Unfortunately for country residents, weeds are an integral part of the site. Land improvement should begin with ridding the soil of weeds. Herbicides will help you in this matter - manually the fight will drag on for many months and even years. When the weeds have been eliminated, level the soil, get rid of stones and. It requires minimal care, but it creates a special comfort and hides the unevenness of the site. Almost no landscape today is complete without a green carpet of lawn.
What's an oasis without flowers? Create beautiful flower beds of extraordinary shape, plant bright flowers that will replace each other throughout the warm season. You just need to think carefully in advance about where exactly you can lay out the flower beds on the site. It depends on the plants, sunlight, soil. If the area is small, use hanging baskets and vertical structures.
The design options for the site are very diverse. Here everything depends on preferences and taste, and only partly on financial capabilities. So, let's look at the most original, new ideas in landscape design. Various creative decorations will be a great addition to the planted flowers and lawn. It could be like garden figurines, and old wooden furniture, gazebo, beautiful arch, multi-colored lighting.
Look into the attic in search of interesting and forgotten things, but if there are none, try to make decorations with your own hands from scrap materials: branches, logs, moss. Win-win design solution There will be an artificial pond created on the site. It can be either regular, oval in shape, or completely arbitrary. But it is worth remembering that the pond needs regular care. You can build a small fountain in the center of the pond - such a move will not leave anyone indifferent. The edges of the pond can be lined with neat tiles or large boulders.
To make the area look great at night, you can install lamps on it. They can be either regular or solar battery. Place lamps along the path on both sides. IN dark time day, such a solution will look very impressive. You can also create pond lighting. There are special water lamps for this. They can be installed both along the edges of the pond and at its very bottom.
An interesting idea for landscape design would be one built independently. To do this, pour drainage from crushed stone, sand, and pebbles onto a previously prepared site. We create from them the shape of a low slide.
Then we place pre-prepared large stones of various shapes on top. Let's finish this work planting flowers on an alpine hill. Before planting flowers, you need to familiarize yourself with their preferences, because their conditions of existence and storage are different. The slide will certainly need constant care, so if you don’t often visit a country house, create a rock garden - it’s both fashionable and maintenance-free.
To turn ideas and options for landscape design into reality with your own hands, you need a serious, systematic approach to this issue and, of course, a creative streak. And if you can’t cope on your own, you can always invite a specialist in this field to help you, who will help you realize all your plans.
How to beautifully, practically and on your own to arrange the territory near a country house? How to create a difficult oasis of greenery and freshness away from a noisy and dusty city, but also a functional place for family relaxation and receiving guests, friends and acquaintances? How to reflect your vision of beauty, comfort and harmony with nature in your own summer cottage with minimal costs, but with maximum effect? We hope that our impressive selection of 100 will help you answer these questions. different ideas on the arrangement of the territory of the most different sizes and forms, climatic and landscape features. In the photos of landscape projects you will find relevant, practical and aesthetic solutions for every taste, level of gardening skill and wallet size.
Mandatory preparatory work
Only people who are far from gardening may think that it is not difficult to organize a cozy green corner in the country that meets all the family’s requirements for relaxation, work and entertainment in nature. What is enough to plant? fruit trees, create a flower bed, arrange beds for growing vegetables and herbs, install a gazebo. But everyone’s requirements for comfort and outdoor recreation are different - some need a children’s playground in the shade of green spaces, others need a spacious outdoor dining area for family dinners and receiving guests, almost everyone wants to have a barbecue area, while others simply need a hammock to relax in the coolness among the trees and bushes. Exactly according to your requirements and capabilities dacha area it is necessary to draw up a detailed arrangement plan.
So on regular sheet paper or in a special design program (find on the Internet free version will not be difficult) it will be necessary to note:
- designate the exact size and shape of the territory, determine the scale (the more accurate the calculations are, the fewer modifications will be made on the ground);
- it is necessary to mark on the plan already constructed buildings - a house, a garage, a permanent gazebo, a bathhouse, etc.;
- also mark the planned construction - mark even small buildings (from a chicken coop to a dog kennel), it always seems that there is a place for a small building (especially on a large site), but in fact you often have to reschedule or change your plans, having already started work;
- experts recommend dividing the entire site into zones - squares, each of which will have its own main element(for example, in an outdoor recreation area, a gazebo with lunch group or a spacious swing);
- label everything perennials that already exist on the territory and mark the planting of new ones, taking into account the distance between plantings and the distance in relation to buildings;
- Next comes the difficult point of marking everyone engineering systems– from water supply to lighting (it is necessary to indicate both existing communications and the planned laying of pipes or wires).
But a drawing on paper initial stage preparation is not limited. It is necessary to carry out what is called “reconnaissance on the ground”:
- find out the characteristics of the soil;
- presence (possible) of groundwater;
- if there are places where water stagnates, then drain;
- it is also necessary to determine the level of hilliness of the territory (experts recommend not leveling the site, but using the landscape features of a particular area to create the most natural image of the site, but in some cases it is simply necessary to get rid of uneven soil).
Choosing a style of execution, an image of a summer cottage
Creating a not-so-practical space where you can grow fruits, vegetables and herbs, but really harmonious image summer cottage with all the elements necessary for work and rest - not an easy task. Obviously, you will have to work hard to obtain a balanced picture of landscape design. Choice of stylistic direction and color range The design of your summer cottage will be largely determined by the elements that fill it. Conventionally, all “participants” in the development of a dacha area can be divided into the following groups.
1. Elements of natural (natural) landscape. Everything that was created by nature - trees, shrubs and other plants, mounds, holes, stones, natural ponds, will influence the creation of the image of a certain color palette, if you leave them on your site. Of course, the color scheme of the site will change along with the changing seasons and the climatic conditions of each specific area.
2.Architectural structures. Such elements of landscape design include, first of all, the main building (small country house or a spacious estate, depending on the scale of the dacha itself). Architectural objects also include various extensions to the house and independent buildings - a veranda, a bathhouse, a sauna, a garage, a shed, a permanent greenhouse, a gazebo, a canopy and even bridges. It is obvious that all objects of architecture will be kept in one stylistic direction, will have similarities in color schemes and choice of façade design. But at the same time, you can choose one element that will become an accent in the overall ensemble. Most often, the main building becomes the key structure, but there are exceptions.
3.Elements of social and decorative landscape. This type of landscape design items includes everything that was created by human hands - plantings, ponds, sculptures, flower beds and beds, rock gardens and other types of slides. In this group of elements you can use an infinite number of options color solutions– creating flower beds and alleys from certain plants allows you to “paint” the area in different colors, considering that in most areas of our country the warm season (plant growth and flowering) lasts from April to October. In addition, there are many varieties of evergreen plants that can be grown throughout almost the entire territory of our country to create a permanent green and fresh background for a comfortable image of a summer cottage.
4. Other elements of landscape design. We will classify everything that does not “fit” into other groups as this type – decking and platforms, garden paths and playgrounds, entertainment items for the playground, various decorative elements.
It is the choice of color scheme for the image of a summer cottage that can help create a complex aesthetic picture, but also disguise shortcomings and highlight advantages, visually change the shape of the territory, and enlarge it. The advantage of correctly chosen color schemes is that they help coordinate appearance dacha area without resorting to drastic changes.
Garden paths - practical and aesthetic design
Garden paths in a summer cottage are not only convenient and safe way movement between objects and segments of landscape design, but also a way of zoning space and decorating it. Therefore, the paths and paths on local area can be not only reliable and practical, but also original, beautiful, executed in the general key of the design of the entire site.
Garden paths can be made from the following materials:
- stone (“plastushka”, river stone or pebbles, paving stones);
- wood (painted or coated with special varnishes and antiseptics);
- concrete in various modifications;
- brick (clinker or regular);
- waste material ( plastic lids, bottles or parts thereof, corks and any other material that can be used to create a safe and sufficiently durable surface for country paths).
Also, according to the method of execution, all tracks can be divided into solid and non-solid - the name speaks for itself and leaves no discrepancies in determining the appearance of the two options. In addition, garden paths can be divided into temporary and permanent. Mostly, permanent paths are used in summer cottages, but it happens that the owners use the site for a short period of time and it turns out to be more expedient to lay temporary paths.
Flower beds and beds - a variety of options
Flower beds and flower beds are one of the most popular ways to decorate any area. No matter the size of your summer cottage. There is always room on it for a small but beautiful flower bed. Well, it’s simply impossible to imagine a Russian dacha without beds with vegetables, root crops and herbs. And if the functional purpose of flower beds and beds differs somewhat, then in terms of the method of execution they largely overlap.
Flowerbeds can be divided into the following types:
- regular;
- irregular;
- carpet;
- raised;
- traditional monoflowers;
- vertical;
- flower beds created not on the ground, but in special devices.
Of course, flower beds can differ both in size and shape, as well as in the type of plants planted. There are a lot of options for execution. The choice of the appearance and content of the flower bed will depend on the size of the area allocated for the flower garden, the type of soil, the climatic conditions of a particular region, your ideas about beauty and aesthetics, and the ability to devote to plants certain time and effort.
In performance country beds There are also a lot of possibilities and not only in the sizes and shapes of the dug trenches. Beds for growing various crops can be:
- traditional;
- "warm";
- with drainage;
- box beds;
- beds with high sides.
In order to create a bed-box or with high sides, you can use the following materials:
- old boards;
- polycarbonate sheets;
- plastic;
- flat or wavy slate;
- any waste material capable of maintaining its shape in high humidity conditions for at least one season.
Areas for rest and dining of various modifications
There is no owner of a summer cottage who would not want to equip a place for recreation on his territory, in addition to beds and greenhouses. Well, since for many Russians outdoor recreation is often associated with cooking various dishes over an open fire, a barbecue area will not be superfluous. Most often, the food preparation area is set up as a patio - the area is laid out with stones or tiles (less commonly, a platform is made of wood). This sector can be covered with a permanent or temporary canopy to protect from sun and rain.
Relaxation areas with garden furniture, swings or hammocks can be placed on the terrace or open veranda, attached to the house or a separate canopy, in a gazebo or under a tent. It all depends on the general design concept of the site, its size and the needs of the owners.
To create a cozy segment for relaxation or aesthetic and practical dining area outdoors, can be used garden furniture made from the following materials:
- tree;
- plastic;
- metal;
- rattan (artificial or natural);
- willow twigs;
- bamboo;
- stone or concrete slabs;
- glass (triplex glass);
- polystyrene;
- basalt fiber;
- waste material.
Pools, ponds, fountains and more
Experts in creating landscape designs argue that to create a truly harmonious environment at a summer cottage, it is not enough to correctly position buildings, plant green plants, lay paths and distribute beds and flower beds. In addition to earth (stones) and greenery, water is necessary. Whether it will be an artificial waterfall, a small pond, a fountain of any modification or a swimming pool depends on the desires of the owners, the size and features of the territory and the budget for the project.
Pools can differ not only in size and shape. There are overflow pools, artificial reservoirs with several levels of depth, stationary and portable (temporary and permanent). The pool can be equipped with a “waterfall” or fountains, or have branches. Also, pools differ in the way they filter water. Of course, all these criteria leave an imprint on the methods of arranging an artificial reservoir, its appearance, the cost of creation and operation.
Man and nature are an eternal theme of any type of art. Landscape design- This is not only a way of self-expression, but also part of direct communication with pristine nature. The area adjacent to a private home provides ample scope for imagination, opening up endless possibilities for designers around the world.
Regardless of the size of the dacha plot, you need to strive to create a unique atmosphere for privacy and contemplation of nature, for family holidays with children and friends, for romantic dinners with the rustling of leaves and for quiet dinners while reading books by a small home pond. Nature provides all the tools to create the necessary mood. You just need to know how to use them.
Basics of modern landscape design
Landscape design of a summer cottage is an integrated approach to landscaping personal plot. This space is designed to harmonize with inner world owner, be a reflection of his tastes and interests.
In landscape design, as in any other type of space improvement, there are current trends which most professionals follow.
The origins of the aesthetic design of the site go far back into time. Over numerous centuries, styles and trends in landscape design have undergone many qualitative changes. At the moment, among site improvement specialists there is a desire for naturalness and pristineness. The alpine slide is very fashionable, Russian folk garden mixed with notes of technological progress: the use of glass, metal, clear geometric shapes, straight lines.
Eclecticism prevails in modern landscape design. You need to have real talent to harmoniously combine such two incompatible directions. But the result can exceed all expectations.
Modern landscape design styles
Over the long history of the existence of the art of decorating a personal plot, many of its directions have emerged.
The main ones are:
- Classic or regular style. Famous French parks are typical representatives of this trend. The idea of such design is the idea of the elevation of the human mind above nature, its subordination to the laws of geometry familiar to us.
- Landscape style. Historically formed as the opposite of the regular direction. It is a “free”, most pristine landscape. Landscape style is designed to surprise people with the beauty of natural nature, skillfully thought out and created by designers.
- Rural style (country). “Home” trend of landscape style, representatives of which are ordinary village gardens in different corners planets. Any direction that does not require large investments and careful care of the site. The placement of decorations is arbitrary and depends on the historical folklore of the area.
- Architectural style. Relegating natural beauty to the background, it focuses attention on the decorative buildings of the territory: terraces, arches, paved areas, architectural reliefs, steps, etc.
- Japanese style. Design suburban area V oriental style is art. It is filled with symbolism. The landscape design of the site is ideal for creating a classic oriental atmosphere. The main components will be stones, boulders, a small pond, a place to contemplate the beauty of nature.
Layout of the area around the house
After selection suitable style, should be planning the design of the area near the house, determining constituent elements. Without the planning stage, it is impossible to competently build a site.
There are several standard layout types applicable to most spaces:
- Rectangular layout. The most popular win-win option. The layout of a rectangular plot is easy to zone, conveniently divided into separate sections and is well suited for creating a successful geometric composition.
- Round layout. This layout is artificially created from a rectangular version with the help of auxiliary elements: flower beds, lawns, green spaces, etc. Straight geometric shapes are masked by decor. Designing a landscape around the house in round motifs can be a non-trivial solution.
- Diagonal layout. Based on the creation of diagonal parallels. Landscape design small plot with your own hands in a diagonal layout will help to visually expand the space and push its boundaries.
- Free layout. The technique of free placement of design elements using the natural topography of the territory. It is important to correctly place accents in such a garden. Otherwise, the effect of neglect may appear and the area will lose its landscape attractiveness.
Zoning of the site
Dividing it into several functional zones will help make a spacious area more comfortable and visually enlarge a small garden space. Their number and size completely depend on the original area of the area and its intended purpose.
The territory can be divided into:
- Garden area;
- Recreation area;
- Economic zone;
- Dining area;
- Children's area;
- Sports area.
All zones of the territory should form a single picture, without looking like separate islands on a personal plot. Zones should be united by a single idea and style.
One logical zone should smoothly transition into another. For this, it is best to use green spaces, arches and decor.
Whatever type of layout is used, it is better to place the largest zones along the edge of the area, while focusing small ones in the center.
Landscape design composition
Landscape design of a site is a combination of many functional and decorative elements. Below we will take a closer look at the main ones.
Lawn
How a skilled builder lays on the floor of a house flooring This is how a skilled gardener covers his plot with lawn. If previously the lawn was the luxury of emperors, now modern world everyone can afford to decorate the area with a soft grass carpet.
The process of establishing a lawn is labor-intensive and requires full dedication, but upon completion it will bring the owners a well-deserved result in the form of an ideal foundation for the rest of the landscape. In addition to the decorative function, grass lawn has a positive effect on soil structure and air purity, muffles excess noise.
The choice of lawn must be approached with the utmost seriousness: it will last for more than one season. There are:
- Regular lawn. It is a coating of a single color of medium density.
- Sports turf. It is a denser type of lawn that is not afraid of loads.
- Decorative lawn. Beautiful perfect lawn, not intended for walking on it.
garden path
A garden path is a functional element of landscape design. It plays the role of a connecting link of special zones of the territory, they are the “skeleton” of the entire layout of the area. Depending on the chosen stylist, the tracks can be different forms, sizes, made of different materials.
Although classical direction The design of the site is geometric and straight lines; winding paths look more natural in landscape design. Attracting with their ease, they lead the guest through the garden, turn by turn.
The most important issue in garden paths is the choice of suitable material. In landscape design, a variety of finishes is not welcome, but the use of only one material is not necessary. The main thing in this matter is harmony and uniformity.
The central paths should be larger and more solid. The mosaic design will look good different colors. The simultaneous combination of different figures and flower arrangements. Modern manufacturers offer services for individual production of paths. You can emphasize the central avenue with the help of built-in spotlights.
Dirt paths, decoratively sprinkled with sand or crumbs, will add special charm to the nooks and crannies of the garden.
Standard materials for garden paths are:
- paving stones;
- gravel;
- concrete tiles;
- natural stone;
- brick covering;
- decorative tiles;
- natural pebbles.
When choosing a material, its compatibility with specific soil and climatic conditions, in addition to standard operating conditions, must be taken into account.
Flower garden and planting
It is difficult to imagine the landscape design of a summer cottage without plants. The composition of flower beds can become a real art and the main accent of the entire site. It is important to select plants wisely. The main selection criteria will be not only their appearance, but also compatibility with each other, the necessary climatic conditions, survivability, etc.
There are the following methods for placing plantings on a site:
- . The most popular flower garden, which is a planting of a certain geometric shape decorative foliage plants.
- Group planting. Dense planting of plants in separate groups of several species.
- Discounts. A type of planting of decorative deciduous plants in rectangular strips to frame the borders of lawns, paths or other elements of landscape design.
- Border. A type of flower garden in which plants are planted in layers.
- Tapeworm. Single planting method.
- Parterre flower garden. A geometrically correct complex flower garden located in front of the entrance to the personal plot. Usually consists of a combination of several plant species with architectural elements.
- Mobile flower beds. Plants or flowers that are not adapted to certain features of the area (soil, certain weather conditions, a certain season) are exhibited in the landscape of the site in decorative pots or vases, without transplanting into the ground.
- Arenarius. An exotic solution would be a corner of the desert in the garden. They are planted in an artificially filled sand arena various types succulents and the like.
Reservoirs
A pond can become the highlight of any landscape. But before you start creating it as quickly as possible, you should think about its purpose. In areas of different sizes it will be appropriate different types reservoirs.
Holders large plot, of course, can afford absolutely any size, shape and depth of a water body.
Reservoirs are very labor-intensive to maintain, so you should foresee in advance whether its maintenance will be feasible.
The pond must be in direct harmony with the overall style of the landscape project. With a regular style, the pool should have straight shapes, while for a landscape pool, asymmetrical streams made of natural materials are more suitable.
The landscape design of a summer cottage qualitatively transforms the creation of the now fashionable alpine hill.
The Alpine slide is an imitation of a wild mountain landscape with characteristic plant species. Despite the labor-intensive process of creation, such decoration can become the pride of any garden plot. country house.
Typically, an alpine slide is a unique type of rockery: compositions ornamental plants with a stone. To create a rock garden, materials available in our area are used: limestone, granite, gerbils. Live composition combined from rock plants.
The main emphasis of the rock garden is given through the play of chiaroscuro. The corresponding effect can be achieved both by the initial selection of a place with beautifully falling rays of the sun, and by the creation of artificial lighting.
Relaxation area with barbecue or fireplace
Owning country house, you can not only usefully spend your time gardening work, but also to successfully relax in the company of friends by equipping your relaxation area with a barbecue or fireplace.
The corresponding area can be either open or closed. Although the first option is less labor-intensive, the design of a small canopy will not only give the place more comfort, but also protect it from direct sun rays or rain. Suitable place to accommodate a recreation area it will become spacious and hidden from prying eyes. It would be good if there was an area for children next to this place, and a picturesque landscape to admire nearby. Proximity to a body of water will give additional freshness on hot summer days.
Location in the recreation area of the barbecue, hearth or outdoor fireplace- this is not only part of its interior, but also an important functional element. In addition to its main purpose, it can be used for heating and creating an atmosphere of comfort on autumn evenings.
Setting up an outdoor dining room
Landscape design of a summer cottage with an open dining room is a luxury accessible to everyone. Eating outdoors is not just a modern fashion trend, but also an extremely useful practice that improves metabolism and overall well-being.
To create a summer dining room, first of all, you need suitable free space. Great solution there will be a site around 10 square meters. For convenience, it is worth leading a stone path from the house to the location of the open table.
The outdoor dining room should not be too far from the main house, otherwise the process of carrying dishes and prepared food can become a rather long and labor-intensive process.
It is important to remember about possible weather surprises and climate changes: it is necessary to select furniture that is resistant to humidity and equip the dining room with a stationary or mobile canopy. As protection from the sun's rays, you can use the branches of a large tree, if there is one on the site.
The dining room can be decorated in quality, surrounded by hedges or left in the free space of the lawn - it all depends solely on the wishes of the owners.
Site lighting
The lighting system of any cottage or plot has two functions: practical and aesthetic.
The first involves illuminating areas for free movement at night, and the second is designed to create a special atmosphere and place accents in the landscape design.
With the help of a skillfully designed lighting system, you can achieve a radical transformation of the garden at night.
Landscape design lighting for a summer cottage can be:
- Flooding. This is carried out through the use of floodlights on auxiliary parts of the perimeter.
- General. The main part of lighting, consisting of installation classic lamps along the main objects of the site.
- Marking. Used to create visual effects for highlighting (marking) functional parts.
- Decorative lighting of plants, ponds, architectural structures.
