Design Workshop: How to Work Out Your Garden Layout
Planning a garden is exciting. What features will you include? Where will you put them? And what style will you choose?
Once you have put together a site survey of your garden, the next step is to figure out the potential location of all the elements on your wish list – outdoor living, ornamental and vegetable gardens, water features, artwork, service areas and so forth. This can easily be done by laying a piece of tracing paper over your site survey/plan and drawing bubble diagrams for each area that roughly equate to the space they would require. Take your time over this functional layout to make sure each element in the garden is in the right place and is the correct size.
This functional layout can be combined with the site survey to create your final garden concept plan. But before you do this, it’s essential to be extremely clear about the style of your garden – whether it will be formal or informal, contemporary or traditional, exotic or cottage. To make the process easier, follow our step by step guide.
This functional layout can be combined with the site survey to create your final garden concept plan. But before you do this, it’s essential to be extremely clear about the style of your garden – whether it will be formal or informal, contemporary or traditional, exotic or cottage. To make the process easier, follow our step by step guide.
2. Where will outdoor living be?
You need to consider the size of space (or spaces), whether you’ll be entertaining big groups or just your family, and if you want more than one space to sit in the garden. Proximity to the house is also important as is whether you need to create shelter or shade from the wind, sun and rain.
Aspect (the direction the area faces) is also key with outdoor living. Obviously a north-facing position will receive the most sun. You may prefer a shady spot to hang outside, though. Other factors to consider include: views/outlook, whether you have enough level ground for outdoor living areas, privacy from neighbours and traffic noise.
You need to consider the size of space (or spaces), whether you’ll be entertaining big groups or just your family, and if you want more than one space to sit in the garden. Proximity to the house is also important as is whether you need to create shelter or shade from the wind, sun and rain.
Aspect (the direction the area faces) is also key with outdoor living. Obviously a north-facing position will receive the most sun. You may prefer a shady spot to hang outside, though. Other factors to consider include: views/outlook, whether you have enough level ground for outdoor living areas, privacy from neighbours and traffic noise.
3. Work out your key shapes
Getting the shape of the main spaces in the garden – outdoor living areas, terraces, lawns, swimming pool – needs to be decided right at the start. These are usually the largest elements in a garden and they will have a significant effect on its design.
Once you have worked out the shape of these main spaces the leftover areas can be used for planting, paths and service areas. Simple shapes such as circles, curves, squares and rectangles work best in a garden. Play around using a tracing or copy of your functional plan, until you have come up with something you like. If you’re stuck for ideas there are many books available on garden design that can help. Look out for authors such as John Brookes, Paul Bangay, Anthony Paul and Peter Fudge.
There are no set rules for garden layouts but some of the following guidelines are worth considering:
Getting the shape of the main spaces in the garden – outdoor living areas, terraces, lawns, swimming pool – needs to be decided right at the start. These are usually the largest elements in a garden and they will have a significant effect on its design.
Once you have worked out the shape of these main spaces the leftover areas can be used for planting, paths and service areas. Simple shapes such as circles, curves, squares and rectangles work best in a garden. Play around using a tracing or copy of your functional plan, until you have come up with something you like. If you’re stuck for ideas there are many books available on garden design that can help. Look out for authors such as John Brookes, Paul Bangay, Anthony Paul and Peter Fudge.
There are no set rules for garden layouts but some of the following guidelines are worth considering:
- Keep it simple and bold.
- Straight lines generally work best in contemporary gardens although the occasional curved form such as a pond will create a dynamic contrast.
- Circles are ideal for rectangular or square sites as you can use them to disguise the boundaries with planting.
- If you’re keen on curves, keep them long and loose rather than tight and wiggly.
4. Position ornamental gardens
When locating ornamental gardens, soil quality is an important factor (see my guide to completing a garden site analysis), as is drainage, shade and sun. You also need to consider the purpose of any planting. For instance will it function as a focal point, a living screen or provide shade? Size of garden beds depends on your site but think about how much time you might have to maintain them.
Finally, the style of plantings needs to relate to your overall theme eg subtropical, native, formal, cottage, Mediterranean or contemporary like this lovely Perth garden by Solscapes
When locating ornamental gardens, soil quality is an important factor (see my guide to completing a garden site analysis), as is drainage, shade and sun. You also need to consider the purpose of any planting. For instance will it function as a focal point, a living screen or provide shade? Size of garden beds depends on your site but think about how much time you might have to maintain them.
Finally, the style of plantings needs to relate to your overall theme eg subtropical, native, formal, cottage, Mediterranean or contemporary like this lovely Perth garden by Solscapes
5. And vegetable beds
Never underestimate proximity to the kitchen with an edible garden. The longer the trek, the less you will use it. Be realistic about how much time you have to maintain the garden when you are working out the size of beds. It may be that growing a few salad greens and some herbs is about all you can manage.
Most vegetables need plenty of sun but are not keen on wind so think about this when locating beds. Soil is, of course, crucial. If yours is not that great, raised beds like these ones designed by Sustainable Garden Design might be the answer. Don’t forget access to the garden. You’ll soon get tired of lugging bags of potting mix through the house if there’s no side path. And will watering be relatively easy?
Never underestimate proximity to the kitchen with an edible garden. The longer the trek, the less you will use it. Be realistic about how much time you have to maintain the garden when you are working out the size of beds. It may be that growing a few salad greens and some herbs is about all you can manage.
Most vegetables need plenty of sun but are not keen on wind so think about this when locating beds. Soil is, of course, crucial. If yours is not that great, raised beds like these ones designed by Sustainable Garden Design might be the answer. Don’t forget access to the garden. You’ll soon get tired of lugging bags of potting mix through the house if there’s no side path. And will watering be relatively easy?
6. Think carefully about focal points
These should be easily viewed from inside, or from outdoor living spaces. With small gardens one or two focal points is usually enough. If you’re considering a fountain or water feature like this one, make sure it’s not in a windy spot or wind spray could become a problem. Overhanging trees can cause issues with leaf drop into ponds, and shade which will affect how well waterlilies will grow.
And always check with the local council for the legal depth and any other safety requirements for ponds and water features in your area.
These should be easily viewed from inside, or from outdoor living spaces. With small gardens one or two focal points is usually enough. If you’re considering a fountain or water feature like this one, make sure it’s not in a windy spot or wind spray could become a problem. Overhanging trees can cause issues with leaf drop into ponds, and shade which will affect how well waterlilies will grow.
And always check with the local council for the legal depth and any other safety requirements for ponds and water features in your area.
7. Don’t forget service areas
Essential but so often overlooked, service areas such as clotheslines, sheds, potting areas and storage for rubbish bins, garden equipment, bikes and other outdoor toys need to be conveniently located but not, if possible, seen from outdoor and indoor living spaces. Think about locating them in leftover spaces such as the side of the garage and the southern side of the house, or behind a screen at the end of the garden. Off-street parking is another service area well worth including in your garden plan.
Essential but so often overlooked, service areas such as clotheslines, sheds, potting areas and storage for rubbish bins, garden equipment, bikes and other outdoor toys need to be conveniently located but not, if possible, seen from outdoor and indoor living spaces. Think about locating them in leftover spaces such as the side of the garage and the southern side of the house, or behind a screen at the end of the garden. Off-street parking is another service area well worth including in your garden plan.
8. Connect different areas
Once you’ve worked out where all the key parts of your garden will be, you need to connect them to each other and the house. Deciding what materials you use for paths can be determined further down the track, unless perhaps you are building your house and want to pour concrete for floors and footpaths at the same time.
Don’t leave it to the end to think about paths and don’t skimp on them, either. Remember that cheaper materials such as stepping stones, pebbles or even bark can be used for minor routes that are not used often. Take inspiration from this stepping stone path created by Tim Davies Landscaping for a Perth garden.
Once you’ve worked out where all the key parts of your garden will be, you need to connect them to each other and the house. Deciding what materials you use for paths can be determined further down the track, unless perhaps you are building your house and want to pour concrete for floors and footpaths at the same time.
Don’t leave it to the end to think about paths and don’t skimp on them, either. Remember that cheaper materials such as stepping stones, pebbles or even bark can be used for minor routes that are not used often. Take inspiration from this stepping stone path created by Tim Davies Landscaping for a Perth garden.
9. Work out any structural planting
At this stage of the design process it’s a good idea to think about the structural (as opposed to decorative) planting in your garden. This includes hedges, screens and feature trees. Often we have to wait until finances allow for built structures such a deck, paving or water feature but planting won’t usually break the budget.
If you can begin to plant the perimeters perhaps, you’ll feel you are working towards your dream garden. And starting as early as possible with planting means your hedges and trees will be well established by the time you are putting the finishing touches to the garden and it will have a mature look to it.
At this stage of the design process it’s a good idea to think about the structural (as opposed to decorative) planting in your garden. This includes hedges, screens and feature trees. Often we have to wait until finances allow for built structures such a deck, paving or water feature but planting won’t usually break the budget.
If you can begin to plant the perimeters perhaps, you’ll feel you are working towards your dream garden. And starting as early as possible with planting means your hedges and trees will be well established by the time you are putting the finishing touches to the garden and it will have a mature look to it.
10. Make a planting plan
Not another plan, you say. But drawing up a plan before you buy structural plants will give you an idea of how they will fit together in your garden – and it can save you a lot of money in the long term. It’s easy to buy too many plants because we underestimate how big they will eventually grow. You may decide to change some things when you start your planting but at least you will have an overall guide as a starting off point.
Simply photocopy or trace your site or concept plan making sure the boundaries, house, structures, existing trees and shrubs you want to keep and shape of your garden beds are shown. Look up the new trees and shrubs you have selected in a garden book or online to determine their eventual height and spread. Make rough circular shapes to show the spread of each plant on the plan to the appropriate scale. Groups of the same plant can be drawn as one loose shape but the dimensions should still be reasonably accurate.
TELL US
Are you planning a garden? Share a photo and your experiences in the Comments section.
Not another plan, you say. But drawing up a plan before you buy structural plants will give you an idea of how they will fit together in your garden – and it can save you a lot of money in the long term. It’s easy to buy too many plants because we underestimate how big they will eventually grow. You may decide to change some things when you start your planting but at least you will have an overall guide as a starting off point.
Simply photocopy or trace your site or concept plan making sure the boundaries, house, structures, existing trees and shrubs you want to keep and shape of your garden beds are shown. Look up the new trees and shrubs you have selected in a garden book or online to determine their eventual height and spread. Make rough circular shapes to show the spread of each plant on the plan to the appropriate scale. Groups of the same plant can be drawn as one loose shape but the dimensions should still be reasonably accurate.
TELL US
Are you planning a garden? Share a photo and your experiences in the Comments section.
You’ve sorted out your wish list of garden elements – now it’s time to figure out the overall look or style of your garden. This can be tricky as there are so many to choose from. Look first for cues in the architecture or the interior style of your house, the surrounding city or landscape. If you live near the coast, a relaxed informal garden that is open to the views could be the thing. Inner city dwellers might prefer a sophisticated, inward focused garden like this one in Melbourne designed by Eckerlsey Garden Architecture.
Never underestimate the dominating influence your house has on the garden. However if your heart is set on say, a Japanese style garden, clever screening and planting can reduce the visual intrusion of buildings if they won’t work with that type of landscape.