As a homeowner, one area that often gets overlooked is the driveway. Many homeowners focus on their exterior but must realize that a well-designed driveway can boost curb appeal.

With some inspiration, you can transform your ordinary driveway into a stunning feature that sets your home apart. Keep reading to learn about unique, modern driveway ideas that can elevate your Chicago home.

Incorporate Paver Patterns

Paver patterns are an excellent way to add visual intrigue and character to your driveway. Instead of a plain and uninteresting surface, using pavers can instantly heighten the look of your driveway and make it stand out. The key is using a clever combination of colors, shapes, and textures.

There are several popular paver patterns that you can consider for your driveway. One option is the herringbone pattern, which features interlocking rectangular pavers that create a visually appealing zigzag design. This pattern adds a sense of elegance and sophistication to your driveway.

One favored choice is the basket weave pattern. This pattern involves alternating sets of rectangular pavers to create a woven effect. It provides a timeless and classic look that will have your neighbors offering compliments.

If you feel more adventurous, you can even explore custom geometric designs. From rectangles to circles, different shape combos can create a one-of-a-kind pattern. That way, you can demonstrate your unique taste with your driveway’s design.

Paver patterns have plenty of versatility. This makes it easy to find the right colors and materials. For instance, you could choose natural stone pavers for a rustic look or concrete pavers for a modern style.

Aside from their aesthetic charm, pavers are also known for their durability and longevity. They can withstand heavy foot traffic, harsh weather, and the test of time.

In every sense, pavers are a practical choice for your driveway.

Greenery and Planters

Do you want more driveway landscape designs?

Adding greenery and planters along your driveway is a fantastic way to achieve a welcoming entrance to your Chicago home. The strategic placement of plants and the use of decorative planters can transform an ordinary driveway into a vibrant space.

One option is to incorporate low-maintenance shrubs and flowers along the edges of your driveway. Consider different plants that capitalize on the style of your home and thrive in the Chicago climate.

Evergreen shrubs can provide year-round greenery. Colorful flowers can add pops of color during the blooming seasons.

Another idea involves planning out decorative planters along the driveway. These planters can serve as focal points, adding height and dimension to the general design.

Choose planters that mesh well with the architectural style of your home. From modern and traditional to something eclectic, there are many possibilities.

Consider using a mix of different-sized planters. Be sure to vary the types of plants you include. This will result in an exciting and dynamic look.

The greenery and plants not only soften the driveway’s hard lines but also provide a sense of tranquility. They can create a natural transition from the outdoor space to the interior of your home.

As an extra benefit, the profusion of plants will help improve the surrounding air quality.

When choosing plants for your driveway, it is essential to consider their maintenance requirements. Choose plants that will like the amount of sunlight your driveway receives. Opt for low-maintenance varieties if you do not have much time for gardening or prefer a hassle-free landscape.

Better yet, you can enlist the help of landscaping professionals.

Lighting Accents Are Great for Driveway Landscaping

During the evening hours, you will be glad to have a choice selection of lighting accents. You can create a cozy and welcoming ambiance by strategically illuminating your driveway. At the same time, you will increase safety and security around your Chicago home.

One way to incorporate lighting accents is by installing solar-powered lights along your driveway’s edges. These lights are energy-efficient. Plus, they require no wiring, making them easy to install.

They absorb sunlight during the day and turn on at night by themselves. You and your guests will appreciate the soft, subtle glow guiding the way.

Consider integrating the lights into the driveway surface itself. You can embed LED lights into the pavement for a stunning effect. This is a beautiful way to provide visibility for both pedestrians and drivers.

You can even set these lights to different colors or patterns. That way, you can customize the look to suit your style whenever the mood strikes.

Uplighting is another effective technique. This is a great way to highlight trees, shrubs, or architectural features near your driveway.

Placing small spotlights at the base of these elements can create dramatic shadows and emphasize their beauty. Uplighting not only adds depth and dimension to your driveway but also contributes to the overall aesthetic appeal of your landscaping.

It is worth emphasizing that a well-lit driveway can help prevent accidents and provide a clear path to and from your home. It also deters potential intruders. A well-lit property is less attractive to potential trespassers.

Add Driveway Borders

Driveway borders are an excellent way to add definition and a polished look to your driveway design. By incorporating borders, you can create a clean separation between your driveway and the surrounding landscape. This will make it stand out as a bold feature of your Chicago home.

One option for driveway borders involves using contrasting materials. For example, if your driveway is made of concrete or asphalt, you can install pavers or bricks along the edges for a distinct border. This contrast in materials adds a touch of elegance that draws attention to the driveway itself.

Another approach is to use decorative edging designed for driveways in particular. These edging materials are available in various styles, such as scalloped, curved, or straight lines. Again, it is easy to choose the one that best complements your home’s architecture.

Decorative edging adds a finished look to your driveway and serves as a functional barrier. This works well to prevent grass and soil from creeping onto the paved surface.

You can also use driveway borders to guide visitors to your home’s entrance. By using continuous border lines, you will form a clear path to the parking area or front door.

Aside from practical benefits, driveway borders provide an attractive frame for your driveway. This both elevates its visual appeal and makes it a focal point. The crisp lines and defined edges are synonymous with neatness and organization.

Nothing Beats Water Features for Modern Driveways

Do you want more ideas for unique driveways?

Water features can add a touch of luxury and serenity that you will not find anywhere else. Incorporating a water feature near the entrance is the best way to construct a captivating focal point. You can expect it to make a lasting impression on visitors.

One option for a water feature is a small fountain. A fountain can be placed somewhere along the driveway.

That way, guests will encounter the soothing and calming sound of running water. This will nurture a sense of tranquility and relaxation, making your driveway feel like an oasis.

Remember to choose a fountain design that complements the style of your home. That way, it will not stick out in an unnatural way.

Another idea is to incorporate a waterfall. In the right position, a waterfall can add a sense of drama and natural magnificence to your driveway. You can integrate it into a retaining wall or a nearby landscaped feature.

The sight and sound of cascading water are enough to mesmerize anyone who approaches your home.

Do not forget the environmental benefits of water features. The sound of running water can help cover noise pollution from nearby streets or neighbors. Water features can also attract birds and other wildlife.

That way, you can promote biodiversity and delight guests at the same time.

It is important to consider the size and scale of your driveway when choosing a water feature. Go for a design that fits your driveway’s dimensions and does not overwhelm the space. Also, make sure you go with a water feature that is easy to maintain.

If you want to go big with your driveway entrance ideas, you should get professional landscaping help.

The Best Driveway Ideas Can Elevate Your Curb Appeal

Now that you are familiar with these driveway ideas, you can create an inspiring and inviting space.

Do you really want to make your space stand out? Look no further than our landscaping expertise. We can provide many convenient and artistic services, including installation, hardscaping, maintenance, and more.

Contact Martin John and let us know how we can turn your landscaping vision into a beautiful reality.

Did you know cooking outside during the summer can reduce energy costs? It’s true! Not only that, but it is a fun way to spend time with friends and family.

While you may have a barbeque grill, have you ever considered a full outdoor kitchen? If not, now may be the time to do so.

Transforming your outdoor living space with an outdoor kitchen installation can bring countless advantages to your home. An outdoor kitchen adds a touch of elegance to your backyard and enhances your overall outdoor experience.

Here, you can learn about the benefits of installing an outdoor kitchen. From expanding your entertainment options to enjoying the beauty of nature while cooking, there is something for everyone. So, let us delve into the exciting world of outdoor culinary delights.

Elevating Your Outdoor Living Space With An Outdoor Kitchen Installation

Deciding to install an outdoor kitchen can transform your backyard into a vibrant extension of your living space. It provides a dedicated cooking, dining, and entertaining area. This makes your outdoor space more functional and enjoyable.

With an outdoor kitchen, you can say goodbye to running back and forth between the indoor kitchen and outdoor gathering area. This helps ensure you never miss out on the fun. Now let’s look at the specific benefits of an outdoor kitchen.

Enhance Your Outdoor Entertainment with an Outdoor Kitchen

When it comes to enjoying the great outdoors, an outdoor kitchen can be a game-changer for your entertainment options. With its installation, you can take your gatherings and parties to a new level.

Unleash Your Inner Host

With an outdoor kitchen, you become the ultimate host. It provides a fantastic space for cooking and entertaining.

No longer confined to indoor kitchens. You can mingle with your guests while preparing delicious meals in your backyard.

Cook and Socialize

Imagine the joy of grilling juicy burgers or marinated kebabs while conversing with your friends and family. An outdoor kitchen allows you to cook and socialize simultaneously. This makes your get-togethers more enjoyable and interactive.

Versatility in Entertainment

An outdoor kitchen expands your entertainment possibilities beyond the usual activities. The options are limitless, from hosting backyard barbecues and birthday parties to organizing outdoor movie nights or game tournaments.

Your outdoor space becomes a hub for fun and excitement. It will also leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Immerse in Nature’s Beauty

Cooking and dining outdoors allows you to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Here are a few reasons why embracing outdoor cooking can be an enchanting experience.

A Scenic Culinary Adventure

Imagine cooking amid the sights and sounds of nature. You can enjoy everything from the gentle rustling of leaves or the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers. An outdoor kitchen lets you enjoy a scenic culinary adventure that engages all your senses.

Open-Air Dining Delights

Eating outdoors creates a special ambiance that indoor dining simply cannot replicate. Bask in the warmth of the sun or enjoy a gentle breeze as you savor your meal. You can relish the natural surroundings of an outdoor kitchen while indulging in delicious food.

Escape the Indoor Confines

Step away from the traditional indoor kitchen and embrace the freedom of cooking al fresco. Outdoor kitchens offer a refreshing change of scenery and allow you to escape the confines of four walls. Experience the joy of cooking under the open sky and let nature be your backdrop.

Savor the Seasons

Outdoor cooking lets you appreciate the changing seasons and their unique flavors. Whether grilling in the summertime or roasting marshmallows over a fire pit in the fall, an outdoor kitchen allows you to savor the seasonal delights.

Keep Unpleasant Odors Outside

One of the notable benefits of an outdoor kitchen is the ability to keep unpleasant odors outside. This leaves your indoor space fresh and clean.

Eliminate Lingering Cooking Odors

Cooking certain foods can create strong odors that linger in your indoor kitchen. However, you can grill, fry, or smoke your favorite dishes in an outdoor kitchen without worrying about these odors.

The open-air environment allows for better ventilation. It helps to disperse the smells and keep them outside.

Enjoy Greasy Cooking Without Residue

Greasy cooking can leave behind stubborn residue and odors in your indoor kitchen. By cooking outdoors, you minimize the chances of grease.

It also prevents the smells from sticking to your walls, cabinets, and surfaces. This makes for easier cleaning and ensures your indoor space remains fresh and odor-free.

Preserve Indoor Air Quality

Some cooking methods, such as frying, can release smoke and strong odors, affecting indoor air quality. With an outdoor kitchen, you can contain these odors outside. It will help keep the air quality indoors healthier.

Add Value to Your Home

An outdoor kitchen installation can significantly enhance the value of your home. When you sell your home, it will completely pay for itself (or more). This addition can make your property more desirable and appealing to potential buyers.

Create an Enticing Outdoor Living Space

An outdoor kitchen adds an extra dimension to your property. It creates an inviting outdoor living space that potential buyers will find attractive. It becomes a unique selling point that sets your home apart from others.

Expand Functional Square Footage

With an outdoor kitchen, you effectively expand the usable square footage of your home. It is like having an additional room dedicated to cooking, dining, and entertaining. Buyers see the value of this additional space for hosting gatherings and enjoying outdoor activities.

Highlight Lifestyle and Entertainment Potential

Installing an outdoor kitchen synonymous with a lifestyle focused on outdoor living and entertainment. By showcasing this feature, you demonstrate the potential for enjoyable outdoor gatherings.

You also create a vision of an active and vibrant lifestyle. This can be a strong selling point for buyers who value outdoor entertainment options.

Grilling Is Healthier

Grilling offers several health benefits, making it popular for outdoor cooking enthusiasts.

Retains Nutrients and Juiciness

Grilling helps retain food’s natural nutrients and flavors. The high heat of the grill seals in the juices, preserving the essential vitamins and minerals. This means you can enjoy healthier meals without sacrificing taste.

Reduced Fat Intake

Grilling allows excess fat to drip off the food, resulting in a lower fat content than other cooking methods like frying. This means you can savor your favorite meats and vegetables with less guilt. Grilling promotes a healthier diet by reducing overall fat intake.

Less Need for Added Oil

Unlike frying or sautéing, grilling requires minimal or no added oil. The grills direct heat helps cook food evenly. It also enhances its natural flavors without relying on excessive oils or fats. This translates to fewer calories and a lighter, more health-conscious meal.

Promotes Healthier Food Choices

Grilling encourages the consumption of lean proteins, such as skinless chicken breast or fish. These are lower in saturated fats.

It also provides a delicious way to cook vegetables, enhancing their taste and texture while maintaining their nutritional value. Grilled fruits can also be a delightful and healthy dessert option.

Embrace the Benefits of an Outdoor Kitchen Installation

Installing an outdoor kitchen brings many benefits to your outdoor living space. An outdoor kitchen installation provides the perfect opportunity to enhance your outdoor living space. It also helps you indulge in outdoor entertainment and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.

Are you ready to see all the benefits of an outdoor kitchen installation? If so, contact us to get started.

Do you want to provide your family with a place to hang out in your backyard both on warm summer nights and on chilly fall evenings? Then you might want to kick around the idea of putting a fire pit into place.

More Americans have started to install fire pits in their backyards than ever before in recent years. It has led to a huge spike in the total number of fire pits sold and led to new types of fire pits being developed.

There are tons of different backyard fire pit ideas a landscaping company can help you bring to life in the Chicago area. You should spend some time learning about your fire pit options before opting to put one into place.

Here is a quick guide on how to create the backyard fire pit of your dreams while working with a qualified outdoor landscaping company.

Search for the Right Place to Put a Fire Pit

Before you can start coming up with any backyard fire pit ideas for a landscaping company, you are going to need to give thought to where you would like to put a fire pit. There will be a few things to consider when it comes to the location of a fire pit.

First and foremost, you will need to avoid positioning a fire pit too close to your home for obvious reasons. You will also need to steer clear of installing a fire pit too close to any other structures on your property like sheds, garages, etc.

Additionally, you will need to keep a fire pit away from trees and other landscaping touches that could potentially ignite if the fire gets to be too large. Recreational fires started by fire pits are, unfortunately, on the rise.

And last but definitely not least, you should try to get a sense of which way the wind is typically going to blow the smoke from your fire pit. You don’t want it to blow smoke into your home or into a neighboring home. Positioning it in the right location will help you avoid doing this.

Decide Which Type of Fire Pit You Want

Once you know where you would like to put a fire pit in your backyard in Chicago, you can move on to picking out the type of fire pit you want. As we alluded to earlier, there are lots of types of fire pits to choose from these days.

There are wood-burning fire pits, natural gas fire pits, propane fire pits, and even gel-fuel fire pits. There are also metal fire pits, stone fire pits, and fire pits made out of many other materials.

You can also find fire pits that will come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. You should shop around for fire pits for a little while so that you are able to get a better sense of which types you like more than all the rest.

Choose the Best Seating for a Fire Pit

Your goal when having a fire pit installed in your backyard is going to be to provide your family with a place to gather so that you can all relax by the fire in your fire pit together. When you are doing this, you’re most likely going to want to be seated in comfortable chairs.

Just like there are many types of fire pits, there are also many types of seats that you can put by a fire pit. You can strategically position Adirondack chairs around a fire pit and move them around as you see fit.

You can also set up permanent bench seating made out of stone that’ll stay in one place all the time.

It would be worth spending time thinking about how many people might be seated around your fire pit on a regular basis and what type of seating would work best for them. It will help you narrow down all the options that will be available to you.

Select Other Features for a Fire Pit Area

There are many other features that you can include in the design for a fire pit area in your Chicago backyard. For example, you might want to surround a fire pit with a stone wall so that you are able to keep this area contained. You can also dig up the ground surrounding a fire pit and lay down small stones to separate this area from the rest of your backyard.

Put the Plans for a Fire Pit in Motion

Now that you know the important design elements of building a fire pit in your backyard, are you ready to get the process started?

Martin John Company would love to speak with you more about the ideas you have for your fire pit. Martin John Company has the expertise and experience it takes to bring backyard fire pit ideas to life. You will be able to rely on them to help you create the perfect fire pit for your backyard.

This design process will include these steps:

1. Holding a consultation and site survey that will involve discussing your ideas and goals for the space
2. Taking measurements of the place where you would like to put a fire pit making sure it will work with your ideas
3. Putting together a landscape design that revolves around your new fire pit area
4. Creating detailed design plans
5. Design review for feedback, edits, and approval

Once plans are approved, Martin John Company will handle all aspects of the project from preparing your backyard for your new fire pit, sourcing all the necessary materials, and installation. 

Contact us now to get started.

Your home is your castle, but eventually, there will come a time when you will need to update or freshen up your space. The average American homeowner plans to spend around $7,746 on home renovation projects over the next two years.

You have probably thought a lot about ways you can spruce up the interior of your home. But what about the outside? Specifically, your backyard.

Revamping your backyard is a great way to breathe new life into your home’s appearance. The right backyard solutions can enhance your outdoor space for entertaining and relaxing after a hard day’s work. Not only that, but the right type of backyard landscaping can increase the resale value of your home by as much as 15-20%.

If you have been thinking about a backyard renovation and want some ideas for the best landscaping trends of 2023, this guide can help. Keep reading below for more information on landscaping ideas.

Immersive Gardens

Immersive gardens are taking hold of the 2023 landscaping trends in a big way. There is an increased focus on creating inviting and engaging backyard spaces with a focus on using more natural environments. This also involves utilizing local plants and trees that are native to the area in favor of those that are not. 

You will also want to incorporate different areas of interest in plant textures and colors so that no matter where your eyes go, there is a different element to focus on. You can have plants at varying heights as well. Plants and trees can still be trimmed to look neat and tidy. 

The end result is a backyard that feels more authentic to nature. These inventive backyard solutions help draw you in and immerse you in a world where you can escape the troubles of daily life. 

Drought-Resistant Landscaping

Drought-resistant landscaping isn’t just ideal for saving money on high water bills during times when natural resources are low. It is also taking shape as one of the biggest trends for backyard solutions in 2023.

Using drought-resistant landscaping gives your home a pleasing aesthetic. You may think that drought-resistant landscaping would be anything but appealing. However, you may also be surprised to know that there is a wide variety of beautiful plants and flowers that come in all different shapes, sizes, and color options.

Once again, you will want to focus on using plant life that is native to the Chicago area. Not only is it better for the natural animals in the ecosystem that inhabit the area, but you will also save on hefty importation costs too. Drought-resistant landscapes can even save you up to 40% off of your watering costs.

Local Herb Gardens

Gardening has become a great de-stressor outlet for many during turbulent times. The simple process of becoming one with the earth and working the soil offers a way to forget one’s troubles and become more connected to nature. It is even better when the gardener can see the fruits of their efforts take shape.

Local herb gardens give homeowners a chance to grow their own backyard herbs with locally sourced seeds and materials. This is also better for the planet overall because buying locally cuts down on harmful carbon emissions used to transport items over a long distance. 

Herb gardens can be fantastic backyard solutions for homeowners looking for a way to get their hands dirty and get back to nature.

Hardscaping Your Backyard

Hardscaping backyard solutions allow homeowners to be more in control of their backyard landscaping. But what is hardscaping? Well, landscaping refers to the use of soft elements such as trees, bushes, plants, and ferns in your backyard design.

Hardscaping, as the name implies, focuses on using hard elements like brick, stone, and wood in your backyard. That’s not to say that you have to completely pave over nature altogether. Far from it. 

You can incorporate hardscaping and landscaping together in innovative ways. Hardscaping could involve putting in a stone pathway in the backyard. You can also include elements like fountains or built-in fire pits.

It is up to you how much or how little hardscaping you want to use. With hardscaping, you can further accentuate your backyard landscaping features while also saving time on overall landscaping maintenance.

Water Elements

Adding water elements can also help to enhance your backyard. These appealing backyard solutions can increase the tranquility of your outdoor space. The sounds of gently flowing water provide a soothing and calming environment. 

There are several different types of water elements you can choose from as well. From koi ponds to water walls, garden creeks, rock garden waterfalls, and birdbaths, you can find the right backyard solutions to meet your unique design needs.

Ponds, streams, and fountains also offer a way to attract natural wildlife to your backyard. Then, you can just lay back and enjoy the private backyard oasis you have created. It’s no wonder why putting water elements into your yard renovation is one of the top 2023 landscaping trends.

Pergolas

Pergolas are making a comeback as backyard solutions for yard remodeling. Aside from providing a pleasing design aesthetic, pergolas also offer other benefits to your backyard space. They allow you to add shade and privacy to your outdoor areas. 

Some pergolas even have the option of adding a retractable shade for more control over the climate. This means that even on warm days, you can still enjoy sitting outside in your backyard in comfort and protection. 

Pergolas also come in different metal and wood types and colors. You can even dress your pergola up in light strings or train ivy to climb it for an added effect. This lets you decorate your pergola with an extra layer of character that suits your backyard decor. 

Gazebos

Just like pergolas, gazebos also allow you to add some much-needed shade and privacy to your backyard. They have been tried and true backyard solutions for decades and are not going anywhere yet. Unlike pergolas, gazebos are more enclosed at the top and at the sides. 

Gazebos may also need to take up more space because of their rounded design, so you will need a larger yard for one. This is especially true if you wish to use it for frequent entertaining purposes. However, gazebos can be a lovely design element for revamping your yard. 

A gazebo offers sophistication and elegance for your backyard space. It can also be used for entertaining year-round. Decorative gazebos instantly enhance backyard spaces and create a welcoming and relaxing environment. 

Fireplaces and Fire Pits

Fireplaces and fire pits are long-established backyard solutions that add coziness and warmth to your backyard. They can be made to look modern or more rustic to suit your design tastes. You also have your choice of traditional wood burning, gas, or electric fuel types. 

Imagine walking into your backyard in the evening and being bathed in the warm light of an alluring fire. For entertaining, it is certain to be the focal point of the action, especially when the temperatures start to dip. The party doesn’t have to stop when you have your own backyard fireplace.

The unique design of a fire pit lets multiple people sit around the fire in a circular formation. This allows everyone to feel the ambient warmth all at once. 

Using Reclaimed or Recycled Materials

With a growing concern centered on becoming more eco-friendly, homeowners are turning toward using recycled and reclaimed elements in their backyard designs. This involves repurposing items that would otherwise be thrown away or sit endlessly in landfills.

You can use reclaimed or recycled elements such as old tires to create planters or flowerbeds. The rubber holds water in better to nourish plant life. Tires are also sturdy materials that can withstand extreme heat and cold temperatures.

Another way you can use recycled materials in your backyard is by building with reclaimed wood and bricks. You are keeping once-discarded materials from going to waste and giving them a new life in your backyard. With a little TLC, these items can still last for many years and look great.

Functional Backyard Spaces

Some homeowners just want to use their backyards for utter relaxation while others want backyard solutions that are an extension of their homes. For homeowners who are big into entertaining in their backyards, a functional backyard space lets them be at the hub of it all.

Outdoor kitchen spaces for entertaining could include elements such as a built-in grill, oven, microwave, refrigerator, fireplace, and even a wine-chilling fridge. You can even incorporate a big-screen TV into your design. An outdoor kitchen is the perfect addition for your next backyard renovation project.

Outdoor functional elements like a backyard kitchen also add to your home’s resale value. They are highly sought-after and desired backyard solutions by prospective homebuyers. 

Find More Backyard Solutions in Chicago at Martin John Landscaping

You deserve a beautiful backyard. Revamping your backyard is well worth it if you are looking for a way to transform your ordinary space into something extraordinary. If your Chicago backyard needs some serious yard remodeling, contact Martin John Landscaping.

Martin John Landscaping serves the Chicago North Suburb area. We have a team of skilled designers that can help you make your dream backyard come to life. We also offer ongoing maintenance services so you can be certain that your backyard will stay looking its best.

Contact us to schedule a consultation to discuss your backyard solutions today.

In recent years, studies have shown that most people spend right around 90% of their time indoors. People are usually inside their homes or inside their offices for the most part throughout the average day.

With the weather starting to get nicer in the Chicago area this spring, you should set your sights on trying to get out of this habit. You should get outside as often as you can, especially if you are lucky enough to have a residential patio right outside your home.

There are so many patio landscaping ideas that you can put to the test to make your patio more appealing. You will want to spend as much time as you possibly can out on your patio after you’re finished making the right patio improvements.

Here are 13 ways in which you can improve your patio landscaping by leaps and bounds this spring.

1. Surround Your Patio with a Lush Green Lawn

First things first: Before you start trying to come up with the perfect plan for your patio landscaping, you will need to make sure your yard is in great shape. You won’t want to spend much time sitting on your patio looking out into a yard that has dying or even dead grass in it.

With this in mind, you should look around at your local landscaping options in the Chicago area and find one that can provide you with a lush green lawn. It will instantly improve the appearance of your backyard and motivate you to get your patio landscaping in good order like never before.

2. Position Bushes Around the Perimeter of Your Patio

While your lawn is obviously going to be tied into your patio landscaping because of how close it will be, you should try to create some separation between the two. A good way to do this will be by surrounding the perimeter of your patio with beautiful bushes.

These bushes will serve two purposes when you put them around your patio. They will give you the separation you’re looking for between your lawn and patio while also providing your patio with a little bit of privacy at the same time.

3. Plant Large Hedges Around Your Yard for Privacy

If your backyard is already relatively private, you might be able to get away with using just a few bushes around your patio to keep it private. But if you live close to your neighbors, you might need to kick things up a notch when it comes to making your yard as private as you can.

There are large hedges that you can plant all around your yard that will eventually grow to make it every bit as private as you would like it to be. You won’t need to worry about your neighbors seeing what’s going on in your backyard when you have these hedges in place.

4. Sprinkle Flowers Around Your Patio to Add Pops of Color

The bushes and hedges that you plant in your backyard will add some much-needed greenery to the mix. But you will want to find ways to get some color into your patio area as well.

It will be simple enough to do it by planting flowers around your patio that’ll give you all the color you could ever ask for. These flowers will also help to soften the look of the concrete or stone that was used to create your patio in the first place.

5. Consider Planting One or Two Trees Near Your Patio

You are going to want to be careful about planting too many trees close to your patio. You are also going to want to be careful about which types of trees you decide to plant near a patio.

The roots from trees could potentially grow in the direction of your patio and cause it to crack. A good landscaping company will be able to guide you in the right direction and show you which trees would look great in your patio area without compromising its structural integrity.

6. Grow Flowering Vines Vertically Around Your Patio

When you are kicking around patio landscaping ideas, you shouldn’t feel like you can only plant things on the ground surrounding your patio. You might want to also consider growing flowering vines that will grow vertically up around your patio.

To do this, you will need to have something like an arbor installed that will provide a place for these vines to grow. It will take some time for them to begin to fill in, but once they do, you will be impressed with how much they add to your patio space.

7. Look into Creating a Vertical Garden on Your Patio

Flowering vines are not the only things that you can grow vertically near a patio. If you really want to go the extra mile, you might want to look into the possibility of setting up a vertical garden on your patio.

This would be a wonderful idea for those who have a blank wall on their patio right now. You can add some landscaping touches to this wall while also growing food that your family can eat in the spring and summer months.

8. Place Potted Trees, Plants, Flowers, Etc. on Your Patio

Would you like to keep the design for your patio landscaping looking fresh all the time? An effective way to do this is by placing potted trees, plants, flowers, etc. on it.

You will be able to move these potted plants around as you see fit when you are entertaining on your patio. You will also be able to bring in any plants that might not be able to survive cold Chicago winters once the fall and winter roll around again.

9. Hang Potted Plants on Your Patio

In addition to positioning potted plants on the ground on your patio, you can also hang some of them up on your patio if you want to take this approach. You can hang them from something like an arbor or a pergola.

There are also poles you can buy that are designed to hang plants. They will be perfect for those who don’t currently have structures that they can hang smaller potted plants from.

10. Spice Up Your Patio with Annuals

Another good way to mix things up on your patio when it comes to your landscaping is by placing annuals out on it from time to time. There are tons of different types of annuals that you can buy throughout the year.

You are, of course, welcome to plant annuals around your patio if you love certain ones that much. But you are also free to place them in pots on your patio at times if you would prefer to only have them present for short periods of time.

11. Install Raised Garden Beds on Your Patio

Earlier, we touched on how creating a vertical garden on your patio might be a great idea. Installing raised garden beds on it would be another fantastic way to grow some food on your patio while adding even more landscaping touches to it.

You will have the flexibility to move raised garden beds around in a lot of cases so that they’re able to get the right amount of sun and rain throughout the week.

12. Plant Things in Between Pavers Near Your Patio

If you plan on spending time out enjoying your lawn on a regular basis, you might want to lay down some pavers to create walking paths for people. When you do, you may also want to leave some space in between them so that you can add small plants to these spaces to liven up their look.

These are the kinds of small details that will take patio landscaping to the next level. They will make your whole patio area look so much better without making your landscaping touches feel too overwhelming.

13. Add Landscape Lighting Around Your Patio Area

You are probably going to want to spend at least some time sitting out on your patio at night this spring, summer, and even fall. You will want to incorporate some outdoor lighting into the mix to make this possible.

Why not kill two birds with one stone by adding landscape lighting to your patio area? It will shine a literal light on some of your best patio landscaping features while also giving you some light so that you can see on your patio once the sun goes down each day.

Let Us Help You Bring Patio Landscaping Ideas to Life

These are just some of the patio ideas that you can use when you are working on your patio landscaping. There are also so many other wonderful landscaping ideas that you can use when you are trying to make patio improvements.

Martin John Company can take any patio landscaping ideas you have and work to bring them to life. We can also suggest patio ideas you may not have considered before and tell you why they would work well in your patio area.

Contact us today to start reworking your patio landscaping design to make it more effective.