Finding Design Inspiration in Landscaping Jobs Near Me in the McFarland and Monona, WI Areas

Finding inspiration for a landscaping project can be both an exciting process and a daunting challenge. After all, there are hundreds of thousands of ideas online. Even if you’re keeping all of your inspirational photos and ideas in folders, it could still be a lot to sort through when it’s time to come up with a final plan whether or not you’re working with a landscape designer. One of the best sources of inspiration could be in your own area. Here are our tips for finding inspiration in landscaping jobs near me in the McFarland, Monona, & Waunakee, WI areas.

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1. Why Go Local?

The landscapes you see in your area - the mature, healthy, vibrant landscapes - have obviously stood the test of time. You may notice a few are populated by imported plant species but the most successful landscapes use what’s available locally. Native plants are ideally suited to the climate. Locally sourced stones look as though they belong. Hardscape colors and textures likewise look as though they are one with the landscape. Even landscape designs vary from region to region, so if you want your home to blend in, take inspiration from what other homes around you are doing.

With that said, if you want your home to stand out, the inspiration you see around you could be a fantastic jumping-off point for your own design expression.

2. What To Look For

Aside from the endless online searches where you’re going to find an incredible number of design ideas, nothing beats driving or walking around to see what actually works. When you browse the internet, you may be largely looking at projects that have recently been completed. At this stage in the lifespan of a project, everything tends to look pretty good. Plants are healthy, and hardscapes (patios, walkways, and driveways) look neat and tidy. You’re not likely to see cracks in the concrete. You’re not likely to see weeds poking through. You’re not likely to see the effects of a decade of weathering and use.

But when you look at projects in real life, you see what a landscape project will mature into. Look for inspiration as well as “un-inspiration.” In other words, look at what works as well as what does not work. Maybe someone planted trees too close together, and now they’re struggling to grow. Maybe one patio design would work better for your lifestyle than another patio design - even if the second one is aesthetically more pleasing (you can always use a design inspired by one project and materials inspired by another project). Maybe there’s a little detail that someone added, such as LED lighting incorporated into a retaining wall, that would make all the difference in the world for your project.

Looking at what works as well as what doesn’t work in real life, will help you adapt the designs you see online to your own landscape.

3. When To Seek Help

Some landscape projects are straightforward and can be taken on by an intrepid DIY homeowner. The larger and more complex the project, though, the more you’ll want to work with a seasoned professional landscape designer. A designer is also a wealth of ideas - and will work with your own concept to create a landscape that meets your design, budget, and lifestyle needs - sometimes using ideas you would never have thought of or found on your own.

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