Nov 11, 2026, 10:40:10 AM
If you’re planning a total Memphis yard makeover, you might be feeling really overwhelmed. Where do you even start the process if you’re renovating the yard from top to bottom?
First of all, don’t panic. We’re here to help. One of the best parts of working with a landscape professional is that you’ll have a guide through the entire process.
In this article, we’ll walk you through what to anticipate in terms of yard makeover planning. We’ll talk about how to get the process started by brainstorming your ideas. We’ll also talk about some of the factors to consider if you’re going to begin a total yard transformation.
After reading this, you’ll have a better sense of where to get started.
Jump to:
Any great outdoor living space began as a dream. That’s likely the stage you’re at now as you are starting to consider what you want your yard to be. While brainstorming is exciting, the process can also feel overwhelming, particularly if you don’t know where to begin.
One of the best places to start coming up with the best total yard makeover ideas for your project is with existing problems. Most people start thinking about backyard renovation planning because they’re not happy with what they currently have. Maybe people don’t spend a lot of time outside because there’s nothing to do. Maybe you have an existing patio but it’s too small to fit everyone you like to have over.
It’s always helpful to think about problems that you might be experiencing with your existing space. Approaching it from a problem/solution standpoint is a great way to brainstorm.
Ask yourself questions like:
A successful yard makeover starts with identifying what isn’t working and what you want your outdoor space to become.
As you brainstorm total yard makeover ideas for your Memphis home, it always helps to look at pictures and save ideas that you like. Looking at a project gallery is a great place to start.
Over the years we have found that the most successful yard makeovers are those that directly address homeowners’ pain points. As we talked about above, that means really taking an introspective look at why you aren’t spending more time in your yard and how you’d like to see it improve.
It’s very easy to get caught up in the glamorous aspect of renovating a yard but problems first have to be solved.
Some of the common frustrations that we’ve heard from homeowners include:
It can be hard to enjoy your yard if you feel like you’re on display for the neighbors. That’s why a big problem that homeowners often want us to solve during their Memphis yard makeover is privacy.
Privacy can often be achieved with strategic placement of structures or plants. A good landscape designer will pay attention to details like sight lines, ensuring that your outdoor living layout is thoughtfully planned.
If your outdoor space doesn’t feel “usable” you’re not going to spend a lot of time there. This might mean there’s nowhere comfortable to sit, spaces don’t feel connected, walkways are awkward, or there’s just a lot of wasted space. Functionality is key when it comes to using your space more. It can’t just be beautiful. It has to be functional, too.
Safety goes hand-in-hand with functionality. Do you not feel good about sending the kids out to play? Are there uneven walkways, poor lighting, or there’s no sense of privacy? There are a lot of different reasons why homeowners might say their space doesn’t feel as safe as it should. A new design should address this head on.
The appearance of the space can obviously be a gripe. Whether its outdated hardscaping, aging plants, or just a disjointed design, your Memphis yard makeover should also beautify the space.
Ultimately all of these areas really do build off of one another. The key is that you’re working with a landscape designer who is paying attention to all of these details (and more!) to ensure that your makeover is addressing problems.
While it’s very easy to get caught up in the “sexy” parts of a Memphis yard makeover (after all, who wouldn’t get excited about a new outdoor kitchen or a swimming pool?!), it is so important that you’re working with a landscape professional who is going to pay attention to all of the underlying work that must be completed in order to successfully transform your property.
This would include things like:
These types of tasks are like the backbone of the project. You’re not necessarily going to see them, but they need to be completed in order for the visible parts of the project to succeed.
You might think that all landscape contractors would know to address these issues but that’s not the case. We’ve seen projects fail over the years because drainage was ignored or proper grading wasn’t completed.
If homeowners don’t realize these things are a necessity, that might not be thinking anything of it. But down the road it could be the reason for a project’s failure.
Where should I start when planning a total yard makeover?
Start by identifying what you want to change about your existing yard and how you envision yourself using the space. From there, you should be able to brainstorm ideas that are right for you.
How do I choose the right plants for my yard makeover?
Look at your property’s growing conditions, like sunlight, soil type, drainage, space, and local climate. While it is always tempting to just choose plants that “look nice,” you do need to find plants that will actually be able to successfully grow on your property.
Why should I hire a professional landscaper for my total yard makeover?
A total yard makeover can be overwhelming but a landscape professional will be able to coordinate all aspects of the project. That includes the underlying needs like drainage and grading all the way through to hardscaping and plant installation.
Should I install hardscaping or landscaping first?
Every project is unique but it does generally make sense to coordinate any major site preparation ahead of installing plants. Grading, excavation, utility work, and hardscape installation can all potentially damage newly installed plants. When possible, it does often make sense to do the landscaping last.
Renovating your Memphis yard is a huge undertaking. But there’s no reason you have to be on your own to do it. Ultimately, the success of your outdoor project is going to boil down to the company that you hire to do the work.
We always advise finding a design/build landscape firm that handles everything in-house. We have seen too many projects go wrong with mistakes that could have been prevented.
In addition to choosing a company that handles both landscape design and landscape installation in-house, you also want to take a closer look at what that company is all about. Choosing a company that takes ownership of your project by putting a leader in charge will help ensure no detail is overlooked.
At Mid South Irrigation & Landscape, Owner and President Jesse Wisley oversees all of the landscape design and installation projects.
When you begin a landscape project with Mid South Irrigation & Landscape, you are beginning a landscape project with Jesse himself. Jesse only takes on 2-3 projects at a time in order to ensure maximum service is provided to his clients. Throughout the duration of your landscaping project with Jesse, you will develop a personal relationship with him, and will always be able to contact him directly.
That makes all the difference when it comes to getting the best results and avoiding many common landscaping errors that might occur with less experienced companies or less oversight.
There are plenty of landscaping services in Memphis offering design/build services, but you want to make sure that you choose wisely. When you make a good choice in landscape design/build firms, you gain valuable peace of mind that your investment in your property is going to get long-term enjoyment and value.
Ready to get started with your landscaping project? Give us a call. We’re excited to get started bringing your vision to life.
Ready to talk about ideas and have your new landscape designed and built? Request a consultation today.
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