How to Make a More Interesting Garden: Design Ideas and Practical Tips
Summer is the perfect time to get outdoors and spend time in your garden. Whether you are relaxing with a book on your own or hosting a family gathering, your garden can be the centre of all summer occasions – as long as it is fit for purpose.
Many families miss out on the amazing opportunities their gardens can offer because the space is not engaging. A dull, poorly maintained garden is not going to inspire you to spend more time outdoors and therefore needs addressing.
There are various ways that you can improve your garden and add interest to the landscape so it is an engaging environment for the whole family to enjoy. With our decades of experience in landscaping and garden design, TM Landscapes & Garden Design has helped many homeowners transform their outdoor environments into spaces they love.
Relying on our skills and experience in garden design, we have created this guide to share the best ways you can generate a more interesting garden.
Creating A More Interesting Garden: Our Best Tips
Creating an interesting garden is all about adding personality, structure and variety to your outdoor space. Whether your garden feels a little flat, lacks focal points, or simply doesn’t reflect your style, a few thoughtful changes can make a big difference, such as:
1) Use Seasonal Planting For Year-Round Colour And Interest
Plants are the most common way to add interest to the garden and can be very effective with some careful planning. While most plants and flowers will look at their best during the spring and summer, this does not mean that planting cannot provide lasting appeal in your garden.
Considering a combination of plant types, such as perennial and annual, can generate interest in the garden all year round. With careful consideration of the types of plants you use and their placement throughout your garden, you can ensure that as one fades away, another is just coming into bloom, providing seasonal interest.
For example, early summer blossoms such as peonies and irises can launch the season. To ensure the colour and interest can continue as the season moves on, incorporate popular mid-summer flowers like roses, lilies, and coneflowers into your landscape.
Summer does not have to be the only colourful season in your garden, as there are late bloomers that you can consider. Plants like chrysanthemums and asters can extend the garden’s appeal well into autumn and ensure your garden keeps thriving despite the changing weather. To maintain your interesting garden all year round with planting, see our post How to Keep Your Garden Colourful All Year Round.
Flowers are not the only interesting plants that you can add to your landscape, as you can also consider shrubberies, trees and hedges. Evergreen species are the best option for year-long interest, and a combination of colours, textures and types can add a stunning layered appearance to the garden that continues to thrive.
2) Layered Planting Dispalys For Depth
Variety is the spice of life, and it is also the key to an interesting garden. Considering a variety of planting solutions is the best way to cultivate an engaging and interesting environment that will thrive in all seasons.
Soft landscaping is a vital part of garden design, as we explore in our guide Soft Landscaping Secrets For Lush, Inviting & Vibrant Gardens, but it is not just about the plants you choose, but also how you use them.
When choosing plants, shrubs, and trees in your interesting garden, try to incorporate a variety of colours, shapes and textures to develop depth and interest.
You can create an interesting garden by using plants of different sizes and shapes in specific locations, considering the height, colour and texture of each to determine the best layout. Generally, taller plants should be positioned at the back of borders, with shorter ones up front to create depth and optimise space, but feel free to get creative.
A unique garden is an interesting one, so creativity is encouraged when it comes to planting and garden design. A professional landscape gardener can help with this process and create a bespoke layout for your outdoor space. To help you find the right landscaper for this task, see our post How to Choose the Right Landscaping Company in Hampshire: Questions To Ask Before Hiring.
3) Create Paths and Patterns That Invite Exploration
Pathways can enhance the functionality of your garden by making more areas accessible. However, this is not their only purpose as they can also be used to add more interest to your landscape by cultivating a sense of adventure and discovery.
Custom pathways and spiral paving can be a fun way to guide people through your landscape, making all areas accessible while also fostering a sense of play. Bespoke solutions and unique paving placements can generate an interesting environment that the whole family can enjoy.
Stepping stones are another great option to add interest to the garden, while also making the space more accessible. These are an appealing addition and one that generates a sense of adventure while travelling through the garden.
There is a wide range of paving types available for you to consider, ensuring you can find the perfect fit for your unique landscape. By carefully choosing a suitable material, from block paving to natural stone or porcelain, you can install paving to enhance the natural appeal of your home and surrounding environment. Porcelain is one of the most popular options for interesting gardens and modern landscapes, and therefore may be the best option for you. To learn more, see our post Why Choose Porcelain Patios?
4) Add Garden Structures for Zones and Focal Points
Garden structures like pergolas, decking, and patios can be a stunning addition to any outdoor space. These structures, when designed well, can create designated zones in the garden for entertainment, relaxation or play and create a better structure for the landscape.
With careful consideration of the design and materials, bespoke garden structures can be used to make your garden more functional and engaging for people of all ages. Decking is a versatile solution that allows you to create an outdoor space, no matter the size or shape of your landscape. See our post Enhancing Outdoor Living With Decking: Benefits Of Decking Installation to learn more ahead of designing your interesting garden.
Similarly, garden rooms can be another wonderful addition to any garden. As these are still a fairly unique element for landscapes, adding a garden room can generate interest and make your space more engaging. From al fresco dining areas to playrooms for the kids, structures and garden rooms are an incredibly versatile way to make your garden interesting.
To learn more about creating an outdoor living environment and an interesting garden made for entertainment, see our post How To Build A Garden For Entertaining.
5) Enhance Ambience with Lighting and Accessories
Garden lighting is essential for accessibility and security, but it can also have an aesthetic appeal. Lighting is the best tool for ambience and there is a range of options for you to incorporate into your landscape to create whatever mood you desire.
String lights, lanterns, and solar-powered stakes are great options to create a warming and inviting atmosphere. These are ideal to use around outdoor seating or dining areas, allowing the event to continue well into the night.
Another interesting use of lighting in the garden is uplighting, which can be used to highlight trees, garden structures and architectural features, so these points of appeal can still be enjoyed after sunset.
Allowing for fun and creativity can transform functional elements, like garden lighting, into an engaging feature that makes the landscape more interesting for everyone. For more inspiration regarding interesting garden lighting, see our post Garden Lighting Ideas to Illuminate Your Outdoor Space.
6) Make Smart Use of Space With Vertical Planting
If space is at a premium in your garden, you can still generate interest. Instead of relying on traditional planting methods, consider vertical planting to add colour and texture to the space without taking up too much room.
Planting vertically, such as against fences or other structures, can save space in the garden while also allowing you to add interest through colour and thriving wildlife. As well as planting against fencing or garden structures, you can also consider climbing plants and hanging baskets for vertical interest. These can be used to create a dynamic, layered look to the garden without taking up precious floor space.
Not only does vertical interest make your garden more appealing, but it can also be a useful tool for generating more privacy across the garden. Planting vertically or covering structures with climbing plants can shield you from overlooking neighbours and make your garden more secluded. If you are concerned about privacy in the garden and want to make your interesting garden more sheltered, see our post Ways To Screen Your Garden from Overlooking Neighbours.
Adding plants and flowers to fences or garden structures also creates a cohesive appearance of the garden by disguising unsightly walls or fences.
7) Welcome Wildlife for a Living, Dynamic Garden
You can make your garden more interesting by encouraging wildlife into the space. There are various ways that you can create safe and welcoming habitats for local wildlife and insects, such as installing a pond or other water features. Alternatively, adding bird feeders, bird baths, and nesting boxes can draw a range of birds to your garden and bring beautiful birdsong to every day.
Relying on sustainable solutions instead of chemical fertilisers and pesticides can continue your sustainable efforts, supporting a range of life in your garden.
By allowing wildlife into your landscape, you can create an interesting garden that is alive with beautiful sights and sounds all year long.
Conclusion
An interesting garden is a unique one. This kind of outdoor space incorporates personal touches and unique elements for engagement.
Having an interesting garden can encourage the whole family to spend more time outdoors and experience the benefits that nature can provide. Relying on a combination of these tips can help you add more interest to your garden, cultivate a sense of wonder and make amazing memories outdoors.
To ensure your interesting garden is designed successfully, consider working with professional landscaping companies like TM Landscapes. Our team brings genuine passion and expertise to every project, allowing us to create bespoke outdoor spaces that align with your needs.
Contact Us Today
If you would like to transform your garden or want to learn more about our services, please contact us today. Our team are more than happy to work with all requirements.
FAQs
How can I add more year-round interest to my garden?
A garden that looks good in all seasons mixes plants that bloom at different times and includes evergreen shrubs, textured foliage and structural features like trees or vertical planting. Planning with seasonal interest in mind helps ensure your outdoor space always looks appealing.
Do pathways really make a difference in garden design?
Yes, pathways not only make different parts of your garden more accessible, but they also add character and guide movement. Curved or bespoke paving can create a sense of discovery that makes the space feel larger and more engaging
What types of lighting work best to enhance a garden at night?
Soft string lights, solar garden stakes, lanterns and uplighting for focal plants or structures all help create ambience and highlight key features after dark, making your garden both functional and beautiful in the evening