In the first part, we began the journey of designing a garden by exploring the creation of a wish list for your ideal outside space. We analysed the garden, and attended to some of the practicalities to consider. This is like collecting the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle… and now that you have the pieces, it is time to set them out, and marry them together.
Every Garden is Unique
Good design is all about attention to detail. How one element connects and flows into the other, and the relationship that they have with one another.
There is no ‘one size fits all’ about how to do this. Every person and garden are unique, so there will be a fair amount of ‘try this and see how they fit’ during the design process. To get you started here are some pointers:
- You have identified where the sun is, marry this with where you the patio will be situated. It might not be where you expect it – do not be afraid to move the seating area a bit away from the house.
- Move into the garden – a patio nestled in planting is much nicer than one squished up against a boundary fence, especially if it is on a street or beside neighbours. Being in the garden allows space for a buffer zone of planting between you and the outside world. It can add privacy.
The Beauty of Good Design is that it appears effortless
Consider scale and proportion
We tend to know instinctively when something looks right or not – and it is not just about how it looks, the ergonomics also come into play.
This is all about the journey through the garden. Paths should be wide enough to traverse comfortably, and you will soon notice if the proportions are outwith a set of steps.
That is the beauty of good design, it appears effortless. You will rarely traverse a set of steps and think ‘these are well designed’, but you will soon notice if they are not – and they could well be dangerous too!
Lead Lines
It is not just about the physical journey through the garden, our eyes travel through it too. Lead lines are created by shapes and patterns that direct our eyes. Focal points act like punctuation. They are not only something nice to look at, they also give our gaze somewhere to rest.
Less Can Often Be More
A busy garden can be confusing to our mind as the eye does not know where to rest – we instinctively look for pattern and order in spaces.
This includes materials too. I always aim for no more than 3 types of materials – and if you can, repeat materials, colours, shapes, and textures across the garden to aid a sense of balance and flow.
Maintenance
Do not forget to consider how your garden will be maintained – one of my favourite features is mown edges, where the relationship between hard landscaping and lawn allows for seamless mowing, with not a strimmer in sight!
A Professional Eye
There is a lot that goes into a garden design and the profession is multi-faceted and multi-disciplined – that is why it is a profession. Nothing can beat the skill and attention of engaging with a good garden designer and I would certainly encourage you to do so.
This is not always an option open to everyone though, and there can be a certain satisfaction in creating something for oneself by oneself, even if it is a bit DIY. The aim of this 2-part special on designing gardens has been to give you pointers, tips, and inspiration to help you avoid some of the pitfalls that can arise when creating a garden.
Everyone is different and there is no one size fits all in garden design – first and foremost is the importance of creating an outdoor space that you can love, cherish, and enjoy.
Designer and Director of Lynn Hill Garden Design, Lynn loves designing wonderful green spaces and has worked on a wide variety of projects – from small townhouse courtyards, to sprawling country landscapes. She has created gardens at Chelsea Flower Show, Hampton Court Flower Show, and Gardening Scotland, as well as working with BBC TV as a Design Consultant for Beechgrove Garden COP26 Special.
Lynn is passionate about sharing her vision and skills. Having a 1st Class Honours Degree in Community Education from the University of Edinburgh, as well as an HNC with Distinction in Garden Design, she brings a dedication to social and environmental purpose. She has been honoured with many awards which stand testament to her devotion, skill, and attention to detail.
Green spaces can be sanctuaries that nourish us, heal us, inspire us. Lynn encourages us to view our gardens as an extension of our home, and embrace the benefits they bring to our health and wellbeing.
A member of the Scottish Ecological Design Association, and Women In Property, Lynn also finds time to work alongside Scottish Actor Gordon Brown to create a holiday respite home for families with children affected by cancer for the Eilidh Brown Memorial Fund.
See more of Lynn’s work at www.lynnhillgardendesign.co.uk