The Different Types of Landscape Design: Choosing the Right Style for Your Home

If you’ve looked out your window or pulled into your driveway only to be uninspired by the design of your outdoor spaces, it may be time to change things up. There are several different landscape design styles out there, so figuring out the right choice for your property may seem daunting.

Choosing the correct style requires considering many different factors, from the climate and environment of your property to how much upkeep your dream design requires. You’ll also want to incorporate your own tastes and the architecture of your home to find the best possible aesthetic for your design plan.

That’s a lot to consider, but there’s no need to worry! 

We’ll be going over the types of landscape design in depth, helping you find a style that checks every box on your list. We also highly recommend working with a professional landscaping company for the best results, as they can provide customized plans and detailed analysis on the right elements to incorporate for your property.

For now, we’re going to jump right into describing the various styles you need to know!

What are the Different Types of Landscape Design?

We have a lot of different types of landscape design to sort through in this guide, each with its own unique aesthetic qualities and benefits. 

Finding styles of landscape design that will work for your yard requires a fine balance between your personal tastes and the setup of your property. The harmony of these landscape design styles can be thrown off by improper installation, so we recommend working with a professional to help you find a perfect match. 

For now, let’s kick things off with traditional designs.

Traditional Landscape Design

Traditional landscape design keeps things classic and timeless, featuring straight lines and symmetrical patterns that tie everything together. This aesthetic is also an excellent choice if you are looking to incorporate landscape water feature ideas into your layout.

Traditional styles of landscape design improve the appearance of a yard by providing balance and natural features while also improving the functionality of the space for outdoor events and recreation.

Modern Landscape Design

Modern landscape design styles provide a fantastic blend of clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic to deliver a relaxing outdoor space. You can often find manmade materials like concrete or metal, along with an intricate landscape lighting layout that harmonizes everything together.

You may find modern designs mentioned in the same light as contemporary landscape design ideas, but the two styles have less in common than they may seem at first glance. Modern landscape design types refer to layouts inspired by a mid-20th-century aesthetic, while contemporary features are constantly evolving.

If you have trouble differentiating the two designs, you may be better served working with a professional that can help you find the exact look you are dreaming of for your property.

Minimalist Landscape Design

Minimalist landscape design ideas take simplicity to another level, featuring a limited amount of greenery and hardscaping features. Instead, minimalist styles of landscape design foster a sense of serenity with their clutter-free appearance.

Open spaces are a critical part of minimalist designs, which doubles as a low-maintenance choice. Opting for a minimalist aesthetic is one of the best ways to save on landscape design costs while complementing nearly every type of architecture.

Drought-Tolerant or Desert Landscape Design

Desert landscape designs are focused on using plants and materials that can survive in arid climates. Drought tolerant landscape ideas feature drought-resistant greenery like cacti and succulents, along with sand, gravel, pebbles, or turf in place of grass. 

This aesthetic is an excellent choice for homeowners living in areas with limited access to water or those simply looking for a low-maintenance option. These designs also help to reduce the carbon footprint of a property, along with offering a unique appearance that can be customized in a variety of ways.

Sustainable Landscape Design

Sustainable landscape design styles combine native plants and locally sourced materials with manmade materials that won’t disrupt the ecological harmony of the yard.

Sustainable landscape design ideas can be applied to several different types of landscape design, and achieving an eco-friendly outdoor space that also fits your dream design is simple, especially when working with a professional.

Japanese or Zen Garden Design

Zen garden landscape design types help promote a sense of peace and tranquility in an outdoor space. Originating from Japan, this aesthetic combines rocks, water features, and greenery to create a smooth balance between those elements.

The features of a zen garden are laid out in a stylized manner that promotes meditative thoughts. It is common for rocks to be placed in a manner similar to mountains, while any sand or gravel can be raked to evoke thoughts of water ripples.

English Garden Landscape Design

English garden landscape design types are all about creating a lush and romantic outdoor space. It often features a mix of flowers, shrubs, and trees, with a focus on a natural layout.

This aesthetic originated in the 18th century in England, drawing parallels to the English countryside. English gardens can be paired with several species of plants or flowers, along with water elements like ponds, as the focus is on a naturalistic space.

Low Maintenance Landscape Design

With so many landscape design types available, many homeowners forget to calculate the required upkeep for extravagant layouts, leading to struggles when trying to upkeep their properties. Low-maintenance landscape design styles combine functional features and easy-to-maintain greenery to help homeowners spend more time enjoying their space.

This aesthetic will typically feature hardscaping elements. The difference between landscaping vs hardscaping lies in the presence of manmade features like sidewalks, swimming pools, and patios in place of greenery and shrubbery.

Rustic or Country Landscape Design

If you’re aiming for a landscape that evokes an organic feel, rustic landscape design styles are a great match. Rustic styles include wood elements, natural pathways with stone features, and flower gardens.

This design complements traditional and farmhouse architecture, promoting a relaxing environment and a deeper connection with the surrounding nature.

With each type of design described, it’s now time to switch gears and help you find the right fit for your property.

Which of the Different Landscape Design Styles is Right For You?

Several different types of landscape design are available to you, and with some overlap between them, you’ll want to narrow down your goals in order to achieve the best result for your property.

In addition to your preferred design, you will want to consider the surrounding area around your property. You should also factor in how much time, energy, and money you can allocate toward upkeep. You can always work with a professional to figure out the perfect match for your property, but for now, let’s dive into the details behind each factor you’ll want to consider.

Climate and Natural Environment

The climate you live in will play a significant role in determining the right landscape design for your home. You’ll need to consider the quality and type of soil on your property, the amount of sunlight and precipitation you receive, and how those factors affect your desired landscaping.

Working with a professional that knows how to design front yard landscaping that is environmentally friendly can also help property owners achieve a guilt-free result that encourages harmony with the local ecosystem.

Maintenance Requirements

Upkeep obligations will vary between the different types of landscape design, from minimalist options that ease your burden to complex traditional designs that require maintenance to uphold their intricate symmetry.

It is crucial to evaluate any landscape design before installation to figure out how you will maintain your property in the long run. Failure to research this area could lead to expensive trees that are difficult to prune without professional assistance.

We highly recommend working with a professional landscape design company to achieve a result that matches your dream aesthetic without becoming a nightmare to maintain.

Lifestyle and Usage Needs

Lifestyle and usage needs are essential factors to consider when choosing landscape design styles. Homeowners should consider how they plan to use their outdoor space and build a space that reflects their goals.

For example, a family with children may want to choose a landscape design style that includes a play area, while a homeowner who enjoys entertaining may want to select a landscape design style that includes a patio or outdoor kitchen.

You may also want to consider pool landscape design ideas if you want to seamlessly incorporate a swimming pool or hot tub into your backyard. 

Personal Aesthetic Preferences

The landscape design styles that you choose should ultimately coincide with your aesthetic tastes. Choosing a design that reflects your personality as a homeowner or the personality of your business will help foster a consistent atmosphere that is pleasing to the eye.

Property owners who love symmetry and classic environments will enjoy traditional or English garden designs, while a minimalist or desert design would be a better match for achieving an innovative feel.

Home Architecture Style Compatibility

Your landscape design should act as a complement to your home or property rather than acting as an unintentional clash of two styles. For instance, a modern landscape design style would suit a contemporary home, while a rustic design with flower beds or hedges would be ideal for a colonial-style home.

The size of your home can also play a part in your decision-making. Smaller homes and properties benefit more from minimalist designs that maximize the available space and promote an open feel, while larger homes and properties can make the most out of elaborate designs that exude a sense of luxury.

When in Doubt, Reach Out!

There’s a lot to consider when browsing for inspiration among the various types of landscape designs, and trying to do everything yourself can quickly lead to disaster. We highly recommend reaching out to a professional landscaping company to maximize your results.

Professional companies have a keen eye for the finer details of landscape design, including which types of landscape design will fit the architecture of your home and the unique quirks of a maintenance budget or the local environment.

There are additional considerations, like which species of greenery to use to achieve a desired aesthetic, how to incorporate hardscaping without throwing off the harmony of the design, and how to choose eco-friendly elements, all of which professional companies specialize in.

Working with professionals is the best way to get tailored answers to all your burning questions and achieve a jaw-dropping final result, but how can you find landscape design companies that will help you reach your goals?

Michaelangelo’s Can Help You Bring Any Type of Landscape Design to Life!

If you’re searching for landscape design in Alpharetta GA, Michaelangelo’s is the premier choice! We just recently celebrated over twenty years of service to Atlanta-area homeowners and business owners, and we still strive to deliver fantastic results.

All of our designs incorporate the best practices in sustainability and eco-friendly solutions, using the specific qualities of your property and your aesthetic tastes as a guideline. This allows us to provide fabulous designs that won’t turn your yard into a giant carbon footprint.

We offer an all-in-one solution, from landscape designs that are customized to match your goals to drainage solutions that keep your soil and water features thriving, with eight different types of drainage systems available.

The best part is, we also offer full-service maintenance and upkeep for your lawn, whether you choose a cozy minimalist space or an extravagant traditional style. Our monthly package includes mowing, edging, and fertilization, along with pruning for shrubs, ornamentation, and ground covers. 

We also provide fertilization for both turf and lawn, leaf removal for any season, and irrigation monitoring, all available for up to 46 visits a year.

While other commercial landscape maintenance companies and residential landscaping maintenance companies may struggle to provide adequate maintenance to live up to the needs of your property, you can trust Michaelangelo’s to take care of your yard from design all the way to weekly maintenance.

Final Thoughts on the Various Landscape Design Types

There are several types of landscape design out there, and finding the right fit can make or break the appearance of the outdoor areas on your property.

The search for landscaping in Alpharetta, GA ends right here with us at Michaelangelo’s. With over 20 years of experience in the business, we’ve learned the ins and outs of every style of landscape design. This allows us to craft personalized plans for your property that are easy to maintain and environmentally friendly.

We also offer drainage work to preserve the quality of your soil, along with a landscape maintenance service that covers everything from pruning to mowing. Contact us today f you’re ready to transform your outdoor spaces into a peaceful area that serves as a wonderful backdrop to your lifestyle.