This is an example of the wonders landscape design can play in making a home’s surroundings as aesthetically pleasing as the home itself.

Another McHenry summer is upon us, though it’s hard to tell by the weather. In any case, there’s lots to do – Green Street Cruise Nights, Fiesta Days and more. But, between all those activities, you’ll probably want to enjoy some time at home. Maybe you’ll want to spend some quiet time with the family or, maybe, you’ll want to entertain.

In either case, is your home up to the task? In particular, this time of year, is your landscape designed to meet your needs?

Quality landscape design can fill either role with style. If we ever have a warm McHenry night this summer, you’ll want outdoor facilities that will allow you to kick back and relax. If you have guests coming over, purposeful landscape design can make the difference between a ho-hum event and a night to remember.

Insightful landscape design will make sure that your McHenry property is multi-functional. It can also look great in the process. When you’re property looks its best, you’ll have a sense of pride knowing that visitors, and those who pass by, will admire your home and yard. They’ll probably envy your property the way you used to look wistfully at the neighbor’s manicured and landscaped yard.

The best way to ensure your landscape design is all it can be is to use a professional landscape designer. The ability to look at your landscape and see its full potential starts with knowledge and experience. With knowledge and experience, a landscape designer has a full understand of what is possible.

They’ve also designed landscaping before. They know what works and where to ‘fit’ a particular property and home. In other words, they see the big picture without getting lost in the forest of ideas.

A landscape designer knows how to bring all the pieces of your landscape design together so they complement each other, as well as complementing the topography and shape of your property, and your home and other buildings.

Some of the basic aspects of a landscape design to consider include:

• A patio
• Walkways
• Water features
• Gardens
• Trees and shrubs
• Outdoor lighting
• More

A landscape designer will consider closely how you use your landscape. For instance, do you plan to cook outside often? If so, for instance, they can build a grill into a brick paver patio. If you really, really like to cook outside, they can plan a virtual outdoor kitchen for your patio.

Do you like to sit around the fire with friends? A fire pit or fireplace is an excellent addition to a brick paver patio. When you entertain, these are features that provide gathering places in for guests.

It’s one thing to add landscape lighting to your property. It’s another thing altogether to do landscape lighting right. A landscape designer knows what types of fixtures will work where. They’ll know what areas you’ll want to light and what kind of wattage you’ll want to light an area correctly.

McHenry is a great place to be in the summer. It’s that much better when your landscape design makes staying home all the more special.