Category Archives: Landscape Design

Popular Outdoor Design Trends

Whether you have several acres and a pool or just a city balcony, here are the most popular outdoor design trends.

As we transition into summer, spending time outdoors becomes more important. After a grueling winter and spring, people are looking forward to being outside. So, there is more pressure than ever to create a resort-like space in our own backyards.

Popular Outdoor Design Trends

Popular Outdoor Design Trends and Plans

Four Popular Outdoor Design Trends

Glass Pool Fencing
Pool fencing and aesthetically pleasing rarely belong in the same sentence, but Aquaview pool fences are different. Founded by friends and entrepreneurs Jordan Goodman and Kelly Maynard, the brand was even featured on TLC’s Make This Place Your Home.

Aquaview fences are made from stainless steel and half-inch thick tempered safety glass. This has many advantages over traditional pool fencing. Unlike other materials, glass provides an unobstructed view and will not detract from landscaping or other architectural features. This is one of the popular outdoor design trends that can even increase property value, making it a smart investment.

Glass is also a better choice for safety than standard pool fencing. It is far easier for homeowners to keep an eye on children and pets through glass. It also discourages intruders and animals from getting into the pool area because glass cannot be climbed.

Outdoor Bars
At the end of April, Wayfair Professional released a report sharing data and search trends which revealed what their customers were looking to buy for the upcoming season. One of the most notable findings was that searches for outdoor bars increased by 155 percent. It’s easy to understand why. Much like a fun pool float, just the sight of an outdoor bar can put someone in a more festive mood.

Building an outdoor kitchen is a major undertaking that’s simply not an option for everyone. So, one of our popular outdoor design trends is an outdoor bar. There many options to choose from that will fit anyone’s budget making it a far less expensive alternative.

Lighting
Having sufficient outdoor lighting is essential to getting the most out of your backyard. One of the best ways to install lighting outdoors, according to John Barnes, who is a design expert with Lamps Plus, is using a DIY Landscape Lighting Kit. Easy to install plug-in kits come complete with everything you need: LED lights, plug-in transformer, and wire. Simply position the lights where you want in your yard, make the simple connections, and plug into an outdoor wall outlet. The transformers have built-in dusk-to-dawn sensors, so the lights will automatically come on at night and go off at sunrise.

It is recommend using these kits to highlight trees or garden details as well as brighten walkways for safety. There are so many different options for this type of lighting in a range of aesthetics and budgets.

Rope Furniture
One of the biggest and most popular outdoor design trends in outdoor furnishings is rope. It originally started as more of a coastal decor look but it’s now used in so many different ways that it can fit in almost style and budget.

There are many outdoor kitchen appliances and manufacturing companies to choose from. Here are a few we recommend; Masterbuilt, Vicking, AJ Madison, BBQGuys and Kalamazoo.

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Cad Pro is an affordable and easy alternative to other more expensive outdoor design software. Cad Pro is great for designing outdoor living projects, DIY home projects, smart home designs, technical drawings, electrical drawings, construction details, and much more.

CAD Pro has helped thousands of homeowners, professional designers, builders and contractors plan and design all types of outdoor living areas. CAD Pro is used by NARI professional remodelers and contractors and the NRCA roofing contractors. CAD Pro is also used by NHBA home builders and contractors, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). as well as the (NALP) National Association of Landscape Professionals.

Planning Outdoor Living Space

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Landscape Plans Add Value

A well-landscaped home has a significant price advantage over a home with no landscaping. Therefore, well designed landscape plans add value. The advantage ranges from 5.5 percent to 12.7 percent depending on the type of landscaping home improvement plans you implement and the home’s original value. That translates into an extra $16,500 to $38,100 in value on a $300,000 home.

CAD Pro has helped thousands of homeowners, professional designers, builders and contractors plan and design all types of landscape plans and designs. CAD Pro is used by NARI professional remodelers and contractors. CAD Pro is also used by NHBA home builders and contractors as well as the National Association of Landscape professionals.

CAD Pro allows anyone to share their ideas and plans with clients, colleagues or professional landscape contractors using Dropbox®, Google Drive™, OneDrive®, and SharePoint®. Export files to Microsoft Word®, Excel®, and PowerPoint® with a single click.

Landscape Plans Add Value with Landscaping Home Improvement Plans

Landscape Plans Add Value

People typically embark on home renovation projects with a mind toward increasing the value of their home for resale purposes. However, while changes to your home’s structure can depreciate through the years, landscape plans add value and increase in value over time.

The initial cost of installing plant material is directly proportional to the size and age of the plant.

Think of planting a small tree for around $80. As that tree matures over time and grows to 30 feet becoming a major lawn feature, its value (replacement cost) can grow to more than $1,000. This is an important part of why landscaping home improvement plans increase resale value.

If instant gratification is not an issue, there is tremendous value in installing well-planned, good-quality plant material to reap its value as the landscaping matures.

The American Society of Landscape Architects suggests that property owners spend about 5 to 10 percent of the home’s value on landscaping home improvement plans. This, of course, includes the cost of cultivating the gardens and installing plants, as well as hardscape features such as patios, lighting, shade arbors, paths and water features.

Why Landscape Plans Add Value

Given the magnitude of such an investment, homeowners should probably consider investing in a landscape plan. New homeowners typically set aside a budget for home improvements and renovations.

Landscape plans are often saved for “down the road,” but smart landscape plans add value and can take several months or even years to implement.

Therefore, it’s beneficial to have a professional evaluate the landscape, develop a master plan and provide advice on how to stage changes to the property at the very outset.

Ignorance about health and viability of mature trees on the property can have very costly and devastating effects, as terrible storms can have devastating results on landscaping home improvement plans.

In fact, the landscape industry includes subset niches for those who provide professional consultation about landscape plans or coaching.

Avoid Costly Landscape Plans
That large stand of bamboo shielding you from the neighbors could also be a landscape nightmare because certain bamboo is extremely invasive and quite costly and difficult to remove.

If you enjoy gardening, a trained landscape designer can guide your DIY projects so that you incorporate plants best suited to your area, cultural conditions and maintenance abilities.

Good landscape plans add value for homeowners whose intent is taking the landscape into their own hands. These landscaping home improvement plans can often fall victim to one of the biggest pitfalls of landscaping: proceeding without a coherent plan.

Their piecemeal approach often leads to a disorganized landscape with a hodgepodge of favorite plantings with no harmony, unity or polish. Implementing a coherent plan can enable development of a harmonious landscape while remaining within budget.

An attractive and interesting landscape, or curb appeal, is the first thing that potential homebuyers see, and it may govern their interest in looking inside.

But even if increasing the value of your property is of minor importance, the satisfaction and enjoyment of a nicely designed landscaping home improvement plans can and will improve the quality of your life and those who surround you.

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Cad Pro is an affordable and easy alternative to other more expensive landscape design software . Cad Pro is great for creating custom home plans, building plans, office plans, construction details, and much more.

Popular Landscape Trends

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Popular Landscape Trends

Keeping up with popular landscape trends can be difficult. So, we’ve put together the NALP annual forecast of what’s hot in the yard and landscape design plans.

Drawing upon the expertise of its 1 million landscape, lawn care, irrigation and tree care professionals, the National Association of Landscape Professionals annually predicts trends that will influence the design and maintenance of backyards across America in the year ahead.

“Homeowners yearn for beautiful outdoor spaces without the hassle of upkeep. With the rise of multi-functional landscape design and automated processes, consumers can spend more time enjoying their landscapes than ever before,” says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs, NALP. “This year’s trends reflect current lifestyle preferences as well as innovations happening in the industry that are transforming landscape design plans across the country.”

Popular Landscape Trends and Landscape Plans

Popular Landscape Trends and Landscape Plans

NALP Predicts Five Popular Landscape Trends

  1. Two-in-one landscape design. Functional elements are no longer a perk, but rather a necessity in today’s landscapes, as consumers desire stunning outdoor features that have been cleverly designed to serve a dual tactical purpose. An edible vertical garden on a trellis that acts as a privacy fence, a retaining wall that includes built-in seating for entertaining, and colorful garden beds that divide properties all combine function and style in today’s popular landscape trends.
  2. Automated lawn and landscape maintenance. The latest technology and equipment allow tasks to be more streamlined and environmentally efficient than ever before. Robotic lawn mowers continue to rise in popularity among both homeowners and landscape professionals, and programmable irrigation systems and advanced lighting and electrical systems are a few ways outdoor spaces are becoming extensions of today’s smart homes. Homeowners relish knowing that these popular landscape trends and technological advancements afford them with more time to relax and enjoy their outdoor spaces.
  3. Pergolas. A staple of landscape design for years, pergolas constructed of wood or composite material are now becoming more sophisticated with major upgrades, including roll down windows, space heaters, lighting and sound systems. When paired with a luxury kitchen, seating area or fire feature, pergolas can become the iconic structure for outdoor sanctuaries and landscape design plans.
  4. Pretty in pink. Pops of coral and blush are anticipated to add a more feminine touch to popular landscape trends. With Living Coral named the Color of the Year by Pantone, a leading provider of color systems and an influencer on interior and exterior design, landscape professionals predict that this rich shade of pink could bring fresh blooms of roses, petunias, zinnias and hibiscus to flower beds. Experts also anticipate light blush tones to become “the new neutral” and another option for hardscapes and stone selections.
  5. Mesmerizing metals. Whether homeowners want a bold statement or whimsical touch, incorporating metals can bring new dimensions to these popular landscape trends. Used for decorative art, water features, or furniture and accessories, creative uses of metals including steel and iron can make for lovely accents or entire focal points.

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CAD Pro allows anyone to share their landscape ideas and plans with clients, colleagues or professional landscape contractors using Dropbox®, Google Drive™, OneDrive®, and SharePoint®. Export files to Microsoft Word®, Excel®, and PowerPoint® with a single click.

CAD Pro has helped thousands of homeowners, professional designers, builders and contractors plan and design all types of landscape plans and designs. CAD Pro is used by NARI professional remodelers and contractors. CAD Pro is also used by NHBA home builders and contractors as well as the National Association of Landscape professionals.

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Patio Designs

Looking for patio designs and ideas? If patio plans are on your agenda, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re building a new patio or renovating a patio, CAD Pro can help you create the perfect patio plans with these design ideas and practical patio decorating tips. Patio design software is a great way to help you create the perfect deck, shade arbor, pergola or patios that will be the envy of your neighborhood.

Patio Designs

Patio Designs and Plans

Start with These Inspiring Patio Design Tips

Make A Bold Statement
One of the best ways to make a bold statement is to add a raised garden to create a wall of color along one of the sides of your deck or patio. Colorful annuals and tender perennials like nasturtium, bidens, and snapdragons ensure a no-maintenance show all season long design statement. A good garden size is a 12’ x 4’ area.

Implement a Vegetable Garden into Your Patio Plans
Creating a vegetable garden with a small footprint is perfect for planting next to your deck or patio where fresh produce is just an arm’s length away from your kitchen. A good vegetable garden size is an 8’ x 6’. Patio design software can help you accurately layout the space required for your vegetable garden.

Enjoy Perfect Fall Days Outdoors
Soften the edges of a deck or patio designs with a fall focused garden. Ornamental grasses are the stars of these types of gardens, with mums and asters playing supporting roles and adding a lot of color at the same time. A good fall focused garden size is a 14’ x 7’ area.

Soften Patio Designs with Curves
A gentle curving garden bed is a perfect border for any patio. The plantings can be low-maintenance, so the eye-popping impact of salvia, canna, and zinnias survives even the worst summer heat. A good curved garden size is a 14’ x 9’ area.

Make A Bold Impact in Small Spaces
A narrow garden bed is a perfect complement for any deck or patio. Easy-growing plants like ‘Knock Out’ roses, boxwood, and peonies create a big show you don’t have to slave over. A good small garden size is an 18’ x 4’ area.

A Charming Checkerboard Effect
A great way to add some special effects is to edge your patio with orange nasturtiums and white osteospermum in a pocket-sized garden. The annuals can be swapped out each year for a new color scheme therefore offering a new look each year for your patio designs. A good small checkerboard garden size is a 6’ x 10’ area.

Spring Blooms are Ideal
A long and narrow garden bed is an ideal way to add interest to the end of a deck or patio. As the spring stars fade, fill in your garden area with your favorite summer-flowering annuals to extend your gardening styles. A good spring bloom garden size is a 15’ x 6’ area.

Create a Shady Rest Area
A shady rest area can consist of large shrubs, decorative trees or shade arbors. This extra-easy-care garden area is the perfect way to dress up a deck or patio under the shade. A good shady rest garden size is a 18’ x 8’ area.

Patio Landscape Design Symbols
Common landscape symbols and their proper use can assist you in the creation process of your patio or landscape designs. CAD Pro includes a variety of pre-drawn symbols and landscape auto-shapes which save time and money. You can also create any type of custom symbols you may require and save them as patio symbols for future use, therefore saving time and money.

Patio Designs

Patio Design Software Symbols

Free Shady Rest Patio Plans with Shade Arbors
A shade arbor is an ideal way to add drama and beauty to any deck or patio. Decorate the arbor with your favorite vines, honey suckles or any of your favorite plants.

CAD Pro offers free do it yourself patio design plans and projects that you can customize to fit your specific needs, this is one of the easiest ways to start any weekend patio project. Free Plans include; Outdoor Kitchens, Deck Plans, Detached Garden Sheds, Tree houses and Shade Arbors, just to mention a few.

Award Winning Patio Design Software
Patio design software can make creating the yard of your dreams much easier. CAD Pro’s award-winning design software, lets you design, visualize, and document your landscape ideas clearly and efficiently. Quickly design residential or commercial landscape plans.

CAD Pro offers a full set of easy-to-use landscape design features that allow you to create any type of landscape or garden drawings for outdoor living areas. You can design complete landscape projects and quickly add them to your floor plan or plot plan.

 “…CAD Pro is excellent for quick and efficient work.”
Emily K., Sacramento, CA

Patio and Landscape Design with Interactive Web Features
Share your patio designs and drawings on the internet with linked photos, detailed notes, or voice instructions. CAD Pro is the only landscape software that offers these interactive features.

  • Record your ideas and incorporate voice instructions into your landscape designs.
  • Add pop-up text memos to support areas in plant, trees and shrub details.
  • Pop-up photos will transform your ideas into designs you can visualize.
  • Share your designs as a PDF.

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Custom gardening and landscape plans from CAD Pro have helped thousands of nurseries, landscape contractors and custom home builders streamline their workflow while producing professional results for clients and colleagues.

CAD Pro has helped thousands of homeowners, professional designers, builders and contractors plan and design all types of patio design plans. CAD Pro is used by NARI professional remodelers and contractors and the NRCA roofing contractors. CAD Pro is also used by NHBA home builders and contractors as well as the National Association of Landscape professionals.

Cad Pro software is an affordable and easy alternative to other design programs. Cad Pro is great for creating custom home plansbuilding plansoffice plansconstruction details, and much more.

Affordable Backyard Landscape Design Ideas

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10 Best Backyard Landscape Ideas

No matter how you utilize your backyard space, a little time outdoors will do you good. Try these 10 best backyard landscape ideas and improvements to turn your backyard into your own personal oasis. Your backyard can serve many purposes such as a gardening hub, a space for entertaining family and friends, or even just the perfect place to relax on a beautiful day.

Cad Pro’s custom home remodeling projects and design software are affordable and easy alternatives to other home design and remodeling software programs. Cad Pro is great for creating remodeling plans, floor planslandscape drawings, outdoor kitchen plans, deck plans and patio designs, and much more.

10 Best Backyard Landscape Ideas

Affordable 10 Best Backyard Landscape Ideas

A List of the 10 Best Backyard Landscape Ideas

#1 – Potted Plants
While all backyards need shrubs and trees, consider adding potted plants to your backyard designs for more dimension in your garden. Container favorites include begonias, asters and azaleas. Fill containers with an organic potting mix, to ensure proper drainage and best results. Potted plants are one of the most economical 10 best backyard landscape ideas.

#2 – Kids Corner/Playgrounds
Get kids outside by making the backyard fun for them, too. Add an outdoor DIY chalkboard where kids can express their creativity. Games and toys like hopscotch or jump rope are perfect for warm nights outside. You can even encourage them to eat healthy by growing a vegetable and fruit garden.

Gardens Highlight the 10 Best Backyard Landscape Ideas

#3 – Edible Gardens
Yards can be purposeful, too. Growing your own fruits and veggies ensures the best quality, convenience and taste. Grow plants in raised bed gardens or containers, if you’re short on space. Some plants offer year-round foliage, tasty fruit and space saving, and some plants are good for your garden. Choose dwarf varieties such as those from Bushel & Berry for growing in containers.

#4 – Refurbished Household Items
Instead of throwing away old household items, give them new life in the garden. Almost anything can be turned into a container garden, from toolboxes to wheelbarrows. Fill empty wine or beer bottles with LED lights for unique lanterns. Refurbished items are a definite money saver for the 10 best backyard landscape ideas.

#5 – DIY Lanterns & LED Lights
DIY lanterns make for a great crafting project and add a unique touch of light to your backyard. Add candles or LED lights to mason jars or painted tin cans.

Outdoor Fires in the 10 Best Backyard Landscape Ideas

#6 – Fire Pits
Nothing says summer like a backyard bonfire. Purchase a fire pit at your local garden center or create your own fire pit using stone or brick surrounded with gravel or small stones. Grab some comfy furniture, family and friends and get ready for s’more season. This idea really warms up the 10 best backyard landscape ideas.

#7 – String lights
Enchanting string lights turn your backyard into an outdoor oasis. Hang them between posts, dangle from walls or ceilings or even wrap them around planters or trees.

#8 – Outdoor Furniture
Durable yet comfy outdoor couches and chairs make your backyard the perfect space for entertaining. Hang a hammock between two shady spots for a place to catch up on some reading.

#9 – Walkways and Paths
Use gravel, stepping stones, or wooden pallets to create a walkway through your garden. Line the path with low-growing shrubs or groundcovers like verbena, hostas or sedges.

#10 – Add a Water Feature
Adding some type of water features is a favorite of the 10 best backyard landscape ideas. Adding water fountains to your backyard will create a Zen garden effect. Tiered fountains look great in any backyard and add the soothing sound of running water. Create a small pond to create visual contrast with your plants. Birdbaths can also serve as a focal point and provide shelter for our friends in the sky.

Any of these 10 best backyard landscape ideas will be sure to turn your outdoor space into a fun, relaxing and beautiful space.

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CAD Pro has helped thousands of homeowners, professional designers, builders, and contractors plan and design all types of outdoor plans. CAD Pro is used by NARI professional remodelers and contractors and the NRCA roofing contractors. CAD Pro is also used by NHBA home builders and contractors, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). as well as the (NALP) National Association of Landscape Professionals.

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