There’s no doubt that when you’re in the process of planning your new outdoor living space that you’ll be doing quite a bit of research. It may involve perusing the Internet or making a Saturday afternoon outing to a variety of home and garden material stores. Here are some handy apps and web sites we think will help you capture and organize your ideas:

1. Pinterest. Are you pinning? This web site is the modern day equivalent of clipping all those dreamy photos out of home & garden magazines. Organize your boards by features, styles, concepts or anything else you can think of.

2. Evernote. This app is great because it integrates with both your smart phone and your desktop computer, allowing you to take notes on the go and access the files when you get home. One of the most handy features is the ability to tag both notes and images so you can keep them organized by type. Download the app: Apple | Android

3. QR Code readers. Everyone’s beginning to use these funky bar codes. There are all sort of ways companies are incorporating the use of QR codes, from providing quick links to fact sheets to rewarding clients with discounts, a quick scan unlocks a wealth of information. We recommend these apps: Apple | Android

4. A camera. Whether it’s on your phone or you have a pocket-sized point & shoot, it’s handy to snap a photo of the things you like. A picture really is worth 1,000 words, and being able to show your designer something you liked is powerful. Bonus: the photos you take can be uploaded to Evernote. Camera apps should be standard on your phone.

Do you have a tool you like to use when planning a major project? Share it with us!