Whether you're gardening, dining alfresco, or hosting friends, the garden becomes the heart of the home in summer – so getting the layout right is key.
Spring is the ideal time to plan it, giving you a head start before the busiest months of outdoor living. Here, we break down a simple five-step method to help you design a garden layout that works effortlessly.
1. Position key features first
When considering the layout of your garden, start by positioning the main structural feature, or features, before planning anything else.
‘If you have, or intend to install, a garden building such as a shed, summer house or garden office, its placement should be decided first, as it will influence the entire layout,’ explains Christopher Murphy MBE, garden building specialist and founder of Dunster House. ‘If no structure is involved and a patio or decked area will serve as the focal point, prioritise its location instead.’
These permanent elements will act as anchors for the design. After this, you’ll be able to arrange all the other features around them, ensuring a cohesive and functional garden layout.
2. Map sunlight, shade and wind
It's important to observe how the natural elements act across your space throughout the day.
‘Assess the garden in the morning, afternoon and evening to understand where sunlight is strongest, which areas remain shaded, and how these conditions shift over time,’ suggests Christopher.
This information is key to both plant placement and deciding where to place your functional zones. ‘For example, areas of the garden that receive consistent sunlight are best for sun-loving plants, such as roses and agapanthus, as well as seating or social spaces,’ he says. ‘However, shadier areas are better suited to shade-tolerant plants like ferns and hydrangeas, and storage.’
It’s also worth paying attention to how the wind behaves in your outdoor space. Try to place garden furniture somewhere a bit more sheltered, and consider using hedging or fencing to help reduce wind impact when a storm hits.
3. Introduce levels to create depth
Many of us have naturally flat gardens, which can feel smaller than they actually are, as everything sits on the same level, which stops the eye from being drawn to just one thing.
‘Introducing changes in height can help open the space up visually – adding raised decking for a seating area, for example, against a ground-level lawn or planting zone, creates contrast and gives the garden a clearer structure,’ says Christopher.
If you have a small garden, even subtle changes in height can make a garden feel larger and more considered. ‘Simple additions like tiered planters or varying heights of pots can add to the visual interest of a space,’ he adds. These will also make the space feel better organised and less cramped.
4. Plan clear pathways through the space
Whether it’s taking care of the plants or guests meandering before dinner, creating routes around the garden will make it much easier to navigate. Christopher says a good rule of thumb is if people regularly cut across the lawn instead of using the intended route, it’s a sign the layout isn’t working as well as it could.
‘Even if your garden already has a pathway, it’s worth reassessing whether it’s actually in the right place,’ he says. ‘Make sure movement through your garden feels easy and intuitive, with natural routes between each area.’
If it doesn’t, small adjustments such as widening it, slightly redirecting it, or adding stepping stones along commonly used routes can make a big difference.
5. Use colour to influence size perception
Colour might be one of your priorities when decorating – but it should also be one of your biggest considerations when tweaking the layout of your garden, as it can impact the illusion of space.
‘Lighter tones, such as pale paving, soft greys or light stone, help reflect light and can make an area feel more open and spacious,’ explains Christopher. Using these colours in key areas like patios or pathways can visually expand the space.
In contrast, darker shades work well around the edges of your garden. Fences, walls, or boundary planting in deeper tones cleverly helps create a sense of depth – and can make even the smallest garden feel larger than it is.
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