Our Garden Design Ideas

Unveil the essence of timeless garden design with expert insights from our landscape architects here at The Outdoor Living Co.  

Our garden design ideas are your compass to crafting a beloved outdoor sanctuary that will stand the test of time. Whether you’re embarking on a coastal garden landscaping project, yearning to create a wildlife garden, or embracing contemporary design for an entertaining garden, we’ve curated a wealth of garden ideas to ignite your imagination. Not only will these concepts help you transform your outdoor space, but they can also enhance your property’s value.  

If you’re inclined toward smaller-scale garden updates, we’re here to offer advice and style recommendations spanning garden furniture, paving, lighting, plants, borders, decking, and more. Our aim is to assist you in fashioning an outdoor garden that beckons you to relax and relish.  

In this blog article we will present three different garden designs created by one of our in-house designers, Vito, who has been working with us for the past few years. Our collaboration has been great, and we find his style and ideas inspiring and creative. 

Meet Our Designer: Vito’s Garden Design Journey   

Vito shares our vision that the gardens we create should inspire and be like our well-designed outdoor rooms, where we can relax and feel comfortable. His aim is to create designs that reflect our customers’ lifestyles and have a positive impact on their well-being.      

The gardens that he creates are not only beautiful, but also practical. Aa qualified horticulturalist he loves plants, and this is certainly reflected in his designs, which are usually finished with interesting specimens that will give any outdoor space that sense of rhythm and balance that we love.   

A Dining and Entertaining Garden

This garden design was dedicated to a family that wanted to use their backyard for relaxation and entertaining. Vito opted for a contemporary style of garden, finished with low maintenance materials.   

The design included 2 pergolas; one lean-to aluminium version, as a transition from the living room to the garden and a second smaller one, located in the corner of the house with an outdoor kitchen. 

To keep the same floor level, Vito decided to use one of the best available materials to work with, the Millboard decking.  

Light grey porcelain paving was used in the design to accent the clear transition between the main decking and the rest of the garden. An additional small patio was created in the sunniest part of the backyard, and this was finished with dark grey porcelain paving to add a contrast.  

A sunken fire-pit area was designed in the lower terrain of the garden, with an L-shaped floating bench to comfortably accommodate guests.  

The addition of a lush buffer of plants between the fence and sunken patio significantly improved this area and made it even more visually pleasing. 

As a decorative element, aluminium panels were introduced to the design, as well as a simple rectangular-shaped lawn as a small play area for the kids.  To soften the geometrical shapes and to give some interest borders with small trees, shrubs and perennials were introduced too. To provide additional privacy a section of trees along the fence was added into the design.

A Coastal Garden on a slope

This design created by Vito represented a functional garden where someone could relax, entertain friends, and enjoy the sea views.  

Interesting modern features were used throughout the design: an aluminium pergola, a Corten steel set of stairs, a lamp post and a firepit. Moreover, a clever planting scheme was introduced to cover the sloping parts of the garden. 

The whole space was divided into three levels because of a significant slope, with Millboard decking on the first level; the perfect solution to keep the same ground level between the house and garden.   

Vito created a luxurious sunken hot tub in the most secluded and private area, ensuring maximum comfort for the client. He also included a pathway from the decking, surrounded by beautiful coastal planting and leading to the central feature an aluminium pergola with glass screening.  

This stunning piece is situated on Millboard decking, providing a perfect platform with an excellent viewpoint over the slope. 

Corten steel steps and sandstone retaining walls were used to create an elegant look, incorporating large boulders found on-site into the coastal planting area.  

To enhance the beautiful view, the designer opted for a simple fence made of natural materials. This enabled it to blend seamlessly into its surroundings. 

At the lowest level of this amazing outdoor space a simple firepit was arranged. We understand that our clients’ needs come first and succeeded in giving them a breath-taking view combined with functional outdoor living features.

A wildlife friendly garden

When creating this garden design, Vito had in mind a vast area with an orchard, vegetable garden, greenhouse, and wildlife in every corner. In addition, there was uninterrupted access to beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.  

This was designed to be used by a big family so there was a good-sized patio, with a dining table and a spacious outdoor sofa. The patio was made of sandstone to match the character of the property, with raised beds and small planting areas to add interest.  Concrete pillars and insect hotels were also set up in various parts of the garden.  The planting plan included mainly wildlife-friendly species that provided lots of pollen to bees, butterflies, and other insects: Buddleja Davidii, Verbena Bonariensis and Lavandula Angustifolia.  A vegetable garden was arranged between the orchard, hedge, and house, next to the kitchen door. Raised beds growing vegetables were made of sleepers and were embedded in the gravel to keep the area easy to clean, while still allowing maintenance.  

A low hedge was added to clearly separate the area from the rest of the garden, which also gave some formality to the design. This also included a greenhouse and a shed, with a screened utility area and enough space to add a small circular patio as a focal point on an axis from the kitchen door. Under the orchard trees, Vito proposed a wildflower meadow. This stretched along a fence beside a wildlife pond, attracting wildlife and allowing people to observe local creatures and to enjoy the landscape.  

From Vision to Reality 

As we conclude this exploration of Vito’s garden design prowess, it’s evident that his role as a landscape architect has breathed life into three remarkable gardens. From contemporary coastal designs that embrace the allure of the shoreline, to enchanting wildlife gardens teeming with nature’s wonders, and the seamless blend of form and function in entertaining gardens, Vito’s planting plans and innovative planting designs have left an indelible mark on each project. 

These garden design ideas, executed with precision and artistic finesse, not only offer aesthetic beauty but also enrich the lives of those who inhabit these spaces. Vito’s expertise transcends mere garden design; it’s a testament to the transformative power of thoughtful landscaping. 

We hope these garden journeys have ignited your imagination, inspiring you with fresh perspectives on garden design ideas for your own outdoor haven. If you’re ready to embark on your own garden design adventure or seek personalized guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts. 

Let your garden design dreams take root, and may they flourish into vibrant, timeless landscapes that bring joy and beauty to your life.