Spring is the time to tackle your garden! The first warm days invite you to go outside, and what could be nicer than enjoying a garden that is completely to your liking? But where do you start? Of course you can hire a professional, but your own idea often contributes to a garden that better suits your needs. We are happy to help you on your way with an initial design. A solid basis is essential. Do you want to get started yourself? Then follow these practical steps. Looking for inspiration? Download our inspiration guide or check out our previous projects.
Start by making a floor plan to determine what will fit in your garden. Preferably do this in pairs, as straight lines are easy to measure, but corners are sometimes more difficult. Start from the facade of your house. On the floor plan, also mark the position of the house, including doors and windows. This helps determine walking routes in the garden and the view from your house.
Have all family members get a sheet of paper and ask them to write down their gardening wishes. Understandably, not all wishes will be achievable. Therefore, prioritize the wishes that score the highest. This way, you will create a garden design that will satisfy everyone. For garden design inspiration, take a look at our sample gardens.
Determine where north and south are in your yard. It is helpful to know how the sun moves during the day. This will allow you to enjoy the sunlight to the fullest. Therefore, in your garden design, also draw an arrow pointing north on the floor plan. It is ideal to have both a sunny and shady seating area in your garden. Start by drawing the terraces. Is outdoor dining high on your wish list? Then keep in mind the dimensions of a spacious dining area (count about one square meter per chair). The number of sunlight hours is also important for the placement of flower beds. If you want a garden full of flowering plants, a location that receives at least six hours of sunlight a day is essential.
For patios and pathways, use paving. The choices are vast, considering materials such as concrete, brick, natural stone, gravel and wood. Choose the right kind of decorative paving that matches what is important to you – relaxing on a bench, a play area for the kids or a hefty dining table – when you get started with your garden design. Avoid too many different hard materials in your garden; this can look unsettling. By the way, don’t be afraid to use large tiles in a small garden. This can actually create a spacious effect. Finally, look at the color of the material, does it match the facing bricks of your house?
A thoughtful garden design requires a clear structure of lines, also called basic shapes. There are a number of basic shapes you will want to consider. The main ones are the rectangle, C-line, diagonal line, S-line, diamond and intersecting lines. Add one of these basic shapes to your design, or work with cut-out cardboard shapes. Pay attention to proportions and make sure the shapes are not too small. In a wider garden, experiment with overlapping shapes or different combinations of basic shapes.
On your floor plan, mark where you want the most important elements in your garden to be. Consider things like your patio, any lawn, plants and flower beds, trees, hedges, paths, a gazebo or outdoor kitchen, vegetable garden and lighting.
Once you have the layout of your garden clear, get to work on planting. A planting plan will help you determine where to plant which plants and when they will bloom. Create consistency by using several perennials of one species and pay attention to aspects such as flowering time, flower color, height, leaf shape and leaf color. Place lower plants in the front and more airy ones in the front for a green but open look. In smaller gardens, long-blooming plants are ideal. Think about winter, too. An evergreen element, such as a boxwood bulb or ornamental grass adds value in the winter months. Repetition of plant groups or colors brings balance. If you are short on time, choose robust perennials that don’t fall over easily. For a natural atmosphere, add your ornamental grasses to the mix.
Once you have the drawing in order, have an idea of what should take center stage in your garden and have thought about the planting (and the associated maintenance!) you can get to work! Of course we are happy to help you with this. You can ask us for a consultation with your drawing or simply inquire about certain plants, tiles and trees. Feel free to get advice for your project. Perhaps we have 1 or 2 practical tips that will take your garden to an even higher level. Good luck!
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