If you aim to develop a garden that enriches your lifestyle and adds an extra living area to your home, but you're unsure of where to begin, seeking advice from a garden designer can be beneficial. Consulting with a garden designer can assist in determining your essential requirements and the most effective methods to fulfill them. The designer will dedicate time to understand your desires and necessities, thoroughly evaluate your outdoor space, and propose optimal solutions to realise your vision.

Here are a few ways in which a garden designer can assist you in achieving your dream garden.

Create a connection between the house and the garden

When starting a garden design project, one of the initial steps is to evaluate the architectural features of your house, such as its style, proportions, views from the house to the garden, and main access points. Incorporating these elements can contribute to establishing a garden that seamlessly complements your home.

In my E12 New Orleans Inspired Courtyard, my client has plans to create an industrial style kitchen and had installed 'Crittal style' kitchen doors. The extensive use of black metal and wood and red brick and clay pavers throughout the garden was inflenced by these interior design choices.

Zoning

Dividing various sections of the garden for different purposes is an effective design technique used to visually separate a garden into private areas. This method is frequently utilized in a narrow garden by arranging flower beds perpendicular to the boundaries or screens, resulting in a more visually attractive and functional space.

My E11 Industrial Style Family garden has been sectioned into 3 main zones, the dining patio area, the lawn/childrens play area and the back patio for evening relaxation and entertainment. A wildflower lawn and bespoke storage box with a green roof dissect these areas seamlessly.

Visual tricks for awkward spaces

With the assistance of a garden designer, you can achieve the optimal result even in a challenging and apparently unusable area.

My E5 Courtyard Gaden was a difficult irregular shape with the garden boundaries at an angle from the house. You can clearly see from this overhead shot how my design has ordered the space, with the patio parallel to the house, creating secluded pockets for dining, exercising and planting, whilst improving views from the house.

My E9 Romantic Garden had a very dull uninspiring layout, with the gate and bin and bike stores the main view from the front door and a path leading directly up and out and flower beds along the sides of the garden. My layout takes you on a journey around the garden with an improved view from the front door of a multistem Silver Birch underplanted with colourful herbaceous perennials and a path which leads you onto a reclaimed tile patio and around another flower bed with a multi stem Amelanchier and edimentals.

How to hide or enhance features

Every garden has unsightly views that would be better hidden or features or views that would benefit from being enhanced. A garden designer can help suggest ideas to deal with this.

In my N5 Secluded Family Garden, privacy was a issue as they were overlooked on three sides. The existing solution had been to put in tall, heavy trees and bamboo but they were too dark and domineering for this compact garden. I used pleached Carpinus trees and a feathered Silver Birch to provide a lighter screen which provided a beautiful all year round back drop to the rest of the planting.

Knowlege of quality suppliers and materials

Throughout my 12 years working as a garden designer, I have established a network of trustworthy suppliers and contractors. As a result, I am able to suggest materials and products that will improve your garden design and endure over time.

The bike and bin storage in my E5 Family Garden were made by two of my regular suppliers for storage www.brightonbikesheds.co.uk and www.bespokegardenproducts.co.uk and the bespoke railings and gate were produced by the metal fabricators www.tbrown&sons.co.uk.

I work with a few talented, trused and reliable landscapers, meaning you know that your garden build will be in good hands from start to finish. A garden design will usually offer oversight of the project, ensuring that the finished build is as per the design that has been agreed with the client.

Displayed below are images showcasing meticulous and beautifully executed landscaping, highlighting a focus on detail.

Right plant, right place

By leveraging their vast plant expertise and conducting a comprehensive evaluation of your soil, a garden designer will suggest plants that are well-suited to your garden's conditions. They will provide a diverse selection of plants in terms of height, texture, form, color, and fragrance across different seasons, all the while maintaining a harmonious and flowing design throughout your garden.

In my E8 Urban Sanctuary Garden, the planting features a restricted range of colors including purples, greens, and coppers. These hues complement the Corten steel components in the garden, creating a vibrant scene visible from the kitchen doors.

In E11, my clients requested a Naturalistic planting design with a focus on grasses and herbaceous perennials, complemented by four multi-stem Silver Birch trees that offer privacy, height, and Winter appeal.

Ongoing Consultation & Care

Creating and maintaining a garden is a continuous endeavor. It is crucial to plan for ongoing maintenance to support the growth of the plants and to keep the garden looking beautiful over time. If you prefer to handle the maintenance yourself, I can offer a maintenance plan and provide guidance during consultation visits every 3 to 6 months. Alternatively, I can arrange for maintenance gardeners to assist you upon request.

Now is the perfect time to start talking with a garden designer to acheive your perfect garden in 2025. Contact me today to arrange a consultation.