The landscape design checklist

In this article, we'll help you to collect all of your exterior ideas in one place so that you can get more clarity with your exterior project. We've also created a "Downloadable Exterior Planning Checklist" that you can use to help you plan your exterior renovation.

If you have a lot of ideas in mind of how you’d like to spruce up your outdoors but aren’t quite sure where to start, make your way through this checklist: noting which items are “musts”, “nice-to-haves” or “don’t needs”. 

Home exterior updates

Firstly, ask yourself the following:

• What are my main priorities within this landscaping project?
• What style do I gravitate toward? (e.g. coastal, native, luxury, rustic etc.)
• Are my ideas going to match the style of my home?
• What is my budget range?
• Have you checked your calendar for the most convenient time of year to carry out a landscaping project?
• Have you considered how this landscaping work might affect your lifestyle?
• Have you considered the climate, orientation, soil type and other local conditions like wind, rainfall and drainage?

Now, consider if each item is a must-have, nice-to-have or not important…

Garden

• Compost
• Edible vegetable garden
• Landscaped lawn
• Artificial grass
• Retaining walls or terraced sections
• Raised garden beds
• Native plants
• Flower garden/s
• Deciduous trees
• Tree or plant removal
• Irrigation
• Automated irrigation systems
• Rainwater system
• Greywater system

Entertaining

• Decking - wood, composite, bamboo, stone, concrete, brick
• Patio - concrete pavers, stone, brick, ceramic tiles
• Built-in seating
• Outdoor fireplace
• Outdoor oven
• Outdoor kitchen
• BBQ
• Swimming pool
• Spa pool
• Outdoor shower 
• Outdoor entertainment system
• Kids play area - playground, sports, playhouse etc.
• Pergola or outdoor room/coverage

Functionality - Safety Features

• New fencing - vinyl, wood, stone, metal, concrete, composite
• Gates - vinyl, wood, stone, metal, concrete, composite
• Automated gates
• Outdoor lighting
• Smart-bulb lighting
• Automated home security system
• Indoor/outdoor flow
• Workshop
• Firewood shed
• Pathways
• Sun and warmth optimisation
• Space for pets
• Privacy
• Wheelchair accessibility to your home

Maintenance - Updating

• Re-cladding – timber, metal, brick and stone, composite, stucco, fibre cement, vinyl PVC siding
• Re-roofing – concrete tile, clay tile, vinyl asphalt, metal, solar, rubber slate
• New front door – wooden, steel, French, fibreglass, themed
• New driveway – gravel, sealed, concrete, brick, green
• New garage/carport
• Exterior painting
• Street presentation/adding value