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 When making landscaping upgrades to your Wheaton, IL, home, one of your priorities may be the safety and needs of your pets. If you have a four-legged friend or two (or more) that like to spend lots of time outdoors, you want to ensure that they will enjoy any changes you decide to make and that they will be safe when they frolic in your newly remodeled landscape.
Related: Modern Landscaping Design Ideas to Try in 2020 in Naperville, IL Safety First As you go over your many options with your landscape contractor, you may want to first focus on the safety of any animals that live with you and can go outside. When considering different ideas, first ask yourself, “Is this safe for my dog?” Anything after that may be secondary. For instance, some plants and flowers are toxic to dogs, so to be extra cautious, you could check with your vet to ensure any new greenery being planted is safe if your pet sniffed or ingested any of its leaves or needles. You can also let your landscaper know this is a concern for you and that pet-friendly plantings must be prioritized. Fencing or walls may also be part of your safety considerations, depending on how wild and freely you want your pets to roam while out of doors. Shade and Shelter Shelter may be another consideration if your pets will be spending considerable amounts of time outside when it’s sunny or raining. Like humans, dogs enjoy basking in the sun but after a bit, that sun gets hot and a break is needed. A canine-friendly shady space might include a pergola or even a large shade tree that offers cooling comfort on a hot day. If you will be adding a dog house to your landscaping upgrades, give thought to how your pet likes to retreat to and rest. The dog house could be near the action—consider placing it near your patio—and easily accessible. Water Dogs love water. It’s a fact of life. Not just water that they can drink, but water to play in too. So when you are choosing landscape elements and want to include pet-friendly options, consider how to include water elements for hydration and fun. Water feature ideas could include water fountains that constantly have a flow of fresh water or even a small backyard pond with sloped sides for safety. Lookout Platform Dogs are watchful by nature, so a lookout platform, such as a raised boulder, would make for a happy pup. Consider placing this platform in a place that your pet can see most of the yard. Dog-Friendly Walkways For the most part, dogs are creatures of habit and will take the same territory each time they walk through the yard. This can quickly create an unsightly trail if the path they choose is through the grass. Mulch and small bark chips are both dog-friendly options for a good walkway that won’t get too hot, but they will need to be replaced periodically. A better option could be natural stone or concrete pavers. These can provide a beautiful effect for your landscaping and require very little upkeep—much less than mulch. When having a safe and enjoyable place for your animals to roam and explore is the end goal, landscaping experts can help you guide toward fun and safe options for your pets. Related: 4 Aesthetic Themes to Consider for Your Landscaping in Naperville, IL
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 Your regular weekend gatherings could you have wondering how you can either find more space to park or at least make your Hinsdale, IL, driveway look more appealing. If your family is growing, you like to entertain regularly or you have numerous vehicles, it’s likely that you find parking a difficult affair. When you have a small or short front yard, that problem becomes even more intensified, leaving you or your guests to park on the road. However, if you want to keep your cars parked on your own property without worry or frustration, there are a few options you can explore. Read on and we’ll show you some excellent design ideas to make your driveway more beautiful and easy to use.
Related: Modern Landscaping Design Ideas to Try in 2020 in Naperville, IL Circular Driveway Curved driveways offer the driveway length and accessibility you need when your yard is short on space. Not only is this type of driveway more convenient for allowing drivers to enter and exit your driveway, but it helps to maximize the space like no other design can. Circular driveways also add visual interest to your property, and can be accentuated by plantings, boulders or other decorative accents. Double Wide If you can’t go long, go wide! Your landscaping contractor can evaluate your entire front yard to determine if an extra-wide driveway could work on your property. Even adding a few feet of space on either side could make a difference, leaving extra room for walkways, bicycles and all of the ways you wish to use your driveway. Around the Back Not enough room in the front? Ask your landscape contractor if you can take the party to the back! If the sides of your property allow, it may be possible to create an extra driveway option on the side of your property. Not only will this help to make use of wasted space, but it can also be the perfect place to store extra vehicles. Added Flair Perhaps you don’t need to add extra parking space on your small front lawn but want to improve the overall look of your driveway. In that case, adding a bit of flair could be the solution you crave. Consider driveway pavers arranged in a cool, eye-catching design, like the on-trend yet traditional herringbone pattern. You can also ask your landscape contractors about using accent pavers that would create a stark border or inquire about a custom design. Garden Details Mother Nature can help add some interest to your small driveway as well. If you find that your current driveway overwhelms the majority of your front yard, ask your landscape contractor about using plantings and flowers to soften the finished look. You can create flower beds on either side of the driveway, add a narrow garden with your favorite flowers, or fill in stubborn spaces with decorative rock or gravel. Just because you have a small front yard doesn’t mean that your driveway needs to lack style. With expertly installed stone pavers, flowers and plantings, your driveway is sure to add to the curb appeal of your home, no matter the size. You simply need a fresh, expert perspective to bring out your driveway’s full potential. Related: Installing a Driveway That Complements the Home in Wheaton, IL  With a new year and a new decade to look forward to, you may have “refreshing” yourself and the things around you as top-of-mind priorities. Your Naperville, IL, home could be a part of those plans, as there are many new and interesting ways to modernize outdoor living spaces today. In particular, we have some ideas on how you could can make your front entrance, backyard, or patio more beautiful. Check out these fresh landscaping ideas and get dreaming about all of the ways to make 2020 your year for a fabulous new landscape design.
Related: 4 Aesthetic Themes to Consider for Your Landscaping in Naperville, IL Natural Stone Walkways With a touch of whimsy and a nod to the great outdoors, natural stone walkways offer a sense of charm to your landscaping that’s both beautiful and useful. This type of walkway, which could be characterized by the use of large natural stones spaced out to meet your natural gait, may be used as an accent walkway for maximum effect. Look into installing a natural stone walkway leading toward a small garden, on the side of your home, or by your front door to infuse your exterior home style with a nod back to nature. Retaining Wall Garden Raised garden beds have always been popular additions for landscapes, but for 2020, homeowners may be looking for more a more creative way to better utilize their outdoor spaces. One trend you could consider this year is whether your need for a new retaining wall could also complete your need for a new way of gardening. With your retaining wall as a foundation for a raised garden bed, your favorite flowers and foliage could be brought up to eye level. Ask your landscape professional which plants would work best in your climate to effectively accent your home. Outdoor Fireplace In the year 2020, you may want to go back to nature when you are considering landscaping trends, and an outdoor fireplace offers an excellent way to bring that style to your home. Enjoying the outdoors is easier year-round when you have a cozy fire at the ready, by your paver patio, and an outdoor fireplace offers an elegant space for friends and family to gather around. The true beauty of an outdoor fireplace is the wide variety of masonry styles available to match your personal taste and exterior decor. Your landscaping team can guide you toward the best modern materials available and help you create the kind of outdoor fireplace design that you will love for years. Low Voltage Landscape Lighting Another landscape design trend for the new year is one everyone will appreciate when the sun goes down. Your landscape deserves to be seen even when it is dark. A proper landscape lighting plan brings out the beautiful plants, masonry and architecture that take up the spotlight during the daylight hours. Low voltage lighting offers a soft and non-intrusive way to bring the best features of your home’s exterior to life any time of day. Not only can low voltage lighting highlight a favorite garden or tree, but it provides safety when walking at night, and an added level of security as well. Related: 5 Landscape Design Inspirations for Your Wheaton, IL, Outdoor Patio |
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