29th Year Anniversary
Serving the Naperville Community
Serving the Naperville Community
 The changing climate is one of the biggest problems in the world and individual humans can actually do quite a lot to help fix it. One of the most important steps homeowners can take is to adopt an ecologically-conscious landscape design. That doesn’t mean that anyone needs to turn their landscape into a barren moonscape filled with succulents. A few tweaks can make a huge difference. Here are four eco-friendly landscape design ideas for Naperville, IL homes.
Related: 4 Landscape Design Ideas for Warm and Welcoming Backyards in Wheaton and Hinsdale IL Areas Permeable Pavers for Controlling Runoff In a natural environment, rain seeps into the ground and any excess flows downstream on the surface. Solid surface driveways (asphalt and concrete) decrease the surface area of the ground that can absorb rainwater and increases runoff. Permeable pavers are a good solution for this issue as they let rain absorb between the joints into a special substrate so water enters the ground naturally. Permeable pavers can be used on driveways, walkways, patios, and pool decks, and come in a variety of gorgeous colors, textures, and styles. LED Landscape Lighting A few steps can dramatically reduce your electrical use while you enjoy an attractively and safely illuminated landscape. The first step is to replace incandescent or halogen fixtures with low-voltage LED lighting. The second step is to create a strategic lighting plan to illuminate an area in ways that don’t destroy the nighttime appeal, yet provide plenty of safety and activity-appropriate lighting. Old-school floodlights mounted on the side of the house produce a wide and inconsistent spectrum of light from bright and direct glares to harsh and contrasting shadows. However, strategically-placed LED lights along a path or set into a masonry retaining wall will never interfere with eyesight and create a safe and pleasing ambiance and completely change the feel of your backyard. Xeriscaping with Native Plants Xeriscaping is rooted in being in harmony with nature and making the conscious choice to populate your landscape with an array of beautiful native plants that are perfectly suited to thrive in your ecosystem. Native plants are adapted to harsh winter and summer conditions and don’t need more water than what the region provides in rainfall and snowfall. Many homeowners are replacing sections of their lawn with natives - effectively eliminating the “food desert” expanses of grass that provide no habitat for local wildlife. More Living Space, Less Work If you don’t have a need for a lawn - for example, if you don’t have kids or a dog - then you could consider expanding the size of your outdoor living space using permeable pavers and replacing part of your lawn with xeriscaping. First, you’ll use your backyard more if you have an attractive and functional space to hang out and entertain in; and second, you’ll reduce your water use as well as the time needed to maintain the landscape. As well, if you make your backyard an attractive place for local wildlife and pollinators, you’ll have a much more vibrant place to call your own. Professional Irrigation Decrease water use while encouraging a lush and beautiful landscape with a professional irrigation system. Automatic timers and settings can be calibrated for specific plants in each location, all in a system that stays out of sight, out of mind. This eliminates the need for waking up super early in the morning to water the landscape before the daytime summer heat bears down. While drastically reducing the amount of water needed for proper irrigation, you can sleep in or focus on the next great eco-project! Related: 3 Landscaping Tips to Refresh and Rejuvenate a Backyard in Hinsdale IL and Wheaton IL Areas
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 If you’re installing a new retaining wall, does this mean it has to be “just a wall”? No. A retaining wall is the ideal opportunity to add interest and practicality to your landscape that goes beyond simply holding back earth and creating more outdoor living space. If you need ideas, here’s why your new retaining wall needs a water feature in Wheaton and Naperville, IL, areas.
Related: Benefits of a Retaining Wall for Your Downers Grove IL Property Do you “need” a water feature? Water is an irresistible draw for young and old. Everyone enjoys the sounds and sights of a fountain and in our experience, our clients often say, “I wish I had installed a fountain sooner.” In today’s increasingly stressful world, everyone could use more nature, to unplug and enjoy its serenity. So while a water feature may feel like an indulgence, on some level it’s a necessity that helps you relax more deeply and pull away from your stresses. If nothing else, it could mask the sounds of traffic, which will greatly increase your ability to enjoy an afternoon nap on the patio. Incorporating a water feature into a retaining wall can transform a boring wall into a stunning focal point. There are many style choices to choose from, depending on how intense you want the flow of water to be, the size of the fountain, and whether you will use a catch basin or a pool. The design of a fountain is about more than just aesthetics. Each type of fountain - as well as its height from the ground - determines how fast and how much water flows from it, and how far it falls. A fountain could provide subtle background sounds reminiscent of a babbling brook, or a more dramatic rush of water that comes from a high waterfall. Which type of fountain should you choose? Wall fountains can be large or small in size. Some can be inset into the wall so that water is coming out from the wall itself, while others are installed onto the face of the wall. One or several sheer descent waterfalls that come from the wall itself is one of the most popular ways to jazz up a retaining wall with a dramatic water curtain effect. This type of fountain is perfectly suited for a chic, modern space with smooth textures and clean lines. A Roman-style attached fountain could dress up a traditional, more formal patio with brick or quarry stone surfaces. A more relaxed yet sophisticated space could be created using a series of clay (or resin) pots set into the wall’s masonry, allowing water to spill from one pot into one another. Plan carefully! Plan a water feature carefully to make the process smooth right from the beginning. Plan for the pump’s electrical needs as well as electricity to power landscape lighting in and/or around the fountain. Plan the placement, avoiding locations under deciduous trees that will continually drop leaves, flowers, or fruit into your fountain. Make sure that the catch basin won’t pose a hazard to small children - even a few inches of water is too deep with little ones running around. Be sure that the area in front of the fountain is a solid surface, either natural stone or concrete pavers or decorative pebbles. Any water that splashes out of the fountain could quickly turn a grassy area into an unattractive mud pit. Whichever style of fountain you choose, your retaining wall will become a focal point in your landscape. Related: 4 Landscape Design Ideas for Warm and Welcoming Backyards in Wheaton and Hinsdale IL Areas  There are few outdoor spaces more charming than those that use brick. If spending a lot of extra time on your patio in 2020 made you aware of its shortcomings, now is the perfect time to plan ahead for the coming outdoor season and design a patio you’ll be thrilled to use every day. Here are 2 outdoor design ideas for a cozy brick patio in Naperville and Hinsdale, IL, areas. Related: How Contractors Turn the Fire Pit Into the Focus of the Patio in Naperville IL 1. Fire and Food Give people a reason to go outside, even once the summer is over. Let’s start by creating a focal point where everyone will gather year ‘round: an outdoor fireplace! In a smaller space, a fireplace is preferable to a fire pit; only because a fire pit needs to be located more or less centrally to make for easy traffic flow - and this can make the space feel choppy and awkward. By contrast, an outdoor fireplace can be positioned in a corner of the patio, to create a more intimate experience that’s outside of the flow of traffic. The fireplace is its own entity, and building it with brick could result in too much brick in the space, making it feel visually cramped. If you like, you can use brick accents on its face, but use a complementary material whether it’s natural stone, poured concrete, or manufactured stone (concrete veneers). Add a wood-fired pizza oven to your fireplace, and you’ve just created “the” place to be, in virtually any season! If you enjoy grilling, positioning the grill in relative proximity to the fireplace will create a hub of outdoor living. This means the rest of your patio could be assigned to more relaxed activities, such as relaxing with a good book. Related: Check Out These Landscape Design Ideas for Large Naperville, IL Properties 2. Separate Zones A patio is generally thought of as a single space with different activity zones. This is one approach, but it’s not the only one. Mini-patios could be the answer to creating intimacy in a large backyard. Depending on the layout of your backyard, you could also create a series of smaller, interconnected yet separate patios. This works especially well if you have a sloped backyard but thoughtful use of plantings and other physical barriers can create outdoor rooms, much like indoor rooms are separated by walls in your home. Each of these mini-patios could be paved with the same brick, but the laying patterns could be different; the patios could be tied together with a series of brick walkways laid in a consistent pattern. If you want to stick with one larger patio, it’s best to use a consistent laying pattern to prevent an already busy brick patio from becoming too busy. A basket weave pattern is one of the most popular patio laying patterns since the eye isn’t drawn in a straight line (such as a running bond pattern). The classic herringbone pattern is also popular on patios. If you use a basket weave pattern, you could alter the orientation of the pattern to define individual spaces. For example, you could create an outdoor “rug” in the fireside lounge area by rotating the orientation of the bricks 45 degrees; within this “rug” the pavers could remain in a basket weave pattern, or you could try a simpler running bond pattern in this space only. This is a beautiful approach that brings attention to the inherent charm and beauty of brick. Related: Are Your New Landscape Design and Driveway Winter-Ready in Hinsdale IL 3 Landscaping Tips to Refresh and Rejuvenate a Backyard in Hinsdale IL and Wheaton IL Areas12/3/2020  This year has seen an unprecedented shift toward backyard living; partly out of necessity, and partly out of a realization that nature really is the best place to spend one’s free time. If your backyard felt like it was lacking in amenities that could have made the summer more enjoyable, here are 3 landscaping tips to refresh and rejuvenate a backyard in Hindsdale, IL, and Wheaton, IL, areas.
Related: Check Out These Landscape Design Ideas for Large Naperville, IL Properties 1. A Patio That Reflects Your Lifestyle You probably spend the majority of your outdoor time on the patio. If your patio is too small - if people are tripping over each other and the space feels cramped - or if it doesn’t fit with your design theme, then investing in a new outdoor living space will yield significant returns in your enjoyment of your property. Make a list of all the ways you want to enjoy your outdoor space, and then think about designs and amenities that will meet those needs. For example, if you’re a passionate cook who loves to share meals with a large family, you will have different needs than someone whose primary means of enjoying their outdoor spaces is to kick back with a good book, and still different needs than a family with young children that needs plenty of space for kids to play and burn off energy. An avid gardener or someone who loves a wilder, more natural landscape won’t need much lawn, but will be enthralled with “secret” walkways that lead to intimate paver patios where one can sit among the flowers. Someone who loves to relax and share good conversation around a fire will want a cozy fire pit or outdoor fireplace area, and position it so that it’s out of the main traffic flow between the home and the outdoor cooking area. 2. Quiet Spaces Life is stressful enough without being able to get away to your favorite spots where you feel serene and happy. You can create a private getaway in an unused corner of your backyard, or even a side yard, with a few simple additions: a privacy fence (this could be a wood privacy fence, or a living wall); a natural stone or paver surface to keep the spot free of mud; comfortable seating such as a lounge chair or even a hammock; shelter such as a gazebo, if you want to use this space in inclement weather; landscape lighting to set the mood at night; plants that make you feel secure, happy, and peaceful; and a special treat in the form of a small fountain that will help mask the sounds of traffic and neighbors. Placing your zen getaway close to your WiFi router can mean that you can even take work meetings or chip away at a deadline in the serenity of nature. Related: Check Out These Landscape Design Ideas for Large Naperville, IL Properties 3. Fire and Water Fire is a hugely important element for getting people to enjoy their outdoor spaces more. A fireplace or fire pit will instantly extend your outdoor season throughout the winter, giving you a reason to get outside even when it’s cold outside. Water is the most soothing or, depending on the type of water feature, energizing element you can add to your landscape. Anything from a chic water wall next to your outdoor dining space, to a waterfall that livens up a corner of your backyard, to a serene reflecting pool at your front entry brings a completely fresh energy to your outdoor spaces. Related: 3 Landscaping Ideas for Making Your Naperville, IL Property More Useful  A well-designed landscape lighting system offers many benefits. Outdoor lighting increases safety, extends the hours you can use your yard and adds atmosphere to your landscape after dark. With the installation of outdoor lighting, Montanos Landscaping Inc. can help make your Naperville, IL, backyard as functional at night as it is during the day. Increase Safety and Security Without proper lighting, your landscape is filled with hidden obstacles once the sun goes down. Water features, masonry elements and even plants can pose safety hazards if they aren’t visible. Walkway lighting will increase safety and ensure your property is easy to navigate. Path lights can also help direct traffic flow and guide visitors to different areas of your landscape. Post lights are a good way to highlight stairs and entry points. Post lights are also popular choices for lighting driveways and front yards. Well-placed outdoor lights should also banish dark corners and deter unwanted visitors from accessing your property. Dimly lit areas, large shadows and obstructed views are appealing to intruders who want to remain unnoticed. Add Curb Appeal Good outdoor lighting will increase your property value and instantly add curb appeal. A dark landscape is forbidding and unappealing, while a well-lit front entry creates an inviting first impression. Landscape lighting can also highlight your home’s architecture and put your best greenery on display. Masonry features such as columns, statues and seating walls can add texture and depth to your property when correctly lit. Uplighting used on plants and trees adds drama and interest to your nighttime landscape. Many outdoor lighting systems offer a complete line of coordinating lights that cover different areas of your home. Pendant and post lights, wall sconces and walkway lighting all work together to create a cohesive look. With the variety of styles available, there are gorgeous options to complement any landscape design theme. Create Functional Outdoor Rooms Outdoor rooms extend your living space into the outdoors and add functionality to your yard. Illuminating outdoor spaces makes them useable at night and adds many hours of outdoor enjoyment. Combining different types of lights will allow for optimal lighting levels for any situation. An outdoor kitchen should include task lighting for cooking and cleaning, as well as low-level lighting under cabinets and toe-kicks. When possible, overhead lights such as a chandelier or pendant lights will provide the best illumination for outdoor dining. Your outdoor living room or patio has different lighting needs. Comfortable night time gatherings require enough light to see each other and to find food and drinks, but not so much light that the room is on display for all the neighbors to see. Related: Best Summer Landscape Design Tips for Your Lisle Backyard Highlight Focal Points One of the best advantages of outdoor lighting is how it transforms dark spaces and produces a beautiful ambiance. While your favorite landscaping elements speak for themselves during the day, nighttime focal points are created with lighting. Statues, benches, fountains and attractive plants can all become focal points when highlighted properly. Skillfully lit water features are especially attractive at night. A mix of submerged and above ground lights will provide the most attractive lighting for your pond or pool. The soft glow of underwater lights combined with the sparkle of an illuminated waterfall will create a relaxing and romantic atmosphere. New LED lights are energy efficient and last much longer than standard halogen lighting.  It’s the perfect time to warm up your evenings outside with an outdoor fireplace! Outdoor fireplaces are a great alternative to a fire pit, since the smoke is directed up and away through the chimney at the top! This allows you and your guests to enjoy the heat and ambiance of a fire, without dealing with the pesky smoke! We can design a custom fireplace to perfectly suit your style, needs and budget! Give us a call and schedule your free consultation today!
Montano’s Landscaping (630)271-9709 www.montanoslandscaping.net Related: Best Summer Landscape Design Tips for Your Lisle Backyard  Perennials, trees and shrubs have been effected by this season's dramatic temperature changes. Blooms have sprouted only to be damaged by frost and cold temps. If you think you have a plant that has died, just monitor it this spring. It should come back to life!
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