Our Outdoor Living Planner Walks You Through the Landscape Design Process
Categories: Fences, Hardscape, Landscape Design, Outdoor Lighting, Patios, Pools/Spas, Water Features
Use our Outdoor Living Planner to outline your vision for a new dream getaway in your own yard and garden. We’ve broken it down into categories: Lawn/Garden, Hardscape, Kids/Pets, Outdoor Kitchens, Water Features and Fire Features. Consider these questions and get your creative juices flowing. Use this planner to partner with a professional for the bigger projects on your wish list.
OVERVIEW
What is the size of the proposed project’s area in square feet?
__Front yard sq. ft.
__Back yard sq. ft.
__Side yards sq. ft.
Do you plan to use the outdoor space for:
__Parties or gatherings
__Less than 10 guests: Seated Unseated
__10–30 guests: Seated Unseated
__More than 30 guests: # Seated Unseated
__10–30 guests: Seated Unseated
__More than 30 guests: # Seated Unseated
__Outdoor kitchen/grill area
__Patio with seating (for how many people?)
__Quiet meditation
__Children’s garden or play area
__Yard for pets
__Pool
__Spa
__Outdoor games or sports (please list)
__Containers with plants
__Garden space to grow
__Herbs
__Cut flowers
__Vegetables/fruit
__Patio with seating (for how many people?)
__Quiet meditation
__Children’s garden or play area
__Yard for pets
__Pool
__Spa
__Outdoor games or sports (please list)
__Containers with plants
__Garden space to grow
__Herbs
__Cut flowers
__Vegetables/fruit
Do you entertain large groups of people in your outdoor space? Your BBQ might not have enough grill space to cook for everyone all at once. Consider an upgraded cooking area with a covered and lighted grill and plenty of countertop space.
If you have a budget in mind, what is it?
Do any of your family members suffer from allergies? Yes No
Does anyone who will use the site have mobility issues (use a stroller or wheelchair)? Yes No
Will your yard need to be fenced for safety or privacy? Yes No
Does the property have any noise issues (loud neighbors, busy streets)? Yes No
Is there a need to block any undesirable views from your property? Yes No
Are your property lines agreed upon by your neighbors and the city? Yes No
Are there any buried utilities on the property (septic systems or utility lines)? Yes No
Do you want an outdoor sound system? Yes No
What is the sun exposure in your yard (full sun, partial shade, full shade)?
__Front yard __Back yard __Side yards
Does sun exposure cause problems inside the house (like too much heat from south-facing windows)? Yes No
Does sun exposure limit outdoor use (too hot to play outside, too shady to grow vegetables)? Yes No
What time of day will the site be used most?
What are the primary materials used in the existing landscape and/or exterior of your home?
__Natural stone __Brick __Fiber cement siding __Stucco Vinyl siding __Cedar shingle siding __Wood clapboard siding __Aluminum or steel
__Natural stone __Brick __Fiber cement siding __Stucco Vinyl siding __Cedar shingle siding __Wood clapboard siding __Aluminum or steel
What elements would most help improve the curb appeal of your home?
__Improved lawn __Ground cover __Flowers __Trees __Hardscape repair __New hardscape __New landscape design
LAWN/GARDEN
What do you like about your existing landscape?
Are there existing plants that you want to stay in the yard? Yes No
What plants do you want removed?
What don’t you like about your existing landscape (overgrown plants, dated architectural elements)?
Are there other features you want addressed (unusable steep space, erosion, drainage issues, etc.)? Yes No
What are your favorite flower colors?
Is there wildlife you want to keep out of your yard (coyotes, snakes, raccoons, possums, moles/voles, deer)? Yes No
Is there wildlife you want to encourage coming to your yard (birds, hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, squirrels, deer)? Yes No
Are there pests you want to discourage (ants, bees, cockroaches, spiders, mosquitoes, flies)? Yes No
How much gardening work will you likely do yourself?
__I won’t do anything myself
__I will hire someone to do some tasks, like mowing
__I will do it all myself
Which, if any, of the following edible garden options do you want?
__Vegetable garden__Herb garden__Fruit trees
How much turfgrass (if any) do you want in your yard?
__Front yard __ % of the yard
__Back yard __ % of the yard
Do you want an evergreen lawn, or is a lawn that goes dormant (turns brown) in winter OK?
Do you have an irrigation system? Yes No
Is it working correctly? Yes No
Do you need a new irrigation system installed? Yes No
Prioritize the following landscape items as (1) very important (2) important (3) not important:
__Turfgrass __Drought-tolerant plants __Native plants __Fruit-bearing plants __Organic and/or vegetable/fruit garden __Food and habitat for pollinators and birds __Eco-friendly landscape (i.e., reducing water, fertilizers, pesticides and mowing) __Low-maintenance plants
What water-saving features most interest you?
__Planting groundcover to reduce water needs
__Installing a rainwater-catch system
__Installing a greywater-capture system
HARDSCAPE
(Man-made parts of the landscape)
Are there existing hardscape features in your yard that must stay in the design? Yes No
Do you prefer a type of paving material?
__Brick __Concrete __Stamped with patterns __Colored __Glossy finish __Matte finish __Flagstone __Natural shapes __Cut stone (squares or rectangles) __Tile __Natural __Man-made __Gravel __Decomposed granite (ground gravel)
Describe the colors, texture and style of the furniture you want to use in the space (either existing or new).
KIDS/PETS
How many children will use the space and what are their ages?
What activities do your kids enjoy?
If any, what sports will be played in the yard?
Do you have playground equipment already? Yes No
Do you want new play equipment? Yes No
Do any of these options for play areas interest you?
__Natural boulders to climb __Swing set __Slide __Tree swing or rope to climb __Sandbox (with a lid if you have pets) __Sidewalk or path for tricycle/bicycle use __Inground wading pool or freestanding pool __Basketball hoop __Batting cages/goal nets
Will pets use the area? Yes No
Describe the breed, age and size of your pets: __Dog __Cat
Describe your pet’s habits (i.e., the dog digs or the cat climbs trees and gets stuck).
Are there any pet habits that you want to discourage?
OUTDOOR KITCHENS
How often do you cook outdoors?
__Rarely—I just want a gathering place for entertainment
__Occasionally, in nice weather
__Often, in nice weather
__Several times a week no matter what the weather
__As often as possible
Do you want the outdoor kitchen to be adjacent to your house or out in the yard?
Is the area where you envision the outdoor kitchen already plumbed for:
__Water __Electrical __Gas
__Water __Electrical __Gas
Will you need storage for:
__Dishes or linens __Trash __Cooking ingredients and supplies __Wood for oven or fireplace
__Dishes or linens __Trash __Cooking ingredients and supplies __Wood for oven or fireplace
What countertop material do you prefer?
__Natural stone __Tile __Stainless steel __Wood __Concrete __Quartz __Eco-friendly materials
What wall material do you prefer?
__Natural stone __Brick __Tile __Stucco __Wood
Will you need cold and hot runnning water at a sink? Yes No
What type of cooking unit would you like?
__Pizza oven __Griddle __BBQ grill
__Traditional stove with ___ burners
__Traditional oven
Do you want an outdoor refrigerator/freezer? Yes No
If so, how many cubic feet of capacity do you need?
Do you want beverage storage or service in the outdoor kitchen?
__Wine/beer storage or service
__Undercounter fridge for snacks/drinks
Will you serve food or drinks at a:
__Patio table. __Bar counter
What heating elements appeal to you?
__Permanent overhead heaters
__Freestanding (portable) heaters
__Wood-burning fireplace in the outdoor kitchen
Will your outdoor kitchen need sun/rain protection? Yes No
Partially open roof Solid roof
Would you want a misting system for cooling? Yes No
Will you want an integrated TV/sound system in the outdoor kitchen? Yes No
WATER FEATURES
Pools & Spas
Will you use a new pool or spa for:
__Exercise__Relaxation__Entertaining
Are you interested in these optional extras?
__Waterfall __Fountain __Diving board or slide __Grotto __Safety fence __Integrated fire feature __TV/sound system __Cabana/bathroom __Saltwater pool __Vanishing-edge pool
How many people will use the pool or spa at one time?
Where in the yard will the new water feature be placed?
Will messy trees or plants impact the area near the pool? Yes No
FIREPITS/FIREPLACES
Do you want a __Firepit __Fireplace
How many people will be seated nearby to enjoy the fire’s warmth or ambiance?
Will you use furniture for seating or do you want built-in seating?
What fuel source do you prefer for the fire feature?
__Real wood logs __Natural gas __Hidden propane tank
Do you have kids or pets that need to be protected from the fire element (say, by a hearth)? Yes No
Would you like a firepit that is:
__Flush with the ground __Raised __Portable
__Flush with the ground __Raised __Portable
Do you want a fire feature that:
__Connects with the patio or other hardscape?
__Stands alone and is placed out in the yard?
__Is covered by a patio cover or pergola?
What optional extras would you consider for your fire feature?
__Fire/water combination (fire feature with an integrated fountain, for instance)
__Hearth for seating
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