We all have reasons for the choices we make, especially when it comes to our homes and how we invest in them. To that end, I’d like to suggest a few well-considered questions for adding landscaping to a property.

How does landscaping increase property value? For most, our home is our biggest investment, so your landscape design can be the finishing touch that defines the exterior beauty and usefulness of the property. A general guideline to consider is that the landscaping budget should be approximately ten percent of the value of the home. The goal of an effective design is to create a living area that feels like an extension of the home. The style and aesthetic of the outdoor space should flow naturally from the inside of the home out to the property’s exterior. These considerations contribute to making the space of the home feel expanded, warmer and more open–the last thing anyone wants is an outdoor area that looks like an “add-on.”

How does landscaping increase the usable space of a home? When built with a cohesive aesthetic and an eye to the stylistic elements of the home, both inside and out, an outdoor room can considerably extend the useable square footage of the home for personal enjoyment as well as entertaining. In our climate, a question I often hear is how to utilize an outdoor room during all four seasons. There are a number of strategies and products that make this prospect viable. Adding an outdoor structure, such as a pergola, will increase the amount of time one will reasonably spend in an outdoor room. The addition of a fire pit or fireplace can also warm up many chilly evenings spent outdoors. While these are not built into the design of the outdoor room, the use of infrared or propane heaters may help maintain a consistent temperature for the comfort of all. Lastly, one of my favorite design features is the built-in outdoor cooking center, which facilitates outdoor get-togethers. These cooking centers may include bar seating, ice makers, kegeraters, refrigerators and gas grills. Needless to say, we’re talking about an area that could host some fantastic social events.

How does landscaping add to the practical management of natural resources? There is a growing movement toward collecting and conserving rainwater in cisterns to water gardens in the summer. Proper and strategic landscape design can tie together these elements into the useable outdoor space. Along a similar line, as I discussed in my last column, proper drainage is a critical consideration for any homeowner. Proper grading and a well-constructed drainage system will reduce the waste of water and eliminate the damage caused by erosion, thereby protecting the value of the home.

How does landscaping facilitate year-round enjoyment of natural beauty? Sometimes it’s easy to get carried away with plans for utilizing outdoor space with practical strategies, when the primary reason for outdoor living is always the experience of nature. With a combination of evergreens, brilliant fall foliage, and plantings combining textures, any garden can achieve four-season visual appeal. When such a well-planned outdoor space is capable of beckoning homeowners outdoors during any season, I think it’s safe to say that the goal of extending usable living space and increasing the value of a home are complete.

Adam Haynes is the owner of Artisan Landscapes and may be reached at 541-292-3285 and www.artisanlandscapes.com