With springtime fast approaching we are taking it outside and talking about landscape design. Landscaping is one of the largest elements in home design and has one of the biggest impacts because it covers so much visual space and can really set the tone for the whole home. Lanscaping is so much more than just a lawn and some planters. Here is a breakdown of some key elements of great landscape design and a few tips for choosing the best options for your home.

Fresh & Lively - The first thing that comes to mind when we think of landscaping is, of course, plants. All the living elements in your landscape are known as the softscape of your outdoor space. This includes, trees, shrubs, plants, flowers, and grass. When choosing what to include in your softscape there are a couple things to consider. Firstly, what direction your plants will be facing, which will dictate the amount of sun they will receive. This will enable you to choose the best plants that thrive in that direction. Whether your yard is north facing or west facing will play a major role in the decision making. Being mindful of the appropriate zoning for certain plants in your area will also have a large impact on your choices.

Once you've established what plants work best in your yard, use the overall style and architecture of your home to inform the design. A contemporary home should have a contemporary landscaping design. The landscaping should complement the style of the home, rather than compete with it, in order to create harmony.

A Sense of Containment - Everything that contains the living elements or creates designation and boundaries within the outdoor space is considered the hardscape of your design. The hardscape includes concrete, stone, wood, metal, or any other non-living element in your landscaping. The hardscape plays an important role in establishing order and maintaining a set aesthetic.

Like the softscape, the hardscape should follow the overall style of the home. Choose materials that work well with both the plant life you have incorporated as well as the colors, textures, and materials of the home itself.

Curb Your Enthusiasm - The biggest objective in designing the landscaping for a home is to strike a balance between both the natural and built elements, the soft and hardscapes, that combine to create something unique. While this is true for both the front and back yards, it is especially important in the front of the home. Our aim is to stand out in the best way possible and that is achieved by having a strong aesthetic and paying attention to details. Your homes curb appeal is its calling card. Why not make a statement with your landscaping?

Lead the Way - Who doesn't love a great garden path? A designated path is functional but also serves as visual interest in the overall landscape. There are many options to consider when creating a garden path from materials to cost to functionality. Here are a few tried and true choices to consider.

Stone is a great natural choice in the garden and buying stone by the pallet is the least expensive path option. It can be very sturdy if done right and is easy to maintain.

Conversely, concrete poured in place is one of the most expensive options, but it's also the most sturdy and attractive one. For a more budget conscious version of poured concrete, you can opt for precast concrete pads that can be installed between grass or turf. They are not as attractive as poured in place concrete and they won't be as level, but they'll function well in any garden.

Decomposed granite is also a cost-effective option and is very low maintenance. It looks beautiful flanked by lavender or other bushy plants.

Points of Interest - Once the overall landscape design is completed, I like to create points of interest, or vignettes in the outdoor space to add character and provide opportunities to add some depth with color or texture. This can be achieved with the addition of fountains, a seating area, or other decor items that will enhance the use of the space.

When choosing the perfect fountain for a garden, the first thing to look at are the prominent shapes in the outdoor space. If there are a lot of straight lines in the surrounding areas, I tend to choose rounded fountains or a collection of rounded fountains to soften hard lines and add a bit of contrast. Likewise, in areas with mainly circular features, I’ll tend to use square or rectangular fountains. I also like to tie in colors found in nature in the fountains I use. This creates a cohesive color scheme and helps the fountains become part of the overall garden scape and not feel out of place.

When it comes to creating a seating area, I like to choose a spot with scenic views and incorporate cushions that add dimension in texture and color.

Special Addition - Some outdoor spaces are large enough to add specialty additions to the overall landscape and create something truly unique. Here are a few examples of fun additions that take backyard landscapes to another level.

A backyard bocce court brings fun, resort-like appeal and can be created in a relatively small space. Surround it with lush greenery and a bench for seating and this addition will activate the backyard with visually interesting lines and endless possibility.

Create a vegetable garden with beautiful built-in planters that marry sleek design with practical function. This will keep vegetables contained to one designated area while allowing simple design and clean lines to take center stage.

Build an oasis in your backyard with the addition of a koi pond or other large scale water feature. This enables you to bring even more life into your landscape and create a peaceful area to relax and get back to nature.

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About Megan Dufresne

Megan Dufresne, founder and principal of MC Design is a Manhattan Beach native who was raised visiting job sites and marking up blueprints with her contractor father. She grew up in homes custom built and designed by her parents.

Today, she brings South Bay’s casual sophistication to residential and commercial spaces across

Southern California. Passionate about textiles and design, Dufresne’s goal is always to elevate

the everyday into motivating spaces for her clients. Innovative, fun and inspiring are three of her

favorite adjectives when it comes to design.

Dufresne works with both homeowners and builders to create personalized environments that are

timeless yet current; with thoughtful layers that look and feel as though they’ve been

collected over time. Focusing on clients’ culture, tastes and interests as well as the structure’s

architecture, she translates those influences into highly livable, visually stunning interiors and exteriors. Kids, pets, sand and swimming pools inspire instead of limit her creative possibilities.

She works primarily in the beach cities of Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Redondo Beach, Hermosa

Beach and Manhattan Beach, and travels for clients as needed. While currently building a showroom in Rancho Mirage, Dufresne is excited to expand her Firm to the Greater Palm Desert area.

As a former luxury design specialist for House Beautiful and Modern Luxury Interiors California magazines, Dufresne now brings that knowledge and passion to interior design. She founded MC Design in 2007.

Dufresne lives in Lower Lunada Bay in Palos Verdes Estates with her husband and two Chihuahuas. She’s a firm believer in cocktail hour(s) and beautifully organized spaces.

Follow @MeganDufresneDesign on Instagram