How the Landscape evokes Feelings
I hadn’t been designing landscaping for very long before I recognized the tie with creating a space and client’s emotions. The most important being the question of comfort in a space. And what I could do to make comfort a reality using a well thought out design. This blog explores how landscape design relates to a persons emotions i.e. privacy, comfort, peace. and well being.
The first step is to create a private space. Some of the projects I worked on had neighbors windows viewing into the space. This was like being in goldfish bowl! Unwanted attention from neighbors meant creating screening around the property perimeter and/or Trees or a patio cover to block views from high points like a second story window.
The patio shown above is a great example of a patio area that has privacy created by screening plants. Mostly tall shrubs and trees, but vines can work if space is limited. Most suburban and urban lots have gardens that are close to the neighbors. The Fences are a first step, but looking at a perimeter of blank fencing is bland and boring. Fences also don’t block noise very well, while a thick planted border helps a lot with both problems. Having a comfortable and well made furniture set is so important to enjoying your patio. Invest in a long lasting table and chairs with cushions (unlike the set shown here) and get a lot more use out of your outdoor living/dining room.
Adding foliage or flower color to the garden can improve our sense of well being and happiness. Use colors that appeal to you and favorite flowers ( if they appropriate to the climate and growing conditions). I see so many gardens with no color but green. This is partly because hired gardeners shear the plants before they can bloom. Ask your gardener to let your plants bloom before shearing or cutting them back. Add perennials and annuals to bring in colors that you really love, planting them near the walks and patios.
Surprise and Joy can be an integral part of your garden. I love to plant Spring flowering bulbs in the Fall, because they are easy to grow, don’t require irrigation and bring me a lot of joy as they appear in late Winter or Early Spring then bloom in beautiful colors and shapes. Half the time I forget what I planted where, so it is a surprise when they come up in Spring.
Entertaining and gathering with friends can help our emotional well being, so having a good bbq area and possibly a fire pit area contributes to having friends over. You don’ have to have these things and they certainly don’t need to be so elaborate, but setting up a nice buffet area, and tables for the cook to use while cooking outdoors is a great addition to a patio area. A tablescape with candles can be used in place of a large fire pit and having some string lights around the backyard and patio is an easy way to light the party.
Another idea is to set up an outdoor screen to show movies. Having a movie night with kids and friends can lift the mood and add some easy fun to the party.
Using some soft outdoor lighting can help you relax and feel comfy whether you are on the patio or viewing the garden from inside the house. Even some simple solar lights can work well where the sun is plentiful in the day to power them up. A feeling of safety from having areas lighted can be reassuring.
Lastly, if you have children then consider what they would enjoy in the garden. Knowing the children are safe and happy playing in the garden can help Mom and Dad to feel relaxed. Easing our stress is what it is all about when planning an outdoor space.
These are just a few examples of how emotions come into play with landscape design. Please feel free to share your comments and I would love to hear about how your garden affects your emotions. Both positive and negative. I often feel frustrated and anxious in the garden when I have fallen behind on my garden tasks. I do try to put those emotions away and kick back and relax!
See my list of blog articles for information about patio furniture, paving materials, fire features, children’s gardens, using color in the garden and much more.
