Landscape Design: Style and Function

As outdoor living trends evolve, one thing remains consistent: The homeowner is always the center of the design. But as industry experts, designers must perform due diligence in aligning the homeowner’s needs with the highest quality products, achieving both aesthetic preferences and long-term functionality. 

Understand the homeowner’s vision 

Great design begins with understanding the homeowner. How do they use their space on a daily basis? What are their goals and dreams for their back or front yards? Do they need assistance in prioritizing based on budget? Listening is crucial in the initial stage, and can be the defining moment for a design team seeking to establish a relationship with a homeowner. 

Homeowners entrust their design and installation teams with a significant investment in their homes, so they must feel confident from the beginning. If, during the initial consultation, you discover that the homeowner prioritizes outdoor dining and enjoys entertaining, then take it a step further to ensure they have every consideration for a seamless experience. Proactively offering insights they might not have considered will build trust and reinforce your expertise. 

What lighting do they need to ensure their outdoor dining area is usable during all seasons? Would integrating a sound system be worth considering? How will guests experience walking to the outdoor dining space? Do we need to add a paver walkway, pergola, or composite decking solution? 

All these questions provide context that tells a greater story beyond the aesthetic details of an outdoor space. 

Managing expectations and realities

Although homeowners are enthusiastic, a client-centric approach often requires patience and understanding. If ambitions seem unrealistic, it’s essential to know when to scale back and when to recommend a phased approach, which meets the needs over time and to a high standard. The goal is always long-term satisfaction and upholding a strong reputation while keeping the client’s best interest in mind. 

The art of creating a visually appealing space that reflects a homeowner’s style, materials, and colors can be challenging. Everyone wants to feel a personal connection beyond the initial logistical elements. They want to connect with nature and experience the residual effects of having a beautiful, calming extension of their home. Designers can’t be afraid to make bold recommendations that evoke emotion and connection from a client. That personal connection further builds trust and understanding. 

In recent months, designers in all industries have faced a new challenge: the world of AI-generated images and unrealistic inspirational photos. Expectations have surged, and the lack of awareness around investment has remained. Usability and function are not typically homeowners’ first thoughts, so it’s important to educate them on considerations such as maintenance, budget, regional climate factors, local ordinance restrictions or product longevity. For example, a home on steep terrain may require an extensive (and costly) retaining wall to ensure structural stability before considering aesthetic decisions. 

Designing for form and function

To bridge the gap between beauty and practicality, it is sometimes necessary to return to fundamental design principles – harmonizing unity, scale, balance, contrast, reputation and more. Simplifying the decision-making process and educating homeowners on the reasons behind your design feels genuine and approachable. Effective communication is essential for collaboration not only with the client but also with the larger team of designers, engineers, contractors and landscapers to achieve optimal results. 

Great outdoor living design is about more than just aesthetics; it also transcends functionality. It’s about creating spaces that enhance homeowners’ lives for years to come. Professionals achieve true satisfaction and longevity through a client-centric approach rooted in education, thoughtful communication, and collaboration. Taking a holistic approach with the homeowner at the center of the process fosters trust in the experience that brought you here, guiding the rest of the decision-making to deliver beauty, functionality, and long-term value. 

Cassi Hallam, chief marketing officer at System Pavers, taps her nearly 20 years of marketing expertise to inspire growth, generate leads, and drive results. With a passion for blending strategy with creative thinking, she leads with a customer-first mindset to help System Pavers continue to be a top outdoor remodeling company in the United States.