Landscaping

I tend to use the tool of terrain painting for marking where I want things to go, roughly. then I modify the terrain if I want, first roughly and then I smooth it out, then I build the shell of the house, add stairs / make ramps with the terrain tool to access the house. At the end I do all the decoration and furnishing room by room. Lastly, I remove all the terrain paint I had for markingsa nd add new terrain paint for decoration (I think it makes a big difference). By this point I'm usually broke so I decorate the garden with default items.

First, Move objects always on for planning landscaping. I like to layer stuff on top of one another then I always use the terrain tool to tweak it. I always lay out my landscaping in corners where there are no pathing issues with my sims. I like garden paths, but I can't get them to use them LOL

If you want to stick to indigenous plants, trees etc, narrow your search to whatever pack you are in.

@Mariefoxprice83 Talking about landscaping, and me sharing my Oasis Springs "Revitas" trailer park, got me back into working on it. As a HUGE lot it's quite the challenge for landscaping. I've been planning in putting in gardens and trees like apple and banana trees, etc.

Basically just play around with it in build mode. As usual save often, but keep in mind you can undo things pretty quick too in build mode. Or redo. ;)

https://i.imgur.com/oaZawQL.png

3 more screenies here:

Designing inside the house, and outside, assumes the same degree of creativity. Keep in mind, the main thing that changes are the assets your designing with. Both areas must be divided into sections. Inside the house these sections are called rooms. Outside the house, you can think of them as being themes.

..... For example. In your yard area you may have a fair amount of empty space in one of your corners. This could be perfect for a "camping" theme. Place a tent or two, seating area, bon-fire, and other camping decor, etc. Add your foilage/trees as required to improve that theme.

..... If you have enough yard space for yet another theme, toss one together, using foilage to decorate just that theme.

Lastly: When you're done, you have a yard of themes, which you then connect using paths, and other decor. This will make the rest of the yard area blend into the themes.

Important: Don't cram, or force themes to fit. When done, you'll want an open environment that doesn't look like a junk yard of items all over the place. Be semi-scarce.

Also important. Rooms in the house are created horizontally. Themes outside the house are created (sometimes) vertically. Meaning, when creating the camping theme in the corner, raise the land to give it it's own camping mound.... leaving an area for a path up to it from the rest of the yard when you connect your themes.

One theme at a time, your exterior design will create itself.

Good luck.

Changing the terrain elevation is really tricky. I recommend getting the basics down pat first before messing with that. ;)

Landscaping is one of my favorite things to do in TS4.

I begin by creating some interesting elevation changes along the front of the house, usually sloping down toward the driveway. I like to plant tall trees at the front corners of the house and dig a curving garden bed, lined with low outdoor lights. A good mix of large bushes, rocks, flowers, and grasses is key. And it’s important to have at least a couple “layers” of depth as opposed to one single line of plants.

i don't plan my landscaping at all, i just find bushes i like and place them in places i'd want them. If i don't like the location of the bush i just move it around till it's somewhere i like. depending on the area and what kind of home i add other plants and flowers till i'm happy. same wiht trees. Patios however i kind of plan than with the house.

that's my two cents :D happy simming!