­A landscaper should take into account the ways you currently use your property and the ways the land's natural layout lends itself to use. Light, shade, elevation, rainfall, soil composition and wind expos­ure can all mean that one corner of the land is better suited to a certain purpose than is another corner.
Manmade features also affect the way you use the landscape. For example, you probably can't change the location of your back door, or where your driveway opens onto the street. So the landscaper should think about smart ways to create functional areas in relation to those unchangeable factors. It wouldn't make sense to put a play area for small children right next to the street or the driveway.
This means your landscaper should ask a lot of questions about your lifestyle. How much time do you want to spend on lawn maintenance? Do you anticipate a lot of pool parties? How close is the neighbors' house, and do you like to leave your blinds up? Do you expect to be in this house long enough that not just the children but also the grandchildren will use the swing set?
As you analyze your own environment, you might also be thinking about the planet's environment. Read on to find out how your garden can help the world.
If your land has varied elevation, you may want to consider terracing. Terracing allows for more efficient water usage. But it also allows for more efficient space usage. People tend not to use sloped garden and lawn land -- it’s fatiguing to walk up and down, and it makes for difficult games and picnics. Having several flat "stair-step" layers creates the illusion of more space, lets you separate functional areas and lets you use those areas well [source: Green By Nature].