Landscape Design Ideas for Homes With a View in Hollis NH

If you’re lucky enough to have a home with a stunning view, you want to maximize that view from your home as well as from your outdoor living spaces. Here are __ landscape design ideas for homes with a view in Hollis, NH.

The Reveal

One of the most magical ways to celebrate a view is to reveal it, either in a subtle “peekaboo” way or in a dramatic way. A destination walkway that meanders through the landscape, offering tiny glimpses of what’s to come, creates the anticipation of heading somewhere special. Meandering walkways of granite, bluestone, brick, or flagstone honor the surrounding landscape while gently, unhurriedly taking the visitor to the view. At night, low path lighting creates a romantic walk to the view.

For a more dramatic entry to the view, make the path straight and to the point… and frame the view.

Frame the View

Use trees or something over the top like fire-topped masonry pillars to frame the view and bring attention to it. You want to keep these framing elements small enough to avoid distracting from the view, but large enough to communicate “hey, there’s something important here.”

You may see some designs that use a pergola to shade a seating area overlooking the view. This is fine, but the pergola will obstruct the view to some degree, which will make for a more subtle reveal. If you want to go for drama, use a pergola in a space so that it does not block the prime view spot.

Privacy

Big views can sometimes come with a bit of a fishbowl feeling. Use privacy fencing or living walls to offer privacy while framing the view.

Colors

Use neutral mid-tone patio colors so the patio doesn’t detract from the view and keeps your attention on the main attraction.

Seating

One of the best ways to enjoy a view is if you can sit and relax while enjoying the scenery. That means, your seating area has to be “just so.” Comfortable seating is a must, whether it’s a swing, Adirondack chair, beachy lounge chair, or outdoor sofa. What’s underfoot matters too: you don’t want to worry about mud so a wooden or composite deck, natural stone, gravel, or concrete pavers will give you a beautiful spot from which to admire the view.

Always position seating areas to take advantage of the view. Don’t obstruct the view with a fireplace (a fire pit won’t block it).

Cooking and Dining

Position an L-shaped outdoor kitchen with the point toward the view (away from the home) and the open area toward the home for convenience. Position a U-shaped outdoor kitchen with the closed end facing the view and the open end toward the home. And if you have a simple grill station, position it so that if there’s bar seating, guests enjoy the view and if there’s no bar seating, the cook enjoys the view.

Situate a dining table with the narrow end toward the view so that a simple sideways glance gives access to the view. Don’t place a dining table “against” the view - you’ll deprive half of your guests from enjoying it!

Luxury

An infinity pool or hot tub positioned at the edge of the patio or lawn can create a truly luxurious feel. Position seating behind it so you get the double impact of a view plus light reflecting on water.