HOW TO FIX YOUR WASTED GARDEN:
6 STEPS TO YOUR DREAM GARDEN DESIGN AND OUTDOOR LIVING LIFESTYLE
Garden design takes time; research, planning and finally installation. When done correctly you can finally enjoy your outside space and ultimately extend your living space.
Table of contents:
STEP 1: Site Survey
STEP 2: Collect Inspiration
STEP 3: Base Map
STEP 4: Design For Use
STEP 5: Test And Revise
STEP 6: Final Design
Garden design: The fundamentals
STEP 1: Site Survey
Inspect your space! Learn the strengths and limitations of your garden. Consider the microclimates (sunny and shaded areas, the temperatures and the general health). What privacy is currently in place? This will help with defining the utilisable areas.
Also take time to audit current plants to determine which to retain and which to remove. Are there any weed issues? Make a note of any weeds as it is important to deal with each different species in the appropriate manner.
STEP 2: Collect Inspiration
Look in magazines, flick through Pinterest and Instagram, in books (if you prefer ink of paper), visit garden centres, go on inspiration walks.
Is there somewhere/an outdoor space that you and the family enjoy? A local pub garden, a friend’s place, even somewhere abroad (how extraordinary would it be to recreate your favourite holiday destination in your own garden?!)
Having some positive inspiration will make the whole process a lot easier as it will give you something to base your design around.
STEP 3: Base Map
A base map is simply a drawing/digital design created accurately and to scale. It should include all permanent elements within your landscape.
Remember this part is vital to the planning and will take a fair bit of time and accuracy.
This map is great to brainstorm on and test out how viable each concept is. It is also wise to incorporate the sunny and shaded areas onto this map as again, it will be incredibly useful in the planning phase.
STEP 4: Design For Use
What do you want to get out of your space? What are your goals? Are you eager for an extension of your home to give the family more space? Do you love to entertain but lack the capacity to do so? Do you want to be more eco-friendly and grow as much of your own fruit, veg and herbs as possible?
Some options to consider: a bespoke sunken seating area, an outdoor kitchen, a pergola, raised planters, a new patio.
Form follows function. It would be pointless to create a prepossessing space if its functionality doesn’t suit your needs and desires.
STEP 5: Test And Revise
Now is time to piece it all together and begin to really visualise the design and make sure it’s all going to work.
Materials: Think about the materials you’ll use and how they will interact both functionally and aesthetically.
Hardscaping
Privacy
Safety
Drainage
Waste management: where and how will you dispose of it?
Maintenance: what time will you have to devote to the maintenance of the garden?
Phase planning
STEP 6: Final Design
Now all of the weighty planning and designing is complete, it’s time to deal with the fluffy stuff! You can now choose; furniture, flowers, plants & trees, lighting etc.
Top Tip only use flora that is predisposed to the exact conditions as opposed to trying to change the environment to suit.
The last few things we advise to consider when selecting shrubs and trees are; the focal point trees, the trees that will provide shade, privacy and windbreaks. These will all play significant roles within your outdoor space.
With all of this complete, the work can begin!
OR you can hand over the whole process to the professionals and let Luxury Outdoor Design create your luxury outdoor space for you!
