Designing a garden for the first time – Top Tips
If you have always yearned to have your own outdoor space at home, a colourful and productive garden – read on. Many homeowners buy a house hoping they will have the time to unleash their passion for gardening in their own space. Designing a garden can have many pitfalls and challenges. Here are the six top tips to help you with your gardening project.
6 Ultimate tips for designing a garden
Consider height and architecture when designing a garden
Rewarding though it may be, designing a garden is no small task. From developing a theme to planting, furnishing, and decorating, there are a lot of elements to consider.
Consider the size of your garden
How large your yard space is should inform a lot of your choices, as space can be a limiting factor. That being said, when designing a garden even a cosier space can be made to look polished and inviting. If you are struggling to plan or execute a garden makeover – don’t worry.
Research new affordable and innovative ideas
Fortunately, there are a ton of innovative and cost-effective ways to make your space look truly fantastic. From planning and designing a garden, to the implementation, here are 6 ultimate ideas for designing a garden.
1, Understand Your Needs
The best, and arguably only, place to start any renovation or design project is with a brainstorming session. Take a look at your yard, take any measurements you may require, and think hard about what you would like to get out of your space.
- If it’s privacy you want when designing a garden you can make a list of trees and dense plants that work well with your local soil and climate.
- If it’s a place to entertain, make sure you’re planning to incorporate a robust dining space or conversation area. This means low flowering plants, lots of patio furniture, and ample light for continuing the discussions into the wee hours of the morning.
2. Let Natural Light Guide You
Calling all inexperienced or first-time gardeners: don’t rush into planting! Remember, your physical location will guide what should be placed where, despite what you think might look best aesthetically. If it’s your first season in a home, hold off on extensive digging.
Pre-existing plants can be a hidden surprise
It’s likely you won’t know where pre-existing plants are nestled under the soil until they sprout or flower. Though when designing a garden there are ways to manipulate space and get creative, different flowers have varying needs when it comes to sunlight and moisture. Try arranging potted plants around your garden in the areas you think would look best, then give them a chance to grow. If flowers look dead or seeds fail to germinate, it may be time to try a different configuration.
Managing trees
To help you manage your garden trees try Thousand Oaks tree care service. Using professional tree surgeons can help you to bring light into your garden and ensure that plants are not overshadowed.
3. Use Lots of Inspiration
They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and in the case of design, using inspiration is an extremely important tool. Taking elements from designs that you love is a guaranteed way to get a product that you’ll be happy with. You can flip through magazines, scroll through design websites, or even take a drive around some nice local neighborhoods.
Try housesitting to view other garden arrangements
If you really want an up-close look at how certain private gardens are arranged, you can sign up to do some short house-sitting stays. Any way you go about it, picking and choosing your favorite aspects from awe-inspiring gardens and implementing them into your own garden plan is a great way to shake things up.
Try out creative design tools when designing a garden
Fresh and effective design tools will beautify almost any space, and many things that have proven successful elsewhere are sure to elevate your vision as well.
4. Make It Accessible Year Round
Sure, a garden is an amazing place to spend time in the summer, but wouldn’t it be great if you could use your outdoor space year-round? Installing weatherproof structures and covers in your yard is a sure way to get the most out of the garden you’ve worked so hard to create. They will enable you to make the most of your outdoor bistro sets and barbeques.
Pergolas and gazebos
Aluminum pergolas and gazebos are amazing options if you’d like to incorporate shelter from the elements while still maintaining the beauty of your space.
The professionals gazebospot.com recommend doing a thorough search that will help you land an inspiring idea for your gazebo. Want a gazebo that will withstand snow? How about one with built-in lighting?
Consider all the options
Looking through the available options, especially those found online, will help you land on the perfect choice for your space.



5. Choose Colours Wisely
When designing an outdoor space, it’s important you take colors into account. A defined color scheme will help unify the look of your garden and make future purchasing decisions more streamlined. Plus, using bold colors or patterns can make a statement and make a small space seem larger. You’ll want to work with your pre-existing space to amplify the good qualities and hide some of the imperfections.
Contrast and mix your blooms and materials
If your yard tends to be on the darker side, consider using brighter blooms or pale plants. They will liven up the space and bring lighter colors into the mix. If you have many different colored materials in your garden already, consider using a limited or neutral floral color palette.
Modern theme
A modern theme is easy to achieve with clean lines, metallic colours, blacks and whites, and no more than two accent colors. If you want to showcase a specific plant or flower, make sure you don’t crowd the garden with colors that will overpower it.
6. Encourage Engagement
Any garden worth admiring will accomplish a number of things. For starters, it will look and smell amazing. Secondly, it will be easy to maintain and flow naturally. Lastly, it will beckon people to engage with it. The perfect garden will spark conversation and encourage a fun and social atmosphere. That same garden will offer a sanctuary for meditation, self-reflection, or a simple cup of coffee.
Entertaining in your garden
Your garden can be made stylish, classy and comfortable to help enjoy it, whether alone or with friends. When designing a garden remember it is also a great place for entertaining and enjoying the outdoors in the warmer months. One way to ensure this happen is by adding Teak garden furniture. This will also help to maintain your garden’s natural beauty over time.
Garden architecture delivers interest in spades



When creating a garden, make sure you are investing in furniture and decor that allows for full enjoyment of your yard. Not only should your choices be beautiful and work well from an aesthetic perspective, but they should also make sense for your use. That means comfortable seating, perhaps an outdoor swing for reading, path lights to ignite exploration.
Whatever you do, make sure the design of your garden pulls people in rather than pushing them away.
Final notes on designing a garden
There you have it. The definitive guide to designing a garden to be stunning and rich in experience. Many think that they require professional gardening or landscaping services to fully maximize their space, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
It’s in the planning
The reality is, with the right preparation and planning, anybody can transform their yard and garden into a dreamscape. With this, if you’re looking to improve the look and feel of your outdoor space, landscape design services in Winnipeg can help you create a beautiful and functional space that you can enjoy for years to come.
The design journey
For every homeowner designing a garden is a journey. By marrying form and function and utilizing some of the fantastic tips above, you can create a garden that will thrill your guests and give you daily inspiration. What are you waiting for? Grab those magazines and color swatches and get started on your ideal garden today!
OTHER USEFUL GARDENING REFERENCE BLOGS
At Housesitmatch.com we often share practical ideas and information for our members. Here are some useful links for some of our earlier gardening blogs. We hope you enjoy them and find them of use.
Create the perfect garden – 7 Top tips
Home gardening safety tips – Green thumb 101
Gardening tips – How to stop insects eating young plants