Garden Design Tips: Creating Aesthetically Pleasing Outdoor Spaces

With the days getting longer and the sun trying to make an appearance, there has never been a better time to transform your garden into an aesthetically pleasing outdoor space. Whether you have a small garden or a large space you are looking for inspiration for, we have come up with some ideas to help attract more wildlife and become more sustainable.

Before we dive straight into these, it is important that you take the time to observe the times of day when different parts of your garden receive sunlight. Is the sunny area somewhere that you want to sit and drink a cup of coffee, or is it more important to have plants and vegetables in that particular area? Once you have had a think about the main use of your garden, this will help with designing your new outdoor space.

1. Manicure your lawn

The largest shape in most people’s gardens is their lawn, so it is key to keep this looked after. A strong, shaped lawn will set the whole garden on the right track, but remember it doesn’t have to be a square shape. If your lawn is looking a bit dull, the three things to ensure it receives are sunshine, water and aeration. To reduce excess shade, cut branches back, and in the warmer months, you may need to water your lawn once a week. For aeration, simply poke lots of holes in your lawn with a fork. If you notice any bare patches, overseeding with fresh grass seed will help to restore a thicker, healthier finish.

2. Plan your planting

Some of the best gardens start with a base of structural plants that are then surrounded by pretty, flowering plants. Consider planting evergreen shrubs at the end of each border so they will look attractive all year round. For larger areas, big evergreen trees can be used to create structure and height. Once your evergreens are in place, fill the gaps with five or more different types of flowering plants. A repeated pattern will give a really coordinated effect, and incorporating a mix of spring and summer flowering bulbs will help to provide colour throughout the seasons.

If you are adding planting near a seating area, consider scented varieties such as lavender, thyme, star jasmine or creeping rosemary, which also produces delicate blue flowers in spring. For smaller gardens, you can create different levels with climbing evergreen plants like clematis, adding vertical interest and a touch of colour when in bloom.

3. Trees

Mature trees can look a bit cumbersome in small gardens and often block out essential light that falls on the house. They can be used to anchor hammocks or hang pendant lights, and are a great way to block out noise or air pollution if you live near a busy road. Rather than static big trees, multi-stem trees are becoming more popular nowadays. These create their own canopies and can really help to add structure to a boring area of your garden. Combining a multi-stem tree with soft planting can give a stunning woodland effect. 

Trees are a great food source for wildlife and also provide them with protection and shelter. With so many different trees available, you will be sure to find the right one for your garden. Planting a few colourful bulbs around the base of the tree will give that added pop of colour to your garden, too.

4. Paving

The colour of your paving slabs can help to give your garden a completely different feel. Black or silver paving creates a modern, sleek feel, while golden stone laid in a random pattern will make you feel like you’re in the middle of the English countryside.

Consider colour-coordinating your paving slabs with different plants too. Here are some ideas for you:

• Grey or white stone looks lovely with purple blooms
• Black & silver paving looks amazing with strong, bold colours such as red
• Golden paving works with flowers that have softer tones, such as pink or purple

5. Living walls

Living walls are becoming incredibly popular in garden designs and are a great way to add layers to your garden, with vertical planting. A living wall can be positioned anywhere; just take careful consideration when choosing the plants as to the amount of sunlight they will receive on that particular wall. 

If you aren’t feeling quite that brave, you could use your garden walls for planting with the help of a trellis or containers. Pick climbing plants such as passion flowers, clematis, roses, wisteria or honeysuckle, and they will add a stunning vertical element to your garden.

We hope this blog has given you some tips on how to create a more aesthetically pleasing outdoor space. We would love to hear any ideas you have too!