As the cold months fade to make way for warmer temperatures, more clients will desire sunshine and outdoor time. They may ask you to help organize their outdoor spaces. If you’re a professional organizer, landscape organizing is a lucrative avenue to add to your existing services.

What is Landscape Organization?

Landscape organization is the intentional arrangement of various elements — such as plants and furniture — in a landscape or outdoor space. It can go beyond rearranging a space and calling it a day. The goal is to create a functional alfresco space that’s a pleasure to spend time in.

Depending on the client’s needs you can even make long-term planning part of the equation. Besides assisting in organizing the space and if you have a flair for it,  you can help them to consider which plants and features to add, and what maintenance they’ll require. For example, if your clients have busy schedules, you can suggest adding some hardscaping features and rock gardens. This can help organize the space while giving them the enjoyment of their outdoor space.

Aside from that, you can suggest adding furniture that doubles as storage solutions, like tables with drawers or cupboards beneath them. Every detail matters. This includes lighting choices and ‘hiding’ eyesores like gardening equipment, all to make the clients’ gardens look neat and appealing.

What Are the Benefits of Landscape Organization?

A functional and beautiful landscape has many benefits for a homeowner, including:

• Maximized functionality: A functional area ensures the outdoor space will fit your client’s lifestyle. Even limited outdoor space can be made functional with smart small garden landscape design using multifunctional or collapsible furniture or storage.
• Increased property value:Want to upsell to clients? Let them know that poor landscaping design can devalue their property by at least 30%. Meanwhile, an attractive outdoor area gives them a return on their investment and markets your services.
• Reduced clutter:A well-designed outdoor space decreases clutter with convenient storage solutions. As you know, a decluttered space is good for mental and physical well-being. This is even more true outside. In fact, sitting for 10-30 minutes in natural surroundings reduces stress significantly.

Before You Begin Organizing the Landscape

Here are a few things to consider before starting landscaping work and organizing the garden for clients.

Your Client’s Outdoor Goals

The first step is to ask what kind of space your client wants. Is it a place to entertain? A quiet garden retreat? Or a space for kids and family? These questions will guide your layout decisions and choices throughout the process on what should stay and what should go.

Outdoor Organizing Principles

Bring the core principles of organizing to the outdoor space. Start by analyzing what can be repurposed. What devices or tools do your clients use? How can those items be stored but still easily accessible? Shape your organization systems around the clients’ lifestyle and ensure everything has its place.

Maintenance and Longevity

Furniture will take some heat and moisture, and storage can quickly look battered under the elements. So when suggesting solutions to clients make them aware of selecting materials that can withstand the test of time and that require as little maintenance as possible.

Landscape Organization as a Seasonal Service

To make yourself continuously valuable to your clients, consider offering them landscape organization as a seasonal service. Refresh and reevaluate their spaces for the next season or in between so their garden looks its best throughout the year and is suited no matter the weather. An outdoor space can quickly become cluttered, making ongoing organization and review valuable.

Functional and Beautiful Outdoor Ideas

Now beyond the basic garden ideas, here are some practical and attractive landscaping suggestions you can make to clients so that they transform their outdoor living space. These suggestions may fall a bit within the realm of landscape designers rather than organizers, but understanding your client’s needs is invaluable.

1. Open-Air Kitchen

Outdoor kitchens are perfect for clients who love hosting. You can suggest a full kitchen setup with a built-in grill, sink and even a brick oven for those who enjoy cooking outside. Many of these setups come with loads of discreet storage solutions or cupboards, making organizing the backyard a breeze.

2. Outdoor Dining Room

The perfect complement to an open-air kitchen is an outdoor dining area. A large table can accommodate many guests for clients who love to host gatherings. A small table or nook for two will work better for clients who appreciate intimate outdoor dining experiences. Warm overhead lighting can make the space inviting. Comfortable seating makes it cozy, while weather-resistant storage underneath the seats can be great for keeping items safe and out of sight.

3. Open Bar

Clients who love entertaining will swoon at the idea of an outdoor open bar. Beyond the usual wine rack setup, you can suggest creating a fully functional bar with beer taps, glassware storage and a counter for mixing drinks. This can be a stand-alone feature or combined with an open-air kitchen both with ways to keep items neatly organized.

4. Conversation Area and Firepit

A firepit can be the central feature of the perfect cozy spot for gatherings. Clients can opt for natural stone or concrete for durability and heat resistance. You can advise which seats will be most practical to maximize the space and even make little helpful suggestions like planting mosquito-repellent grasses for pest-free evenings.

5. Covered Pergola or Pavilion Lounge

For clients in unpredictable climates, a covered pergola or pavilion is a great solution to creating an outdoor experience that isn’t ruined by fickle weather. Weather-resistant curtains or screens can be drawn during rain or cold evenings so the space remains usable year-round. Again, you can help clients organize the space to get the most out of what they have and make helpful suggestions on what they need.

Organize Your Client’s Yard into a Dream Space

It takes simple garden landscape design and organization to transform an unused yard into your client’s dream outdoor space. The changes don’t have to be as drastic as building a living area. Sometimes, just repurposing what they have, clearing some clutter and adding a few key features can make a spectacular difference.

What has your experience been with organizing outdoor spaces for clients? Please share your takeaways in the comments!

Photos by Arcwind and Tile Merchant Ireland on Unsplash