Having just finished my DD's landscape, i,too, started with a blank slate. She had one small tree. I observed the sun exposure , sprinkler habits, shade exposure, and drainage for a few days. I made plans for flower beds and changed their position accordingly. Used a garden hose and an electrical cord to map out the location. Instead of digging out the grass, we put down 3 layers of cardboard and topped it with several inches of soil and mulch. A few plants went directly into the ground. We cut holes for them and amended the hard soil beneath it.
