Inspired by Rocket Garden Design’s ethos of prioritising wildlife and wellbeing, transforming city and suburban spaces into personal retreats, we asked garden designer Eliza to share her top tips for designing an outdoor space.
Why design?
Putting thought into the design of your garden, patio or balcony can transform the way you use the space and maximise your living area. With most of us spending more time at home these days, it’s vital that we’re making the most of our outdoor areas – no matter how small – and use it as an opportunity to reconnect with nature. Winter is a great time to get plans in place, so here are my top tips for creating your ideal green oasis.
Tip 1: Design for lifestyle
The best gardens are those you never want to leave. When structuring a space – be it a large plot or tiny patio – think about how you and your household will most enjoy using it. Perhaps you want to create a cosy spot for working from home, host barbecues for friends, or fill it with home grown vegetables. Considering your lifestyle will give you a great starting point for choosing key features and forming a structure in order to make it truly personal and inviting.
Tip 2: Observe the space
Whether you’ve opted for masses of planting or a select few pots, choosing suitable plants is crucial to creating a thriving garden. Start by observing the conditions in your space – is it exposed to lots of wind or in a sheltered spot? Which areas receive sunlight and shade throughout the day? Is it wet and boggy, or typically dry? From here, you can create a shortlist of plants suitable for your garden, and different areas within it.
Tip 3: Understand your style
Similar to designing an interior, it’s great to understand your own style preferences. Think about a sleek contemporary look verses a more relaxed, cottage garden style. Ask yourself if a bright, colourful space would work best, or a more muted, pastel or lush green palette. It’s always a good idea to draw parallels between your architecture, interior and garden style to help them sit well together. You could also take inspiration from Moroccan or Mediterranean gardens, or even adopt an exotic jungle theme if your local conditions allow.
Tip 4: Add decor and features
Although plants are often the star of the show when it comes to gardening, there are many other important features you can incorporate to bring your space to life. Good quality garden furniture, bold printed cushions, cosy lighting and even outdoor rugs can make a courtyard beautiful and inviting. In larger spaces, ponds, pergolas and raised beds can bring structure and year round interest. Collections of pots of different sizes and levels are great for building up greenery and texture in spaces of all sizes.
Tip 5: Welcome wildlife
When designing a space, it’s important to keep wildlife in mind. Many species of insects are in decline, hedgehog numbers are dropping rapidly, and the variety of garden birds is diminishing – particularly in urban areas. Be sure to choose nectar-rich plants for birds and butterflies to feast on, and try to avoid replacing real lawn with artificial turf where possible. Leaving ‘natural’ areas of longer grass or a small woodpile will offer a welcome home to small creatures. It feels great to create a space that you can enjoy, whilst knowing you’re supporting nature and the local environment.
Rocket Garden Design offer a highly recommended online garden consultancy service, and now with 30% off for winter providing a half (£70) or full (£120) day of expertise! Starting with a video call, the service can help with initial design ideas, choosing plants for a particular area, transforming a balcony into a green oasis and much more. This works well for those who have a smaller budget or don’t require a full re-design, but still want some sketches or plant lists to get them started.
Contact Rocket Garden Design for more details.