Landscape design of a summer cottage - the best styles and beautiful ideas. Do-it-yourself landscape design of the site: rules, ideas, photos
Citizens, tired of everyday work in a stuffy metropolis, are looking forward to the first sunny days to enjoy the peace and tranquility on own dacha. They all dream of turning their land into a true Eden - a place where you can comfortably relax, a place that will please the eye and allow you to relax. Having even basic knowledge, you can turn the smallest and most unremarkable site into a real oasis. And you can do it yourself. The dacha landscape design, the photo of which we posted in this article, will help create fresh ideas for landscaping.
How to equip a cottage
Creating a beautiful and modern landscape is a difficult task, we will not argue, but it is quite feasible for everyone. It is not at all necessary to change the relief of the site, to create complex structures. It is possible that in your case it will be enough just to build a beautiful and cozy gazebo, break up an interesting lawn or plant exotic plants to give the cottage a unique charm.
Where to begin
First of all, you should choose a style - it should not differ from the general concept of the house. For those who are new to landscape art, poorly versed in styles, it is necessary to study special literature.
Consider already existing ideas and select the desired landscape design options. Now carefully inspect your site, conditionally divide it into a recreation area, a garden area and economic activity etc. Do not try to use every centimeter of the site, do not clutter it with unnecessary elements - leave room for relaxation.
Flower decoration
You can ennoble your site with the help of a lawn in an unoccupied area and the design of an original flower bed. Before the beginning construction works think over the shape and size of the structure, select suitable plants. All of them have certain features, so you need to have a good idea of which flowers suit you best.
Beautiful hanging baskets with ampelous flowers planted in them look original. You can make an alpine slide with the help of creeping thyme, perennial carnation, asters, anafalis, coastal armeria and saxifrage. At the top of the hill, plants should be planted that develop well in bright sunshine. It can be iberis, cinquefoil, evergreen shrubs or geyhera.
Do-it-yourself landscape in the country: rock garden
Now we will try to build an alpine slide. This work must be started in early autumn.
The first step is to accurately mark the territory. The landscape of the cottage provides for the presence of an alpine slide of large, medium or small size. When planning a slide with an area of 10 m², it is necessary to mark out future transitions and garden paths.
If you are planning to create a landscape in a country house with a rock garden, then you must understand that this structure is not at all a meaningless heap of stones, but a reduced model of a natural mountain landscape. To make it similar to the original, the territory must have a "valley", "cliff", "plateau" and "top". An additional effect is achieved through different ways illumination of these areas.
Scheme of the slide
If you decide to decorate your site with an alpine slide, develop a plan for it on paper. This will allow you to properly plan your work, as it is quite intricate decor. After that, the plan must be transferred to the selected territory. It is desirable that the site is high and well lit. Make a markup.
Site preparation
If you create a dacha landscape with your own hands (you can see the photo in publications for gardeners) with an alpine slide, site preparation will be required. For this you need to remove upper layer ground (depth is at least 300 mm). Then the bottom layer (100 mm) is formed, for which broken brick, gravel, slag. Then a second layer is created, consisting of coarse sand (50-100 mm). All created layers are abundantly watered with water.
Next, we make up an earthen mixture from the earth, cleared of weeds, crushed humus (peat) and coarse sand. The components must be taken in equal amounts. This mixture is poured onto a drainage layer, and a hill about one meter high is formed. If desired, it can be higher.
Stone laying
The created layers must undergo shrinkage, after which you can start laying stones. First, the largest of them are laid along the edges, then medium-sized and at the end - small ones. stones small size look great on top of an earthen hill. It is important that the alpine slide becomes a dense structure. So large stones should be buried in the ground three-quarters of their size. Using this technique, you will get the best imitation of the rock outcrop.
Plant selection
When creating an alpine hill, it is important to choose the right plants. This largely depends not only on the overall appearance and the beauty of the building, but also its compliance with the overall landscape design.
Natural stone walkways
To create an unusual landscape in the country, a completely acceptable solution is the creation of stone or mosaic paths. Gorgeous decorative qualities natural stones make them extremely popular, and quite simple technique the execution of stone mosaics allows you to independently make the lining of retaining walls, decorate the recreation area in an original and stylish way. You will need a little for this - creative imagination and innovative thinking.
Ordinary river pebbles can become ideal material to create unusual paths with bright ornaments, it can decorate the inside of the garden pool, which will make your site completely different from the neighboring one.
Today you can also choose ready-made tiles made of natural stone. This will save you the trouble of choosing interesting stones on one's own. In this case, creating a mosaic will not be difficult, provided that all necessary tools and materials will be prepared in advance.
Under the mosaic, you also need to create a foundation. To do this, remove the soil to a depth of 10 cm, tamp the ground and lay drainage layer. It is best to use crushed stone.
Then we will install a metal or wooden crate for pouring the cement base. To do this, use a trowel and a building level, which is necessary when leveling the surface. We lay on top reinforced mesh, which is poured with 2 cm of mortar.
Leave the surface leveled in this way for 30 minutes for the solution to set. This will allow you to lay the material perfectly evenly and with better quality, and the mosaic will look more uniform and natural.
The stones must be evenly laid out on the surface and, using a soft rubber mallet, deepen them into the cement. Having created a decorative pattern, the seams are carefully rubbed with a solution and the mosaic is left to dry completely. The advantages of stone mosaics include its durability. With the help of this technique, your dacha (garden) will be transformed for a long time.
Landscape: small mechanization
Owning a summer cottage not only brings pleasure, not only gives you the opportunity to be proud of yourself, but also imposes certain obligations on the owner. How large territory is in your possession, the more effort will be required to make sure that it is always in proper order, and without a well-groomed, trimmed lawn in front of your house, the site will not be beautiful. In this regard, all owners are faced with the need to purchase a lawn mower.
Someone will object that the landscape in the country (photos of which amateur gardeners love to demonstrate) can be created with the help of an old and good braid, but it is already obsolete and, moreover, will not allow uniform mowing.
To understand which lawn mower is best for you, you need to know how different types of lawn mower differ, and therefore, know what criteria you should use to choose it.
The most significant difference is the type of engine used. In other words, the principle of its action. According to this principle, gasoline lawn mowers can be distinguished - devices that work with the help of a gasoline engine. They have advantages, including greater power, the ability to use additional features and various fixtures. But there are also disadvantages. This is, first of all, the presence of exhaust gases and the noise of operation.
Electric mowers are devices powered by an electric motor. This type has less power, but it also has less noise, and is also distinguished by the absence of harmful exhaust emissions. Naturally, such equipment requires power. It is carried out through a fixed network and from
Mechanical mowers are not the most common option, since their action is carried out with the help of the muscular strength of a person who pushes the device in front of him. The advantages of such a device include the absence of the need for power and low noise.
Bridges in the country
A dacha (garden), the landscape of which each person can create on their own, gives great satisfaction to the owner. This is an extremely pleasant occupation, because here people create a place for moral and physical relaxation.
Originally arranged flower beds, various decorative elements - all this lifts the mood and encourages further creative process.
Original bridges are a great opportunity to create original design in the country.
Types of bridges
The purpose of these structures today has changed dramatically. Nowadays, not all of them simply connect the two coasts. Their main purpose is decorative. In addition, they are used as a division functional areas on your site. Therefore, when choosing the type and style of the bridge, carefully analyze what it will symbolize - it mainly depends on how best to position it.
- The style of a bridge depends on where it starts and where it ends. For example, a rock garden suggests simplicity and sophistication, in keeping with Japanese culture.
- Lush gardens call for exquisitely decorated designs.
- Bridges, which are located over streams or ponds, should be in close proximity to the gazebo on one of the banks - this achieves the completeness of this part of the garden.
If you, when creating a landscape in the country, plan to build a bridge with your own hands, then wood will undoubtedly become the most suitable material. Designs from this material harmoniously fit into any style on a site of any size. In addition, it is easy to repair the failed sections of such a bridge.
As you can see, creating a landscape in the country with your own hands is not too difficult. The main thing - do not be afraid to experiment, show more imagination.
Man and nature is the eternal theme of any kind of art. landscape design- this is not only a way of self-expression, but also a part of direct communication with primordial nature. The territory adjacent to a private house gives a wide scope for imagination, opening up endless possibilities for designers around the world.
Regardless of the size of the suburban area, you need to strive to create a unique atmosphere for solitude and contemplation of nature, for family holidays with children and friends, for romantic dinners under the rustling of leaves and for quiet dinners 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.
Fundamentals of modern landscape design
Landscape design of a summer cottage is an integrated approach to landscaping personal plot. This space is designed to be in harmony 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 modern trends that most professionals follow.
The origins of the aesthetic design of the site go far back in time. Over the centuries, the styles and trends of landscape design have undergone many qualitative changes. At the moment, among specialists in the improvement of the site there is a desire for naturalness and pristineness. Alpine slide is very fashionable, Russian folk garden with an admixture of notes of technological progress: the use of glass, metal, clear geometric shapes, straight lines.
Eclecticism prevails in modern landscape design. You need to have a real talent for the harmonious combination of these two incompatible directions. But the result can exceed all expectations.
Modern styles of landscape design
Behind long history the existence of the art of decorating a personal plot, many of its directions have been formed.
The main ones are:
- Classic or regular style. Famous French parks are typical representatives of this trend. The idea of such a design is the idea of exalting the human mind above nature, subordinating it to the laws of geometry familiar to us.
- landscape style. Historically formed as the opposite of the regular direction. It represents a “free”, maximally pristine landscape. The landscape style is designed to surprise a person with the beauty of nature, skillfully thought out and created by designers.
- Rural style (country). "Home" trend of landscape style, which is represented by ordinary village gardens in different parts of the world. An arbitrary direction that does not require large investments and careful care behind the plot. The placement of decorations is arbitrary, depending on the historically developed folklore of the area.
- Architectural style. Pushing back natural beauty to the background, focuses on the decorative buildings of the territory: terrace, arches, paved areas, architectural reliefs, steps, etc.
- Japanese style. Country plot design oriental style is art. It is filled with symbolism. The landscaping of the plot 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.
Layouts of the area around the house
After selection suitable style, should be planning the design of the territory near the house, the definition of constituent elements. Without a planning stage, it is impossible to competently build a site.
There are several standard layout types that apply to most spaces:
- Rectangular layout. The most popular win-win option. The scheme of a rectangular area is easy to zone, conveniently divided into separate sections and well suited for creating a successful geometric composition.
- Round layout. Such a layout is artificially created from a rectangular variant using auxiliary elements: flower beds, lawns, green spaces, etc. Direct geometric shapes are masked by decor. Landscape design around the house in round motifs can be a non-trivial solution.
- Diagonal layout. Based on the creation of diagonal parallels. Do-it-yourself landscape design of a small area in a diagonal layout will help visually expand the space, push its boundaries.
- Free layout. Reception 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.
Site zoning
Dividing it into several functional zones will help to make a spacious area the most comfortable and visually enlarge a small backyard space. Their number and size completely depends 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 zone.
All zones of the territory should form a single picture, not looking like separate islands on a personal plot. Zones should be united by a single idea, 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 square, while the small ones should be concentrated in the center.
Landscape Design Composition
Landscaping of the 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, so a skilled gardener covers his plot with a lawn. If earlier the lawn was the luxury of emperors, then in the modern world everyone can afford to ennoble the territory with a soft grassy carpet.
The process of engrafting a lawn is laborious and requires full dedication, but at the end 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, the grassy lawn has a positive effect on the structure of the soil and the purity of the air, muffles excess noise.
The choice of lawn must be approached with all seriousness: it will last more than one season. Exist:
- Regular lawn. Provides coverage solid color medium density.
- Sports lawn. It is a denser type of lawn that is not afraid of loads.
- Decorative lawn. Beautiful perfect lawn, not meant to be walked on.
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 style, the tracks can be of different shapes, 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 home gardens is the choice of suitable material. In landscape design, diversity of finishes is not welcome, but the use of only one material is not necessary. The main thing in this business is harmony and uniformity.
The central tracks should be larger and more solid. Mosaic decoration will look good different colors. The simultaneous combination of different figures looks advantageous and flower arrangements. Modern manufacturers offer services for individual production paths. You can emphasize the central alley with the help of built-in spot lighting.
Dirt paths, decoratively sprinkled with sand or crumbs, will add a special charm to the back streets of the garden.
standard materials for garden paths are:
- paving stones;
- gravel;
- concrete tiles;
- a natural stone;
- brick covering;
- decorative tiles;
- natural pebble.
When choosing a material, it is imperative to take into account its compatibility with a particular soil and climatic conditions, in addition to standard operating conditions.
Flower garden and planting
It is difficult to imagine the landscape design of a summer cottage without plants. The composition of the composition of flower beds can become a real art and the main focus of the entire site. It is important to carry out a competent selection of plants. 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 ways to place plantings on the site:
- . The most popular flower garden, which is a planting of a certain geometric shape decorative leafy plants.
- Group boarding. Dense planting of plants in separate groups of several species.
- Rabatki. A variety of planting ornamental leafy plants in rectangular stripes to frame lawn borders, paths, or other landscape design elements.
- Border. A type of flower garden in which plants are planted in tiers.
- Tapeworm. Way single landing plants.
- Parterre flower garden. Geometrically correct complex flower garden, located in front of the entrance to the garden plot. Usually consists of a combination of several types of plants with architectural elements.
- Mobile flower beds. Plants or flowers that are not adapted to some features of the area (soil, some weather conditions, a certain season) are exhibited in the landscape of the site in decorative pots or vases, without transplanting into the ground.
- Arenarium. An exotic solution will be a corner of the desert in the garden. Various types of succulents and the like are planted in an arenarium artificially covered with sand.
reservoirs
A body of water can be the highlight of any landscape. But before proceeding with its speedy creation, it is worth thinking about the appointment. In areas that differ in size, different types of reservoirs will be appropriate.
Owners large area, of course, can afford absolute any size, shape and depth of the water body.
Reservoirs are very labor-intensive to maintain, so it should be foreseen in advance whether its maintenance will be feasible.
Allows you to build as well as breeding small fish. The size of the object up to 8 square meters will be appropriate. When planning a reservoir, you should definitely take into account that the dimensions of the finished pond are visually smaller than originally intended. Therefore, some margin of space is needed.
The pond should be in direct agreement with the overall style of the landscape project. With a regular style, the pool should have straight shapes, and asymmetric streams made of natural materials are more suitable for a landscape style.
The landscape design of the summer cottage qualitatively transforms the creation of a fashionable alpine slide today.
The Alpine hill is an imitation of a wild mountain landscape with typical plant species. Despite the laborious process of creation, such a decoration can become the pride of the backyard of any country house.
Usually, an alpine slide is a kind of rockery: compositions ornamental plants with stone. To create a rock garden, materials available in our area are used: limestone, granite, gerbils. live composition combined from plants of rocks.
The main focus 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 creating artificial lighting.
Recreation area with barbecue or hearth
owning country house, you can not only usefully spend time for garden work, but also successfully relax in the company of friends by equipping your recreation area with a barbecue or hearth.
The corresponding platform can be both open and closed. Although the first option is less laborious, 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 the recreation area will become spacious and hidden from prying eyes. It’s good if there is a zone for children next to this place, and a picturesque landscape opens up nearby for admiring. Proximity to the reservoir will give extra freshness on hot summer days.
The location in the recreation area of a barbecue, hearth or outdoor fireplace 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, creating an atmosphere of comfort on autumn evenings.
Outdoor dining arrangement
Landscape design of a summer cottage with an open dining room is a luxury available to everyone. Eating at fresh air is not just a trend of modern fashion, but also an extremely useful practice that improves metabolism and overall well-being.
To create a summer dining room, first of all, you need a suitable free space. An excellent solution would be a platform around 10 square meters. For convenience, a stone path should be drawn 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 transferring dishes and prepared food can become quite a long and laborious process.
It is important to remember about possible weather surprises and climatic changes: it is necessary to choose furniture that is resistant to moisture 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 available on the site.
The dining room can be arranged in quality, surrounded by a hedge or left on the free space of the lawn - it all depends solely on the wishes of the owners.
Site lighting
The lighting system of any dacha and plot has two functions: practical and aesthetic.
The first involves lighting areas for free movement in the dark, and the second is designed to create special atmosphere and set the accents of landscape design.
With the help of a skillfully formed lighting system, you can achieve a dramatic nighttime transformation of the garden.
Illumination of landscape design of a summer cottage happens:
- Flooding. It is carried out through the use of floodlights on the auxiliary parts of the perimeter.
- General. The main part of the lighting, which consists in the installation classic lamps along the main objects of the site.
- Marking. Used to create visual effects to highlight (mark) functional details.
- Decorative lighting of plants, reservoirs, architectural structures.
Every second resident of the city dreams of a summer cottage away from the hustle and bustle, where they can grow organic vegetables and fruits, enjoy the beauty of flowers planted in flower beds. And now the dream becomes a reality. Leaving the bustle of the city somewhere far away, you arrive at the desired site. As is often the case, we don't know where to start. Taking into account the wishes of the whole family, we study all the materials available to us.
Planning is paramount
Before building up the entire territory, be sure to consider the location of the leading zones: a place for housing, outbuildings, a garage, a bathhouse, an altanka, a playground for children's games, a vegetable garden and a garden. You should not strive to build all of the listed objects. For some, aesthetics is important, others enjoy contact with the earth.
We have many wishes, but, unfortunately, in reality we are faced with a lack of territory. In this case, a site plan will be required, in which all conditions will be taken into account.
Lot distribution outline When distributing a suburban area into zones, under a garden and a kitchen garden, we determine the largest area (up to 75%). Buildings (a residential building, a barn, etc.) should occupy somewhere around 10% of the total area. The remaining 15% can be applied to flower beds or a recreation area. In this ratio, even the most looks multifunctional and in harmony with nature. Those who acquire a site for aesthetics plant most of it with ornamental plants and.
Zoning a small area
After the theory, we turn to practice, namely to the zoning of the site. The house, its location on the site, the primary task and the starting point for planning other buildings. We place it closer to the entrance, facing the street, and not into the courtyard. From the point of view of saving on one foundation, it is recommended to build a garage near the house. This arrangement is convenient from several sides:
- One wall, one foundation – we save a valuable piece of land.
- The minimum distance for leaving (as you remember, we are building a house near the entrance).
- In the bad weather of their garage, we move into a house without dirt and a drop of rain.
house with garage Outbuildings look aesthetically pleasing in the depths of the site. In case you decide to place it to the north or northwest side of the world, nothing terrible will happen. Outbuildings will not create an extra shade for plants, but they will be protection from cold winds. Another plus is a saving shade on hot summer days.
There are several factors that cannot be ignored:
- Small landforms with height fluctuations of several meters - microrelief. Flat areas without slopes and drops are valued higher. This advantage is most likely for small areas.
- A rectangular area is more pleasant to work with than a trapezoidal one.
- Pay attention to soil type. What kind of soil do you have: clay, sandy, sandy, loamy? On the large plots more likely to get mixed soil than small ones.
- ground water. Before laying the foundation, make sure that the groundwater runs deep enough. This knowledge will be useful when planting fruit trees.
Since the average person has small plots, this article will focus on landscape design of small plots.
Cozy summer cottage Landscaping and design of a small area
Describing your summer cottage in dreams, we imagine it drowning in the flowers of ornamental plants, with well-groomed beds cultivated plants. To make the dream come true, you need to properly decorate our corner with flowers, shrubs, trees. Applying some rules of landscape design in the design of a small suburban area, you can surprise your neighbors with the beauty and originality of the buildings.
flower garden
Intending to organize a small flower bed, place it on the sides of the entrance or opposite the house. Plants in pots and tubs look quite extraordinary, placed where there is a place. Finding old tires from your husband in the garage, filling them with soil, you can make a beautiful one. With the help of flowers, make on a small suburban area"Creek". Arrange a small flower framing.
Flower garden from old tires Landscaping vertically
To visually expand the territory of a small area in landscape design, there is a wonderful technique -. What is remarkable about this technique is the minimal amount usable area. A wall of climbing plants, intertwined around the lintels of garden facades, arbors, trellises, etc., expands the boundaries of the garden, adjusting the space. green screen of different heights perfectly zones the territory, hides the garden from prying eyes and creates a pleasant shade for you to relax.
Pergola - one of the options for vertical gardening There should be a small amount of shrubs in a small area. Let them be few, but they will delight with flowers all summer. Cotoneaster, hawthorn, jasmine, lilac, wild rose - beautifully colored shrubs. Undemanding, and some are also healthy, do not take up much space. Honeysuckle honeysuckle, calistegia, ivy and many others are used to create hedges, for example.
Shrubs in landscape design Trees
Plot up to 8 hundred? With such a territory tall plants should be forgotten. As the tree matures, the free space will shrink. This can be avoided by planting trees on a dwarf rootstock, which guarantees restrained growth and a compact crown. In addition, the site will visually expand if you place them around the perimeter.
Trees in the zoning of the site Garden
At this word, many people remember a picture with a bare piece of land in the middle of a field. Do not look at the garden only from a practical point of view. Get creative. Get creative. Create a masterpiece with your own hands and your beds will decorate the site.
It is not necessary to allocate an immense plot of land for beds with vegetables. Forgetting the Soviet concept of a garden, we turn the beds into elegant flower beds. Useful can and will be beautiful. Lettuce leaves, onion feathers, curly greens of beets, carrots, in addition to the vitamins necessary for humans, can look decorative.
All horticultural crops love the sun and fertile soil. Therefore, when planning landscape design, consider in which part of the site you will place it. We all strive to plant more than we need. Rolling pickles on a big family, at the end winter season we are surprised at the number of remaining cans in the cellar. But let's face it: a few small, well-kept beds can be more than a large weedy plantation.
An ordinary garden can be not only useful, but also beautiful. Beds - decoration of the site
When making beds in a small area, get creative:
- Do not try to throw away stale materials: bricks, stones, profiled sheets, plastic bottles, etc. They will make excellent bumpers for beds of any convenient shape.
- Trellising seasonal vegetables saves a lot of space.
- Vertical ridges - as an option to save space. The earth warms up under the sun better if the bed is slightly raised above the surface. Accessibility: possibility of access from different parties.
- Vegetables are planted along with flowers. Having planted flowers for seedlings, the garden bed, after harvesting, will not be empty. For example: a bed of onions with flowers (marigolds, gladioli, zinnia) will look non-trivial.
Both vegetables and flowers - A bed with a flower bed in one flowerpot. Such a bed is called a flower bed. The name itself suggests that vegetables, herbs, flowers not only exist together, but create a charming landscape. The most important thing with this combination is to correctly place the plants in height, think over the row spacing, and select plants according to the flowering period. In this combination, the garden bed has not only an aesthetic appearance.
Flowers (marigolds and marigolds, nasturtium) protect vegetables from the invasion of harmful insects. Conversely, onions and garlic protect bulbous flowers such as tulips, amaryllis, and crocuses from pests.
- Composite flower beds can be placed in different places site, for example, in front of the entrance to the house or between buildings. A bed-bed of flowers and vegetables, decorated among the lawn, will attract attention with its non-triviality.
- A bed in a barrel. It's just called "in a barrel". In fact, any bulky dishes, drawer, big pot even a baby bath. Do-it-yourself old containers painted in the style of a summer cottage can themselves be an element of decor. Such a bed will provide not only a crop of cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs, carrots, beans, but will take on the function of decoration. And after you have harvested, so that the containers are not empty, you can plant flowers: petunia, mirabilis, caliberhoa. The advantage of such a bed is that it is easy to move the containers to a place convenient for you, unlike a bed sown directly on the ground.
Strawberries in a barrel Seen from different angles. Therefore, when planning landscape design, you need to remember that such a physical obstacle as a fence can turn your cozy corner into a closed "box". For this reason, forget about deaf and closed fences.
The best option would be a forged fence with openwork inserts or a low picket fence made of wood, wattle. Such a fence does not weigh down the look and visually enlarges the territory. The disadvantage of such a fence is that it does not hide you from prying eyes at all. But if you land along the fence climbing plants, you will receive a living screen of flowers.
Another trick: massive concrete fence, dyed in dark tones and pasted over with wavy details with mirror finish. Details displayed in mirror surfaces, visually enlarge the area.
DIY garden paths in the design of a small garden
The garden paths laid with a filigree pattern do not take up much space in the summer cottage. Contrasting small plot make a network of winding paths from different materials. Regardless material - expensive or auxiliary materials - tracks visually increase a small area. Based on practice, walking along the paths on the site, the shoes will remain clean.
The most common materials for garden paths:
- A rock. A stone path in front of the entrance to the dwelling gives the summer cottage an expensive look. Natural stone due to the impressive cost, not everyone can afford it. Facing brick is suitable for replacement, or rather its remains, laid with a mosaic with your own hands. These tracks can be given a different shape and pattern.
- From wooden shields and the rest of the boards with your own hands, you can lay out the path in wooden style. From dampness and rot, treat with wood-protecting agents.
- Path covered with gravel or screening, will add charm to the pond.
- By attaching a silicone mold and pouring into it concrete, with your own hands you can make a track of any shape, size, pattern.
If there is not enough material, it is possible to lay the remains of bricks, parts of concrete or wooden elements: saw cut, stripes, shields, parquet. Plant the rest of the land with grass.
DIY track (video tutorial)
Unfortunately, not everyone can boast of a flat piece of land. Irregularities of the site, a steep slope, a ditch, a pit, from shortcomings can be turned into dignity with exquisite landscape architecture: a bridge made of wood through or live, a platform with two or three levels.
All this beauty, created with your own hands, will betray an atmosphere of peace, will become a recreation center for the whole family. Landscape design of your site is a responsible task for the whole family. A successful solution will bring not only pleasure from the work done, but also the admiration of your friends and neighbors.
The landscape on the site can become its only and main decoration, veiling the shortcomings of the architecture of buildings. He will "pull" attention to himself and present your estate in the best light.
Unlike construction, landscaping done by hand is much cheaper. And this means that if you want changes, but do not have enough funds, you should bet on competent landscaping of the territory.
The standard approach to "beauty" on the site is the creation of a garden in regular style. Yes indeed it is spectacular way transform it. However, it is also the most costly. Here you will have to invest in the purchase of paving materials, and planting material can cost a pretty penny. But the result will be obtained quickly.
Landscape is much cheaper in nature garden style. This is the natural beauty of nature, only "combed" by the patient hands of the gardener. Alas, without the knowledge of building a composition, including color, the proper effect may not work.
So, if you want cheap and "angry", it is worth making an effort to master the science of gardening or ... painting. Yes, yes, yes, exactly color palette drawing is the key to success in such a project. Having mastered it, you can transfer the idea to the area and thereby materialize the picture.
A compromise option is a combination of mixborders and a lawn. This is English style garden design and it is good because the seedlings of perennial flowers and herbs are not so expensive, they multiply surprisingly quickly. Trees and shrubs can be left on the site or supplemented with seedlings from the nearest planting, a neighboring garden (with the knowledge of the owners :) or forest. Many of the arboreal inhabitants of the local flora may appear (a list of the most popular can be found by clicking on this link).
A riot of colors in mixborders and a smoothly cut green lawn will contrast perfectly against each other.
However, what to say, it's better to just look at all the options for creating a beautiful landscape with examples.
The photo above is an example of a landscape designed in a regular style with English notes. This is a more "domesticated" option, unlike the palace gardens. Clear geometry, traditional paving, hedges and topiary forms (beautifully trimmed trees and shrubs) have been preserved here.
Symmetry is still present, but not so strict, and, most importantly, somewhat chaotic forms of perennials, more reminiscent of meadow thickets, have been added to the design drawn out, as if under a ruler.
A similar option, but in the Italian style.
And this landscape is a symbiosis Japanese garden and Naturgarden style in a purely modern frame. And the name of this style is modern. About him a little later, look further ...
Here it is the source of inspiration for the previous landscape design: intricately trimmed niwaki trees, neatly "arranged" among the natural relief. All this beauty is emphasized by a carefully mowed lawn... and note that there is no leveling of the site for its laying! Only natural, maybe slightly smoothed relief.
They do not require winter shelter and special watering conditions. The main thing is to cut the grass in time in order to emphasize the beauty of this naturalness. And one more thing: it is very similar to the fact that the relief (bumps and depressions) was created artificially.
And here is an example English garden. The natural relief is covered with a lawn and is interrupted by "tousled" islands of grassy mixborders. The bulk of the trees are "local" residents. Yes, by the way, in the photo: Buckingham Palace Park.
If you replace garden flowers with ornamental grasses with colored foliage, the effect of bright contrast will remain, but worries will noticeably decrease.
The landscape looks very beautiful if the palette of plants is emphasized with man-made elements: brickwork, stone embankment, structure made of sawn stone.
An artificial pond with a fountain will require the owners of the site to take care of filtering the water, cleaning the pond from overgrown algae, and conserving the pond for winter period... It is worth thinking carefully before acquiring such beauty of the landscape.
in English style- These are coniferous and bright ground cover plants.
Landscape design of a summer cottage, we will consider some photo options in our article – an unusually fashionable trend of the last decade, which literally captivated Russian summer residents. It is curious that the history of landscape design began at the beginning of the 20th century, while such a fashion came to Russia recently.
Among the millions of ideas and variations, a person will find a design option suitable for a summer cottage. If there is a creative vein, the approach to the issue is different - to design your own style, drawing ideas from the presented projects. The key to success lies in harmony and convenience.
Decorative techniques - improving our own skills
To decorate the summer cottage, consider a few design techniques. Consider the methods of designers that will help in further work:
Note! The use of a "dry stream" would be appropriate along with bridges. They will complement the landscape design and create harmony.
The basics of creating a project - choosing the right options
It should be remembered that landscape design should be inviting, neutral and at the same time attractive, have a relaxing effect, which is so necessary during the rest period. That is why, experts present landscape design as a complex task designed to solve several issues.
The project is the first component of landscape design, the creation of which should be approached with utmost attention. Initially, it is required to study the area (summer cottage) and clarify all its features (soil type, vegetation, climatic features, the presence of natural reservoirs and ravines, etc.). After “reconnaissance”, a composition is drawn up - the location of paths, flower beds is thought out, boundaries are drawn different zones, the possibility of installing a pool or an artificial reservoir, etc. is being considered. As a creation of a “green” atmosphere, options for planting tall trees and shrubs are being considered. It is necessary to provide for the center (or several centers) of the composition, from which the entire design of the site will “dance” (this can be a pool, a fountain, a tree in the middle of the site, etc.). 
Don't forget about color scheme, which is designed to create harmony in the summer cottage. Variegated colors and incorrectly chosen tones will only annoy. Absolutely everything should be in harmony - fences, grass, plantings, paths and recreation areas.
When choosing a set of plants, one should study in detail their qualities, compatibility with other plants, their needs and care features.
Attention! It should be remembered that a summer cottage with a well-thought-out landscape design looks attractive and well-groomed at any time of the year.
If you are not a supporter of long, painstaking work, then it is recommended this work instruct landscape designer, which competently and as quickly as possible will make all your dreams come true.
Features of working on a summer cottage of a small size
A standard summer cottage does not exceed 10 acres, which somewhat limits the flight of design ideas. Do-it-yourself landscape design will have to be thought through to the smallest detail, because you want to get not only a beautiful design, but also leave space for beds and a small garden. 
Experts recommend not to take radical measures, but to introduce only indirect changes that will help change the style and the whole general form. It is not recommended to clutter up the area decorative elements (garden gnomes, fountains, etc.), borders, flower beds and ponds, as they only spoil the overall impression. Harmony in everything - do not forget this rule.
Landscaping is a whole science. Let's see what is meant by this concept:
Improvement of the suburban area - the secrets of professionals
What falls under the concept of landscaping a suburban area? Let's get a look.