Flat is Boring

Little enhances a landscape as effectively as pulling the grades up and down.  Flat is often associated with the usability of an area.  Level areas can be very desirable for throwing a ball around or getting a group game together, but having no grade change in your landscape is still dull. 

When most people think about what they want out of their landscape design they envision the usability of the space, or the location of a pool, or the location of a patio, or of other landscape elements. Next, they might contemplate possible places for the flower beds and tree location, but elevations are overlooked.  Thinking in the Z direction can be a hard thing to visualize, but the potential transformation can be esthetically impactful.  These potential grade changes can enhance the design concept by creating the feeling of rooms and intimate areas while leaving open key visual avenues that enhance and draw in the views.

Many people recognize trees for there screening potential but rolling berms and elevated beds aren't explored.  Frankly earth is better for screening and creating sound barriers than trees. Trees can then be added on these elevated areas to further achieve the design concepts.  A landscapes surroundings are usually visually varied and if your yard can be designed to mirror the rolling hills or the mountains cliffs and frame in that special view you love, that forethought can make all the difference in the end result. So when you're thinking of your outdoor space, try to take into account the 3rd dimension, and don't let yourself get stuck with a level, unaltered landscape.