• One-story homes introduce interesting landscaping choices.house image by Byron Moore from Fotolia.com
  
  Landscaping your property is a chance for you to highlight your home's architecture as well as your personal style. Landscaping styles exist on a spectrum of formal to informal styles. Choose the level of formality you prefer, and stick with it throughout your landscape. Take note: Sometimes the most informal-looking landscapes require the most care and planning to create.
  
  

Trees

• Plant deciduous trees on the south and west sides of the house. During the summer, the foliage will cast a shadow over the house and reduce interior temperatures by as much as 10 degrees F, according to the AgriLife Extension of the Texas A&M System. The website recommends owners of one-story homes choose a medium to large tree and place it 15 to 20 feet from the side of the house. In the fall, leaves will drop from the tree and allow sunshine to warm the home. Keep the scale of the tree proportional to the scale of the house. Although you want to take advantage of the energy savings from tree shade, you do not want to obscure your home or create the illusion it is smaller than it is because you chose trees that rise substantially higher than the roofline.
  
  

Water Features

• Add a water feature such as a fountain or small pond to the landscape. A focal point such as this adds movement and the sound of water to the landscape. Place the water feature where you will be able to enjoy it while you are outdoors and indoors. The advantage of planning a water feature for a one-story home is you only need to plan for views from one elevation. For example, do not choose a fountain that looks best when observed from overhead if you will only see it straight on. As with trees, choose a water feature with an appropriate scale for your house.
  
  

Garden Beds

• Gardening beds will complement your home's exterior, whether it has the square shape of a small cottage or the long shape of a ranch-style home. Introduce variety and visual interest to your landscape by using plants with similar colors from different families. Alternatively, emphasize green foliage. Plan how much time and effort you want to spend maintaining gardening, in particular in front of the house. Choose low-maintenance plants that provide year-round interest if you are unwilling or unable to take on caring for high-maintenance specimens. The University of Missouri Extension recommends placing progressively smaller plants closer to the front door. This technique for designing a garden bed draws attention to the home's front entrance while still giving an opportunity to express creativity with plant choice. To keep things in scale, choose the smaller plants first so you know the plants closest to the door are the right size. Work your way out to the larger plants.