There is insufficient data on area and shape for planning and arranging the site. It is necessary to take into account the location, geographical orientation, topography, climate and soil condition. The configuration of a large rectangular allotment sometimes leaves the owner no choice but to a few basic layout options. You should not buy land with a territory receiving a small amount of sunlight or with the prospect of waterlogging, strong winds and soil of high acidity. The presence of a slope and an unusual shape should not be taken as a minus. It is necessary to study in detail all aspects before the start of construction and excavation. In all cases, it is recommended to ask the opinion of experienced professionals. Errors in calculations and missed nuances can cost a lot of money and time. In addition, there are many norms, rules and recommendations regarding the functionality and design of the allotment.
The configuration of land plots, including those in private and municipal ownership, is regulated by the relevant organizations of the settlement or its individual areas. Most land plots are characterized by a rectangular shape with a pronounced long side of about 20 meters. Less common is a triangular, curved, trapezoidal, square layout. The sites differ in relief, geographical orientation (north, east, etc.), the presence or absence of vegetation, and its type. Rocks may be present on the surface. The environment also matters. The territory may adjoin the forest, lake, river, planting, other sites. When designing a house, they first pay attention to the geographical direction: it is desirable that most of the territory free from development was on the south side, and the entrance and porch are on the north.
Relief
The task of landscape design can consist both in changing the relief of the site, and in using existing forms. Some embankments are difficult to level. Rock gardens are made of large ones; Sometimes they create a “dry” stream of pellets and white flowers at the edges. A lowland is used to create a pond. The optimal depth of the pit is 1-2 meters. The pond is equipped with filters and pumps. Lowlands cannot be planted with large plants.Slopes are formed by retaining walls and cylindrical or rectangular gabions with crushed stone. On the rises planted spirea, derain, magnolia. A small hilly area is equipped with steps. This will visually increase the territory; functional tasks will be performed. Steps are made as a continuation of the tracks. It is desirable that the angle of inclination of the stairs is small.
Plants that are recommended to be planted in areas with a more or less significant difference in height:
hazel;
quince;
cotoneaster.
Plot shape
A square plot is a suitable option if you need to build a house of an unusual shape or think through everything to the smallest detail. In a square area, just plant gardens, experiment with landscaping. The rectangular shape leaves less room for the implementation of creative ideas. A long / elongated area provides for close proximity to neighboring objects. Territory with such a pattern is not suitable if you need to equip a quiet secluded corner. There are restrictions in choosing a project for an extended allotment. On a long front garden you can make a pool, a golf course, an elongated garden; plant a vineyard. On a triangular-shaped site, objects around the house are made round or octagonal. The edges are framed by narrow landings. The L-shaped array provides for the construction of a house on the territory of a smaller part, and a recreation area, a garden and an economic zone are placed in a line.
Lot size
By various standards, the minimum area for building a house is 2-8 acres. The area is about 500 square meters. m (5 acres) is enough to build a house and improve the territory. On a plot of 5-6 hectare in size, it will not be possible to build spacious housing. The optimal location for the house is the corner of the territory. On a plot of 12 acres there are many options for zoning, and the housing itself is located near the center.You can build several small buildings for household purposes and guest houses. It is worth highlighting an extensive recreation area. Sites from 20 acres have many advantages. The main one is the possibility of building a spacious home. On the territory you can realize unusual ideas, build large objects, equip a large number of square, rectangular zones and blocks of irregular shape.
Soil quality
The suitability of the land for agricultural activities is determined by analysis of acidity and mechanical composition. It is recommended to use the services of specialists. Alternatively, analysis can be performed using a litmus test. Samples of land are taken from different ends of the plot. They are dried, mixed, placed in a glass and filled with distilled water. Ordinary mineral water will not work, tap water too. The contents of the container are shaken and left. After a day, the upper colorless liquid layer is drained, and the indicator paper is lowered into the container. The acidity level is detected by the color scale. This indicator can also be determined by the vegetation that is on the site. Sorrel, horsetail, plantain, pikulnik, belous grow on an acidic substrate. The mechanical composition of the soil is classified into clay (rolls into “sausage” or ball), loamy (into ball), sand and sandy loam (does not roll).
Check the quality of the soil every 2-3 years.
Ground water level
You can determine the depth of groundwater yourself. You need to get this information before the construction of the house, digging a well, planting bushes and trees. Verification is carried out either in late autumn or in spring (after snow melts). It is undesirable for underground water sources to be higher than 5-6 meters deep. The presence of surface groundwater is determined by the state of vegetation.Large apple trees will not survive if water sources are close to the surface. The presence of cattail indicates that there is less than a meter from the surface to groundwater. If the meadowsweet, alder, willow, horsetail, reeds grow - no more than 3 meters. Licorice and wormwood can be found on the soil with water at least 5 meters deep. Sometimes a high location of water sources is indicated by vegetation isolated from each other, turned in one direction; similar observation is applicable in areas where there are no strong winds.
Cardinal points
Much depends on the shape and topography of the site in combination with geographical orientation. The allotment may have an inclined relief or even be inclined. On the south slope, the building is being built on the north side and as high as possible. On the north - on the east or west side. For the sake of landscaping, you should choose a western one. The living quarters of the house should ideally face east, south or south-east. The correct distribution of the premises in the building will increase the level of comfort, save electricity and heat. The entrance to the house is best done from the north, north-west or north-east side. A garden, a vegetable garden and a recreation area are organized along the southern or eastern edge. A landing should be landed on the west side of the site to protect against cold winds. In the east, it is better to plant bushes and trees of any height.
Zoning Principles and Functional Zones
The area around the building is equipped with at least 2/3 of the area. Ideally, twice as much land is allocated for a recreation area as for combined garden and household. The distances between objects are also important. Around the house and adjacent buildings leave 3 meters of free space. From the place of livestock to other facilities should be at least 4 meters. Wind-resistant plants are planted on the windward side in one dense row, which allows the use of the adjacent space to the full. In regions with a large wind load, landing is done from all sides.Fire safety standards require compliance with a 5-meter distance between the walls of the building and the territory outside the site. The construction standards provide for the presence of a 3-meter distance between the house and the adjacent allotment (5-meter if the house is wooden), 2-meter distance from medium-tall trees and 4-meter from tall.
Other functional areas that may be present on the site:
front door;
working;
decorative (a decorative garden is part of the zone, but it does not include a fruit garden).
Front zone
It can be divided into entry and entry subzones. To equip this territory, it is necessary to choose high-quality facing materials. The variability of styles is small: it is worth highlighting landscape and regular, their modifications. The entrance group usually includes ground grass, decorative trees, flower arrangements. Sometimes fountains, benches and small arbors, secluded areas are made. The entrance zone is in the form of a rectangle, square or figure with small rounded shapes. The optimal width of the tracks is 1.2-2 meters. As a coating, it is better to choose a tile, but colored pavers are also suitable. The main element of the entrance area is the gate. The ideal width is from 3.5-4 meters. Not far from the entrance is a parking place. The check-in pattern is made fan-shaped or consistent. The parking lot is fenced with lattices with decorative plants, sometimes covered with a canopy. In the entrance area you can plant decorative bushes.
Residential
This term means either the house itself with its surroundings, or the transition zone between it and the open territory. Front gardens are also part of this sector. The paths around the main house can be separated by trellises and hedges from bushes. The fence at a short distance from the building is decorated with climbing plants. It is better to fence off a decorative garden and an economic zone from a residential sector.It is recommended to equip a wide summer terrace in this territory (if possible). You can do several: one wide and the other in the form of a narrow veranda. It is necessary to allocate about 20 square meters. m to the playground. The central element can be a slide or a swing. Accent details are commonly used in the design of a residential area to distinguish it from the rest. It is necessary to think over a residential zone in advance, since then it will be difficult to make any changes.
Rest zone
On large land plots, it is possible to organize a large recreation area. In the center, they usually put a table and wide chairs, and set a barbecue nearby. In large areas, the pool is not superfluous. Rocking chairs and swing sofas will allow you to relax and have a good time. This is an open-air recreation area. The closed type block can represent a wide terrace, partially or completely closed. It can adjoin the main building or stand separately. A closed area is an open area under a canopy. The geometry of a country house can create a patio. In this case, the recreation area is located there, and accordingly, is part of the residential block. Recently, a universal option has become fashionable - a zone separated by mobile partitions, frames and curtains. They can be removed within a few minutes and turn a closed territory into an open one.
Garden area
This area requires careful maintenance. The garden subzone is decorative, but its plants can also bear fruit. The garden is decorated in all possible ways: trimmed trees and bushes, flower arrangements, rock gardens, fountains, figurines. To move around the garden, you need to lay lined paths in the form of rounded lines. Flower beds can be made upright, propping them with wooden beams.The combination of trees, bushes and flowers must be considered, being guided by generally accepted rules. The garden zone should receive a lot of sunlight. The soil is saturated with nitrogen fertilizers. Some plants, mainly legumes, can enrich it with nitrogen. Seats for planting crops need to be alternated. In cold climates, the function of the garden is performed by the greenhouse. There is no need to think about the visual design of the garden.
Household
It is placed in the most remote parts of the allotment. The zone is intended for sheds, technical facilities, warehouses with tools, cages for poultry and livestock. It also has garden furniture. A landfill with waste materials and a compost pit are nearby. They need to be hidden or fenced so that they do not spoil the overall picture. Overgrown roses can act as hedges. A household block is placed in the northwest of the site. Dry closets will be appropriate in this area. Between the household part and the recreation area, a path is laid. The minimum recommended area of the household block is 18 square meters. m. The territory of this zone will need to be covered with materials that will not interfere with cleaning there. The space around is laid out with wooden flooring or stone.
All bulky objects for work on the territory should be stored in one closed utility room.
Planning and placement of buildings
The plan is drawn up according to the same algorithm as when shooting the territory. First, the main objects and those that will play the role of landmarks are applied to the drawing. The building inside the plot is drawn after arranging the driveways. The difference between the distances in the plan and the measured should not be more than 0.4 mm in the proportion (scale) of the plan. The cadastral number, area and location, as well as information about the owner, are indicated on the plot drawing.Objects of economic use - garages, sheds, baths, as a rule, are located deep in the territory, stand apart or adjoin the main house. Minor objects can be used as a barrier against winds. Household objects are recommended to be kept as far as possible from the main building. The place for placing the main house is selected based on a previously thought-out concept of zoning of the territory. The entry subzone is made short.
Procedure for site planning:
Gather the information you need.
Decide on the size of the zones.
Make a decision about the location of all zones and objects.
If necessary, make the necessary changes regarding residential and working areas.
Zoning Methods
The division of the site into zones is a project for the organization of the territory. Distribution must be rational. It is better to allocate 20% of the territory to the economic unit, to a total of 70% to the recreation area, garden and vegetable garden. As a separator of the territory, tracks are used in part. They are covered with tiles or paving stones, but there is also a home-made option in which granite gravel and layers of sand and ordinary gravel are used. Another method of separation is hedges. They are low (up to 0.5 meters), medium (0.5-2 meters) and high (above 2 meters). The latter are made from field maple, mulberry, elm rough. In order to delimit, a height difference is also used. In this case, the zones connect the stairs. Arches, including living ones, will help to highlight the functional space. Divide the site into parts and improve its appearance as a whole can trellis - lattice structures of any shape.
Styles
Site design involves two main approaches. The first, formal, is traditional, with a lot of restrictions, but with thorough execution. Any object can create a sense of style: trees, bushes, stones, humps, zone dividers.It is not recommended to design one part of the territory in a formal style, and the other in a landscape. However, the second style implies a combination of features of many decorative styles. Zones of the land can be performed in different styles. The owner is given the opportunity to use his taste and realize his own views in the field of decor. He has the freedom to choose plants based on their shape, size and color. In the process of creating harmony and comfort, it is important to avoid stylistic mistakes. Arbor with climbing plants, beautiful vineyards, walls covered with moss can serve as decorating elements.
Formal or regular
This style will appeal to supporters of classical garden art. It combines strict lines and geometric harmony. The general composition also includes the house. Regular (formal) style includes features that can be combined or used separately. These include the central axis with the division of the site into two identical halves with smooth branches without bends. Objects are mirrored, symmetry is respected throughout. The input subzone is made large, with vegetation around the perimeter. Mandatory elements are sheared bushes and trees. To decorate the garden, statues, stairs, fountains and other small architectural forms are used. There is a place for arabesques, borders, rabatok and flower beds. In small areas, it will be difficult to implement this style of design. Large plots of land are additionally decorated with a large garden ground.
Landscape or landscape
Decorated in this style, the site looks as natural as possible. All forms of relief are used, and any minuses find their purpose and become visual decorations. Adhering to a landscape style is much easier than straightforward and accurate regular. The owner is given more freedom.However, one should not confuse originality with untidiness, ignore the rules of color compatibility. Style implies a lack of symmetry. Instead of perfectly flat lawns, cut meadows are made. Plants are grown mixed. Fountains are replaced with small ponds of irregular shape. More specific manifestations of landscape design are embodied in East Asian and English styles. The first is known for its beauty, harmony, perfect alignment of details. The second is represented by rich colors, a combination of strict and rounded shapes, arches and gates, climbing plants.
Other landscape design options:
Mediterranean style
Art Nouveau;
provence.
Decor and plot design
A full-fledged private territory is not complete without basic functional zones. Each requires proper arrangement and decoration. External fencing is the first thing that catches your eye. It can be finished with a coating with a beautiful texture or metal shapes. Various protective structures are designed to emphasize the garden, create coziness. It is customary to frame the garden subzone with tall plants to create a quiet secluded place. Large differences in height should be regarded as an advantage. Numerous stairs, narrow and wide walkways, small man-made waterfalls will help to decorate the territory. In more or less spacious summer cottages, it is customary to create an artificial reservoir. If in the summer the allotment will function, then a large amount of external lighting will be needed. In winter, it can be remade for the holiday.
Artificial ponds
At the very beginning, they determine the place for the pit. Preferably, a partition in the form of a fence or landing is nearby. You should not place an artificial pond in an area that receives too much sunlight throughout the year, because this way the growth of algae and microorganisms is provoked.The role of the base material is played by a PVC film or reinforced concrete structure. The film is flexible, the shape can be changed. In the second case, the banks are poured with concrete reinforced with reinforcing bars. It is a reliable and tight design. The most interesting option may be an artificial store pond. But the advantage in the form of an unusual shape is offset by the fact that digging a foundation pit will be more difficult. A pit can be prepared without any extra equipment. Its walls are cleaned and compacted, sprinkled with clean sand.
Fences live and decorative
It is they who give the exterior a final look. Decorative fencing, due to its interesting details, captivates the eyes of guests, becoming the site of games for young children. Plastic fences decorate flower beds, flowerbeds and front gardens, enclose paths, sports and playgrounds. Artificial or natural stone makes fencing reliable. Metal fences are expensive and do not always look presentable, but are able to diversify the design of the site with their forged and welded shapes. The market provides an opportunity to order the manufacture of exclusive metal fences. Among plant materials, it is worth highlighting bamboo and wattle: the site is decorated in oriental or rustic ethno-styles. Living fences from trees and solid lines from bushes will become the hallmark of any residential area.
Tasks that perform fencing:
restriction;
decoration;
emphasis;
division into zones.
Garden paths
These elements vary in shape (it can be strict and irregular), width (narrow and wide) and coating structure. The paths can have an integral structure or consist of many separate fragments, for example, stone slabs or wooden saw cuts. As a coating, paving stones or paving slabs are most often used. This material looks beautiful, fits comfortably, durable and diverse in terms of color and shape.The main disadvantage is the cost, but for the decoration of the tracks it makes no sense to choose cheap materials. Clinker panel coating will make the exterior more modern and stylish. The structure of the garden path includes curbs, drainage systems, a pillow and cover. The pillow is formed of four layers - two sand, one layer of crushed stone and the upper level of the dry mixture. All materials are divided into 3 types: soft, hard and combined.
Lighting
The choice of lighting devices for the land is almost unlimited: figures, shells, posts, decorative lights, garlands; upper, lower, "moonlight", cross lighting, the effect of reflected light. Illumination is hung on bushes, tree crowns, fixed between plants. With its help decorate verandas, terraces, barriers and canopies. Garlands with large-sized elements, simple multi-colored lamps, glowing figures of cartoon characters have an unusual appearance. The pond is decorated with spot LED lamps. Luminaires in the form of pillars provide lighting paths. In the process of creating an electrical connection plan, you need to decide exactly how the devices will turn on and off. It is recommended to create an automated lighting system. The control is carried out using a conventional temporary, astronomical or twilight relay.
Some tips for arranging plots
Any allotment is suitable in order to become a cozy place for living or a country vacation. Unusually shaped areas should be decorated with taste. The most winning option is a piece with a slope. The presence of a slope is, in principle, not a drawback. Plants play an important role. They can protect from wind, sun, make the landscape more beautiful, and also strengthen the soil, visually expand the territory. If the construction is planned on a site of unusual configuration, then the help of professionals will be required.Without them, it will be difficult for a person to make the right decision regarding the location of buildings and auxiliary facilities. On a quadrangular allotment of irregular shape, the main residential building is best placed in one of the corners. The main decoration of any private area is the garden. Proper design and beautiful decoration of the garden area compensates for many of the shortcomings that are on the site.
How to visually enlarge a site
The space can be "expanded" at the expense of plants. The grass is made as low as possible. It can be cut in such a way that alternating stripes in shades of green are obtained. The entrance fence is underlined by small decorative bushes. Some trees must be tall to peek out from behind a fence. Against the blue sky, tall plants seem more distant. The upper part of the main fence is decorated with climbing plants with dense foliage. An ensemble of plants of different heights is best placed near the center of the site. Accumulations of various vegetation in the corners contribute to the creation of an "expanding" effect, but in order to save usable area there should be empty. Large mirrors are installed around the perimeter in some places. Arched elements are also able to visually enlarge the area.
Other ways to visually increase the allotment:
the use of light or natural tones;
increase in the transition zone near the house;
creation of landscape forms.
Rounded Planning
On a rounded land allotment, the main building must have at least one rounded side. Experts do not advise building an elongated house of complex configuration on a plot of o-shaped or round shape. One of the proven layout options provides for the location of the main house in the center, planting almost all of the decorative vegetation at the borders of the allotment.The garden should be placed in the middle between the center and the edge, so that when working on the beds there are no difficulties. Owners often try to hide or emphasize the irregular shape of their site. In the first case, you need to plant a lot of vegetation in a flat line on the inside of the planting. Do this only in one of the segments of the site. If there is a desire, on the contrary, to emphasize the rounded appearance, then the flower beds, garden, arbors and fences are arranged according to the principle of concentric circles.
If the plot has a slope
Putting it on with a slope usually costs less, but the cost of arranging it equates this benefit. The main plus of such a territory is an interesting appearance, great variety of design decisions. The site is planted with a large number of plants, almost everywhere. They strengthen the slopes. Be sure to have inclined winding paths, and in most cases stairs. On tracks with many bends, the steepness of the rise will be less. Stairs are equipped with handrails. The slope of the marches is below 45 °. Large terraces will win a lot of space. In addition, there will be no need for a large number of high fortification walls. To prevent the mass from sliding off the slopes, special structures are created - geomaterial (this can be a geogrid or geotextile), gabions, retaining walls, embankments.
The main disadvantage of the inclined section is the difficulty in linking the main building to the relief.
Conclusion
The design of the site in the country or near the country house will be not only useful, but also an interesting occupation. Some work can be done independently. Useful experience in gardening, knowledge in the field of landscape design, the ability to use various tools and work with materials and workpieces. The primary task is a preliminary study of the characteristics of the land plot.Climatic conditions, bias, soil quality, geographical orientation, groundwater depth are just some of the parameters that will determine the layout of the site and the final budget. Some of the disadvantages can be turned into pluses. Comfort depends on the correct prioritization. Determining the size and location for the zones is the first stage of decoration. Then you need to figure out what design elements will be equipped for each of them.
There is insufficient data on area and shape for planning and arranging the site. It is necessary to take into account the location, geographical orientation, topography, climate and soil condition. The configuration of a large rectangular allotment sometimes leaves the owner no choice but to a few basic layout options. You should not buy land with a territory receiving a small amount of sunlight or with the prospect of waterlogging, strong winds and soil of high acidity. The presence of a slope and an unusual shape should not be taken as a minus. It is necessary to study in detail all aspects before the start of construction and excavation. In all cases, it is recommended to ask the opinion of experienced professionals. Errors in calculations and missed nuances can cost a lot of money and time. In addition, there are many norms, rules and recommendations regarding the functionality and design of the allotment.
Content
Features of the site
The configuration of land plots, including those in private and municipal ownership, is regulated by the relevant organizations of the settlement or its individual areas. Most land plots are characterized by a rectangular shape with a pronounced long side of about 20 meters. Less common is a triangular, curved, trapezoidal, square layout. The sites differ in relief, geographical orientation (north, east, etc.), the presence or absence of vegetation, and its type. Rocks may be present on the surface. The environment also matters. The territory may adjoin the forest, lake, river, planting, other sites. When designing a house, they first pay attention to the geographical direction: it is desirable that most of the territory free from development was on the south side, and the entrance and porch are on the north.
Relief
The task of landscape design can consist both in changing the relief of the site, and in using existing forms. Some embankments are difficult to level. Rock gardens are made of large ones; Sometimes they create a “dry” stream of pellets and white flowers at the edges. A lowland is used to create a pond. The optimal depth of the pit is 1-2 meters. The pond is equipped with filters and pumps. Lowlands cannot be planted with large plants.Slopes are formed by retaining walls and cylindrical or rectangular gabions with crushed stone. On the rises planted spirea, derain, magnolia. A small hilly area is equipped with steps. This will visually increase the territory; functional tasks will be performed. Steps are made as a continuation of the tracks. It is desirable that the angle of inclination of the stairs is small.
Plants that are recommended to be planted in areas with a more or less significant difference in height:
Plot shape
A square plot is a suitable option if you need to build a house of an unusual shape or think through everything to the smallest detail. In a square area, just plant gardens, experiment with landscaping. The rectangular shape leaves less room for the implementation of creative ideas. A long / elongated area provides for close proximity to neighboring objects. Territory with such a pattern is not suitable if you need to equip a quiet secluded corner. There are restrictions in choosing a project for an extended allotment. On a long front garden you can make a pool, a golf course, an elongated garden; plant a vineyard. On a triangular-shaped site, objects around the house are made round or octagonal. The edges are framed by narrow landings. The L-shaped array provides for the construction of a house on the territory of a smaller part, and a recreation area, a garden and an economic zone are placed in a line.
Lot size
By various standards, the minimum area for building a house is 2-8 acres. The area is about 500 square meters. m (5 acres) is enough to build a house and improve the territory. On a plot of 5-6 hectare in size, it will not be possible to build spacious housing. The optimal location for the house is the corner of the territory. On a plot of 12 acres there are many options for zoning, and the housing itself is located near the center.You can build several small buildings for household purposes and guest houses. It is worth highlighting an extensive recreation area. Sites from 20 acres have many advantages. The main one is the possibility of building a spacious home. On the territory you can realize unusual ideas, build large objects, equip a large number of square, rectangular zones and blocks of irregular shape.
Soil quality
The suitability of the land for agricultural activities is determined by analysis of acidity and mechanical composition. It is recommended to use the services of specialists. Alternatively, analysis can be performed using a litmus test. Samples of land are taken from different ends of the plot. They are dried, mixed, placed in a glass and filled with distilled water. Ordinary mineral water will not work, tap water too. The contents of the container are shaken and left. After a day, the upper colorless liquid layer is drained, and the indicator paper is lowered into the container. The acidity level is detected by the color scale. This indicator can also be determined by the vegetation that is on the site. Sorrel, horsetail, plantain, pikulnik, belous grow on an acidic substrate. The mechanical composition of the soil is classified into clay (rolls into “sausage” or ball), loamy (into ball), sand and sandy loam (does not roll).
Ground water level
You can determine the depth of groundwater yourself. You need to get this information before the construction of the house, digging a well, planting bushes and trees. Verification is carried out either in late autumn or in spring (after snow melts). It is undesirable for underground water sources to be higher than 5-6 meters deep. The presence of surface groundwater is determined by the state of vegetation.Large apple trees will not survive if water sources are close to the surface. The presence of cattail indicates that there is less than a meter from the surface to groundwater. If the meadowsweet, alder, willow, horsetail, reeds grow - no more than 3 meters. Licorice and wormwood can be found on the soil with water at least 5 meters deep. Sometimes a high location of water sources is indicated by vegetation isolated from each other, turned in one direction; similar observation is applicable in areas where there are no strong winds.
Cardinal points
Much depends on the shape and topography of the site in combination with geographical orientation. The allotment may have an inclined relief or even be inclined. On the south slope, the building is being built on the north side and as high as possible. On the north - on the east or west side. For the sake of landscaping, you should choose a western one. The living quarters of the house should ideally face east, south or south-east. The correct distribution of the premises in the building will increase the level of comfort, save electricity and heat. The entrance to the house is best done from the north, north-west or north-east side. A garden, a vegetable garden and a recreation area are organized along the southern or eastern edge. A landing should be landed on the west side of the site to protect against cold winds. In the east, it is better to plant bushes and trees of any height.
Zoning Principles and Functional Zones
The area around the building is equipped with at least 2/3 of the area. Ideally, twice as much land is allocated for a recreation area as for combined garden and household. The distances between objects are also important. Around the house and adjacent buildings leave 3 meters of free space. From the place of livestock to other facilities should be at least 4 meters. Wind-resistant plants are planted on the windward side in one dense row, which allows the use of the adjacent space to the full. In regions with a large wind load, landing is done from all sides.Fire safety standards require compliance with a 5-meter distance between the walls of the building and the territory outside the site. The construction standards provide for the presence of a 3-meter distance between the house and the adjacent allotment (5-meter if the house is wooden), 2-meter distance from medium-tall trees and 4-meter from tall.
Other functional areas that may be present on the site:
Front zone
It can be divided into entry and entry subzones. To equip this territory, it is necessary to choose high-quality facing materials. The variability of styles is small: it is worth highlighting landscape and regular, their modifications. The entrance group usually includes ground grass, decorative trees, flower arrangements. Sometimes fountains, benches and small arbors, secluded areas are made. The entrance zone is in the form of a rectangle, square or figure with small rounded shapes. The optimal width of the tracks is 1.2-2 meters. As a coating, it is better to choose a tile, but colored pavers are also suitable. The main element of the entrance area is the gate. The ideal width is from 3.5-4 meters. Not far from the entrance is a parking place. The check-in pattern is made fan-shaped or consistent. The parking lot is fenced with lattices with decorative plants, sometimes covered with a canopy. In the entrance area you can plant decorative bushes.
Residential
This term means either the house itself with its surroundings, or the transition zone between it and the open territory. Front gardens are also part of this sector. The paths around the main house can be separated by trellises and hedges from bushes. The fence at a short distance from the building is decorated with climbing plants. It is better to fence off a decorative garden and an economic zone from a residential sector.It is recommended to equip a wide summer terrace in this territory (if possible). You can do several: one wide and the other in the form of a narrow veranda. It is necessary to allocate about 20 square meters. m to the playground. The central element can be a slide or a swing. Accent details are commonly used in the design of a residential area to distinguish it from the rest. It is necessary to think over a residential zone in advance, since then it will be difficult to make any changes.
Rest zone
On large land plots, it is possible to organize a large recreation area. In the center, they usually put a table and wide chairs, and set a barbecue nearby. In large areas, the pool is not superfluous. Rocking chairs and swing sofas will allow you to relax and have a good time. This is an open-air recreation area. The closed type block can represent a wide terrace, partially or completely closed. It can adjoin the main building or stand separately. A closed area is an open area under a canopy. The geometry of a country house can create a patio. In this case, the recreation area is located there, and accordingly, is part of the residential block. Recently, a universal option has become fashionable - a zone separated by mobile partitions, frames and curtains. They can be removed within a few minutes and turn a closed territory into an open one.
Garden area
This area requires careful maintenance. The garden subzone is decorative, but its plants can also bear fruit. The garden is decorated in all possible ways: trimmed trees and bushes, flower arrangements, rock gardens, fountains, figurines. To move around the garden, you need to lay lined paths in the form of rounded lines. Flower beds can be made upright, propping them with wooden beams.The combination of trees, bushes and flowers must be considered, being guided by generally accepted rules. The garden zone should receive a lot of sunlight. The soil is saturated with nitrogen fertilizers. Some plants, mainly legumes, can enrich it with nitrogen. Seats for planting crops need to be alternated. In cold climates, the function of the garden is performed by the greenhouse. There is no need to think about the visual design of the garden.
Household
It is placed in the most remote parts of the allotment. The zone is intended for sheds, technical facilities, warehouses with tools, cages for poultry and livestock. It also has garden furniture. A landfill with waste materials and a compost pit are nearby. They need to be hidden or fenced so that they do not spoil the overall picture. Overgrown roses can act as hedges. A household block is placed in the northwest of the site. Dry closets will be appropriate in this area. Between the household part and the recreation area, a path is laid. The minimum recommended area of the household block is 18 square meters. m. The territory of this zone will need to be covered with materials that will not interfere with cleaning there. The space around is laid out with wooden flooring or stone.
Planning and placement of buildings
The plan is drawn up according to the same algorithm as when shooting the territory. First, the main objects and those that will play the role of landmarks are applied to the drawing. The building inside the plot is drawn after arranging the driveways. The difference between the distances in the plan and the measured should not be more than 0.4 mm in the proportion (scale) of the plan. The cadastral number, area and location, as well as information about the owner, are indicated on the plot drawing.Objects of economic use - garages, sheds, baths, as a rule, are located deep in the territory, stand apart or adjoin the main house. Minor objects can be used as a barrier against winds. Household objects are recommended to be kept as far as possible from the main building. The place for placing the main house is selected based on a previously thought-out concept of zoning of the territory. The entry subzone is made short.
Procedure for site planning:
Zoning Methods
The division of the site into zones is a project for the organization of the territory. Distribution must be rational. It is better to allocate 20% of the territory to the economic unit, to a total of 70% to the recreation area, garden and vegetable garden. As a separator of the territory, tracks are used in part. They are covered with tiles or paving stones, but there is also a home-made option in which granite gravel and layers of sand and ordinary gravel are used. Another method of separation is hedges. They are low (up to 0.5 meters), medium (0.5-2 meters) and high (above 2 meters). The latter are made from field maple, mulberry, elm rough. In order to delimit, a height difference is also used. In this case, the zones connect the stairs. Arches, including living ones, will help to highlight the functional space. Divide the site into parts and improve its appearance as a whole can trellis - lattice structures of any shape.
Styles
Site design involves two main approaches. The first, formal, is traditional, with a lot of restrictions, but with thorough execution. Any object can create a sense of style: trees, bushes, stones, humps, zone dividers.It is not recommended to design one part of the territory in a formal style, and the other in a landscape. However, the second style implies a combination of features of many decorative styles. Zones of the land can be performed in different styles. The owner is given the opportunity to use his taste and realize his own views in the field of decor. He has the freedom to choose plants based on their shape, size and color. In the process of creating harmony and comfort, it is important to avoid stylistic mistakes. Arbor with climbing plants, beautiful vineyards, walls covered with moss can serve as decorating elements.
Formal or regular
This style will appeal to supporters of classical garden art. It combines strict lines and geometric harmony. The general composition also includes the house. Regular (formal) style includes features that can be combined or used separately. These include the central axis with the division of the site into two identical halves with smooth branches without bends. Objects are mirrored, symmetry is respected throughout. The input subzone is made large, with vegetation around the perimeter. Mandatory elements are sheared bushes and trees. To decorate the garden, statues, stairs, fountains and other small architectural forms are used. There is a place for arabesques, borders, rabatok and flower beds. In small areas, it will be difficult to implement this style of design. Large plots of land are additionally decorated with a large garden ground.
Landscape or landscape
Decorated in this style, the site looks as natural as possible. All forms of relief are used, and any minuses find their purpose and become visual decorations. Adhering to a landscape style is much easier than straightforward and accurate regular. The owner is given more freedom.However, one should not confuse originality with untidiness, ignore the rules of color compatibility. Style implies a lack of symmetry. Instead of perfectly flat lawns, cut meadows are made. Plants are grown mixed. Fountains are replaced with small ponds of irregular shape. More specific manifestations of landscape design are embodied in East Asian and English styles. The first is known for its beauty, harmony, perfect alignment of details. The second is represented by rich colors, a combination of strict and rounded shapes, arches and gates, climbing plants.
Other landscape design options:
Decor and plot design
A full-fledged private territory is not complete without basic functional zones. Each requires proper arrangement and decoration. External fencing is the first thing that catches your eye. It can be finished with a coating with a beautiful texture or metal shapes. Various protective structures are designed to emphasize the garden, create coziness. It is customary to frame the garden subzone with tall plants to create a quiet secluded place. Large differences in height should be regarded as an advantage. Numerous stairs, narrow and wide walkways, small man-made waterfalls will help to decorate the territory. In more or less spacious summer cottages, it is customary to create an artificial reservoir. If in the summer the allotment will function, then a large amount of external lighting will be needed. In winter, it can be remade for the holiday.
Artificial ponds
At the very beginning, they determine the place for the pit. Preferably, a partition in the form of a fence or landing is nearby. You should not place an artificial pond in an area that receives too much sunlight throughout the year, because this way the growth of algae and microorganisms is provoked.The role of the base material is played by a PVC film or reinforced concrete structure. The film is flexible, the shape can be changed. In the second case, the banks are poured with concrete reinforced with reinforcing bars. It is a reliable and tight design. The most interesting option may be an artificial store pond. But the advantage in the form of an unusual shape is offset by the fact that digging a foundation pit will be more difficult. A pit can be prepared without any extra equipment. Its walls are cleaned and compacted, sprinkled with clean sand.
Fences live and decorative
It is they who give the exterior a final look. Decorative fencing, due to its interesting details, captivates the eyes of guests, becoming the site of games for young children. Plastic fences decorate flower beds, flowerbeds and front gardens, enclose paths, sports and playgrounds. Artificial or natural stone makes fencing reliable. Metal fences are expensive and do not always look presentable, but are able to diversify the design of the site with their forged and welded shapes. The market provides an opportunity to order the manufacture of exclusive metal fences. Among plant materials, it is worth highlighting bamboo and wattle: the site is decorated in oriental or rustic ethno-styles. Living fences from trees and solid lines from bushes will become the hallmark of any residential area.
Tasks that perform fencing:
Garden paths
These elements vary in shape (it can be strict and irregular), width (narrow and wide) and coating structure. The paths can have an integral structure or consist of many separate fragments, for example, stone slabs or wooden saw cuts. As a coating, paving stones or paving slabs are most often used. This material looks beautiful, fits comfortably, durable and diverse in terms of color and shape.The main disadvantage is the cost, but for the decoration of the tracks it makes no sense to choose cheap materials. Clinker panel coating will make the exterior more modern and stylish. The structure of the garden path includes curbs, drainage systems, a pillow and cover. The pillow is formed of four layers - two sand, one layer of crushed stone and the upper level of the dry mixture. All materials are divided into 3 types: soft, hard and combined.
Lighting
The choice of lighting devices for the land is almost unlimited: figures, shells, posts, decorative lights, garlands; upper, lower, "moonlight", cross lighting, the effect of reflected light. Illumination is hung on bushes, tree crowns, fixed between plants. With its help decorate verandas, terraces, barriers and canopies. Garlands with large-sized elements, simple multi-colored lamps, glowing figures of cartoon characters have an unusual appearance. The pond is decorated with spot LED lamps. Luminaires in the form of pillars provide lighting paths. In the process of creating an electrical connection plan, you need to decide exactly how the devices will turn on and off. It is recommended to create an automated lighting system. The control is carried out using a conventional temporary, astronomical or twilight relay.
Some tips for arranging plots
Any allotment is suitable in order to become a cozy place for living or a country vacation. Unusually shaped areas should be decorated with taste. The most winning option is a piece with a slope. The presence of a slope is, in principle, not a drawback. Plants play an important role. They can protect from wind, sun, make the landscape more beautiful, and also strengthen the soil, visually expand the territory. If the construction is planned on a site of unusual configuration, then the help of professionals will be required.Without them, it will be difficult for a person to make the right decision regarding the location of buildings and auxiliary facilities. On a quadrangular allotment of irregular shape, the main residential building is best placed in one of the corners. The main decoration of any private area is the garden. Proper design and beautiful decoration of the garden area compensates for many of the shortcomings that are on the site.
How to visually enlarge a site
The space can be "expanded" at the expense of plants. The grass is made as low as possible. It can be cut in such a way that alternating stripes in shades of green are obtained. The entrance fence is underlined by small decorative bushes. Some trees must be tall to peek out from behind a fence. Against the blue sky, tall plants seem more distant. The upper part of the main fence is decorated with climbing plants with dense foliage. An ensemble of plants of different heights is best placed near the center of the site. Accumulations of various vegetation in the corners contribute to the creation of an "expanding" effect, but in order to save usable area there should be empty. Large mirrors are installed around the perimeter in some places. Arched elements are also able to visually enlarge the area.
Other ways to visually increase the allotment:
Rounded Planning
On a rounded land allotment, the main building must have at least one rounded side. Experts do not advise building an elongated house of complex configuration on a plot of o-shaped or round shape. One of the proven layout options provides for the location of the main house in the center, planting almost all of the decorative vegetation at the borders of the allotment.The garden should be placed in the middle between the center and the edge, so that when working on the beds there are no difficulties. Owners often try to hide or emphasize the irregular shape of their site. In the first case, you need to plant a lot of vegetation in a flat line on the inside of the planting. Do this only in one of the segments of the site. If there is a desire, on the contrary, to emphasize the rounded appearance, then the flower beds, garden, arbors and fences are arranged according to the principle of concentric circles.
If the plot has a slope
Putting it on with a slope usually costs less, but the cost of arranging it equates this benefit. The main plus of such a territory is an interesting appearance, great variety of design decisions. The site is planted with a large number of plants, almost everywhere. They strengthen the slopes. Be sure to have inclined winding paths, and in most cases stairs. On tracks with many bends, the steepness of the rise will be less. Stairs are equipped with handrails. The slope of the marches is below 45 °. Large terraces will win a lot of space. In addition, there will be no need for a large number of high fortification walls. To prevent the mass from sliding off the slopes, special structures are created - geomaterial (this can be a geogrid or geotextile), gabions, retaining walls, embankments.
Conclusion
The design of the site in the country or near the country house will be not only useful, but also an interesting occupation. Some work can be done independently. Useful experience in gardening, knowledge in the field of landscape design, the ability to use various tools and work with materials and workpieces. The primary task is a preliminary study of the characteristics of the land plot.Climatic conditions, bias, soil quality, geographical orientation, groundwater depth are just some of the parameters that will determine the layout of the site and the final budget. Some of the disadvantages can be turned into pluses. Comfort depends on the correct prioritization. Determining the size and location for the zones is the first stage of decoration. Then you need to figure out what design elements will be equipped for each of them.