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Design Inspiration

Check back often for inspiration on how to turn your outdoor living vision into a reality. Dream it then iScape it!

Design Inspiration

How to Get HOA Approval for Spring Landscaping Changes

Getting HOA approval for spring landscaping changes is much easier when you follow the rules, submit a clear plan, and make the finished look obvious to the reviewer. Start by checking your HOA’s landscaping guidelines, design within approved standards, and submit a complete package that includes photos, plant details, materials, and a simple layout. iScape helps by letting you create a realistic before-and-after visual on a photo of your yard, which reduces confusion and speeds up approvals.

Design Inspiration

March 3, 2026

Top 9 Affordable Ways to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal This Spring

Spring is the best time to boost curb appeal on a budget. This blog covers quick, low-cost upgrades likes cleanup, edging, mulch, lighting, and simple planting. It also shows how iScape helps you preview designs on a real photo so you spend smarter and decide faster.

Design Inspiration

February 24, 2026

How to Blend Indoor and Outdoor Living Without Overspending

Blend indoor and outdoor living on a budget by planning the layout and traffic flow first, then building the space in simple zones. Spend where it increases everyday comfort most: shade, seating, and layered lighting before any permanent construction. Avoid costly mistakes by upgrading in stages and adding greenery and textures to make the outdoor area feel like a true extension of your home

Design Inspiration

February 20, 2026

Spring Refresh Checklist: 10 Things That Instantly Improve Curb Appeal

This spring refresh checklist covers 10 quick upgrades that instantly improve curb appeal. It follows the right order, so the front looks cleaner, sharper, and more intentional. It helps you avoid common mistakes like messy bed lines, mismatched materials, and random plant placement. With iScape, you can preview layouts, plants, and materials on your own photo before you spend.

Design Inspiration

February 17, 2026

AR vs 3D vs 2D Plans: Which Helps Clients Decide Faster?

Clients decide faster when they can clearly understand layout, scale, and finished look without guessing. 3D visuals help clients choose direction, AR helps confirm real-world fit, and 2D plans finalize scope for installation. A combined workflow, supported by tools like iScape, reduces revisions and speeds approvals.

Design Inspiration

February 13, 2026

How to Get HOA Approval Faster for Landscaping Projects

HOA landscaping approvals move faster when your design aligns with the community rules and your submission packet is complete, clear, and easy to review. This guide shares a professional workflow, common delay triggers, and how iScape visuals can help committees approve projects with fewer revisions.

Design Inspiration

February 10, 2026

10 Signs Your Landscape Design Process Is Slowing You Down

Slow landscape design cycles usually come from unclear visualisation, uncontrolled revisions, late cost surprises, and messy stakeholder input. This article outlines 10 common slowdown signs for professionals and shows practical fixes, including how iScape supports faster client approvals and more efficient proposal workflows.

Design Inspiration

January 30, 2026

Why You Should See Your Landscape Design Before You Build Anything

Seeing your landscape design before construction removes guesswork, reduces revisions, and protects your budget. Visual planning tools like iScape help you design with clarity and confidence before you build.

Design Inspiration

January 20, 2026

How Top Landscape Designers Cut Revisions Without Compromising Quality

Top landscape designers reduce revisions by improving clarity, visualization, and early decision making rather than sacrificing quality. This guide explains the proven strategies that lead to smoother projects and better outcomes.

Design Inspiration

January 19, 2026

Traditional Landscape Planning vs Visual Design Apps: What Gets Approved Faster?

Visual design apps help homeowners get landscape plans approved faster by making proposals clear and easy to understand for Homeowners Association and review committees. When combined with basic technical details, tools like iScape reduce revisions, speed up decisions, and simplify the approval process.‍

Design Inspiration

January 13, 2026

Best Landscape Design Tools for Homeowners in 2026

This guide breaks down the best landscape design tools for homeowners in 2026, focusing on realism, usability, and planning accuracy. Learn which tools help visualize your actual yard, avoid layout mistakes, and make smarter landscaping decisions before construction begins.

Design Inspiration

January 6, 2026

2026 Biggest Winter Landscaping Trends to Win More Clients

Winter landscaping in 2026 is no longer slow season work. This guide explains the top winter landscaping trends that help professionals win more clients through structure, lighting, drainage, and low-maintenance designs. It shows how to position winter services for faster approvals and bigger spring projects. You’ll also learn how visual tools like iScape help clients see results clearly and say yes sooner.

Design Inspiration

January 2, 2026

10 New Year Garden Ideas You Must Plan in iScape for 2026

Planning your garden for the new year is easier when you can see your ideas before you build them. You will also learn how to design a garden for the new year using a visual garden landscape design app that helps homeowners make smarter decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and move into 2026 with a clear, build-ready plan.

Design Inspiration

December 23, 2025

Winter Garden Design Ideas for a Stylish, Modern Outdoor Upgrade

Upgrade your outdoor space this winter with modern design ideas that focus on structure, texture, lighting, and seasonal interest. Discover practical techniques and digital tools like iScape to plan, visualize, and build a stylish winter garden that looks beautiful all year.

Design Inspiration

December 18, 2025

Christmas Garden Design Ideas for a Stylish Winter Landscape

Create a magical winter landscape with elegant and practical Christmas garden design ideas. We explore how to decorate your garden for Christmas using evergreens, layered lighting, natural décor, and seasonal planters. Perfect for homeowners who want a beautiful and festive outdoor space this holiday season.

Design Inspiration

December 12, 2025

Small Front Yard? How to Design a Big-Impact Landscape

Master five easy design tricks for any garden size. Plan the perfect layout in iScape with intuitive drag-and-drop, and start building with total confidence.

Design Inspiration

December 9, 2025

10+ Eco-Friendly Landscape Ideas for a Sustainable Garden

Create a low-maintenance, eco-friendly garden by grouping plants wisely, improving soil, reducing lawn, and managing water well. Use iScape to map everything on a photo of your yard so you design once and plant with confidence.

Design Inspiration

December 6, 2025

Fall-Ready Outdoor Living: Keep Your Patio, Fire Pit, and Garden Cozy All Season

Get your patio and garden fall-ready in minutes. This guide shows simple upgrades for warmth, lighting, comfort and how to preview the perfect layout instantly in iScape.

Design Inspiration

December 5, 2025

Instant Curb Appeal: Top 3 Design Tweaks to Transform Your Front Yard Quickly

Discover three quick, high-impact front-yard upgrades entry styling, clean edges, and night lighting that you can plan and preview in iScape before you install.

Design Inspiration

December 3, 2025

Seasonal Planting Plans Made Simple

Use iScape to plan and visualize your landscape from spring to winter. Discover how to create stunning planting arrangements that change with the seasons.

Design Inspiration

November 20, 2025

Before & After: Real Outdoor Makeovers with iScape

Discover stunning before-and-after outdoor makeovers created with iScape. Visualize patios, plants, and full yard designs before breaking ground.

Design Inspiration

October 23, 2025

Autumn Colors In These 10 Plants

Turn your yard into an Autumn masterpiece! Here are 10 plants you can add to your home landscaping to add to that comfy, cozy feeling.

Design Inspiration

October 13, 2025

Fall Landscaping Ideas: Cozy Backyards, Firepits, and Seasonal Planting with iScape

Use iScape to design your fall yard—visualize firepits, patios, and planting for a cozy, seasonal outdoor retreat.

Design Inspiration

September 30, 2025

Yard Maintenance = Beautiful Life

Here are 5 easy tips that really make an impact on your yard maintenance.

Design Inspiration

September 8, 2025

Use iScape to Brighten Up Your Yard With Pastels

Feel the pastels come to life in your home landscaping!

Design Inspiration

August 18, 2025

Transform Basic Balcony Garden Designs

Design inspiration for balcony gardens

Design Inspiration

July 28, 2025

Textural Contrast in the Landscape

Add interest and uniqueness to a landscape design by choosing plants that offer textural contrast to the yard.

Design Inspiration

June 23, 2025

Turn Old Foundation Plantings into New

Using foundation plants can soften the square lines of a building, improve curb appeal, increase home safety, and enhance a truly welcoming feeling for the front of a house. Enhance your outdoor space today!

Design Inspiration

May 26, 2025

Landscaping That's Eye-Catching

This view of the iScape digital design demonstrates how different a home can look before and after a landscape installation. For more ideas on improving curb appeal, review our list here:

Design Inspiration

April 21, 2025

Corporate Housing Design in 10 Ways

Here are ten simple ways that you can spruce up the landscaping of your corporate housing. Keep these ideas in mind as you get started on your own project!

Design Inspiration

April 14, 2025

Pastel Brightening in Your Yard

Feel the pastels come to life in your home landscaping!

Design Inspiration

April 7, 2025

Softening Brick: Home Makeover Edition

Brick homes can look stark and imposing because of the large mass of brick that is seen in front of the home. In order to improve curb appeal for the front of a brick home, it is necessary to soften the harsh lines.

Design Inspiration

March 31, 2025

Dream Life with iScape

Creating your perfect landscape doesn’t happen overnight, which is why it’s okay to take baby steps toward the final product. And with iScape, it’s easy to take that first step of designing!

Design Inspiration

March 24, 2025

Outdoor Kitchen and Dining Area: Tips and Tricks

If you’re interested in creating an outdoor kitchen and dining area, the tips below can help you get off to a solid start.

Design Inspiration

March 10, 2025

Side Yard Ideas

Side yards typically feature a very narrow strip of land from the front to the back. Most people see this strip as a completely wasted space, yet an attractive side yard can be gloriously beautiful and add to the value of a home.

Design Inspiration

February 17, 2025

Sloped Lawn Makeover with Retaining Wall

When rebuilding a landscape that has a slightly sloped lawn area, there are few solutions that work as well as creating low retaining walls. Check out this retaining wall makeover for a sloped lawn.

Design Inspiration

February 10, 2025

House Exterior Fun: iScape Edition

Make your work week a little more enjoyable by designing in iScape with our many different offerings and features!

Design Inspiration

February 3, 2025

Simple Outdoor Living

Outdoor living doesn’t have to be complicated. Join us in transforming the definition of outdoor design and make ‘simple’ simpler. Only at iScape.

Design Inspiration

January 27, 2025

An iScape Transformation: Backyard Edition

With the modern and easy-to-use iScape app, it is much quicker to build a smart design layout, which is instantaneously visual to the homeowner, making it simple to interpret and understand.

Design Inspiration

December 16, 2024

Old Foundation Plantings: How to Replace with iScape

Using foundation plants can soften the square lines of a building, improve curb appeal, increase home safety, and enhance a truly welcoming feeling for the front of a house. Enhance your outdoor space today!

Design Inspiration

December 9, 2024

Designing Your Sloped Landscape Area

Homeowners often struggle to design a yard or garden if there is a hill or slope. With iScape, you can easily design and show two very different looks for the client’s sloped space.

Design Inspiration

November 25, 2024

Designing a Fireplace in Your Outdoor Space

Pre-building a design without understanding what it might look like in the end can create costly mistakes. That’s why you should download iScape to set your vision right.

Design Inspiration

November 18, 2024

Curb Appeal Makeover: Thanksgiving Edition

Check out this view of an iScape digital design that demonstrates how different a home can look before and after a landscape installation.

Design Inspiration

November 4, 2024

This Autumn, Try These Landscaping Ideas

These different approaches to landscaping will improve your yard appeal and continue your design inspiration throughout the colder months of the year!

Design Inspiration

October 21, 2024

Exterior Designing with iScape

Make your work week a little more enjoyable by designing in iScape with our many different offerings and features!

Design Inspiration

October 7, 2024

Simple Living Outdoors: An iScape Fantasy

Outdoor living doesn’t have to be complicated. Join us in transforming the definition of outdoor design and make ‘simple’ simpler. Only at iScape.

Design Inspiration

September 30, 2024

Ideas for a Retaining Wall

Retaining walls can be used in a myriad of ways to improve landscape design, but are most effective when used to shore up a difficult slope or steep drop off.

Design Inspiration

September 16, 2024

Transform Your Backyard: An iScape Success

With the modern and easy-to-use iScape app, it is much quicker to build a smart design layout, which is instantaneously visual to the homeowner, making it simple to interpret and understand.

Design Inspiration

September 9, 2024

Find the Best Material For Your Front Walkway

Deciding on a specific front walkway material can be intimidating. But using the iScape App to design and test front walkway “looks” can help enable a homeowner or landscaper with hardscaping and landscaping.

Design Inspiration

August 26, 2024

Join In On This Year's Perennial Season!

Now that garden centers are chock-full of perennials, start planning the landscape plantings now.

Design Inspiration

August 19, 2024

New Garden Bed Design for You

Why and how to create the perfect garden bed with iScape

Design Inspiration

August 5, 2024

Post-Sale Look: Show Your Clients the Potential

The power of a well-designed landscape is often underutilized as a sales tool. But with iScape, get your clients excited about their future home before the paperwork is even signed.

Design Inspiration

July 29, 2024

Outdoor Paradise in Your Own Backyard

What if you could enjoy some of your paradise perks in your own outdoor space? iScape can make that happen!

Design Inspiration

June 24, 2024

Keep Cool in Summer: Enchanting Pool Landscaping Ideas For You

A swimming pool is a great way to beat the heat, and with these pool landscaping ideas, you can create an enchanting backyard oasis where you can get cool in summer.

Design Inspiration

June 17, 2024

Celebrate Earth Day With iScape

Celebrate Earth Day with iScape!

Design Inspiration

April 22, 2024

Use these Bulb Combinations this Summer

Consider any of these glorious spring bulbs to add tough, long-lasting color and life to your yard before anything else wakes up from its long winter.

Design Inspiration

April 15, 2024

What's Important with Curb Appeal?

If you would like to improve your curb appeal, start with a few simple upgrades that will help your home truly shine in your neighborhood.

Design Inspiration

March 4, 2024

What's Better? A Pergola vs. an Arbor

Shared benefits of a pergola, trellis, or arbor include providing a level of shade, beauty, and useful structures for climbing plants within the landscape. Differences are primarily in size and strength.

Design Inspiration

February 26, 2024

The Latest Features and Trends in Seasonal Landscaping

When you keep up with seasonal landscaping, your property will look festive and cohesive, and it can even save you money. Start planning now for the new trends in seasonal landscaping.

Design Inspiration

February 12, 2024

Hanging Christmas Lights this Holiday Season

Put on warm gloves, tuck hand or pocket warmers in your pockets, wear boots that have a grip bottom, and bring a partner to help do your installations.

Design Inspiration

December 13, 2023

ScottsMiracle-Gro and HGTV’s John Gidding Create Water-Conscious ‘Greenprints’ for Your Yard - No Matter Where You Live

As much of the country faces extreme heat, drought and water restrictions, ScottsMiracle-Gro, the leader in lawns and gardens, is stepping up to help homeowners navigate the challenging conditions.

Design Inspiration

September 29, 2023

Five Water-Wise Native Plants for Your Yard, Based on Your Region

Check out these five water-wise native plants for your yard that thrive in one of five specific hardiness zones across the country.

Design Inspiration

September 6, 2023

Beyond the Green Carpet: Beautiful Alternatives to Traditional Lawns

Find some great lawn alternatives using native plants and xeriscaping that can give your lawn vibrancy and keep your landscape water-wise.

Design Inspiration

August 14, 2023

8 Hot Landscaping Trends

Want to update your yard and stay“on-trend?” These 8 hot landscaping trends include eco-friendly designs that prioritize sustainability, low-maintenance options that require less upkeep, and functional elements that enhance the usability of your outdoor space.

Design Inspiration

July 26, 2023

Get Inspired by these Yards of the Month

Here are some inspirational before & after designs of yards that were completely transformed from ordinary to extraordinary with just the tap of a finger.

Design Inspiration

July 3, 2023

Achieve Your Dream Landscape with iScape

Here are 5 dream landscape designs and how to recreate them on the app!

Design Inspiration

June 19, 2023

iScape's Summer Spice Up

While you’re spending some time at home, why not spice up some bare spots in your yard?

Design Inspiration

May 28, 2023

Why You Can Attract More with Custom Designs

Spending the time to produce a well-thought-out custom design absolutely sets you apart from all other contractors while making a client’s landscape more cohesive.

Design Inspiration

May 2, 2023

An Urban Paradise Makeover

Creating clever landscape fix-ups doesn't have to involve a high budget construction build; it can start with a simple clean up and a few appropriately chosen perennials and shrubs.

Design Inspiration

April 11, 2023

Flowering Climbing Plants for Trellises, Fences, and Pergolas

Climbing plants cover structures in basically one of three ways: clinging, scrambling, or twining. Learn more about how they flower and grow in home landscapes.

Design Inspiration

February 24, 2023

iScape's Time Capsule: Top Designs, Favorite Features, Most-Used Tools and More!

As we round the corner and pick up steam in the New Year, let’s take a quick look at some of our favorite tools and top content of the 2022 year!

Design Inspiration

January 19, 2023

Transform Your Outdoor Living Simply

Whether you start on a new slate or have some kind of idea you want to build on, you can begin anywhere at any time with your outdoor designing.

Design Inspiration

November 17, 2022

How to Design a Herb Garden? 5 Tips for Successful Layering

Wondering how to design a herb garden? Check out these different techniques and designs that can fit any style, size or shape—all guaranteeing success.

Design Inspiration

October 24, 2022

Designing Outdoor Spaces For Corporate Housing in 10 ways

Here are ten simple ways that you can spruce up the landscaping of your corporate housing. Keep these ideas in mind as you get started on your own project!

Design Inspiration

September 13, 2022

Using Plants for Textural Contrast in the Landscape

Add interest and uniqueness to a landscape design by choosing plants that offer textural contrast to the yard.

Design Inspiration

July 14, 2022

Summer Celebrations with iScape!

Summer celebrations are here! Let iScape help you design the perfect oasis.

Design Inspiration

July 4, 2022

Landscaping for Privacy and Noise Reduction

There is a reason good fences make good neighbors. Learn more about best strategic landscaping for privacy, peace and quiet.

Design Inspiration

May 30, 2022

The Importance of Curb Appeal in the Internet Age

Curb appeal is more important than ever, especially with the ability to virtually visit an area to get an idea of where to move. Here are some vital reasons you should care about curb appeal.

Design Inspiration

May 24, 2022

10 Enchanting Pool Landscaping Ideas to Keep Cool in Summer

A swimming pool is a great way to beat the heat, and with these pool landscaping ideas, you can create an enchanting backyard oasis where you can get cool in summer.

Design Inspiration

May 12, 2022

The Latest and Greatest Landscaping Trends for 2022

Spring is upon us! Before you get to work, take some time to familiarize yourself with some of this year’s biggest landscaping trends.

Design Inspiration

April 21, 2022

Replacing Old Foundation Plantings

Using foundation plants can soften the square lines of a building, improve curb appeal, increase home safety, and enhance a truly welcoming feeling for the front of a house. Enhance your outdoor space today!

Design Inspiration

February 21, 2022

Create an Eye Catcher of a Landscape

This view of the iScape digital design demonstrates how different a home can look before and after a landscape installation. For more ideas on improving curb appeal, review our list here:

Design Inspiration

February 3, 2022

Winter is the Perfect Time to Design Your Landscape

Why is the cold season the perfect time to design a landscape? Cleaning up leaves in the fall will leave some gardens bare and that naked garden is the springboard for creative ideas.

Design Inspiration

December 29, 2021

Does Extending a Backyard Patio Increase Home Value?

In recent years, having an entertaining area outside the home is more critical than ever. Make a difference for your bottom dollar with iScape!

Design Inspiration

December 11, 2021

How to Design Outdoors When the Days Become Shorter

No matter the outdoor space or time of day, iScape can reach you where others can’t. You’re not limited, just without the right tools. Download today!

Design Inspiration

December 8, 2021

How to Make a Driveway Look Nice

Driveways can be beautiful and improve curb appeal for a homeowner. There are several ways a landscape company can assist with a driveway cleanup and improvement. Read more here:

Design Inspiration

November 7, 2021

Outdoor Decorating Ideas for the Thanksgiving Holiday

Thanksgiving is a welcoming holiday where we can celebrate the spirit of giving together as a family. So create an attractive front entryway to welcome them in!

Design Inspiration

November 4, 2021

Halloween Outdoor Decor Inspiration

Take your inspiration to the next level by checking out these ideas for your own outdoor space or holiday party. Only with iScape!

Design Inspiration

October 29, 2021

Ideas for a Side Yard Makeover

Side yards typically feature a very narrow strip of land from the front to the back. Most people see this strip as a completely wasted space, yet an attractive side yard can be gloriously beautiful and add to the value of a home.

Design Inspiration

October 26, 2021

Have Fun with Your House Exterior in iScape

Make your work week a little more enjoyable by designing in iScape with our many different offerings and features!

Design Inspiration

September 25, 2021

Designing a Pergola with iScape

A pergola is a beautiful hardscape attribute to add to an outdoor patio and truly up the beauty level on a patio, bringing a lot of joy to a homeowner’s entertainment area.

Design Inspiration

September 22, 2021

A Patio Furniture Makeover

Utilizing the iScape App tool to help homeowners entertain outside is not just about placing shrubs and trees in the landscape. It can help homeowners and designers put together a patio area design in a snap.

Design Inspiration

September 7, 2021

How to Get Each Backyard Feature to Perfectly Match Your Vision

Take inspiration from impressive lawns and curate a garden that will stand out in its own right while matching your vision. If you’re wondering how that might happen, take a look at these tips that we’ve compiled for you.

Design Inspiration

September 1, 2021

A Simple Life Outdoors

Outdoor living doesn’t have to be complicated. Join us in transforming the definition of outdoor design and make ‘simple’ simpler. Only at iScape.

Design Inspiration

August 29, 2021

How to Soften the Front of a Brick: Home Makeover Edition

Brick homes can look stark and imposing because of the large mass of brick that is seen in front of the home. In order to improve curb appeal for the front of a brick home, it is necessary to soften the harsh lines.

Design Inspiration

August 17, 2021

Two Different Looks for a Sloped Landscape Area

Homeowners often struggle to design a yard or garden if there is a hill or slope. With iScape, you can easily design and show two very different looks for the client’s sloped space.

Design Inspiration

August 14, 2021

8 Beautiful Lawn Alternatives to Grass

Brilliant green lawns are undeniably beautiful. However, there are a variety of lawn alternatives to grass that require less upkeep.

Design Inspiration

August 11, 2021

A Pool Entertaining Area: Landscape Makeover Edition

Simple, classic design combined with safe construction and plant placement all come together to create the perfect entertaining area.

Design Inspiration

August 5, 2021

A Fireplace in the Landscape

Want to see your ideas before the landscaping team does the installation? Using the iScape tool, you can build a fireplace patio in less than a few minutes to see what it will look like.

Design Inspiration

July 30, 2021

A Shady Hillside Makeover

Landscaping on a shady slope or hillside can be frustrating as plants can slip down the hill if not secured properly. Learn the secret to create firm hardscaping here:

Design Inspiration

July 27, 2021

Start Your Project

Whether you’re a DIY Homeowner, or you’re a Landscape Professional, get started today with iScape.

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