5 Stylish Ideas For Your Garden Design And Build Project
Dan explains how he makes sure each of his garden design and build projects has real visual impact.
As a garden designer I enjoy looking at how other people have transformed their gardens. But these days it seems as though many a garden design and build project lacks character. They may be well laid out and beautifully built, but by adding a some unique design features, they could become spectacular.
My ethos when I’m working on a garden design and build project is to make something that my clients won’t have seen anywhere else. I like to use local materials whenever possible to support local businesses and to reflect the character of the area. I live and work in Somerset where we are blessed with lush countryside, rolling hills and a mild climate.
My favourite methods of bringing stylish touches to a project include breaking up areas of hard landscaping with interesting shapes and patterns, and exploring new ways to nurture and display plants.
Here are five stylish ideas to inspire your garden design and build project.
Living Walls
A living wall always creates a talking point and this one is no exception.
It sits in a garden I designed in Woolavington and helps create a visual connection between the garden to the woodland beyond. Built into the living wall is a water feature that makes soothing sounds and creates the perfect environment for moisture-loving ferns.
Patterned Paving
No garden design and build project is restricted to a limited pallet of paving layouts. Yes, there are important things to consider when choosing and installing slabs, setts or clay pavers. But with a bit of imagination and the experienced hands of a skilled landscaper, any patio path or driveway can be made really interesting.
Here are a couple of examples where I’ve used limestone setts to create swirls and swooshes in what would otherwise be quite an unremarkable area.
Play with laying patterns. These pavers are laid diagonally to the property to make the garden feel a little larger.
Sweeping Lines
The fashion at the moment seems to lean towards straight lines. And that’s true of interiors as well as exteriors. But I think sweeping curves are far more inviting and encourage folks to explore the garden. I’m not saying it’s easy to build curved features – but my goodness it’s worth it!
Elegant Lighting
So often garden lighting is overlooked but I think it’s an important part of a garden design and build project. I suspect that client’s worry about the cost of installing lighting and so defer it until they know what the build has cost. The trouble with that approach is that retrofitting lighting can be more pricey (an ultimately less attractive) than building it as you go. It’s far easier to hide wiring if you plan for it in advance.
Bold Contrasts
If you want to add the wow factor to a garden design and build project, go for contrasting colours and textures. Take this project in South Petherton featuring Urban Grey porcelain paving from Londonstone contrasting with a deep green natural lawn. Very striking and I think rather stylish.
If you want your garden design and build project to ooze style and be unique to you, why not get in touch with SilverBirch gardens? We pride ourselves in thinking outside the box when it comes to garden design, and as for the workmanship – well, you can be 100% sure we don’t skimp on any of the details.
