Landscaping is a complex art and science. Landscape designers use a distinct design process, which involves studying all aspects of an environment and plants’ evolving needs to make sure a project remains beautiful well after its completion.

Prior to hiring a landscape construction company near you to plan your landscape design, you should understand these basic landscaping design principles.

 Line 

Lines can be used to create an infinite variety of forms and shapes that direct the eye. They are used almost everywhere, including the walkways, entryways, and flower beds. You can use lines to develop spaces, create patterns, and craft a cohesive theme.

The different types of lines used in landscaping are straight lines, curved lines, vertical lines, and horizontal lines. Straight lines can give a formal character to a landscape and direct the eye to a focal point. Curved lines move the eye at a slower pace.

Vertical lines are usually used to make space feel and look bigger. Landscape design companies use horizontal lines to divide or tie spaces together.

 Unity

Unity in landscaping is achieved by repeating elements such as plants. Also known as harmony, unity is the overarching principle used to create a sense of oneness. One of the simplest yet most effective ways to create unity is to use a design theme or style.

Design themes and styles have well-defined features. These features have remained popular with both homeowners and landscape designers for decades.

 Color

Colors are used to add interest and variety to a landscape. There are different types of color schemes, including monochromatic, analogous, and complementary.

In monochromatic color themes, only one color is used. An experienced landscape designer uses different variations of color to add interest to a landscape.

If you crave variety, use any three to five colors that are adjacent on the color wheel (analogous color theme). Typical examples include blue, blue-violet, orange, yellow-orange, red, and red-orange.

Complementary colors are contrasting colors. They are opposite each other on the color wheel. The most widely used complementary color sets are red and green, blue and orange, and violet and yellow.

 Proportion

In landscaping, proportion refers to the size of one element in relation to the other. This is one of the simplest landscaping design principles. You will need a plan to ensure that all elements in your landscape design have proper proportions lest any one element look out of place.

Sweetwater Landscape is a renowned landscape design company near you. We pride ourselves on the ability to transform ordinary landscapes into havens. To make an appointment, call us at (707) 887-0140.