Money-Saving Landscape Design Tips

Budget-friendly and cheap landscaping are not the same thing! As long as you’re smart about your design, you can end up with a beautiful landscape without breaking the bank. Here’s how…

Key principles of landscape design

The best way to save money is to not spend it in the first place! Designers and schools may refer to these principles by different names, but the concepts remain consistent. By analysing your existing landscape and applying these principles, you can transform your space without spending a dime. 

• Unity – make it cohesive
• Line – clearly define each space
• Form – utilise different shapes within your plants
• Texture – mix it up to keep it interesting
• Colour – set the tone with the right palette
• Scale – experiment relative to your design 
• Balance – can be a/symmetrical

Smart ways to design your Auckland Central landscape

If you find that, ultimately, you do need to embark on a redesign and start over, it’s a great opportunity to wipe the slate clean and make smart decisions from the get-go. 

First, get to know your site. Are there tricky regulations you need to adhere to, steep slopes to design around, or challenging shapes to deal with? Knowing the obstacles before you experience them will help you plan accordingly and avoid surprise costs further down the road. 

Next, choose your must-haves! If you’re trying to design your landscape on a budget, odds are you won’t be able to bring your entire wish list to fruition. But that’s OK! Select the changes that will have the biggest impact on your landscape. For instance, a new deck will be valuable to create defined areas as well as an anchored lounge space. 

Finally, make sure your material choices align with the maintenance you’re willing to do and your budget. Artificial turf requires little to no maintenance as opposed to planting a live lawn that will need speciality care. 

Budget-friendly landscape design ideas 

Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping is the low-maintenance landscape design practice based on water conservation. Not only is this better for the environment, it’s easier (and cheaper) to maintain! Here’s an example of a beautiful xeriscaping project Zones executed in Remuera. 

Plant native perennials

As the name suggests, annuals need to be replanted every season because they die when temperatures get too cold. While Auckland is fairly temperate year round, opting for native perennials is a safer bet since you know they’re hardy and will return year after year, making them a great long-term investment! Check out this Auckland Central spa escape filled with lush native plants!

Utilise ground cover

You can see here, in this Auckland Central landscaping transformation, that a few small tweaks can make a massive difference.! Installing a new patio surrounded by lush grass may be all you need to breathe new life into your landscape. 

How professional landscape designers can save you money

It’s true that the initial investment is more than if you DIY, but the end results are exponentially better. Not to mention, the process is more streamlined, project stress is little to none, and the advice and expertise you receive throughout is invaluable. 

Working with a Zones landscape designer allows you to take advantage of their extended network of experienced industry professionals and expert project management skills. Both of which serve to save you money in the long term by avoiding costly mistakes, finding you the best deals on materials, and optimising the design according to your unique property. 

So, whether you’re looking for backyard deck ideas on a budget or some low maintenance front yard landscaping, landscape design help is only a call away to your local Landscaping Consultant.  

Save money with Zones Landscaping

If you’re interested in learning more about working with a professional landscape designer and how to achieve your affordable landscaping ideas, get in touch with a local Auckland Central Landscaping Consultant for your free consultation.