harmonious environment in the local area.

Nowadays, you can easily purchase a ready-made lawn for your site; it will be delivered in rolls and spread on your territory with an individual adjustment to the curves of its shape. But you can do it the old fashioned way and sow a cleared area for a lawn, wait for germination and trim it depending on your preferences. But in this case, it is important to immediately say that no one can achieve the ideal density of seedlings the first time; you have to re-sow the grass in the bald spots and monitor the new growth. In any case, you will need timely watering of the lawn (think over the irrigation system in advance) and regular mowing (you can also rent lawn mowers, but it is more rational and more profitable to purchase a garden unit).

When there are no boundaries between the lawn and the extensive plantings in the flower beds, an incredibly harmonious and natural atmosphere is created in the yard or area. In a festive green robe, your yard will be pleasing to the eye, and give the owners the opportunity to take a break from the concrete and glass structures of the big city.

Artificial ponds as an element of landscape design

To make the environment of your summer cottage or small courtyard more harmonious, use water in any form. Swimming pools, small ponds or just bowls of water that continuously flows - perfect option to create a calming and relaxing environment.

Not a single oriental landscape design is complete without the use of a natural or artificial reservoir, but Asians know a lot about creating a peaceful and balanced atmosphere.

What could be better than having the opportunity to plunge into the cool waters of a swimming pool located in the local area on a hot summer day? Of course, to organize a pool on your site it will be necessary to involve specialists and even heavy construction equipment. But all the costs (time, effort, energy and financial resources) will be paid off by the incredible opportunity of owning your own mini-reservoir on your personal plot or in the courtyard of a private house.

A place to relax on a plot with a soft zone

Having the opportunity to relax in the lap of nature, I would like to do it with maximum comfort - in the shade of trees or an awning, on soft sofas or armchairs. You can set up such a platform either on a wooden deck or platform, or on a platform paved with stone or concrete.

If we talk about upholstered furniture for street use, then it is more practical to use rattan or any other wicker furniture with removable soft seats and backs. Typically, the upholstery textiles of such pillows can be easily cleaned with a damp sponge, or the covers are removable and washable in a washing machine.

How to Landscape a Small Lot or Small Backyard

If you are very limited in the area of ​​​​the plot, then you will need, first of all, to set priorities and decide what is most important to you - to be able to relax in the shade of trees, have dinner with the whole family in the open air, or set up an area for preparing shish kebab and barbecue. Or maybe you need a place for a playground or a place to walk your pet?

No matter how you distribute the segments of outdoor recreation that are important to you, you cannot do without fencing your territory. To brighten up appearance boring fence, plant climbing plants or low trees near it that will create a natural atmosphere. In such an environment, you can at least for a while forget about the noisy city outside your backyard.

But what if your backyard is just a piece of land that you've converted to a wood deck? Or you don’t even have a backyard, but you have some free space on the roof. There is a way out of any situation. The next few images of design projects for arranging such mini-segments for outdoor recreation are proof of this.