It might be too late to get your landscaping design up to par for 2015, but it’s the perfect time to plan for 2016.

As summer 2015 draws to a close, we have fingers crossed that this winter comes with every bit of precipitation that it’s hyped up to! This would make for a fantastic summer 2016 and a great time to plan and plant your yards. Follow these tips to get your backyard up to snuff, and let summer 2016 be your home’s best summer yet!

Sustainability

As we are currently in a bit of a drought, sustainable landscaping and backyard design is becoming more and more relevant. Plants that need less water, but still look healthy and vibrant are leading the way in modern landscape design. Sustainable gardens and landscaping makes sense on an economical level as well as an environmental one.

Tasty Treats

Let’s here it for the gardeners! Anyone who has a had a tomato or squash pulled straight from their grandparent’s garden knows the difference that home-grown foods can make to a meal. Why not make the foods a focal point? Leafy lettuces and squashes make for beautiful yet edible ground cover, whereas taller plants can add dimension and interest. Opt for a combination of fruits, vegetables and herbs to make your outdoor space as deliciously beautiful as possible!

Quality > Glitz

Over-the-top and showy landscaping seems to be a thing of the past, but if they are done in a practical way, large scale and showy landscapes can still work. However, homeowners and designers seem to be moving in a direction of quality and natural aspects of backyard design. From leaving large natural trees and boulders to creating retaining walls and built-in bars that seem to be a part of nature themselves, it’s all about quality, organic touches.

Water Features

Water features can transform the look of an entire space and give it such a luxe and personalized feel. At any budget, it is completely possible and practical to add a water feature to your landscaping design. From self-contained and portable features to large scale built-in waterfalls, your yard will benefit from the sound and peacefulness that a water feature provides.

Furniture

Outdoor furniture is now more that just your grandma’s old patio chairs. More than just functional, it is now comfortable and stylish! With fabrics that are acrylic and waterproof/water resistant in all different colors, patterns and styles, its easy to customize your outdoor space into a space that speaks to your personality just as much as your interior décor.

Animal Sanctuaries

It may seem much more common to incorporate foods and water features into a yard design, but people are also taking native and non-native animals into account! Apiaries as well as chicken coups are becoming increasing more popular as people are seeing the value in home-grown organic foods. How great to be able to collect your own fresh honey and eggs?

Go Green

It’s becoming easier to go green these days, in all aspects of you home, and what space makes more sense to be organic and natural than your backyard? In Parc Foret we highly believe in leaving as many of our gorgeous pines as possible as well as accenting them with plants and flowers that are native and appear natural in our Northern Nevada setting. If you are looking to go green even further, try a reclaimed wooden deck or one made of eco friendly materials!

Check out HGTV’s Green Home for more exciting ways to transform your outdoor space if you don’t want to regrade the whole space!

All photos courtesy of Pinterest.com.

---

Follow Parc Forêt on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram to stay up to date on all things design, as well as Montrêux events and the Reno-Tahoe area!

For real estate inquiries, stop by the beautiful Montrêux Welcome Center at 16475 Bordeaux Dr. in Reno, NV or call us at 775.849.9444. The Welcome Center is open 7 days a week, from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.