To-Design your Garden: Ideas-05-Ways To Update Your Space With Planting

1. Screening and zoning

You should also think about screening areas of your garden to create separate ‘rooms’. Introduce hard landscaping in the form of pergolas or fences, or through plants. ‘You can’t go wrong with hardy rose bushes or tall bamboo,’ suggests Jon Holloway, founder of Garden Trading. Alternatively, try a line-up of potted trees.
If space is limited, consider zoning areas of your garden, although this is a good idea for every garden shape and size.

‘The garden is definitely an extension of the kitchen and living space,’ says Vicky Angell, outdoor living buyer for John Lewis & Partners. ‘In part, this is because our homes are, on average, smaller than ever, so we’re looking to the outdoors for space to entertain and relax.’

Moucharabiya Screen, Screen With Envy
@OURHOMEONTHEFOLD (VIA SCREEN WITH ENVY)

2. Accessorise the fifth room

Think about how you can turn your outdoor space into a relaxing sanctuary with cosy garden decor and tactile furnishings. Essentially you want to create a living room look, it’s just outdoors rather than inside, so bear this in mind when on the hunt for decor and accessories.
For example, you could invest in an outdoor rug (Cuckooland sell a great selection of Fab Hab rugs made from recycled plastic) along with chunky knit throws, lanterns, and outdoor cushions for an inviting and snug feel. Reflect light around your chosen spot with a garden mirror; invest in a waterproof speaker; choose citronella candles to keep bugs at bay; keep warm in the evenings with a patio heater, and last but certainly not least, dot smaller potted plants around the space, much as you would with houseplants.

Scion Mr Fox Outdoor Rug in Charcoal Grey, The Rug Seller
THE RUG SELLER/ANDY GORE

3. Integrate your ornaments

The most important rule with garden ornaments is to nestle them in with the planting. Choose wisely as an ornament or water feature (although it’s great for wildlife) that’s plonked in the centre of an empty space is unlikely to look good. If it’s too small it will look lost and something too big will overwhelm the space; the latter has also been known to devalue your home, so it’s something to bear in mind when it’s time to sell.

If you like the idea of hearing the trickle of running water in your garden but don’t want a fountain, try a simple stone trough and water spout like the one incorporated into Butter Wakefield’s Ribbon Wheel garden (below). The antique trough is designed with wall panels hanging above it, incorporating antiqued mirrors to reflect the garden beyond and painted a dark grey to set off the green of the surrounding plants.

Antique stone trough in Ribbon Wheel Garden by Butter Wakefield
BUTTER WAKEFIELD VIA SOCIETY OF GARDEN DESIGNERS

4. Install a garden room

A garden room is a great way to maximise and extend your space whether you want a home office or a yoga studio, and planning permission is not usually required. Whether it’s a large shed or summerhouse, it can be the perfect space for entertaining guests over summer. And can even be used as additional accommodation for guests.

Think about ways to make your garden more than just an outdoor area to eat, drink and soak up the sunshine.

Country Living Flintham 7 x 7 Traditional Summerhouse Painted + Installation – Aurora Green, Homebase
HOMEBASE

5. Living walls

Living walls are becoming more popular in garden designs. Providing a great way to embrace vertical planting. And create maximum drama in your outdoor space. You can position a living wall anywhere. Just remember to choose the right plants for that part of the garden. Just as you would with a border. There are plenty of green wall kits and living wall planters available too. So shop around to find one that best suits your space.

Edible Wall, Dobbies
DOBBIES

To-Design your Garden: Ideas-05-Ways To Update Your Space With Planting

Thanks To: House Beautiful