Top Mistakes to Avoid in Landscape Design (And What to Do Instead)

Designing a dream yard is exciting—but it's easy to make decisions that lead to disappointment, wasted money, or high maintenance.

At Salas Outdoors, we’ve seen it all: poor drainage, bad plant placement, and forgotten walkways. Whether you’re planning a total outdoor renovation or a small upgrade, avoiding these common landscape design mistakes can save you time, stress, and money.

Here’s what to watch out for—and what to do instead.

1. Not Having a Plan

Jumping into a landscape project without a plan is like building a home without a blueprint.

Why it's a mistake:

• No clear direction leads to wasted materials
• Features won’t work together or feel cohesive
• Budgets spiral out of control

✅ What to do instead:
Start with a professional design consultation. Salas Outdoors creates thoughtful, customized plans based on your space, style, and budget.

2. Ignoring Drainage Issues

Poor drainage is one of the most overlooked landscape issues—and one of the most damaging.

What can go wrong:

• Water pooling around foundations
• Erosion and muddy areas
• Dead plants from overwatering

✅ What to do instead:
Include proper grading, French drains, or catch basins in your landscape plan. We design with functionality first to avoid costly repairs later.

3. Choosing the Wrong Plants

A beautiful flowerbed can quickly turn into a maintenance nightmare if you pick the wrong plants.

Mistake examples:

• Tropical plants that can’t handle Texas heat
• Water-hungry plants in drought-prone areas
• Overcrowded beds that quickly look messy

✅ What to do instead:
Choose native or drought-tolerant plants that thrive in local conditions. Our team selects the right plants for year-round beauty and low maintenance.

4. Forgetting About Lighting

You’ve spent time and money creating a beautiful space—why let it disappear at night?

What’s missing without lighting:

• Safety on walkways and steps
• Ambiance for evening gatherings
• Visual interest after sunset

✅ What to do instead:
Incorporate outdoor lighting into your design plan. From subtle uplighting to stylish path lights, we make sure your space shines 24/7.

5. Overlooking Traffic Flow

Ever find yourself stepping over flowerbeds to get to the grill? That’s a traffic flow issue.

Why it matters:

• Makes outdoor spaces awkward to use
• Tramples plants and damages features
• Causes frustration over time

✅ What to do instead:
We design with clear paths and natural movement in mind. Patios, seating areas, and walkways are laid out for effortless function.

6. Too Much Lawn (or Too Little Greenery)

A huge lawn might look great at first—but it often becomes high maintenance and water-hungry. On the flip side, a yard with all hardscape can feel harsh and lifeless.

Common problems:

• Time-consuming mowing
• Overwatering costs
• Lack of visual softness or privacy

✅ What to do instead:
Strike the right balance of lawn, hardscape, and greenery. Our designs blend functionality and beauty with just the right amount of green.

7. Not Thinking Long-Term

That tiny tree might look good now—but will it fit in five years?

Mistake examples:

• Trees planted too close to homes
• Shrubs outgrowing their space
• Materials that don’t age well

✅ What to do instead:
Salas Outdoors always designs with the future in mind. We consider growth patterns, maintenance needs, and durability in every detail.

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