Articles by Marianne Lipanovich

Outdoor lighting can make a home’s exterior spaces inviting and intriguing after the sun goes down. And it has a more practical purpose as well: It can make pathways and stairways safer, as well as improve the home’s security. Read on for all the deta…

You’ve taken out your lawn. Now what? That open space offers abundant design possibilities, from a plant-filled garden to an inviting new outdoor living space. Now is your chance to have a yard that…

An expansive green lawn may be a hallmark of American landscapes, but a growing number of people are looking for more water-wise, wildlife-friendly or low-maintenance alternatives. If you’re ready to embrace a different landscape look, your first ste…

Having a small yard or other confined outdoor space, whether it’s a tiny patch of land, patio or deck, doesn’t mean you have to give up on growing a tree. While they’ll never reach the height of a stately elm or oak, the following trees and tree-like …

That narrow strip between the sidewalk and street is an often-ignored landscaping opportunity. A curb strip, also called a verge, parking strip or hell strip, also can be a challenge to design and take care of. It requires plants that can take pavemen…

A flat, usable rooftop can be a bonus space. It gives you the opportunity to create an outdoor oasis with unmatched sweeping vistas. It also comes with challenges, from hot sun to strong winds to less appealing views of machinery and vents. See how th…

The sound of falling water brings a sense of peace and serenity to an outdoor space. It also creates a focal point within the landscape, drawing people to both the sound of moving water and the play of the water itself over the surfaces. The fountains…

A small backyard can hold more than a patio, a few plants and some grass. With the right design and some clever moves to visually expand your space, you can add more features than you might imagine. In many ways, renovating a small yard is no differen…

Many people give their outdoor furniture, pillows, pads and rugs a good cleaning in spring, but late summer and early fall also are opportune times for sprucing things up. They’ll have a sparkle that you can enjoy the rest of the season. And if the en…

The simple structure of a pergola is hard to beat when it comes to adding subtle definition to a landscape. Lovely as they are in their basic form, however, pergolas are not as effective in providing relief from the sun without something overhead. If…