The beginning of a DIY garden landscaping project is often the most daunting part. Where do you start? What should you do first?
Think about what you want and need from your outdoor space. Do you want to grow your own fruit and vegetables? Will you be entertaining outdoors? Do you have children who need space to play?
Make a list of the things that are most important to you, and start sketching a rough design based around those elements. It doesn’t have to be perfect – you can always move things around later as your ideas become more concrete.
The location of your garden determines which areas get the most sun, so take this into consideration when designing your outdoor space.
Do you want to grow vegetables that require plenty of sun? Or is having a sunny patio for barbecues the most important thing for you?
If you’re not sure how the sun falls on your garden, spend some time noting which areas are in the sun and shade at different times of day and rejig your design based on your findings.
The best garden designs have a focal point – something that stands out, draws the eye and ties the rest of the design together.
Your focal point could be a tree, a pond, a spectacular plant, a sculpture or a water feature. Choose its position carefully – where will it have the most impact?
Once you’ve decided on your focal point, you can design the rest of your garden to complement it.
Adding borders and paths between different elements of your garden is an easy and effective way to create definition and interest.
Making a flower bed border with stones or pebbles has got to be one of our favourite DIY garden landscaping ideas – it’s easy, cheap and creates an immediate impact.
You could also try logs, bits of slate, old tiles, terracotta pots, glass bottles – use your imagination! Here are some ideas to get you started.
Add paths between different sections of your garden, or in high traffic areas. Try using reclaimed wooden planks, gravel or paving slabs. Check out these DIY garden path ideas for more inspiration.
Creating harmony in your outdoor space is perhaps one of the biggest challenges of DIY garden landscaping – but with a bit of planning it’s perfectly possible!
It’s easy to get carried away and try to plant a little bit of everything. Try to ignore the impulse to buy every plant in sight at the garden centre, instead opting for plants that have similar colours, shapes or textures.
They don’t all have to be exactly the same, of course – but picking out those repeating characteristics will help your garden look cohesive and balanced.
Bold contrasts can also be incredibly effective. A few pops of colour that contrast with your main colour scheme will create interest and vibrancy.
We hope our DIY garden landscaping tips have given you some inspiration for creating your perfect outdoor space.
We’ll be back next month with some more home and interior design ideas, so come back soon!