Easy Landscaping Ideas Beginners Can Try for Their Homes

Your garden deserves its own personality, just like you. Go Bahay Kubo for that rustic Filipino flair, channel Japanese Zen, or keep it sleek and simple with a minimalist design.

You can also add life and color with bougainvillea and calamansi, or mix in bamboo for texture. Likewise, you can create a cozy corner for every salu-salo or slow Sunday morning. With the right ideas and a few DIY techniques, your backyard can easily become your new favorite place.

Here are some landscaping tips and inspirations to help you get started.

Landscaping Tips for Your Outdoor Space

No two gardens are the same, but these tips work well in nearly all outdoor settings.

1. Before you start digging, take a moment to assess your space. Observe which areas get full sunlight and which stay shaded throughout the day. Also, take note of any existing plants or features you’d like to keep or work around.

2. Choose tropical-friendly, low-maintenance plants. Here are some plants that you could try.

• Flowering plants: bougainvillea, hibiscus, gumamela

• Foliage plants: calathea, pandan, snake plant, ferns
• Fruit plants: calamansi, banana, and papaya
• Herbs: basil, mint, lemongrass, pandan

3. Use natural or recycled materials like bamboo, adobe bricks, or reclaimed wood to keep your garden sustainable and stylish.

4. Install outdoor lighting like solar-powered string lights, pathway lamps, or spotlights highlighting plants. Make your garden usable at night.

5. Add DIY Decor and personal touches. You can incorporate painted garden stones, plant labels, small statues, and upcycled containers.

6. Plan a comfortable seating area. Include benches, chairs, or hammocks to enjoy your backyard oasis.

7. Maintain your garden regularly. Water plants, prune occasionally, use organic fertilizers, and monitor for pests.
8. Use high-quality, weather-resistant paint for your walls, fences, and accent materials. For a more eco-friendly choice, you can opt for Island Premium Paints’ low-VOC paints.

Diy Landscaping Ideas

Ready to transform your outdoor space? Here are some design ideas for you.

Textured Concrete Theme

Apply textured paint or a stone-look finish to concrete beds to create depth. Neutral or earthy tones provide the perfect backdrop for tropical plants, making the greenery and flowers pop. These beds are durable, low-maintenance, and ideal for showcasing both small and large plants.

Lola’s Garden Theme

Raised wooden beds, woven plant baskets, and stone pathways enhance the earthy feel of the garden. Incorporate flowering shrubs and climbing plants to soften the look, making the space feel cozy and inviting.

Edible Garden Theme

Fill your garden with calamansi and papaya, for a burst of color. Complement them with lemongrass, basil, and mint for fragrance and flavor. These plants not only make your space greener but also provide ingredients for your kitchen. They are perfect for juices, teas, and home-cooked meals. 

To keep your garden organized, use raised beds, large containers, or mixed borders where fruits and herbs can grow side by side. Add decorative touches like terracotta pots, bamboo edging, or wooden planters to enhance the natural aesthetic. 

Jungle or Rainforest Theme

Want your own “gubat”? No need to go camping. Embrace dense greenery with tall palms, ferns, and large-leafed tropical plants. Layer different heights and textures to mimic a natural rainforest. Add rocks, bamboo fencing, and shaded areas for an immersive garden experience.

Japinoy Garden Theme

A Japinoy garden mixes the calm, simple style of Japanese gardens with the bright, tropical feel of Filipino plants. You can line paths with palms, calathea, and hibiscus, For finishing touches you can add bamboo and a small pagoda. For shady areas, moss looks great, but ferns, philodendrons, or dwarf mondo grass are great alternatives.

Lucky Feng Shui Landscape

Design your yard with circular or curved stone pathways to help positive energy (chi) flow freely. Add a small water feature like a fountain or koi pond. Choose lucky plants such as jade, fortune bamboo, or money tree to invite prosperity, and mix them with tropical greens like anahaw, palmera, or ferns for a distinctly Filipino look.

Urban Pocket Garden

City living doesn’t mean giving up on greenery. An urban pocket garden maximizes small spaces such as balconies, patios, or narrow side yards. Start by using vertical and container gardening. Opt for space-saving planters, wall-mounted pots, or hanging baskets filled with herbs, succulents, and trailing plants. Use slim furniture, like foldable chairs or benches with storage, to make the area multifunctional. Choose paint colors that reflect light, such as white or soft neutrals, to make your space feel airy and open. 

Native Butterfly & Bird Garden

Planning to create your own butterfly and bird sanctuary? You can start your landscape project by adding flowering plants and trees such as ylang-ylang, lantana, and santan, to your space. These plants provide nectar for pollinators. Add kamuning, gumamela, and madre de cacao to attract local birds. Use local stones or bamboo trellises for structure and let vines like cadena de amor climb naturally. Avoid pesticides to keep the ecosystem healthy. Lastly, add a wooden garden swing or a stone bench where you can watch butterflies flutter and birds play.

From Inspiration to Creation

Ultimately, the best landscaping design is one that feels like an extension of your home. It is a space where you can unwind, connect with nature, and express your creativity. For more home improvement ideas, color inspirations, and renovation tips, visit the Island Premium Paints website and start building your dream outdoor space today.

References:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/landscaping-ideas-phbr0-bp~t_728

https://www.finegardening.com/article/texture-extremes?srsltid=AfmBOorJcU0fqJ1ea9CDt_j_JkjO2ePeLRcUfG9cvba4P3PZBdgA2Cfh

https://www.picturethisai.com/region/Philippines.html

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/spaces/philippine-landscaping-ideas.htm

​​https://uplb.edu.ph/public-service/foodscaping-landscapes/