There’s a lot to consider when landscaping a historical home. It’s important to use elements that retain the heritage and character of both the house and landscape. A good design will complement the style of your home while incorporating modern touches that keep your yard from feeling dated. Try some of these heritage-friendly design ideas for your Riverhead, NY, historical home.
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Organization
Heritage landscapes are designed to be functional and organized. Incorporating direct paths from entryways to outdoor rooms, seating areas, and outbuildings will give your landscape a logical flow. Planning around a strong center line with symmetrical elements will produce a balanced yard. Incorporating parterres is a classic way to create a striking symmetrical design. These decorative planting beds can vary in size to complement any landscape. Combining boxwoods with other plants to fill in areas between the hedges will form interesting patterns.
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Fencing
A good landscape plan will include fencing that complements the era and style of your house. Picket fences are one of the earliest fence styles, and therefore work well for era appropriate fencing. A simple wood fence with plain pickets can become a historical feature when ornamental post caps and heritage finials are added. Wrought iron fences are available in a variety of historical styles. Fencing that imitates decorative features of the house will create a visual link between your landscape and your historical home.
Lighting
Choosing the right landscape lighting can completely transform the look of your home’s exterior. Outdoor lighting for historical homes should feel consistent with the style and era of the house while highlighting aspects of both the architecture and landscape. Incorporating copper or wrought iron wall sconces will provide a vintage look to your exterior lighting. Post and pendant lights come in a variety of styles to complement different eras. Coordinating post materials such as brick or wrought iron with other hardscaping elements will create a cohesive look across your yard.
Hardscaping
Hardscaping elements help define the shape and style of your landscape. There are a number of ways to add historical touches to your yard with masonry. Natural cobblestone or cobblestone concrete pavers, for example, give a historic feel to pathways and driveways. If brick is used on your house, matching the style and color on elements such as walls and pillars will create a unified look. Incorporating benches made of era appropriate stone will invite visitors to stop and relax. Stone antiques such as urns and troughs make excellent focal points that can also serve as planters or water storage.
Period Appropriate Plantings
Selecting plants and trees that reflect the era of your house will produce a landscape that complements your historical home. Include fragrant heritage roses and lilac bushes to add color while maintaining a classic style. Thyme makes a lush yet durable groundcover that works well to soften areas around features like fences and statues. English boxwood trees and shrubs are a common element in historical landscapes. Including them in parterres, along pathways, or as formal hedges will give structure to your yard.