Landscape Design - Creating Balance In Home Landscaping
By Steve Boulden
Balance is a principle of all art forms, design, and even landscape design. It implies a sense of equality. And while there may be just a little more to it, this is how I explain it to make it easier for first timers and do it yourselfers to understand.

A garden, landscape, or any form of equal proportions would naturally feel and look balanced. However, most gardens and landscapes are not exact or symmetrical in shape and form. They’re asymmetrical and abstract in form and are often without any natural balance of their own. So often relies on other elements to create balance and harmony through unity.

Many times, a lack of balance is directly related to a lack of repetition. Repeating alike elements such as plants or rocks throughout the landscape will help unify different areas to each other. As little as one repeated matching plant group, color, piece of decor, or hardscape can accomplish this.

A lack of balance is also created by placing too many or all non matching elements throughout a landscape design. This can sometimes seem cluttered and unkept when it grows in. In the beginning of your design, plan for less, place just a few matching plant groups throughout the garden, and keep decor matching and to a minimum. You can add more later.

So many of the questions that I receive about landscape design deal with the shape of a design . Shape is unique to each design and will ultimately follow all necessary paths and your visions. However, any shape or form can be filled with elements and still be either dull, void, loud, cluttered, and unbalanced. Balance isn’t necessarily dependant on shape. It can be but generally it’s not. So don’t get too hung up on trying to even things out entirely by shape.

Landscape design is an art form and so it deals with "all" the same principles that other art forms use. Repetition, unity, and balance are all principles of art that go hand in hand with each other.

Architects use repetition in design by making doors, windows, fixtures, trims, etc. the same sizes, shapes, and styles. Imagine how your home would feel if every door, door frame, window, and fixture were of different sizes, shapes, colors, and types. It would be uncomfortable and chaotic.

And so it’s the same with landscape design.

In order to create balance, appeal, and even comfort in a landscape that is lacking,

True Turf Launches Full-Service Artificial Turf Superstore
True Turf Inc., will move its headquarters from 2067 Wineridge Place, Suite E, Escondido CA 92029 to 1924 West Mission Road, Suite A, Escondido CA 92029 effective August 2, 2010.

(PRWeb July 30, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4317344.htm

]]>
Water Pumps Direct Announces Addition of Powermate Water Pumps
Water Pumps Direct Announces Addition of Powermate Water Pumps. Online Superstore Continues to Expand Product Offering.

(PRWeb July 30, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/powermate/waterpumps/prweb4325974.htm

]]>
FauxPanels.com Debuts Fieldstone Style of Faux Stone Panels
Fueled by customer requests, FauxPanels.com has added the rustic charm of fieldstone mosaic stone veneer to its extensive range of stone veneer products. Update the interior or exterior of your home...

(PRWeb July 30, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4331024.htm

]]>
Koi Acres to be Present at the 2010 UMKC Koi Show
A once a year opportunity to view some of the best Koi fish in the Midwest.

(PRWeb July 30, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4330324.htm

]]>
Olde World Stone and Tile Now Offers Complete Stone-making Project...
The family-owned Florida Company that helped revolutionize the industry nearly two decades ago has introduced fully-equipped project kits, making handcrafted stone and tile accessible and fun for even...

(PRWeb July 29, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/tile_stone_making/do-it-yourself_kits/prweb4150224.htm

]]>
Landscape Improvements Increase Home Value and Resale Odds
Texas Study Shows Landscape Improvements Net 35% Return on Investment

(PRWeb July 29, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4321034.htm

]]>
Aquaponics Made Easy Workshops by Australian Murray Hallam to be...
Murray Hallam, of Queesland, Australia is coming to Colorado and California September 18 and 19 to teach workshops titled "Aquaponics Made Easy". Hallam is widely regarded as one of the top...

(PRWeb July 29, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4273384.htm

]]>
New Videos Explore Today?s Top Concrete Products
The Concrete Network has produced 28 new online videos featuring today?s most popular <a href="http://www.concretenetwork.com/suppliers/" onclick="linkClick(this.href)">concrete products</a>. Split...

(PRWeb July 29, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/concrete/products/prweb4294254.htm

]]>
Breeze C Mobility Scooter is Out of the Laboratory and Ready for...
Following years of unique research and development at 'Afikim Electric vehicles', Breeze C has been approved for release by the company's engineers. The scooter underwent extensive and detailed...

(PRWeb July 29, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/mobility_scooters/breeze/prweb4311814.htm

]]>
Global Marketing Resources Offers Low Cost, Performance Based Local...
Global Marketing Resources, a California based globally renowned professional Website Design Company offers low cost, performance-based local search services for small businesses.

(PRWeb July 29, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/local-search-marketing/services/prweb4321344.htm

]]>
Custom Toll Free Launches 1-800-Cut-Tree Website
New Nationwide Marketplace for Tree Service Providers. National Leader in Vanity Toll Free Numbers Expanding Product Mix to Include Powerful ?Single Number? Online Platform for Vertical Market and...

(PRWeb July 29, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/custom_toll_free/800_cut_tree/prweb4321884.htm

]]>
Shed Liquidator's Launch of New Website Shows Great Savings,...
Shed Liquidators responds to a down-turned economy with a complete turn-key solution designed to offer economical sheds online that offer a hassle-free, no gimmick experience.

(PRWeb July 29, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4314754.htm

]]>
Castle & Cooke Florida Receives Prestigious Grand Aurora Awards
The Grammy?s Of The Home Building Industry.

(PRWeb July 28, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4306454.htm

]]>
How to Trim the Cost of Air Conditioning by as Much as 30%
More than 10,000 property owners are using this simple "do-it-yourself" method to reduce air conditioning energy cost with five easy steps, no tools, and no electricity.

(PRWeb July 28, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4309584.htm

]]>
Chain Saws Direct Announces Addition of Hitachi Chain Saws
Chain Saws Direct Announces Addition of Hitachi Chain Saws. Online Superstore Continues to Expand Product Offering.

(PRWeb July 28, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/hitachi/chainsaws/prweb4312984.htm

]]>
Sump Pumps Direct Announces Best Primary Sump Pumps
Sump Pumps Direct Announces Best Primary Sump Pumps. Recommendations Based on Sales History and Customer Reviews.

(PRWeb July 28, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/best/primarysumppumps/prweb4314334.htm

]]>
Johnson Level & Tool Introduces Laser Distance Measure
Johnson Level & Tool has expanded its measuring tools category with the introduction of a...

(PRWeb July 28, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/laser-distance-measure/laser-levels/prweb4316104.htm

]]>
Sunny Ridge Microbial Solutions Helps Growers Increase the Yields and...
Sunny Ridge Microbial Solutions announces the launch of their website where eco-conscious gardeners and farmers can find solutions for producing bigger yields and higher quality crops using worm...

(PRWeb July 27, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/vermicompost/worm-castings/prweb4143094.htm

]]>
Large Hot Tub Benefits Kids in Need at Children's Hospitals
Bullfrog Spas donates a Model 682 <a href="http://www.bullfrogspas.com/pages/spa-682.asp" onclick="linkClick(this.href)">8-person hot tub</a> to raise much needed funding for Children?s Miracle...

(PRWeb July 27, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/health/hot-tub-donation/prweb4301374.htm

]]>
New and Improved Real Estate Stimulus Plan
Real Estate Survival Kit created by RealEstateMasterMinds.com provides free MLS Listings and thousands of dollars in cash rebates. Taking their cue from discount brokerage firms such as Scottrade and...

(PRWeb July 27, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/RealEstate/Discount/prweb4310514.htm

]]>
New French Leaseback Opportunity Provides Stable Investment Vehicle
IPIN (International Property Investment Network) expect French leasebacks to become an increasingly popular choice with property investors; the secure nature of the investment and the comparatively...

(PRWeb July 27, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4158004.htm

]]>
Major Texas Foundation Repair Company Shares Money Saving Foundation...
Simple inexpensive foundation maintenance tips from Advanced Foundation Repair are for do it yourself home owners. Maintain even moisture around the foundation by creating foundation watering...

(PRWeb July 27, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/Foundation/Maintenance/prweb4299254.htm

]]>
Air Compressors Direct Adds Viair Air Compressors
Air Compressors Direct Adds Viair Air Compressors. Online Superstore Continues to Expand Product Offering.

(PRWeb July 27, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/viair/aircompressors/prweb4307754.htm

]]>


we need to create some form of consistent repetition. As little as one matching element placed on opposites can create a sense of unity and consistency.

It's easiest and most often created in the softscape (plants, ornaments, lawn, decor, etc.). However, it should be considered in the hardscape (walks, driveways, necessities, fences, walls, raised beds, boundaries, etc.) of your drawn design plan.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleJoe.com

Written by Steve Boulden. Steve is the creator of The Landscape Design Site.com which offers free professional advice, tips, plans, and ideas to do it yourselfers and homeowners. To discover more about the principles of landscaping, visit his site at: www.the-landscape-design-site.com

Here are some more landscaping articles...