Tricky Shaped Garden Design: Top Ideas for Awkward Spaces
Summary
Tricky shaped gardens can be challenging to design, but unusual angles, narrow spaces, slopes and awkward corners can all be put to good use. The key is to work with the existing shape, using thoughtful layouts, planting, zoning and hard landscaping to create a garden that feels balanced, practical and connected.
Key Takeaways
- Measure your garden and consider its shape, levels, sunlight and soil before planning the layout.
- Work with unusual angles and boundaries rather than trying to hide them.
- Use planting to soften awkward corners and create structure throughout the garden.
- Divide long or narrow gardens into zones to make better use of the available space.
- Use vertical planting where ground space is limited.
- Consider levels, steps and terracing to make sloping areas more practical.
- Keep materials and planting consistent to connect different areas of the garden.
- Give awkward or unused spaces a purpose through planting, seating or other garden features.
Having a tricky-shaped garden does not mean you have to suffer from poor design. Whether you are dealing with sloped areas, narrow angles or irregular plots, it is possible to create an environment that you can be proud of – it just requires more planning.
As a leading garden design and landscaping company, TM Landscapes has helped many clients achieve their dream gardens. We have experience with all kinds of landscapes, each of varying size and conditions, allowing us to recommend the best course of action for your tricky-shaped garden design.
In this post, we are relying on this experience to share some of the best ideas for tricky shaped garden design to get you inspired and show you how to make the most out of your landscape.
Start by Understanding the Shape of Your Garde
The first stage in our garden design process is to assess the current landscape, as this allows us to learn more about the garden we are working on, as well as understand our client’s desires.
In a site consultation, measurements of the landscape will be taken, but our team also goes a step further. To determine how tricky your garden design will be, we also need to assess other factors such as:
- Garden Shape and Levels: Look at the angles, turns, slopes and changes in level across your garden, as these will influence where features can be positioned and how you move through the space. An awkward corner could become a planting area, while a slope may provide an opportunity for steps, raised beds or different levels rather than something that needs to be hidden.
- Sun and Shade: Pay attention to which areas receive the most sunlight throughout the day and which remain shaded. This will help you choose plants suited to the conditions, as well as decide where to position patios, seating areas and other features based on when you are most likely to use them.
- Soil and Growing Conditions: Soil type, drainage and local growing conditions will all influence which plants, lawns and other natural elements are likely to thrive. Choosing planting that suits the conditions you already have can make it easier to create a healthy, long-lasting garden. For more advice on choosing suitable plants for the local area, see our post Southampton Soil & Planting Guide: Best Plants for Southampton Gardens.
By understanding all areas of your tricky-shaped garden, we can make informed decisions regarding your garden design to create a landscape that thrives. The more informed you are at the beginning of the garden design process, the easier it will be to create a landscape you’ll love.
How to Design an Angled Garden
While an angled garden may seem like a difficult project, this can be an amazing opportunity to create something innovative that reflects your unique home, lifestyle or personal tastes perfectly. Instead of getting caught up in the irregularity of these kinds of gardens, use them to inspire you to think outside of the box and create something special.
Some of the best ideas for this kind of tricky-shaped garden design include:
Work With Curves and Angles
Instead of relying on traditional parallel paving layouts, use the organic angles of your garden to create a unique design. Curved pathways and paving stones can be made using natural stone for a rustic appearance to add some charm to your garden, while also allowing you to make the most of the space available.
For more paving design ideas, see our post Stunning Patio Design Ideas for Southampton Homes.
Use Planting to Soften Awkward Corners
Plants, especially tall shrubs, ornamental grasses and climbing flowers, can be a great way to disguise the trickiest elements of your garden design. Strategically placing specific plants or flower beds in narrow corners or unattractive areas of your garden can cover these areas, offering visual appeal and supporting the flow of your new garden design.
How to Make a Narrow Garden Feel Wider
Narrow gardens can be difficult to design because you may be limited in space. There needs to be a careful balance of design features, plants and garden sculptures to avoid the space becoming cluttered, but luckily, there are some amazing design tips that can help:
Divide the Garden Into Zones
When you are limited on space, one of the best, tricky-shaped garden design methods you can implement is landscape zoning. Creating separate zones across the garden through a combination of hardscaping, decking, and turfing allows you to maximise your available space and have a cohesive garden design.
Each zone can be used for a different purpose, allowing you to create a beautiful and functional outdoor space. For example, a paved patio area which is separated from the lawn, and a flower bed at the top end of the garden to add colour and seasonal interest to the space.
Make Use of Vertical Space
Vertical planting is a great way to add colour and texture to the garden without compromising ground space. While traditional garden designs rely on flower beds and ground-based planting, vertical planting is a modern way to incorporate colour, scent and texture to the landscape using the existing structures.
Using climbing plants, tall flowers, or even installing turf vertically is ideal for narrow gardens, as well as those seeking a modern touch. It draws the eyes upwards, creating the illusion of more space. Use structures such as fencing, retaining walls or pergolas as your base.
As well as being a decorative addition to narrow gardens, vertical features are great for increasing privacy in the garden. To learn more, see our post Beautiful Garden Privacy Ideas for Overlooked Outdoor Spaces.
How to Make the Most of a Sloping Garden
The main concern when designing sloped gardens is the various soil conditions that may be present. With an uneven terrain, your garden will experience differing soil conditions and light patterns with each changing angle, so all design decisions require careful consideration:
Use Levels to Your Advantage
Slopes and uneven ground do not necessarily need to be levelled out. A tiered garden design can work with the natural contours of the landscape, using retaining walls, steps, raised beds and planting to create distinct, usable areas at different heights.
Changes in level can also add character to the garden, helping to define different zones and create interesting viewpoints across the space. With the right layout, what initially seems like a difficult slope can become an important feature of the overall design.
Our retaining wall replacement project in Hamble shows how this can work in practice. We used new retaining walls, wider steps and integrated planting areas to work with the existing levels, creating a safer and more practical garden while making better use of the sloping landscape.
Level Out With Decking
Decking is a great way to expand your living space and create a functional garden that can be used in all weather conditions. Those with uneven turfing or lawn spaces can benefit greatly from decking, as it evens out the ground of your garden and creates a functional environment.
To learn more about the benefits of decking, see our post Enhancing Outdoor Living With Decking: Benefits Of Decking Installation.
Decking can be used for a range of purposes, based on the decorations and design used. Adorn the space with cosy seating, ambient lighting and fit balustrades to create a safe space that can be used throughout the year.
How to Design a Small Garden or Courtyard
When you are limited on space, you need to carefully plan your garden design to ensure you are not overwhelming your landscape.
While it may be tempting to include as many design features as possible to distract from the small size of your garden, this will have the opposite effect and make the space look cluttered. Instead, consider these tricky-shaped garden design ideas:
Keep the Design Simple
In a small garden, trying to include too many features, materials or different planting styles can quickly make the space feel crowded. Instead, focus on a few well-chosen elements that work together and give each part of the garden a clear purpose.
A simple material palette, carefully selected plants and practical features such as built-in seating can help you make better use of the available space without overwhelming it. Repeating the same materials or planting throughout the garden can also create a more cohesive design and make the space feel larger.
For more garden design ideas, see our post Hampshire Garden Inspiration for 2026: Design Ideas from Southampton & Surrounding Areas.
Choose a Light Material Palette
It is recommended that you to rely on light colours across your small garden design, especially in terms of hardscaping. Paving and patios should be installed in light colours, such as natural stone or porcelain, to give the illusion of more space and attract more light into your garden.
For more inspiration regarding paving and patio materials, see our post Choosing the Best Paving & Patio Options for Your Southampton Garden.
Conclusion
It is possible to create a beautiful landscape even if you are dealing with a tricky-shaped garden. Taking time to plan your new garden design and working with the organic layout of the land allows you to create an environment that is as unique as you.
Working with professional landscapers, like TM Landscapes, is the best way to ensure your garden renovation goes smoothly and aligns with your requirements. We have experience with all kinds of gardens and can recommend the best plan for your tricky-shaped landscape.
Contact Us Today
To learn more about our services or request a quote, please contact the team today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you design an awkward shaped garden?
Start by looking at the shape, levels, light and access rather than trying to fit a standard layout into the space. Features such as planting, pathways, seating areas and patios can then be positioned around the natural shape of the garden, giving awkward corners and unusual angles a clear purpose.
How can I make a long, narrow garden look wider?
Breaking a long garden into several areas can help draw attention away from its narrow shape. Changing the direction of paving, using planting to interrupt long sightlines and creating separate areas for seating, lawns or planting can make the space feel more balanced and interesting.
What can I do with an awkward corner in my garden?
An awkward corner can become a planting area, secluded seating space, water feature or practical storage area depending on its size and position. Rather than leaving it unused, consider what the corner naturally lends itself to and incorporate it into the wider garden design.