Planning your outdoor room can sometimes feel like a daunting task. But like most
projects, if you break it down into steps, it miraculously becomes easier. If you have just
moved into a new home and have an open space in your backyard that reminds you of the Nebraska
prarie, one way to start breaking down the space is to pick a spot in your landscape
where you would like to be able to spend time sitting. Choose a spot where you can capitalize
on a view. This view could be as grand as a mountain range or as simple as a bird feeder.
Then place a garden bench or small table and inviting chairs in the location you have chosen.
Now plan a way to reach this inviting garden bench or small table and chairs.
I happen to be fond of a path that curves but a more direct path can be just as enticing and
give the space a more formal look. Spend some time thinking how you want your garden to feel
and look. Looking through garden magazines and books can be a great way to get a feel for
how your own yard will look.
Another way to use this same technique is to create a space not for sitting and looking out
but a space that people will be gazing at. In other words, create a focal point. Find a place
in your landscape you are already fond of sitting and then look off and find a location
to put a focal point. This could be a piece of sculpture, a favorite plant, a
birdhouse, a fountain; you are limited only by your imagination.
An important thing to remember when creating these spaces is to not compete. In other
words, make sure everything in your garden flows from one experience to the next. A path is
a great way to tie everything together. You do not want your eye jumping from one thing to the
next with no direction. Screening with either plants or structural pieces can also help
you to keep focal points from competing with one another.
