How to layout your dream garden retreat
There are many garden landscaping ideas for creating zones or a family-friendly garden. So weigh all your options when considering garden layout ideas and what suits you best.
Leigh Barnes of Jacksons Fencing says garden zoning is becoming more popular because it maximises garden space (opens in new tab). Screens, trellis, and flowerbeds divide the space. This creates child-friendly, entertainment, and private zones. Summer WFH could be peaceful here. Get More Info about North Hill Gardens.
Garden design
These ideas will inspire you to redesign your garden.
1. Create a firepit garden with wooden bench and fire pit.
With a custom firepit and seating area, you can keep warm and play into the night. Build one with bricks or choose one you can move around the garden.
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To keep the family warm while toasting marshmallows over the fire, surround your firepit with built-in seating and top with throws and cushions.
2. Make garden zones with tables and chairs.
Zone a rectangular garden with patio ideas. A patio near the house is great for eating and drinking, and planted borders hide fencing.
To maximise space, spend time identifying sunny and shaded areas when marking out your zones.
Even make two patios. Two that get morning sun and afternoon sun. That means you’ll always have a sunny spot for a G&T or tea!
3. Create a cosy courtyard with patio table and wooden fence.
For cosy small garden ideas, place a table in the middle surrounded by seating.
Clematis or climbing roses hide brickwork or fencing. These give small garden fence ideas colour, texture, and scent.
4. Create a winding garden path with trees.
Create winding paths to patios or garden decking ideas for long garden layout ideas. The path curves to highlight different parts of the garden.
Break up grassy areas by planting along the path. Choose plants of different heights and colours for depth and visual interest.
Lavender is good because you can smell it as you pass.
5. Create a couch-and-cushion garden hideaway.
Create a shaded garden nook with built-in seating and a pergola. This makes a relaxing space.
Easy climbing plants can hide the area. Let these climb the pergola for a cosy feel. To hide the seating, use lush plant borders. This adds privacy to overlooked gardens.
6. Create a multipurpose garden with blue shed and egg chair.
Use every space to meet all your garden needs. Relax in built-in outdoor seating. In bad weather, a summerhouse provides a quiet retreat.
Tall structured planting softens hard landscaping and adds texture and colour. Easy-care grasses and evergreens
7. Plants soften hard landscaping.
plant-filled garden
Plant beds divide a large patio. Create a winding path with circular beds.
Choose the sunniest spot for a daylong seating area. Acers add height and colour to courtyards.
8. Build a garden bar with a drinks trolley.
If you entertain a lot in your garden, why not build a bar or outdoor kitchen?
Close the front in winter. This will keep leaves and garden debris out of the bar.
Patios with outdoor dining tables and barbecues benefit from a bar. You can keep food and drinks close.
9. Create a pergola-covered garden with a dining table.
A pergola can shade a patio dining area. In summer, your garden needs a shaded dining spot. Relaxing somewhere cool is always good.
Canvas sails can replace pergolas. These can provide shade or light rain protection.
Festoon lighting on pergolas looks great. It creates a relaxing outdoor evening.
10. Create a family-friendly garden with chalkboard and toys.
Create a children’s garden.
Include a small sandpit and mud kitchen to entertain them. Outdoor chalkboard walls let them be creative. A playhouse or climbing frame in a larger garden will entertain them for hours.
Place kid-friendly areas near the house or patio. You can watch them play.
How to maximise small garden space?
Consider the space’s main use first. Choose foldable garden furniture for multifunctionality.
Bistro sets are perfect because they’re small and can be hung on a garden wall with hooks.
‘When you have a small garden, you must ensure you know exactly what you want to use your garden for, similar to how you would design rooms in your house for specific uses,’ says Moda Furnishings CEO Jonny Brierley (opens in new tab). All small garden outdoor furniture should have storage and multifunctionality.
If you don’t have room for a border, a few potted plants will add colour, and a small shed or storage box will help you organise tools, toys, and garden chairs.
What’s the lowest-maintenance garden layout?
A patio or deck will reduce summer mowing time.
Paving and artificial grass are low-maintenance options. MyJobQuote gardening expert Fiona Jenkins says, “Several things can make a garden low maintenance” (opens in new tab). Patio gardens are a great way to do this. Patios require less maintenance than lawns.
“If you’re adamant that you want a lawn in your garden, artificial grass is the most low-maintenance option, and it doesn’t require mowing or watering,” says Fiona. Decking is another low-maintenance garden option. Remember that large areas of either are unsustainable. Garden pollinators need grass and plants.
