When designing a landscape, the intent in many cases is to draw the eye to specific points. These focal points, be they plants or furniture are important for carrying the attention of onlookers around your landscaping. Here are our tips for impressive focal points sure to add more pop to any design.
1. Show Your Colors
There’s no easier way to attract the eye than with precise and planned color. Vibrant colors are an excellent way to turn heads and draw attention. What color choices or combos are the best? If you really want your colors to pop, contrast is the name of the game! The best effect can come from colors that contrast well with each other. This means complimentary colors, such as red and green, orange and blue, and yellow and purple!
2. Find Your Balance
Symmetry always makes for a very appealing landscape. A garden that appears carelessly thrown together will be far less aesthetically pleasing than one that has a sense of order to it. Having a symmetrical design gives a sense of order, even to a large and otherwise very busy space. Symmetrical plantings can be tricky, but believe us, once you see the results, you’ll see that it’s worth it.
3. The Star of the Show
Often times, the focal point of a landscape is just that: A single point designed to be the first thing someone sees in your landscape. There’s a number of options you can go with. “Hardscaping” or non-plant aspects of the landscape are a common choice for those looking for a central focal point to their landscape. Some great options for hardscape focal points include statues, fountains, or even well-positioned furniture. Our favorite focal point option is one that is alive! A large or unique plant, such as a tree and exotic plant, can will serve this same function if you’re looking for a more natural centerpiece and is sure to be a conversation piece.
4. Line Up!
Focal points aren’t just about drawing the eye. They start the procession to lead one’s eyes around your landscape is just as important. A fantastic way to facilitate this is through a clever use of lines in your display. There are two ways you can go about using lines in your landscape. Straight lines can be used to directly lead the eye to where you want it to go, while curved lines presents a “flowing” effect to the landscape.
5. Keep it Simple
While adding focal points to your landscape is a good thing to do, it’s important to not overdo it. Remember earlier when we said having a haphazard mess of displays isn’t particularly appealing? Having too many focal points competing for attention can make your space look cluttered and overwhelming, completely defeating the purpose of the focal points, which were meant to draw immense and purposeful impact.
If you want landscaping that really speaks to you, look no further than John Mini Distinctive Landscapes. Our team of expert designers and horticulturist have the skills, the means, and the know-how to design landscaping that will keep all eyes fixed on your scene!
Sources:
http://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoor-design/landscaping-and-hardscaping/focus-on-focal-points
https://www.thespruce.com/focal-points-what-they-are-2131048
http://www.weekendgardener.net/gardeningdesign/basic-landscape-design6-110911.htm