Layout and design of a plot of 5 acres: how to wisely manage a small space

If you find it difficult to figure out how many meters are in a hundred square meters, or don’t know how to convert hundred square meters into square meters, then after reading this article you will know exactly how to do it.


The size of one hundred square meters of land is equal to 100 m2. Let us briefly and succinctly examine what a hundred square meters of land is and what its values ​​are in different units of measurement (hectares/ar). Let's move on from words to action - let's calculate the sizes using examples of specific areas.

Examples of layouts that are worth adopting

Landscape designers design any area, regardless of size. At the same time, an individual specialist brings his own ideas, developments, and solutions to the project.

The rectangular layout of 5 acres is considered the most common and convenient, since most plots have a standard quadrangular shape. This makes it easy to divide the territory into zones, select the desired design, and plan the supply of communications. There is no need to create complex lines or intricate patterns. There is more open space left.


Example of territory distribution Source bankfs.ru

The layout of a plot of 5 acres of diagonal type is used quite often. From corners to corners, paths are laid across the entire territory, dividing it into zones.


Equipped recreation area at the dacha Source krrot.net

Irregular planning allows for many options for the distribution of zones, which consist of rectangular, curvilinear, and diagonal planning elements. It is important that they fit harmoniously into the overall design concept.

Despite the apparent chaos, the irregular distribution of space has its own rules:

  • A path is laid from the gate to the house, decorated along the edges with flowers or bushes.
  • The entrance area is located at the exit to the street. A parking area is being set up there, which can be imagined either in the form of a garage or a simple canopy.
  • A recreation area with a playground is located behind the house. A garden is being planted there.
  • The utility yard is pushed to the farthest corner. There is a vegetable garden nearby.
  • Outbuildings and a vegetable garden are separated from other areas by fruit or ornamental trees.

Curvilinear or natural planning of a plot of 5 acres is usually carried out taking into account already laid paths and paths. The main principle in it is the smoothness of the lines, without sharp corners, straight lines. This gives the design a special elegance and beauty.

Shrubs and flower beds are planted along these paths. At the same time, it is important to ensure that they do not grow and do not cover the paths.

Arc planning involves the use of arcs and tangents in the design. This is acceptable on any site and is suitable for any stylistic decision. All turns and corners are rounded, which makes moving around them comfortable and enjoyable.


Birch tree planting Source mycountry.house

Circular or radial layouts are increasingly being implemented on rounded and elongated plots. All structures and zones are located along imaginary circular or arcuate lines. Lines extend radially from the center along which various structures and decorative elements are placed. This looks especially beautiful on a square-shaped plot, where the corners remain unused, so they are planted with different types of bushes and trees.

The house is built in the center or directly on the radial line. If it stands closer to the end of the site, then it is surrounded in a circle by different buildings and zones. You can place all design elements along a circular line on the side of the house.


Table with chairs in the backyard Source roomester.ru

Examples

The ideas and photos of the inside of the courtyard presented on the Internet can be done independently. The main and primary task when planning 5 acres is to distribute it into zones. Then, according to the plan, the breakdown is carried out.

There are 3 ways to divide a site, which is done using a scale grid:

  1. Rectangular.
  2. Diagonal.
  3. Circular.

The layout of the territory is carried out in relation to the facade of the house. The first method is easy to implement in practice. The lines of the garden, flower beds, and paths are laid parallel or perpendicular to the facade.

The diagonal method allows you to visually expand the boundaries of the site. The lines to the house are drawn at an angle of 45. This breakdown suggests many fresh solutions. The circular layout is the most labor-intensive, but as the photos show, such courtyards look the most comfortable and seem much larger than standard rectangles.

A good result is obtained by combining dividing methods, for example, a circle with a rectangle. To fully realize your wishes, you will need to develop more than one planning example.

What to pay attention to when planning

Any person who dreams of owning their own home on their own plot, even before purchasing land, has plans in their head about their future homeownership, about where and what to place in order to provide their family with comfortable, beautiful housing. After acquiring the land, even before the start of development, it will be necessary to take into account many factors associated with this site and reflect them in the design documents.


A small plot with all the necessary buildings Source topiar.ua


Landscape design with a lawn Source www.dizainvfoto.ru

It is necessary to resolve legal issues and study the requirements of various norms and standards. Therefore, you will have to prepare documents with local authorities even before the start of registration of the site. Remember about the “good neighborly” rules and regulations for the construction of structures, since their violation can start an ongoing war with neighbors, which often ends in court.

To properly draw up a plan, it is recommended to consider:

  • plot size;
  • its shape;
  • orientation to the cardinal directions;
  • relief;
  • soil type;
  • presence of groundwater and flood waters;
  • level of natural light.


Beautiful lawn behind the house Source roomester.ru


Cozy courtyard with seating area Source magazin.magazindomov.ru/
All of these factors, or even one of them, can be decisive when planning. For example, an increased groundwater level will require the construction of a large-scale drainage system and serious drainage measures. Without this, it will be impossible to start building a house. When creating a garden, the level of illumination and soil fertility are of great importance.

Without a detailed development of a plan, carrying out work on an area of ​​5 acres becomes difficult. Various errors are possible that will need to be eliminated as the site is developed. For example, blind corners and dead zones may form that remain unused, making it difficult to find effective use for them.


Courtyard with gazebo and swing Source design-sanna.com


Two-story house on a small area Source krym.afy.ru

It is especially difficult if errors are identified after the construction of buildings and communications. Then it is impossible to make adjustments.

Careful, competent consideration of engineering networks and communications is important. First, they designate the locations of buildings, lay out the most optimal routes for communications, and only after that pay attention to other planning points.


Drainage system around the house Source bouw.ru

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in landscaping work on sites.

How many acres in 1 hectare

It is customary to measure large areas in hectares - it is convenient and practical. Let us remember that 1 hectare corresponds to 100 acres, which is 10,000 m2. All official documents containing information about the area of ​​territories larger than 100 acres (for example, farm lands) are registered in hectares.


Size in hundredths of one hectare

Please note that the size of such lands is measured in square kilometers. How much will this be in hundreds? First of all, we convert the area of ​​1 km2 into meters. Example: 1000 m x 1000 m = 1,000,000 m2. The resulting figure corresponds to 100 hectares or 10,000 acres.

Where does site planning begin?

Typical plots of 5 acres are rectangular or square in shape, although there are rounded, elongated, tapering at one edge, and oval ones.


Country house with a balcony Source moidom-pz.ru


Option for placing a large two-story house on a small plot Source unidom.ua

The entire territory is divided into zones. There are usually four of them:

  • Residential, which includes a house with adjacent buildings: a terrace, a garage, a bathhouse.
  • Economic. Includes a barn, fuel storage for the house with an independent heating system. Housekeeping lovers allocate space for a chicken coop and rabbitry.
  • A place to relax.
  • Garden Garden. This zone is optional; the choice is determined by the preferences of the owners.

For each zone, its place is determined, after which their size and the size of the buildings are thought out. You should start by allocating space for large structures, then begin to distribute the remaining area. Sites are allocated for different zones, gardens, vegetable gardens, and all paths connecting all objects are marked.

The main route is determined, usually this is a path from the gate to the porch of the house.


Well on the site Source my-perfect.ru

The residential area usually occupies no more than 25% of the entire territory - this is about 125 square meters. m. About 15% of the area, that is, about 75 sq. m., is allocated for toilets, bathhouses, and sheds. m. The most space is usually occupied by the garden and vegetable garden, if the owners plan to grow something. This is about 100 sq. m. You can plant shrubs, fruit trees, flowers, build a small pond, gazebo.

If access to the house is difficult, it is built right at the gate. But it is better to place it away from the street and noise, to be closer to trees and flowers. For a children's playground, gazebos allocate space near the house. There is a pond nearby.


Small pond near the house Source klenufa.ru

Outbuildings are built closer to the fence, where they are less noticeable and take up less space. Better yet, attach the barn and gazebo to the house, making them corner ones.

The garage is important. It needs to be placed closer to the street, with an area of ​​about 7-8 square meters allocated for it. meters.


Checking into the garage Source realt.by

Therefore, the following points are indicated on the paper diagram:

  • entry point to the site;
  • location of the house;
  • garage or parking;
  • territory for a garden, vegetable garden;
  • flower beds;
  • water;
  • barn, toilet, bathhouse;
  • paths;
  • communications.

On the diagram it is necessary to mark the places where plants and trees are planted. It is better to abandon very large plants in advance; they shade the area and require a lot of space. Vegetable beds are placed along the fence or in a specially designated place so as not to disturb the aesthetics.

It is important to think about lighting. All significant objects should be illuminated: gazebo, porch, fountain, pond, paths, especially the main one.


Round lamps for the street Source www.avito.ru

Where did the hundreds come from - let’s eliminate the confusion in concepts

In pre-revolutionary Russia, the classic measure of land was the tithe, which was divided into fixed units of measurement. For example, “melon garden” with a plot size of 80x10 m2 (fathoms in the old days).

With the help of tithes, they even measured the area for mowing grass, making a simple calculation: a tithe of land - 10 stacks of hay. This unit of measurement was used until the revolution of 1917, a year after which the country began a gradual transition to the metric system of measures.

The concept of tithe was replaced by ar - a square plot of land 10x10 m, which corresponds to 100 m2. The new measure significantly eased the complexity of calculations, since the total area became easy to measure by the number of 10x10 m squares included in a specific area.


Summer cottage plot of 6 acres

Sotki, as a name, appeared back in the Soviet years, when dachas began to appear en masse, the area of ​​which was 4–6 ares. “Sotka” literally means the numeral “one hundred”; it is easy to pronounce and does not cause confusion with the number of meters.

Thus, the popular definition confidently took its place in the language of Soviet citizens and has successfully taken root in modern times. However, questions like “how many square meters are in one hundred square meters” are still relevant.

It is especially difficult to understand the issue for those who have never faced the need to measure the area of ​​a plot in order to understand its real size (for example, when buying/selling land).

You will be surprised how simple everything is: 1 hundred square meters is 100 square meters or ar of land, and an area of ​​10 hundred square meters corresponds to 10x100 m2. Knowing the square footage, you can now easily plan construction - how many squares can you build a house on, how much to allocate for other buildings, and how much will go to the strawberry patch.

At the same time, large territories (rural purposes, forest lease, etc.) are measured in hectares. Along with square meters, cadastral engineers use this unit of measurement when calculating the area of ​​objects. Therefore, the skill of converting meters into hundreds and hectares will be useful to every literate person.


Units of measurement of land area

There is another unit of measurement for large plots of land - an acre. In our country, it is used to determine the area of ​​agricultural land. One acre of land is 4046.86 m² or 40.47 acres.

Features of landscape design on 5 acres

Not every design is suitable for a small plot of 5 acres. The rustic style fits organically into 5 acres: winding paths, various fences: wattle fence, picket fence, fence made of poles. To recreate a special atmosphere, you can use old or antique objects: wooden benches, watering cans, cart wheels.


Option for locating the house in the center of the plot Source doma.expert

A lot of wood is used to construct various structures and supports for climbing plants. This could be a bathhouse, a log gazebo, a bridge, or pergolas.

They plant fruit trees, bushes, pumpkins, sunflowers. The arrangement should be arbitrary, even careless, without a clear pattern.


Country style in landscape design Source yandex.com

The English style is often called landscape. It is characterized by bright colors, smooth curves, asymmetrical layout without sharp corners and clear lines. Any irregularities and depressions are used. You can make a small pond of irregular shape and plant uneven places with wild flowers. A beautiful gazebo is perfect for this style.

An important element of this design is a large alpine slide, which imitates a real mountain landscape. For this, stones of different shapes and sizes and wild plants are used.


Arranging a clearing in the backyard Source www.pinterest.nz

The oriental style is characterized by maximum functionality, so it is well suited for a plot of 5 acres. Its components are bright flower beds, gazebos with a domed roof, fountains, stones and mosaics.

This style is good because it does not require large material costs, although not a single centimeter of space is left free. For example, you can use any remnants of ceramic tiles for mosaic finishing.

The eastern garden requires planting low-growing trees, including plums and cherries.


Landscape design in Japanese style Source ag-gardendesign.ru

Japanese style is laconic and does not require much space. It is enough to plant one tree and use many different stones. There must be a small body of water, with a lot of vegetation next to it. A small rock garden, a small pagoda with a fountain or waterfall will look elegant and stylish.

You will need to plant dwarf bonsai trees, as well as decorate the recreation area with screens, lanterns, stone decorations, and trees.

A Chinese garden is arranged according to the rules of Feng Shui, that is, taking into account the harmonious relationship of the elements Yin and Yang. You need to use wicker furniture, mats, interesting architectural elements, and lanterns.


Chinese style garden Source www.pinterest.com

The design of a summer cottage plot of 5 acres is not always possible to subordinate to certain rules and fit within a strict framework. Therefore, it is allowed to use even the most incredible creative ideas. This is characteristic of the so-called free style, which mainly depends on the tastes and wishes of the owners of the site.

Usually a large tree, vines, flowers are planted, and various items from other styles are used. You can play with the forest or fruit trees available on the site. The flowerbed is sown with any flowers, including wildflowers, a gazebo is built, and the pond is decorated with floating plants.

Style solutions for a small area

The design is chosen so that it is pleasant to look at. The most popular styles today are:

  • the eastern one is maximally functional, literally every centimeter of the area is fully used. Distinctive characteristics are low trees, including plum and cherry trees, which turn into “sakura blossoms” in the spring. A rock garden with a “toy” pagoda, a fountain, and a waterfall will also come in very handy. The country house itself is also sometimes stylized as Chinese;
  • palace - more expensive, luxurious, pompous, with an abundance of decor. The house is decorated with columns, benches made of stone or dark wood with forged legs, stone vases with flowers growing in them, curly trimmed rows of bushes repeating the shape of the benches. Reservoirs are decorated with stone bridges or their imitation;
  • natural - flower beds of wild flowers, sandy paths, low bushes. There may be several forest trees, which are given a decorative shape, simple wooden benches, and a carved gazebo. The pond is decorated with floating plants, and a light bridge spans the stream.

House on a plot of 5 acres

The relative position of various buildings and the house is the most difficult problem when planning a site. The main element in this case is a residential building. Its location is influenced by many different factors.


Location of the house on a plot of 5 acres Source brus.club/

Typical house placement options:

  • Central. Most often, the house is located in the center of the site, slightly shifted towards one of the side fences. A so-called backyard is organized behind it, and in front of it is a landscaped courtyard.
  • Front landing at home. It is carried out if it is not possible to make an entrance to a house located in the depths of the site.
  • Rear. Often houses are located in the depths of the garden, and the space in front of it is filled with trees and flower beds. This is especially important if there is a road in front of the site. In this case, it is better to place the building further away from it so that less noise penetrates into the house.


Beautiful house in American style Source design-sanna.com


Plot on a hill Source krym.afy.ru
Quite often, the topography of the site, especially in suburban areas, does not allow building a house where we would like. The site may be uneven, on a slope, triangular, elongated or L-shaped. Therefore, it is important, at the same time as aesthetic ones, to take into account such aspects as the convenience of entering the house from the entrance area.


Arrangement of differences in the area Source 123ru.net

If the site is located on a slope, the highest part is allocated for the house. Then flood waters will not flood the building after the snow melts or rains.

If the garage is adjacent to the house, then it is built from the entrance. Otherwise, you will have to allocate a significant area to organize access to it.

It is recommended to place a small lawn in front of the house. It is also advisable to build a children's playground close to the house so that children are always supervised. It is necessary to make paths from the house to the main buildings.


Small cozy house Source www.abitant.com

It is very important to choose the right direction for the front door of the house. This is not only a tribute to tradition, but an opportunity to make the operation of the house more economical and rational:

  • more light will penetrate into the rooms;
  • less heat-insulating materials will be needed for wall decoration;
  • The cost of heating or cooling your home will be reduced.

If you turn the door to the south, this side will be well lit even in winter. There will be less snow applied and it will melt faster, meaning less time and effort will be needed to clear the yard. The south side always warms up faster and is more protected from the wind, so less cold air will penetrate into the house.

The ideal option is to turn the games room and living room to the south. In this case, it is advisable to make a canopy or cornices on this side that will protect the premises from direct sunlight in the summer.


Large house on a small plot Source orion52.ru

On the north side there are rooms that can easily be done without windows: storage rooms, warehouses, a boiler room, a garage. A solid wall retains heat better.

The most favorable side of the world is the east. It is ideal for arranging kitchens, bedrooms, and lounges. During sunrise there will be bright, pleasant light; the rest of the day the room will remain bright and cozy. However, in winter this side of the house cools faster, so you shouldn’t have a lot of windows here.


Beautiful design of the entrance to the house Source remoo.ru/

The western side requires constant attention. It is cool and moisture tends to accumulate here. Therefore, it is not recommended to place living rooms and bedrooms in this part of the house.

It is important to take into account the general concept of the buildings and design of neighboring houses, the comfort of living with neighbors, your own well-being and rational use of space.

It is better to entrust the calculation of winds, sunlight intensity, heating and cooling to professionals who will develop an individual house project taking into account the characteristics of the site.


Option for placing a country house Source www.v-dacha.ru

Recommendations for visually increasing space

Owners of small estates can be given some general advice on how to avoid the impression of cramped space:

  1. Do not clutter the territory of your summer cottage with scattered large objects; try to arrange them as closely as possible. It is better if the garage or parking lot is adjacent to the house in front or on the side, and the terrace with barbecue is in the back. Outbuildings can also be “attached” to the cottage, instead of being moved to a separate place.
  2. Let the original landscape composition have one leading element, for example a waterfall, stream, bridge or artificial pond, and the most complete, laconic design.
  3. Avoid high monumental fences around the perimeter of a small area, especially inside it. An infrequent fence, an openwork wrought iron or hedge will do.
  4. Do not cut up a small area with many garden paths, this will make it look even more cramped.
  5. Moderate the diversity and diversity of decorative crops so as not to create chaos and not break out of the general style.
  6. Make the most of vertical surfaces - arrange a phytowall on them, hang flowerpots, plant fruit-bearing plants in boxes or flowers in pots.
  7. Plant small shrubs and not too spreading trees, otherwise the already modest estate will be plunged into the shade.
  8. Think carefully about lighting for ease of movement around the garden plot and visual expansion of its boundaries.

The photo shows an example of how you can decorate a vertical patio with a garden of flower pots

If the estate consists of several separate large buildings of bright color, spread bindweed and creeping plants over them - this will partially camouflage the walls and compensate for the cluttering effect.

In the photo, girlish grapes entwine a stone gazebo in the courtyard of a country house, thanks to which it does not look bulky

How to beat uneven soil

Before building a house and dividing the site into zones, you will need to eliminate all unevenness and differences in soil level. Sometimes a site initially has a flat surface, but even the most ideal surface at first glance has slopes, irregularities, and slopes.

Owners do not always have the opportunity to level the site. This requires a lot of time, money, and effort. You will have to cut off the soil somewhere, then pour it into the lowlands.

All irregularities can be played out and thus beautified the area. With the help of small tricks, disadvantages turn into advantages, and the small area itself visually seems more spacious.


Arrangement of a personal plot with your own hands Source yandex.kz

The advantage of an uneven area is also that when designing it, you can do without additional arrangement of each zone; you will not need trellises, screens, or partitions.

If there are smooth places and uneven spots on the site, then you can come up with an original solution for each of them. The depression can be turned into a pond or a bridge can be built over it. This will be a good place to relax.

A small hill easily turns into an alpine slide. There is no need to transport and pour soil. It is enough to bring stones, gravel, and plant the hill with plants.


Alpine slide Source www.pinterest.com

If the site is located so that it is completely open to the eyes of curious neighbors or passers-by, then you can use some tricks. This is especially important for the recreation area:

  • Build two adjacent, beautifully decorated walls at right angles. It could even be one wall in the form of a tall beautiful fence. The height of the wall should be much greater than human height. The area is decorated with beautiful plants.
  • Build a beautiful wooden lattice or put a metal mesh, next to which place a huge flowerpot with a climbing plant or plant, for example, grapes.
  • Plant tall coniferous plants densely around the entire perimeter of the recreation area. They not only protect from prying eyes, but also look very elegant.
  • Build an enclosed gazebo or canopy.

Insolation is the basis for the location of the house according to the cardinal directions

On a site that has multiple uneven areas, problems often arise with construction. Do not build a house in a lowland - it will be damp, and the basement risks being flooded with groundwater. It is also not advisable for the building to be blocked by hills or large alpine slides that block the sun.

The location of a residential building on a hill will reduce the risk of groundwater flooding

The ideal option for locating your own house along the cardinal directions on the site is to place it on a hill, making the entrance in the northeast. In the old days, the orientation relative to the cardinal points was taken into account by every Slav who built housing for his family.

Distribution of rooms in the house relative to the cardinal directions

The distribution of premises here will be approximately as follows:

  1. South side - there will be a children's room, a living room, a room for music and games, a study, a dining room, and a greenhouse. This is the sunniest part - in summer and winter a lot of sunlight penetrates here and it “stays” for a long time. To keep the room cool in summer, tall plants are planted in front of the window.
  2. The north side is a suitable place for storage rooms, closets, a garage, a boiler room, a toilet, a home laundry, and other utility rooms. There is little sun here, the space is illuminated evenly, but not brightly, so artificial light is necessary. It is not advisable to make large windows in this area - this will lead to significant heat loss due to cold winter winds.
  3. East side - here there are “adult” bedrooms, a mini-gym, a swimming pool, a dressing room, and a workshop. This space has excellent lighting in the morning, especially in summer. I usually make a lawn in front of the window; I plant low bushes that do not block access to the sun.
  4. The western side is the most suitable space for stairs, storage areas for household utensils, and corridors. This is the place most exposed to winds. The sun penetrates here only in the evening. For protective purposes (from winds, precipitation, overheating), a dense but not too high “hedge” is planted on this side.

Options for house orientation according to cardinal directions:

How to fit a garden and flower bed on a plot of 5 acres

An important point when arranging a site is its landscaping. You can use a variety of plants, trees and shrubs.


Backyard with green spaces Source akfengroup.ru

The most common way to decorate a site is the lawn. It not only decorates the site, but also improves the structure of the soil and purifies the air.

There are several types of lawns:

  • Ordinary. It is a uniform coating with a loose structure.
  • Decorative. Designed only for decoration of the site.
  • Mauritanian. Canvas sown with cereals and flowers.
  • Sports. It has a denser structure designed to withstand loads.

Lawns have different shapes and can be located on any terrain. You can place flower beds on it.


Landscape design style for a summer cottage Source www.pinterest.com

Trees and shrubs are the main inhabitants of the garden. The soil is pre-treated, fertilized and only the selected crops are planted in the field. You should consider the irrigation system and drainage in advance, since most trees do not tolerate stagnant water in the soil.

Deciduous or coniferous plants and fruit trees are used in the garden plot. They are planted in the center or along the perimeter. With their help, you can highlight the boundaries of different zones, and plant berry bushes nearby - currants, raspberries, gooseberries. For decorative purposes, lilacs or roses are planted, as well as boxwood, dwarf fir, and juniper.

In order to cover fences and fences, or to disguise a blank wall of a barn or house, you can plant a hedge of plants such as morning glory, hops, and honeysuckle. You can also use spruce, thuja, juniper, and yew.

A fence in the form of a screen or trellis can protect from wind, dust, sun or highlight a certain area on the site.


Flower bushes: hedge Source kuzmich24.ru

A beautiful flower garden often becomes the central decorative element on a site. It is important to choose and plant the plants correctly. Light-loving plants are planted in open areas, while shade-loving plants can be placed under trees, near fences, and outbuildings. In different places of the site, on the walls, on the fence, you can hang pots with flowers.


DIY flower garden design Source www.xn--seniorhlsa-w5a.se/

For planting vegetables, select the most open and illuminated place. There is no need to make a garden that is too large, otherwise there will not be enough space for a recreation area. However, if the main task of the owners is growing vegetables and gardening, then a significant area can be allocated for a vegetable garden.

If desired, you can put a small greenhouse made of film or plastic on a plot of 5 acres. A good solution for a small area would be vertical beds; greens and strawberries grow well in them.

It is necessary to ensure that this place does not flood after rains, and in dry weather it is necessary to ensure regular watering. This means you need to dig a well nearby and use pipes or a hose to supply water.

How to arrange a house according to Feng Shui?

The appropriate location of a house on a site in accordance with the philosophy of Feng Shui begins with a clear definition of the cardinal directions.

Feng Shui layout of the house and rooms

Feng Shui recommends the following:

  • the house is placed as close as possible to the center of the available space;
  • a very favorable place - on a mountain, any flat hill, its southern slope;
  • in an elongated area, the building is placed along the long side;
  • common rooms are not located in the western part of the home;
  • bedrooms are arranged in the southeast;
  • the kitchen is made in the northern part;
  • behind the house, but not close to it, a large tree is planted;
  • a building located on a plain is surrounded by bushes;
  • It is not advisable to build housing near water, especially standing water, as well as in places near sharp bends of rivers;
  • The most favorable areas for building a house are square, round, trapezoidal areas;
  • construction on a triangular, T-shaped, cruciform area will not bring happiness to the residents;
  • It is considered a good sign if the area to the right of the house is slightly lower than the area to the left;
  • large mirrors and glass surfaces are extremely undesirable, as they reflect positive energy.

Zoning of a plot of 5 acres

To make the most efficient use of the area of ​​a small plot, it should be properly zoned, that is, allocate zones for various types of activities of the plot owners. If you do this correctly, the area visually appears larger, and all functional areas fit perfectly into a small area. At the same time, the entire space should look like a single whole, each zone should smoothly transition into the neighboring one.


Correct zoning of a site with a children's slide Source www.pinterest.ca

For a plot of 5 acres for individual housing construction, the following zones must be provided:

  • garden;
  • economic;
  • for relax;
  • playground.

If possible, areas for sports activities can be designated. The size of each zone is determined taking into account the interests and preferences of the inhabitants of the house.

If the most important task is to have the opportunity to have a good rest after work, to invite relatives and friends, then the recreation area is equipped with maximum comfort. You can equip a bathhouse, a terrace or a shed with a barbecue, a gazebo with flower beds and a stone garden. They are grouped in one place or placed in different corners of the site.


Arrangement option with a recreation area Source dacnye-hitrosti.ru

The rest of the space is filled with flower beds, rock gardens, and trees. Various decorative figures are suitable; you can even make them yourself from scrap materials.

Utility buildings should be the most discreet part of the design. They are located behind the house in the far corner of the garden, near the fence. They are camouflaged with hedges.


Utility room Source property.mitula.co.uk

The playground can be placed directly on the lawn. Space is provided for swings, ladders, and slides. An inflatable pool is suitable for hot days.


Several thujas near the house Source www.pinterest.com

About paths, fences, lawns

The lawn is good for sunbathing in the summer season and having picnics. If there are children, there is a play area - swings, ladders, slides, and an inflatable pool. The fence is chosen at such a height that it does not overly shade the dacha or neighboring areas. It is made of stone, wood, metal profiles, and chain-link mesh. In the latter case, decorating the fence with creeping plants is especially important so that the area is not visible.

The main path is made about a meter wide, the rest are slightly narrower. It is important to choose the right material for them so as not to re-cover them every year. Large tiles, asphalt, and concrete are suitable. Pebbles, sand, and gravel will have to be added periodically. A slight slope along the edges of the paths will prevent water from accumulating on them during rain.

Growing a good, dense lawn will take several years, so it’s easier to use a store-bought, rolled one. It is expensive, but it looks good and holds up well on any slope.

Photo and design example

For a square plot with dimensions of 30x30m, choose a diagonal placement of objects.

  • If the main entrance to the site is from the south, then a parking lot will be installed next to it. The house is placed diagonally in the northeast corner of the plot, with non-residential rooms located on the north side.
  • Living rooms should be located on the south side, this is where the central entrance to the building with a veranda and panoramic glazing is located.
  • The veranda windows overlook the garden located in the southeast corner. The windows of the house from the living room overlook the playground.
  • In the center of the site there is a recreation area with a gazebo, an artificial pond and flower beds.
  • A utility area with premises: a barn, a bathhouse, workshops, a summer kitchen are located along the western border of the site at a distance of 3 m from its boundaries.
  • The utility block and recreation area are separated by garden beds.

Layout diagrams for plots of 9 acres and photos of the correct location of the main elements:

Vertical layout

There are several techniques to help visually expand the space. These include a vertical layout that distracts attention from the small size of the site and draws the eye to the accents. In practice it might look like this:

  • In the corners of the site, multi-tiered flower beds are created from bricks with a base covered with crushed stone, rock gardens.
  • Along the perimeter, if there are base walls, you can secure flower pots and other containers with earth.
  • On the site itself there are more shelving, where each shelf is a bed, flower beds based on old chests of drawers and cabinets (with flowers in each drawer). An economical option is a pile of car tires in which to create raised flower beds.
  • Hanging gardens can serve not only a decorative role, but also be used as beds. For example, you can grow herbs and various types of lettuce in pots.
  • The house is located directly opposite the entrance to the site, and first of all, the main vertical route is laid out from the gate in the fence to the door to the house.


The main path on the site is from the gate to the house, this is where landscaping begins


Garden paths should be combined with other landscape design elements

Look at photographs with a vertical layout for inspiration, to adopt ready-made solutions or adopt other people’s ideas and come up with your own based on them.


The most modern vertical gardening technique is the living wall. It does not take up much space, which makes it popular for small areas


To create a phytowall, choose unpretentious plants that require minimal care

Where to start designing?

Planning a plot of land (PL) for a summer cottage or for permanent residence is a complex creative process that requires, first of all, compliance with regulations in the field of land management and urban planning. Before starting work, study the characteristics of the charger. In order for the project to be of high quality, the contractor must collect the necessary information for analysis:


  • Terrain.

  • Groundwater level.
  • Climatic characteristics of the construction area: minimum air temperature, amount of precipitation, cardinal directions, wind directions and location of shadows on the ground.
  • Soil characteristics in order to correctly perform zoning of residential and garden areas.
  • Shape of the land: regular or irregular.

How to make a diagram?

  1. After collecting data, measure the perimeter of the site, transfer the obtained data to the plan, marking on it the red lines and boundaries of neighboring land plots, the direction of the cardinal points and winds.
  2. Next, they begin to draw all planned and existing objects on the diagram.
    Immutable objects are applied: large trees and other objects that are already placed on the memory and cannot be demolished, as well as paths and their directions. Multi-colored pencils mark areas with high humidity and different soil composition, as well as areas of lighting. For the future plan, choose a scale; experts recommend adopting it - 1:50 or 1:100.
  3. Next, they select objects that need to be placed on a plot of 9 acres, usually a residential building, a garage, a bathhouse, utility networks, outbuildings, green spaces and an artificial pond.
  4. After this, utilities and a drainage system are placed. This must be done before trees and plants are planted, as well as built objects.

Advice. Experts recommend that before the planning stage, take a thorough photograph of the territory, which will help to more accurately take into account all the features of the land.

Which zones should be allocated?

In order to ensure a normal level of living on a land plot of 9 acres, the entire territory of the land plot is divided into 4 zones:


  1. residential, for temporary or permanent residence - 10%;

  2. household, for organizing living conditions: firebox, bathhouse, livestock barn and workshops - 15%
  3. recreation area and playgrounds - 15%;
  4. gardening area -60%.

All zones are marked with boundaries; small fences, hedges and garden paths are used for this purpose. In this case, you need to choose the right height for each zone, for example, the recreation area is separated by a relatively high fence or wicker fence, which will protect vacationers from the sun and gusts of wind.

However, it is wrong to install high fences throughout the entire territory, since the area will be cluttered and look small. It is better if the internal boundaries are made in the form of paving slabs or decking.

Possible mistakes

Most often, mistakes are made by the developer of a plot of 9 acres at the time of its planning. The most common mistakes:

  • rectangular : the house is located without taking into account the relief in a swampy lowland, a preliminary analysis of the soil for planting a garden has not been carried out;
  • square : the house is located without taking into account the cardinal directions, the living rooms are facing north, the bathhouse is located on the leeward side, smoke during its operation enters the living quarters;
  • triangular : the entrance to the property is incorrectly made from the south side, and the house is located on the opposite side, which is why the road from the entrance to the garage runs through the entire plot;
  • round : when placing the garden area, the degree of illumination is not taken into account, the plants are in the shade for most of the daylight hours;
  • polygonal : when placing a house and outbuildings, sanitary and fire breaks between the objects of the bathhouse, toilet and household are violated, garden trees are placed at an unacceptably close distance from the boundaries of the property.

Nuances of arranging a dacha

The plot of 9 acres is not very large, so it is best suited for arranging a summer house with seasonal residence. It is most acceptable to place in such an area:

  • house with an area of ​​up to 90 m2 with a garage and parking for vehicles;
  • outbuildings: bathhouse, summer kitchen, barn, well, toilet, summer shower;
  • recreational facilities: terrace, children's or sports ground and artificial pond;
  • garden, vegetable garden and greenhouses.

Features of designing a storage unit for a dacha:


  • zoning of a site begins with choosing the location of the house, it is distributed by other objects;

  • outbuildings play a secondary role; they are placed in such a way that they are not “conspicuous”;
  • elements of the recreation area do not necessarily need to be concentrated in one place; they can be planned in different places;
  • the southern part of the territory is allocated to the gardening zone;
  • the playground should be visible from the house;
  • the bathhouse can be located in the northern part of the site, while the smoke from its chimney should not enter the living rooms;
  • Engineering networks for a dacha must necessarily provide water supply, electricity supply and drainage, but gas supply and heating are laid at the discretion of the owner.
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