These days, our gardens have truly become an extension of our homes, blending indoor comfort with the beauty of the outdoors. There’s a growing desire for seamless outdoor/indoor living, all while maintaining a touch of luxury and a commitment to sustainability.
We’re seeing a real demand for statement hard and soft landscaping, where contrasting textures and patterns come together to create spaces that are both visually stunning and highly practical. Our clients are increasingly requesting features like outdoor kitchens, sheltered areas, fire pits, and hot tubs, alongside practical additions such as raised vegetable beds, discreet utility areas for sheds, bins, and compost, and dedicated play areas for children.
As a landscape architect, I’m passionate about creating spaces that are not only visually pleasing but also incredibly functional. Of course, the specific design will always depend on the individual client and their unique needs. Designing for a young family, for example, is a very different undertaking than creating a garden for someone with specific accessibility requirements.
Here are a few key principles I keep in mind when designing these modern garden spaces:
- Space-Saving and Practical Ideas: We focus on maximising every inch of the garden with clever, space-saving solutions.
- Material Contrasts: We love playing with contrasts, blending materials like decking with paved dining areas to create visual interest and distinct zones.
- Seamless Circulation: Considering the flow of the garden is crucial. We link different areas thoughtfully, using a variety of textures and materials. We also work with curves to soften awkward angles and introduce different levels to define separate spaces.
- Creating Focal Points: We use plants, feature walls, water features, and arches to draw the eye and create stunning focal points.
- Year-Round Enjoyment: A truly successful garden can be enjoyed all year round. We incorporate outdoor rooms and partially covered areas with fire pits and strategic lighting for those cosy evenings.
- Vertical Interest and Privacy: Adding vertical elements, such as walls, planting, fencing, or trellis work, creates enclosure for intimacy and privacy, adding a sense of depth and visual interest.
- Raised Beds for Function and Comfort: Raised beds are not only perfect for growing plants and vegetables, making maintenance easier, but they also double up as convenient seating areas.
Ultimately, my aim is to create gardens that are beautiful, functional, and perfectly tailored to the individual needs of each client. It’s about crafting outdoor spaces that truly enhance their lives.