A haphazard outdoor area will scream "cheap." Or messy. So before you dive into creating your space, make sure you have a plan.

"Know what you want to achieve—how you want to feel in you space, what functions you want to carry on and what image you want to project," says artist and designer Pablo Solomon. "Study what you like about luxurious landscapes that you have seen, and then try to incorporate those elements into your space."

According to Solomon, good landscaping is based on five key components:

Balance
Proportion
Color
Textures
Shape
He advises clients to imagine they're creating postcards as they frame views to and from their home.

"We usually think of landscaping as having some basic zones—the central focus (usually your house), the spaces surrounding your focus, the perimeter of your property and the lines of sight/paths connecting those elements," he says.

Consider these zones as you map out your dream space (seriously, put good old-fashioned pen to paper on this one) and incorporate Solomon's five elements into your plan.

2. Focus on the entry
Traditional entry design
Traditional entry designBurke Brothers Landscape Design/Build
To get the most luxe bang for your buck, spend your dollars where they'll make the most impact: the front entryway.

"Lay a pathway using brick, cobblestone, or even concrete—and if you choose the latter, take it a step further by painting it in contrasting colors," says Brian Rhoden of Daniels Lawn Service in Orlando.. "Two contra