Clean the area

-   This will make it easier to visualize what you want

-   You may need to rake, mow, remove existing plants, or remove debris

-   You may want professional help depending on the state and size of the area

Decide what you want to keep and what you want to remove

-   You may want to keep existing trees, shrubs, or garden beds

-   You may want to transplant existing trees or shrubs

Consider how you want to use the space

-   Do you want a space to entertain?

-   Do you want a space to relax?

-   Do you want a space for kids to play?

Consider how much time and money you’ll be able to spend on maintenance

-   When choosing plants and planning out garden beds, consider how much maintenance will be required

-   Be sure to choose plants that are appropriate for your climate to avoid the added work of extra maintenance or eventually needing to replace them

Gather ideas

-   Pinterest and Houzz are great platforms for garden inspiration

Draw a plan

-   You can draw a rough plan yourself, or hire a professional designer

-   There are online platforms that provide garden templates for you to design such as gardena.com

Make your plan come to life

-   You can do this yourself if you have the time and energy, otherwise we recommend hiring professionals to help with the process