Landscape Design Ideas for Picturesque Outdoor Living in Hershey, PA

The days are getting longer, and before you know it, summer will be here and you’ll be enjoying spending backyard time with friends and family. If you want to enhance your outdoor experience with added beauty this summer, here are a few landscape design ideas for picturesque outdoor living in Hershey, PA.

Start with the View

If your backyard has a view that’s worth highlighting, there are a few things you can do to make the view really pop. First, frame it. Any vertical feature can be used to frame a view. For example, two tall cedars can narrow the focus or masonry pillars (with a fire bowl on top for added drama) or a spacious pergola can help to highlight your wonderful view so you can more fully enjoy it. 

If your backyard doesn’t have a view, make one with focal points. Chic water walls of masonry, glass, or metal create a soothing atmosphere, define spaces, and even serve double duty to block unattractive views and add privacy. Create another focal point with an outdoor fireplace or fire pit—fire features are a great way to make use of a corner of the yard that doesn’t get much attention.

Add Color

Adding color can completely transform the energy of your landscape. Bright colors are energizing and dark while muted colors are considered soothing. So, if your backyard needs a bit more “zing” or you want to get away from an overly monochromatic aesthetic, look into brightening it up by with the installation of strategically placed annuals, perennials, and flowering shrubs. Add color to darker or unused areas of the landscape that rarely get noticed, and you’ll completely transform it into a beautiful focal point! 

Add Balance 

Typically, a pleasing landscape is visually balanced. Balance refers to the visual weight of trees, shrubs, plant beds, and hardscapes, and combining them in a way that feels right. For example, a dense stand of spruce trees next to a huge expanse of lawn can feel unbalanced. Adding a few smaller ornamental trees on the other side of the lawn balances the weight of the spruces and introduces visual interest. An outdoor fireplace can be balanced by denser evergreen shrubs or several midsize deciduous trees. All large, dense plants are attention-grabbers, but too many may make the landscape feel “heavy.” Dense plants can be balanced with ornamental grasses, open areas, flower beds, and even water features such as a pond or reflecting pool.

Consider all of the many elements that go into your landscape and how they relate to one another and the size and height of your home. Our landscape design experts can help you envision a landscape where plantings and hardscape elements work together to create the most pleasing arrangement possible.

Add Fire and Water

If your patio is lacking a little something, look into adding some interest with fire and/or water. A fire pit or outdoor fireplace can be an instant hit with everyone. Warm up on chilly evenings, extend your entertaining season, and add cozy ambience with a fire feature that complements your home and encourages everyone to spend more time outdoors. A water feature, whether it’s a simple fountain or an elaborate waterfall, could transform your backyard into a private oasis.

Remember the Side Yard

Some homeowners spend a lot of time thinking about the design of their front yard for curb appeal and their backyard for fun and relaxation—but your side yard deserves its share of attention, too. This could be the perfect opportunity to construct a game area (such as bocce or horseshoes); a vegetable garden; or even a private spa or meditation area with lush monochromatic plantings, tall privacy fencing, and a beautiful paver patio. An updated side yard could unlock your landscape’s hidden potential and truly maximize your space.