Welcome to part one of my easy garden design secrets series, specifically written to help you design your own garden with ease. This post covers the first 3 foundational points, which I believe are imperative to achieving the garden of your dreams. So, read on to be inspired!
Garden design secret🤐 – everyone can design a Garden
I absolutely believe that everyone can have a garden, irrespective of size of space. In fact, even homes with no outside space can have an interior garden of some kind. I am also absolutely convinced that anyone can design a garden. Moreover, have a read of my post Passion, obsession and taking the website plunge, as this describes my journey into gardening and proves that anyone can do it for any reason.
Over the years, I have read so many garden design books, websites and ‘garden design idea’ posts, that even though I am not a qualified garden designer, I have a pretty good idea where to start. I do have a diploma in interior design though (I know, impressive eh?), and really what is a garden than just an extension of the home?
One of my favourite books is ‘RHS Encyclopedia of Garden Design’ by Chris Young (Editor-in-chief). Seriously, I love that book. This post is inspired in part, by the things I learnt from it, coupled with all my years of research. This is how I start all my design ideas now, whether for the garden or for in the home.
“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”
Marcus Tullius Cicero
My gold, silver and bronze Garden Design Secrets Foundations
Before you start planning your landscaping and planting schemes, there are three design considerations which must be given serious thought. As a result, you will generate a plethora of garden design ideas and end up with the garden of your dreams.
Purpose, feeling and time, are the three essential things you really need to think about before you make any plans. They will underpin your project and you can use them to create your own garden design, or to brief a garden designer if you so choose.
Trust me, it will save you time, effort and money, because the more you think about these points, the more you will get excited about your project. And then I have every confidence that this will result in something you really love.
Garden Design Secret🥇- Purpose. This is all about you darling!
For many people who don’t have a clue where to even start, we are going to begin with the gold medal of the garden design secrets: YOU! Firstly, ask yourself what you want to do in your garden, what is the purpose of it? For example, it might be that you want a relaxing space to sit in after work, or that you want to enjoy a scented, scenic walk along the pathway from your gate to your front door. Furthermore, perhaps you want to have an indoor space where you can sit quietly, surrounded by plants whilst you’re having your morning coffee.
There are so many things you can do in even a small garden that you shouldn’t limit yourself to one thing either. Be greedy! You really can have it all and you will get the most joy out of your green space when you create something you want. As well as your own thoughts, if you head over to my Pinterest profile you will find lots more garden design ideas to inspire you.
Garden Design Secret🥈- Feelings. I wasn’t joking when I said this is all about you!
The silver medal of the garden design secrets is all about your FEELINGS! Firstly, I want you to consider how do you want your garden to make you feel. I know this might sound a bit odd, but you would be amazed at how a garden can affect your mood.
We can achieve so many combinations of colours, textures and smells, that you can pretty much invoke any emotion. For example, do you want to feel calm and relaxed, or how about excited and energised?
Eventually you could create a garden or a space in your home that allows you to feel all these things. As a result, you will get the most pleasure by having somewhere you love looking at, or a place you just have to be in.
Consider creating an inspiration board for your garden, as this would allow you to see how your wants, needs and colours fit together. Click here to see these type of boards on Pinterest.
Garden Design Secret🥉- Time. Did I mention that it is all about you?
The last of my garden design secrets in this post is is equally as important as the first two. Because, if you get this wrong, you won’t get the garden of your dreams, and over time it may cause you some frustrations.
Therefore, make sure you really consider how much time you have for upkeep. For example, how much maintaining of your garden do you want to do? Some people (like me) love gardening, and if i could I would be doing it all day, every day. However life gets in the way and sometimes even I find my garden too much to handle. As a result, I am always looking for ways to make my life easier.
So whatever your reasons, be sure to think about how much time you can realistically give to your garden. Don’t let a lack of time, knowledge or even willingness put you off though. In fact, clever planting with the right landscaping, can give you exactly what you want with minimal effort.
Conclusion
The three foundational design tips really do make a difference to your end result, so much so, I use them to start every single project I do! They can be used for literally everything. From garden design, both small and large spaces to interior design when redecorating a room. Also, they can even be used for planning and cooking meals!
I really hope they will help you in every aspect of your design life, as well as creating the garden of your dreams.
J.T. X
