2D Landscape Design Banner - Reds Landscaping (1)

An Introduction to 2D Landscape Design and How It Can Transform Your Outdoor Space

It's critical to have a clear understanding of your goals while constructing your outside area. Whether you're looking for architectural 2D garden design, an outdoor living area, or a functional outdoor space design for entertaining, 2D landscape design can help you bring your vision to life.

What is 2D Landscape Design and What Makes It Different From 3D Design?

2D landscape design is a type of landscape architectural drawing that is done on a two-dimensional plane, such as paper or a computer screen. It differs from 3D design in that it emphasises the arrangement and placement of things on a flat surface rather than including three-dimensional features such as height and depth. There are also landscape design software available on the internet.

 

2D Landscape Design VS. 3D Landscape Design - Reds Landscaping
2D Landscape Design VS. 3D Landscape Design - Reds Landscaping

 

Creating a Unique Outdoor Space with a 2D Landscape Design

2D landscape design allows you to plan and visualise your outdoor space before you start the actual work. Using landscape design software or a garden planner, you can create a detailed plan that includes the placement of plants, hardscape elements, and other features. Landscape planning software or a landscape planning app can help you create a virtual representation of your space, which can be modified and adjusted until you find the perfect design. This type of software is also beneficial for creating a budget for your project since it allows you to see the cost of each element before you begin. If you prefer to work with a professional, many landscapers offer landscape design online services. By working with a professional, you can receive expert guidance on creating a cohesive design that meets your specific needs and fits
your budget.

 

Outdoor Space with a 2D Landscape Design - Reds Landscaping
Outdoor Space with a 2D Landscape Design - Reds Landscaping

Utilising 2D landscape design has several advantages, one of which is that it enables you to visualise your outdoor area before you start the actual job. By doing this, you can prevent costly errors like planting trees or bushes in the incorrect place or putting hardscape components in an uncomfortable position. You can experiment with various design concepts and layouts thanks to the flexibility of 2D landscape design. Until you find the ideal layout that satisfies your requirements and matches your taste, you can experiment with different plant combinations, hardscape components, and outdoor furniture groupings.

 

Outdoor Space with a 3D Landscape Design - Reds Landscaping
Outdoor Space with a 3D Landscape Design - Reds Landscaping

A Look at the Benefits of Using 2D Landscape Design for Your Project

Outdoor space visualization software, outdoor space designer apps, and outdoor space building software are all types of 2D landscape design tools that offer numerous benefits for your project. These tools allow you to create a virtual representation of your outdoor space and experiment with different design ideas and layouts, helping you achieve your dream outdoor space.

Outdoor space visualisation software, for example, allows you to create a digital representation of your outdoor space that you can modify and adjust as needed. This type of software typically offers a wide range of features, such as the ability to add plants, hardscape elements, and outdoor furniture and to adjust the layout and design to meet your specific needs.

Outdoor space visualisation software - Reds Landscaping
Outdoor space visualisation software - Reds Landscaping

Outdoor space designer apps are another popular tool for creating 2D landscape designs. These apps typically offer an intuitive interface and a variety of design elements that you can drag and drop into your virtual space. Many of these apps also offer pre-designed templates or suggested layouts to help you get started. Finally, outdoor space building software can help you plan and design the construction of your outdoor space. This type of software is particularly useful if you're planning on adding hardscape elements, such as a patio, walkway, or retaining wall. It allows you to plan and visualise the construction process, ensuring that everything is done correctly and efficiently.

Overall, these types of 2D landscape design tools offer numerous benefits for your outdoor space project, helping you to visualise and plan your space before you start the actual work, avoid costly mistakes, and experiment with different design ideas and layouts until you find the perfect combination.


Exploring Different Types of 2D Landscape Designs

You can look through many various kinds of 2D landscape designs to get ideas for your project. You may find a tonne of design concepts and layouts to think about using; for instance, a free online landscaping tool and garden design ideas app is available on the web which can help you with generating designs and new ideas. Online resources for easy landscaping ideas are also available to you if you want to design your space in a straightforward yet effective way. These concepts can be used to produce a special design that satisfies your requirements and tastes.

 

Backyard garden and patio design plan.
Backyard garden and patio design plan - Reds Landscaping

 

There are several types of 2D garden plans used by landscape designers and architects to help visualise and plan a garden space.

Site Plan

This is an overhead view of the entire outdoor space, including the house, driveway, walkways, and any existing trees or plants.

Landscape Design Sample Plans
Landscape Design Sample Plans - Reds Landscaping

 

Planting Plan

This type of plan focuses specifically on the placement of plants, trees, and shrubs within the garden. It includes information about the size and spacing of each plant, as well as any special planting instructions.

Planting Plan - Reds Landscaping
Planting Plan - Reds Landscaping

 

Hardscape Plan

This plan focuses on the placement of non-plant elements within the garden, such as patios, walkways, retaining walls, and water features.

Drawing Landscape Design Plans - Reds Landscaping and Design
Locate all of your existing hardscaping features on your plan - Reds Landscaping

 

Lighting Plan

This type of plan shows the placement of lighting fixtures within the garden, including path lights, spotlights, and accent lights.

Lighting Plan - Reds Landscaping
Lighting Plan - Reds Landscaping

 

Drainage Plan

This plan is used to ensure that the garden has proper drainage, which is essential for keeping plants healthy and preventing water damage to buildings and other structures.

Drainage Plan - Reds Landscaping
Drainage Plan - Reds Landscaping

Irrigation Plan

This plan shows the placement of irrigation systems, including sprinklers and drip lines, and how they are connected to a water source.

Commercial Irrigation System Schematic - Reds Landscaping and Design
Schematic of a commercial irrigation system with both sprinklers and drippers - Reds Landscaping

Perspective Drawing

This is a 2D drawing that shows a three-dimensional view of the garden, providing a sense of how the finished space will look and feel.

Perspective Drawing - Reds Landscaping and Design
Perspective Drawing - Reds Landscaping and Design

 

What to Consider When Choosing a Professional for Your 2D Landscape Design Project

There are a few factors to take into account before hiring a landscape designer in Melbourne for your 2D landscape plan. Finding a landscaper with experience in designing 2D garden plans and a portfolio of prior work should be your first step. Make sure the project's cost fits within your budget by taking it into account as well.

Garden Lighting - Reds Landscaping and Design
Garden Lighting - Reds Landscaping and Design

 

To guarantee that your vision for your outdoor space is realised, it's crucial to locate a landscaper with whom you can communicate successfully and with whom you feel at ease working. You can easily get this by simply typing professional landscape designer near me in your search engine.

Landscape Pool Lightening - Reds Landscaping and Design
Landscape Pool Lightening - Reds Landscaping and Design

 

Conclusion

A unique and useful outdoor place that suits your particular demands and preferences can be made using 2D landscape design. You can construct a virtual depiction of your space and experiment with various design concepts and layouts using landscape design software or by hiring a professional landscaper. Why then wait? Plan the outdoor area of your dreams immediately.


For Related Melbourne Landscaping Ideas, click on the following links:

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Using 3DWarehouse furniture like tables and chairs.

Landscape Designers Top 11 Tips

Landscape designers rely on several landscape design techniques to create inviting and vibrant outdoor spaces.

Whether it's a small courtyard in the city or a large property in the country, creating an outdoor space is essential when it comes to landscape design.

You may have heard landscape designers talk about the two categories of softscape and hardscape when discussing landscaping design.

The non-plant parts of your garden's hardscape include things like paths, decks, patios, retaining walls, sculptures, and fountains.

Garden Fountain
A fountain is a great focal point and a great way to hide traffic noise in a small inner city garden. Fountains and retaining walls are part of the landscape design hardscaping.

Softscaping, a component of landscape design, refers to the live, horticultural elements used in landscaping. It is a straightforward reference to plants. Softscape elements include things like flowers, plants, grass, soil, flower beds, and ground cover. Despite their names, mulch and prickly trees are not always soft to the touch, and neither are softscape components. Landscape designers employ a range of softscaping techniques to design outdoor spaces that feel warm and natural. But bear in mind that you should start with the hardscape when planning your front yard, backyard, or garden. Boundaries and a softscape will be produced as a result.

landscape Designers Softscaping
Landscape Designers Softscaping installation. Softscaping is the live, horticultural elements used in landscaping

 

Here are some of the best expert tips for creating a stunning environment.

 

  1. Sketch your landscape design concept on Graph paper

 

Graph paper might assist in putting your thoughts onto paper and out of your mind. Starting from scratch is usually a smart idea when designing a landscape.

Use your drawings to illustrate the themes of your thoughts. Learn about your surroundings and determine the size of your garden before introducing any items.

landscape designer creating a concept sketch
landscape designer creating a concept sketch. Graph paper can also be used to help with scale and proportion.

Select an angle. Your garden might be imagined as a viewpoint or an elevation.

 

  1. Landscape Designers employ geodata

 

Geodata is used extensively by landscape designers and may be used with CAD. A really correct scientific analysis is presented. Every project may benefit from it, and it can provide access to some of the open source and internet-inaccessible data.

Landscape Designers use Geodata
Geographic data can be sourced from telematics devices, Global Positioning System (GPS) data, geospatial satellite imagery, Internet of Things, and geotagging. (Source Heavy AI)

Trimble Sketchup has a built in tool for bringing terrain data into your landscape design.

SketchUp’s Geo-location tool and bring in exact terrain imagery with the click of a button.
SketchUp’s Geo-location tool and bring in exact terrain imagery with the click of a button. (Source Sketchup.com)

 

  1. CAD programs for Landscape Designers

 

Landscape designers and anyone planning to create a landscape need CAD software. CAD garden design software is an essential component of the landscape architect's toolkit in today's competitive market, allowing teams to interact easily and providing customers with a better visual understanding of the finished product. Autocad, Archicad, and Trimble Sketchup are just a few of the many software programs that may be used for landscape design.

Swimming pool designed with Sketchup and rendered with Lumion.
Swimming pool designed with Sketchup and rendered with Lumion.

 

  1. A concrete step that floats

 

Your landscape design might seem more contemporary and opulent by using floating concrete stairs.

Some ideas include building stairs with grass inserts, balancing steps to provide aesthetic interest, or adding lighting to the steps.

Floating concrete steps
Floating concrete steps will add a modern look to your landscape design.
  1. Insitu concrete walls

 

On the construction site, in-situ concrete walls are poured directly into formwork. This approach is intriguing because it produces landscaping options for homes and public areas that are long-lasting, beautiful, and affordable.

 

  1. Design of landscaping infrastructure

 

There is a degree of complexity in designing landscape infrastructure that has to be considered. In this situation, parks may make the most of the frothier natural environment's resources. Sustainability is a further consideration since every landscape project should mimic biodiversity. Ecosystem advantages are provided through landscape infrastructure. The boundaries and secret to building sensitive and effective developments that adapt to their environment are defined by landscape architects.

A boardwalk runs past the yoga mat and the urban wetlands. Balwyn Community Centre.
A boardwalk runs past the yoga mat and the urban wetlands. Balwyn Community Centre.

 

  1. Themes and layering

 

Landscape layering seeks to provide a well balanced scene. Repetition, size, depth, and balance are some fundamental methods.

These landscape design techniques can be used to great effect in the landscape design of smaller gardens to make the gardens appear larger.

 

  1. Focal Point in Landscape Design

 

In landscape design, it's crucial to draw attention to certain components and focus areas. The eye is naturally attracted to that area. One of the greatest hardscape components to use to create a focal point is a garden fountain. Working with the colours and previous texture of the garden, one may create some intriguing focus spots.

 

  1. Vertical Space

 

One of the ideas that has recently developed is vertical gardening. Even if they have been there for a while, they might be fascinating since you can grow anything there, from veggies to perennial plants. The wall may be used in a variety of ways, including as a garden screen!

 

  1. The importance of horticulture

 

Horticulturists manage plants while researching factors that impact their development, such as plant diseases or cross-breeding, in an effort to increase plant production. Landscape architects utilize computer modeling tools to create gardens. Maintaining the landscape's quality requires horticulture.

Designers of landscapes are aware that placing trees properly is crucial. When planting trees, provide adequate space around each one to account for the size and area that a fully grown tree will need. To assist soften harsh corners and other sharp lines, you may plant trees around the perimeter of your garden.

Books and publications are also useful resources when seeking ideas and inspiration for landscape design. Designing a landscape while keeping material, cost, and efficiency in mind.

Landscape Designers' Top Tips for Softscaping

Landscape design is essential for establishing an outdoor space, whether a little courtyard in the city or a large property in the country. Softscape and hardscape are two fundamental components of landscaping design. These essential components work together to create a functional, comfortable, and visually pleasing front yard or backyard for you, your family, friends, and visitors to enjoy. The hardscape elements are the non-plant parts of your garden, such as driveways, walkways, decks, patios, retaining walls, statues, and fountains. In contrast, "softscaping" is a component of landscape design that refers to the living, horticultural elements involved in landscaping. Softscape elements include flowers, plants, grass, soil, flower beds, and groundcover. Despite the name, softscape elements are not always soft to touch; thorny trees and mulch are also considered part of the softscape design.

garden layers
Plan the plant heights to create a layered effect. Make use of plant foliage to create colour contrasts. Make trees in neighbouring gardens part of the view.

The perfect softscape can do much more than create a beautifully fragrant outdoor environment. It can create a sanctuary to return to at the end of every day. In a space moulded to your needs, softscaping adds a unique personality to every design. Softscaping is much more affordable. The cost of seeds, plants, mulch, and decent soil is much less than that of artificial materials. Softscaping is used to fill in the gaps in your landscape design. However, unlike hardscape, it requires regular maintenance, and regular watering, fertilizing, trimming, and weeding are necessary. Experienced landscape designers know how to design gardens to minimise this maintenance and suppress garden weeds.

 

Weeding a Dandelion
Weeding a Dandelion. Dandelions have a long tap root which must be dug our to prevent the weed returning.

 

Landscape designers rely on several softscaping techniques to make outdoor spaces feel natural and inviting. But remember, start with the hardscape when designing your front yard, backyard or garden. This will provide boundaries and structure softscape around. Here are some top tips for softscaping for designing a beautiful landscape.

Creating a Garden Lawn

Lawn grass is essential for a beautiful landscape and is a design feature often used by landscape designers. A landscape is incomplete without lawn grass. With their visual appeal and texture, native and ornamental grasses are popular in modern landscaping ideas. There are many benefits of lawn grass, such as that it controls erosion, improves soil quality, reduces water runoff, reduces noise pollution, and creates a cooling effect during warm weather.

Landscape designers Classic English garden lawn and hedge.
Lawns and a circular Yew hedge.

Many types of grasses are used as lawn grass, but buffalo grass, couch, Queensland blue couch, Kikuyu, and Zoysia are the popular lawn grasses used in Australia. Buffalo grass (Stenotaphrum secundatumis) is native to Central and North America and is a tough turf grass. Couch grass is a warm-season grass that thrives in the Australian climate. The couch is highly sought after for its delicate leaves and lush, deep green colour. Zoysia is inadvisable for Melbourne yards, whereas Buffalo, Couch, and Kikuyu are best for Melbourne climates. Landscape designers aiming for a more sustainable solution will use eco gardening techniques like mass plantings of lomandra instead.

Landscape Designers Love Flowering Plants

Flowers make any landscape more beautiful. Beautiful and colourful flowers will add aesthetic appeal to your yard. Choose a small number of plants of contrasting colours when you add flowers to your landscape. Avoid adding too many accents, as this can spoil the look by creating a riot of colours. Your landscape can still look good and inviting, even with a few flowering plants.

landscape designers azalea toxic
Beautiful vibrant azalea flower tree blooming in the botanical garden, in Kyiv. Bright flowers Close up. Botanical greeting card.

You can add flowers close to the edge of a patio or walkways. By doing this, you can make your outdoor feel cozy and welcoming. Edging with one flowering species is also really attractive. You can choose a cheap and densely growing flowering plant for this purpose, such as marigold, asters or chrysanthemums. An oval flowering bed in the centre of a well-maintained lawn is often attractive and popular. The flowers inside a round bed can be a single colour, a random mix colour of two or more or in several colours which follow the round pattern.

Landscape Design with Aquatic Plants

Decorating the water feature, such as a fountain in your garden, with aquatic plants will completely change its appearance. Many aquatic plants can be grown in the fountain and transformed into a more natural water feature. The garden fountain plants might be shallow, deep, or floating, and each has a distinctive look.

Nymphaea violacea – Blue Lily This floating perennial herb with magnificent blue-violet blooms is native to northern Australia
Close-up of a native Australian water lily (Nymphaea violacea) in the wild, Fogg Dam, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

Water lilies are another aquatic plant that will win your heart with mesmerizing blooms. With the proper care, you can enjoy the beautiful array of lovely colours and fresh fragrances almost all year. Water Iris is an aquatic plant that can thrive in a small fountain. Water Irises vary in colour and are easy to take care of. They thrive in warmer climates and are the first to bloom in spring.

Landscape Design with Shrubs

Choosing suitable shrubs adds visual interest to the landscape. They can be used to divide areas that are often easy to hardscape. Plant a row of shrubs as a privacy fence. They also make a great backdrop for other plants. Flowering shrubs provide colour and structure and can be used as groundcovers, hedge plants, or eye-catching focal points.

plants for commercial landscaping White flowers of Westringia fruticosa
White flowers of Westringia fruticosa

You can fill your garden with ornamental shrubs that bloom from early spring through late autumn and winter. Many flowering shrubs add extra colours and perfume the air with their signature fragrance. You can give them various shapes you like. For example, balls shape are ideal for line garden paths. Planting shrubs in front of your yard will create a refuge for wildlife and a frame for your entrance. A wide variety of shrubs are used in Australia, perfect for filling the gaps in the garden and making your garden bright, colourful and fragrant as azaleas, bottlebrush, Lilly pilly, Rhododendron, cheesewood, Westringia etc. are famous.

Landscape Designers tips for creating vertical space

Landscaping with climbing plants

Using hanging and climbing plants is a simple way to combine hardscaping and softscaping elements. Pergolas and gazebos are great places for hanging and climbing vines, which give the wood and metal structure a more natural look. Climbing vines are also highly beneficial and may provide a more natural aspect to garden surfaces and retaining walls.

Climbing Fig Glen Iris
A Climbing Fig (Ficus pumila) growing on a brick wall in Glen Iris.

They may also be used to fill up gaps in conventional fencing. You may add flowering vines to build a colourful, diversified, and beautiful environment. Plant vines that flow over retaining walls, pergolas, or fences to add a wild character to your front or back yard. This simple technique covers man-made components while giving your yard a rugged appearance for the whole season.

Climbing Clematis
Climbing Clematis ads a splash of colour.

Walls are often used to provide privacy in the landscape. Colourful vines are an effective technique to dress up regions unsuitable for producing beautiful greenery, such as wood, natural stone, or concrete block walls.

11. Planting Trees 

Trees are lovely landscaping features. In addition to improving the aesthetic appeal of your garden, they may also offer excellent shade on sunny days. Many kinds of trees can accomplish a wide variety of looks and functions. Pine trees might meet your demands if you need an evergreen tree that is full and lush. If you are seeking unique designs, palms may be a good choice. In short, whatever your desire, there is definitely a tree that can fulfil it. Several trees might work well in your backyard.

Corymbia ficifolia or red flowering gum is native to southern Western Australia.
Corymbia ficifolia or red flowering gum is native to southern Western Australia.

If you live in a warm region, you will likely prefer a shade tree that is typically tall and has densely clustered, brightly coloured branches and large leaves. Many trees produce more gorgeous flowers than others. Your property's flowering tree will provide magic in early spring and a much-needed touch of colour after the winter. Flowers are not the primary decorative element of trees. Some trees are beautiful due to their attractive growth habits, foliage, and changing fall colour. Due to these traits, decorative trees enhance the beauty of your yard.

Landscape designers know proper tree placement is essential. Consider the size and area that a fully grown tree will demand, so during tree planting, provide enough space around it. You may plant trees at the edge of your garden to help soften sharp corners and other sharp lines.

3D Landscape Design Packages.

Our 3D design package will allow you to collaborate on your design in real time with one of our senior landscape designers. Using some advanced software and hardware, we can create immediate 3D renders. This allows for a visual assessment of the design from every viewpoint. It will let you see and understand how all the elements are intended to come together, giving you an instant sense of serenity.

Our software can create an artificial sun and project light and heat on any given day or time. This ability to replicate the exact angle and temperature of the sun rays projecting on the building prior to construction is  why this package is the peoples favourite. With this amount of influence and control over your future outdoor space, its easy to see how this package will drive confidence, clarity and transparency into the build and assure all trades and parties are moving towards the same goal.

Which advice do you consider to be the most crucial? Comment below and let us know!


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