Landscape design of a summer cottage plot of 8 acres: examples of zoning with photos, design options for a private country house and rectangular land

Features of the site

A plot of this size can easily accommodate several additional buildings, a spacious recreation area, a garden and everything you need for a full-fledged country residence. But a lot depends on the characteristics of the site. So, if it is irregular in shape or has a strong slope, its design may be associated with certain difficulties. However, for a qualified designer this task is quite feasible.

Layout of a site with a slope Source houzz.com

Options for designing a summer cottage

When thinking about how to plan a summer cottage plot on 8 acres, you can come to the conclusion that the plot can have several layout options.

Elongated area. If you have a plot with one side twice the size of the other, then you can install an entrance gate on one of the smaller sides. Behind the gate you can place a country house, behind which you can arrange a recreation area.

The vegetable garden is located at the far end of the site, separating it from the recreation area with outbuildings.

A garden or individual fruit trees and shrubs are located along the fences of the site. This arrangement of trees will save territory and protect from wind and snow.

Square plot. On one of the four sides of the site there is an entrance, behind which a country house can be built in the center of the site. A front garden is usually set up in front of it or harmoniously integrated into the landscape design, surrounded by flower beds and trees.

Another option to decorate the area in front of the house is to lay out the area with natural stone or tiles, framing it with flower beds or shrubs. A recreation area and a vegetable garden are planned on both sides of the house. Behind the residential building you can place sheds, a chicken coop, a greenhouse and other outbuildings.

The presented options are not exact and unchangeable - it all depends on your preferences and desires. You can swap zones and combine them for more convenient use.

Standards for placing objects on the site

Buildings and fences must be located based on certain rules and regulations. It is necessary to observe the recommended distances between certain elements:

A distance of at least 3 meters must be maintained from the fence to the residential building
Non-residential buildings can be located at a distance of 1 meter from the fence.
If you plan to build a bathhouse , it should be located at least 8 meters from the house.
A summer toilet can be built no closer than 12 meters from the house.
The compost pit should be located at a distance of 8 meters from the house, and 20 from the water intake well.
Between stone buildings for any purpose, a distance of 6 meters should be maintained.
There must be a minimum of 15 meters between wooden buildings

Standards for the location of objects on the site Source lawyer-znatok.ru

List of required objects

The landscape design of the site is created on the basis of a project, which is drawn up taking into account what objects the owners intend to place on their territory. In addition to the house, on the site you can place:

recreation area;
children's playground;
garden;
garden;
well;
septic tank;
bath;
garage;
other buildings for utility purposes.

Homeowners decide what exactly to include in the list of objects. The number of square meters allocated for a particular zone also depends on their decision. Some residents of country houses prefer to have a spacious recreation area on their property and refuse to have a vegetable garden. Others leave maximum space for a vegetable garden. For others, it is more interesting to fill all the free space with garden trees. The layout of a plot of 8 acres, a diagram of a variant of which is presented below, includes the most common set of objects.

Option for planning a plot of 8 acres Source pinterest.ie

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in landscape design of sites.

Zoning

The main principle when dividing a site into zones is practicality. When developing a facility layout plan, often ask yourself a simple question: Do I really need this? Practice shows that it is quite possible to abandon certain landscape elements or allocate a smaller area for them. For example, if there is a parking lot next to the house, then building it on your own territory is irrational.

After analyzing the situation around you, proceed to zoning the space. Designers highlight the following areas for comfortable living:

residential includes a house and surrounding area;
recreation involves creating a sports or children's playground, installing a gazebo or organizing a barbecue area;
the economic zone unites various outbuildings;
vegetable garden and garden.

Location of the house

The main object on the site is a residential building. You need to determine a place for it first. Provided that the site does not have features that affect the layout, the house is located taking into account the standards, rules of landscape design and the wishes of the homeowners.

An important factor is the size of the house. The construction site of a residential building should occupy approximately 10% of the area of the entire site. Accordingly, the layout of a plot of 8 acres will be the most rational with a house measuring 8 by 10 or 9 by 9 square meters. In this case, the house can be attic, two-story, with a basement, with an attached garage.

House 8 by 10 with an attic Source medicweb.info

The planting of the house can be front, deep or central. In the first option, the house is built as close as possible to the fence separating the house from the roadway. Behind the house there is a territory of the site, which becomes the backyard.

Front location of the cottage on the site Source travelerscoffee.ru

Central planting involves placing the house in the center of the site. This leaves room for both the front and back yard.

Backyard on site Source houzz.com

When deep planting is used, the house is located against the back fence and the entire yard is spread out in front of it.

House in the back of the plot with a front yard Source yandex.ru

The type of location of the house is determined taking into account factors such as:

orientation to cardinal directions;
planning of neighboring areas;
shape of the site;
composition of buildings that will be erected on the site;
design solution for the design of the site.

When choosing a place to locate a cottage, you need to remember that it should be no closer than 5 meters from the border of the site with the street and 3 meters from the border with the neighboring site.

Location of site objects

A plot of 8 acres assumes the maximum workload of the project. All buildings will be located nearby - this is a plus. The downside is that it will not be possible to place a large playground, or add extra meters to the garden.

Zoning a site: step-by-step instructions.

First you need to place a residential building on the project. It takes into account how the shadows will fall where the blank wall is located.
Afterwards outbuildings are placed.
The location for the vegetable garden on the project is chosen so that shadows from other buildings do not fall on it.
The bathhouse is not built close to a residential building or garden.
The garage is located conveniently close to the gate, taking into account the entrance to the house.

You may be interested in: Layout of a plot of 5 acres: competent options for zoning the territory

Options for the location of the house on the project may vary. It is important to set aside 3 m from the fence on the street side, and 5 m from the neighbor’s property.

Choosing a site for a house

The nuances of the location of the main residential building.

Construction of the house begins after the design is completed. First, the space for each object is carefully measured.
The correct location of the cottage is with a blank load-bearing wall to the north, if there are no natural objects on that side.
The planned area of the house should not exceed 10% of the total. On 8 acres, a house can occupy 80 square meters. If you need a larger area, you should think about an attic, or second floor.
The project takes into account neighboring buildings and proximity to the highway.

You will also have to think through other nuances: the convenience of connecting communications, the relationship with other buildings.

Bath

It is possible to make a standard bathhouse even in a small area. The layout of the bathhouse begins after approval of the size and position of the living area. It should be located close to the house, but no closer than 8 m. Five meters are set back from the fence and the neighbor’s border. This is a fire safety rule, take it into account when planning. Trees are not planted nearby, since the bathhouse is a heated facility. Regardless of whether it is heated with wood or gas, a fire hazard is possible. To prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring buildings, indentations are made.

Garage

The location depends on the side of the entrance. It is irrational to build a garage so that you have to go around the entire perimeter of the territory.

Features of allocating a plot for a garage.

It is located near the house, but not right under the windows, so that the noise of the engine does not wake up the household.
It’s good if the building is visible from the window. If criminals break in, you can see it without leaving and call the police.
The garage is being built further from the garden. Exhaust gases do not contribute to the healthy growth of berries, vegetables and fruits.
There should be a distance of 5 m from the neighbor's border.

Just four rules will help you successfully place a garage on your site.

Rest zone

Planning a country house is impossible without a recreation area.

Taking into account the area of the project, we place:

gazebo with barbecue area;
children's sandbox;
slide;
small pool.

Safety rules: the playground should be clearly visible from the windows of the house, the pool is built at a distance. An example of the location of a recreation area on a plot of 8 acres can be found in the photo on the Internet. Projects are in the public domain.

You may be interested in: The essence and nuances of vertical planning

If the children are adults, a small playground is planned for the project. A pair of horizontal bars will help your household stay in shape. And the playground for small children must be covered with sand. This is safe if the child falls off the swing or falls down the slide.

The gazebo should accommodate 10 people. This is necessary in case of a celebration or unexpected guests. The plot is small, you can compensate for this by allocating a separate room in the house for special events. It should be with good sound insulation. You can arrange karaoke and listen to music all night without disturbing your neighbors. It is better to place a recreation area inside the house on the ground floor, close to the exit, pool and restroom.

Garden

The main rule for the location of the garden is the absence of shadows from other buildings. It is better to design a plot of 8 acres using a special program. This can be done via the Internet. It's easy to add dimensions and move objects, choosing the best layout.

Trees and shrubs are planted 4 meters from the neighboring territory.
The distance from other structures should be sufficient so that they do not block sunlight. Most plants will not do well in the shade.
Due to the limited area, it is worth placing 4-6 small beds for the most necessary vegetables and fruits.
The landscaping of the site is planned taking into account the owner's preferences. Coniferous trees are planted far from the neighbor's border. Tall plants cast large shadows.
If owners want to block sunlight, ivy is planted under the windows. It looks very nice. This is a vintage style look.
A small garden will be decorated with a path made of gravel or large stones.

It is easy to draw decorative details over a wide area. It is more difficult to plan a plot of 8 acres. But this is also quite possible.

Bathhouse location

The bathhouse should be 5 meters away from any border of the site and 8 meters from the house. With a central location of a residential building, finding a place for a bathhouse that will comply with all standards can be problematic. But with a front or rear landing of the house, the layout of a summer cottage plot of 8 acres can easily accommodate not only a fairly spacious bathhouse, but also other additional buildings.

Bathhouse on the site of a country house Source nkkconsult.ru

Basics of site development

Landscape design is a whole science that cannot be comprehended in a couple of hours. A dacha plot of eight acres is considered a fairly spacious property that will accommodate all the facilities necessary for living and recreation. When placing them, they are guided not only by the convenience of moving from home to building, but also by general fire safety rules and sanitary standards. The interests of neighbors are also taken into account: the shadow of a building or a tall tree, for example, may block their yard. When planning, they are guided by the size of the property, its shape, and landscape features. It is necessary to become familiar with many nuances that will turn design into a real puzzle, which not everyone is able to solve.

Place for communications

When designing a communications scheme, the first thing you need to do is determine the location for the well. To do this correctly, you should adhere to important rules:

In a relief area, a well must be drilled at the highest point . Otherwise, it will be constantly flooded with melt and rain water.
If there are large trees that the owners do not want to get rid of, the well should be located as far as possible from them. Tree roots and falling leaves can harm it.
The well must be located at least 5 meters from the house . There should be no buildings near it for keeping animals. The septic tank should be located at a distance of 25 meters.
When choosing a location for a well, you need to remember that its drilling and subsequent maintenance require large equipment, which requires free space on the site.

The process of drilling a well Source nkkconsult.ru
For a septic tank, it is recommended to choose a place at the maximum distance from the well. It must be separated from the border with the neighboring plot by at least 2 meters. Access to the septic tank must be provided for sewage disposal equipment. It is important to consider that the maximum distance must be maintained not only between the septic tank and the well, but also between the water supply and sewer pipe lines.

Installation of a septic tank on the site of a country house Source burenie-septiki.ru

Garage location

The garage can be detached or attached to the house. When developing the layout of a plot of 8 acres with a house next to the entrance, it makes sense to build an attached garage. If the house has a deep landing, it is better to build a detached garage in the front part of the site, as close as possible to the arrival. Otherwise, it will be necessary to build an entrance to the garage across the entire site, and there will be no room left for other objects.

Detached modern garage Source danileventhal.com

Often, instead of a garage, just a parking space is planned. It is equipped with a canopy and can be designed for 2 or 3 cars. Parking is located next to the entrance gate.

Parking space in landscape design Source pinterest.ch

Where to begin?

You can carry out landscaping of the site in accordance with your tastes and preferences, but there are certain rules that must be followed. Having a site plan on a sheet of paper in front of you, you need to divide it into functional zones.

A residential area in which a country house is located. The planning of a plot of 8 acres must begin with it, because the convenience of the location of the remaining objects of the summer cottage depends on it. Usually a small area is allocated for a house.

Economic zone. Usually located deep in the yard, at the northern or northwestern edge of the site. This arrangement of outbuildings will protect the site from the cold wind, and if you hide them behind plantings of currants, gooseberries or grapes, this will also make them invisible at first glance.

Garden and vegetable garden area. Usually, when designing a site, at least half of the entire territory is allocated to this zone. As a rule, it is located on the sunny side. Sometimes it is divided into two parts - a vegetable garden at the end of the plot and a front garden near the facade of the building.

Rest zone. Depending on your preferences, it can be placed anywhere. For example, a picturesque gazebo can harmoniously fit into the landscape design of the site, surrounding it with flowering or fruit trees and shrubs or placing flowering flower beds around it. Often in this area there is a wide terrace and barbecue.

In search of new ideas for your site and to facilitate zonal planning, you can view numerous photos of a site of 8 acres. It is necessary to remember that compliance with fire safety and sanitary standards even when planning will protect your life in the future.

Rest zone

Next, the location for the recreation area is determined. It is usually located in the middle of the front or back yard, depending on the type of planting of the house. But sometimes owners prefer to install recreation area objects near a high fence.

Cozy seating area in the corner of the yard Source houzz.com

The recreation area may include the following objects:

gazebo (or terrace),
barbecue area;
pool;
playground;
elements of landscape decor.

As a decoration, you can use a large flower bed, a sculptural composition or, for example, an alpine slide. However, such elements take up a lot of space on the site. Therefore, it is better to design the landscape design of 8 acres using smaller parts. For example, original street lamps, small garden figures, stylish paths, etc.

Original recreation area on the site Source diynetwork.com

A gazebo can become a multifunctional facility, accommodating a summer kitchen and a compact banquet hall for receiving guests.

Gazebo with summer kitchen Source baneproject.com

For barbecue enthusiasts, there are many options for specialty garden equipment. All this can be installed simply on the ground, on a paved area or a free-standing terrace.

Barbecue area in the country Source houzz.com

A swimming pool not only increases the level of comfort of spending time in a household, but also serves as a real decoration of the site.

Swimming pool in the landscape design of a country house Source heimdeco.club

The design of the playground is carried out using all kinds of sandboxes, slides, houses, benches, etc. It must be placed so that children playing on the playground can be observed from the windows of the house or from a recreation area intended for adults. The design of an 8-acre plot with a house will perfectly complement a compact children's complex consisting of several elements.

Children's playground in the landscape of the site Source masterdom35.ru

Features of landscape design of a plot of 8 acres

When planning the design of a plot of 8 acres, you first need to:

determine what buildings will be on the site;
divide the site into zones;
draw up a plan, taking into account all the standards.

Landscape design allows you to turn the most interesting ideas into reality. The use of various materials, plants and trees makes it possible to highlight the desired areas, as well as hide the imperfections of the landscape.

You can divide the area into zones:

Visually, for example, by combining a house, a playground and a recreation area with one canopy.
Using paths made of stone, gravel, paving slabs.
Green hedge. Plants can create shade in the right place, divide an area, and enclose the necessary space. To create a hedge, thuja, virgin grapes, ivy, clematis, climbing roses, barberry, hawthorn, cotoneaster, forsythia, and bladderwort are used.

Plot of 8 acres with a children's playgroundSource nemez-06.livejournal.com
To decorate a plot of 8 acres, you can use fruit trees, which bloom with beautiful flowers in the spring, and delight you with a harvest in summer and autumn.

Flowers of various colors, shapes and sizes are always pleasing to the eye. It is worth choosing plants that bloom in early spring, summer and late autumn. In this case, the area will look bright and elegant longer.

To decorate shaded areas, you need to choose plants that are suitable for shade and partial shade. Flowering plants can be planted around tree trunks; it looks quite original.

An artificial pond will complement the recreation area. Here you can install a wooden gazebo or bench. Near the water you need to plant special plants that love excess moisture. This area is often marked with stones.

Among the green spaces you can place various decorative elements and garden sculptures. You can do many interesting things for the garden with your own hands.

Beds on the siteSource krrot.net

Fencing a plot of 8 acres also plays a key role in creating a design project. The material from which the fence is made not only performs a protective function, but also serves as a kind of background for the landscape. A wooden fence goes well with green spaces and bright flowers. A textured reinforced concrete fence can be painted in any desired color. A thuja hedge looks natural, but at the same time strict.

Unevenness on the site complicates the choice of the location of buildings, but gives the site a zest. They can be used to create flower beds or recreation areas. Artificial bumps can be used to decorate the site. Hills and slides allow you to create an extraordinary design, decorate and highlight areas.

The slope can be transformed into a high flower bed or slide. Flowers and shrubs will help highlight this area.

Succulents in rockeriesSource woman.rambler.ru

Also, the slope can be designed in the form of steps, on which you can grow not only flowers, but also greens.

Arrangement of the slopeSource ogorod.mirtesen.ru

Green shrubs will help create a small secluded corner on a plot of 8 acres. Here you can also place lanterns, a rocking chair, and a small table for drinking tea.

Garden

For gardening, in most cases, land is allocated along the fences. This takes into account the plants' need for sunlight. So, if it is possible to allocate only a place for a garden in the shade of the house, then non-fertile plants that can get by with a small amount of light are grown in it.

Garden of shade-tolerant trees Source yandex.ru

The efficiency of a vegetable garden is now often increased with modern greenhouses. To make it more convenient to grow vegetables and herbs, you need to supply water to the garden.

Greenhouse on the site of a country house Source in.pinterest.com

Landscape decor

The landscape design of a site will not be complete if it is not supplemented with decorative and functional elements, such as paths, hedges, street lighting, and garden figures.

Beautiful paths can make the design of the site very attractive. They connect all zones of the local area with each other, uniting them into a single composition.

Original path in landscape design Source pinterest.com

Hedges look very impressive. Their advantage is that they are functional, aesthetic and take up minimal space. But at the same time they require constant care.

Hedge in the landscape of a suburban area Source yandex.kz

Lanterns and lamps provide illumination to the area at night, and simply serve as design elements during the day. They can be very stylish and original.

Street lights in the decor of the site Source pinterest.es

Modern landscape design involves the use of beautiful garden figures, which often look like real works of art.

Layout taking into account the site configuration

When planning, we focus on two main aspects:

Landscape of the land plot;
Features of its form.

First, pay attention to the specifics of the landscape. It’s rare that someone manages to acquire a perfectly flat piece of land. But any highs and lows can be played up and emphasized so that they become advantages. For this reason, do not rush to level the surface, because a perfectly smooth area is a boring lot for perfectionists. Decorate the area with terraces, and in the future it will not only have a presentable appearance, but will also produce an excellent harvest. The fact is that with such a device, the soil will not be washed away, and water will be retained, which will benefit gardening and gardening during dry periods and rainy seasons. Unfortunately, nothing can be done about the shape of the site, so you will have to adapt to it. There are about a dozen of its types, but we note three main ones:

Square. The most optimal form that will allow you to organically place all buildings;
Rectangular. A narrow, elongated area involves placing all buildings “in a row”. Although modern design solutions will smooth out the inconveniences, such ownership, as they say, is not for everyone;
Triangular (angular). Typically, such areas intersect only with two neighboring ones and have access to the street and roadway. It is not recommended to plant fruit trees or plant a vegetable garden near it, since road dust will settle not only on the leaves, but also on the fruits.