Ideas for Landscaping a Bi-Level House

Accentuate the Entry

• The front door of a bi-level home is located between the two different levels. Enhance the entry by repaving your front walkway or steps with attractive brick, slate or stone pavers. Add a low border with flowering plants or small, sculpted shrubs. Pathway lighting adds appeal at night and helps your guests find their way up the walk.

A Green Screen for Privacy

• The lower level windows of a bi-level home are often located near the ground line, making it possible to see directly into them from the street. Although you shouldn't completely block them, consider planting low shrubs that don't grow in too dense. Good choices include hydrangeas and azaleas, which also add a burst of color to your home during blooming seasons.

Create Balance with Tall Trees

• Bi-level homes are literally split into two sections, one of which is taller than the other. Create visual balance by planting a fast-growing tree in front of the lower section to balance out this "triangle." If your property is narrow and long, plant the tree at one corner to help anchor your yard.

Frame the Picture Window

• A picture window in the living area is the focal point of many bi-level homes. Especially if the sill is high off the ground, this window should be framed or anchored by a landscaping element. Consider installing a custom trellis with ivy or flanking the window with two medium-height shrubs or small trees.

Soften Your Home's Boxy Form

• If your home looks boxy, contrast it with free-form flower beds in your front and back yards. Curvilinear shapes soften the heavy massing of a bi-level home. Try wrapping a bed around the side of your home to anchor and enhance its asymmetrical form.