10 garden layout ideas to inspire a fresh outdoor look

When it comes to garden layout ideas, the possibilities seem endless, and it can be hard to know where to start.

Garden landscaping ideas span a range of mediums, from patio and decking to lawn ideas. But if you want to dedicate different areas of your garden to specific purposes, you'll need to consider how to zone your space. You could even incorporate clever planting techniques to maintain a natural, cohesive feel.

Whether you're looking to create a cosy nook for relaxation or a shaded area for children to enjoy the outdoors, there's plenty of room to get creative with garden layout ideas.

Garden layout ideas

We've rounded up our favourite garden layout ideas to help you transform your garden with a brand-new look.

1. Frame with raised planters

We're huge fans of raised planters at Ideal Home – they're versatile, and if you're considering how to fill a raised garden bed, the options are endless. Used to zone or frame areas of the garden, they also make fantastic garden layout ideas.

'Green-fingered gardeners can play with the height of the planters to create the illusion of more space,' says Matt Carroll, head of assured landscaping at Bradstone. 'Adding steeped planters at the back of a garden can make the area seem taller, whilst placing them alongside existing walkways can help define those areas and create clearer separation between areas for planting and areas for socialising.'

You can buy raised planters in a range of styles, like the Yaheetech Raised Garden Bed from Amazon. Or, if you're in the mood for a little DIY, you can learn how to build a raised garden bed yourself.

Matt Carroll

Matt joined Bradstone in May 2024 as Head of Assured Landscaping, following his successful role at Marshalls. However, Matt's affinity with gardens and the outdoors started in his early years when he ran his own landscaping business as a sole trader.

2. Consider the sun

Think about which areas of your garden receive sunlight at different times of the day when planning your garden layout ideas. Different plants will thrive under different conditions, and you'll need to consider how much sun you want seating and dining areas to receive, too.

'If you wish to create a vibrant and flourishing garden with an abundance of healthy plants, then coordinating your layout with the sun is vital,' says Gary Jarman, director at Building Shop.

'You may prefer to relax in your garden during the evening, so you should consider the areas that will receive the most sun at this time of day to make the most of your seating area.'

Draw on north-facing garden ideas and south-facing garden ideas to help you choose plants that will best suit your space.

3. Plant natural borders

If you have room to plant up your garden border ideas, consider fast-growing hedges or low-growing evergreen shrubs to create a natural boundary around or between zones in your garden.

'Natural borders, like tall shrubs, trees or hedges, are perfect for dividing your garden into different sections whilst offering privacy and shade,' says Gary. 'Plants are ideal for zoning as the varying height levels ensure areas of your garden are clearly defined, whilst also maintaining the flow of the garden.'

Just make sure you're keeping on top of maintenance and you know how to prune hedges properly if you've opted for natural borders. 'It's important that shrubs and hedges are consistently maintained to prevent them from growing out of control as they can encroach on other areas of your garden and look visually unappealing,' Gary adds.

Gary Jarman

Gary Jarman is a director of Building Shop, a family-run business based in the UK. With over 40 years of experience in supplying building and landscaping materials to both the trade and public alike, Gary's background and extensive knowledge of building and supplies covers everything from decorating and landscaping to drainage and roofing.

4. Make a cosy courtyard

If you're looking for small garden ideas to help design your garden layout, position a table in the middle of the space and surround it with seating for a cocooned area for socialising.

Disguise brickwork or fencing using fast-growing climbing plants such as clematis or rambling roses. These will add colour, texture and fragrance to garden fence ideas in a small space.

5. Lay winding paths

For long garden layout ideas, create winding paths leading to different focal points such as patios or garden decking. The curve of the path softens the shape and draws attention to different parts of the garden.

Experiment with planting alongside the path to break up any large expanses of grass. Then, choose plants of different heights and colours for depth and visual interest.

The best scented plants for a relaxing garden such as lavender work well, as you can enjoy the scent wafting through the air as you pass by.

6. Create a secret hideaway

Turn a corner of your garden into a little nook, with built-in seating and a pergola above to add shade, to curate a quiet spot to unwind. This is an especially great idea for adding structure to a gravelled area of the garden.

'Pergolas can be used as an easy way to provide some differentiation within a gravelled area by creating a designated area for relaxing,' says Lee Trethewey, garden design expert at Sustainable Furniture. 'To achieve this, I recommend accompanying your pergola with comfortable furniture to create a shaded and secluded area for lounging.

'The pergola area can be elevated even further by including soft furnishings like cushions and rugs.'

Camouflage the area with planting, utilising all of the best easy climbing plant ideas. Allow these to grow up and over the pergola to create an intimate feel. Tuck the seating behind borders full of lush plants so the space feels hidden away. For overlooked gardens, this is a great trick for adding more privacy.

7. Soften hard landscaping with plants

Break up large, plain areas of the garden like patio areas with small beds of plants. Use circular beds and then create a winding walkway through the space to create a cohesive, natural feel.

'Thoughtful landscaping, particularly with paving, can elevate the functionality and aesthetic of a garden, creating distinct areas for different activities while guiding movement through the space,' adds Matt from Bradstone.

Small trees such as acers are great for adding height and colour to a courtyard outdoor space, adding interest to duller areas of the garden.

8. Install a bespoke bar area

Gardens are made for socialising, and if you like to spend a lot of time entertaining friends and family, why not plan your garden layout ideas around that and build your own bar?

Garden bar ideas double up as fantastic patio ideas next to your outdoor dining table and barbecue, allowing you to keep food and drinks within easy reach.

Make sure you're able to close up the front of the bar for the winter to prevent the interior from collecting leaves and garden debris.

9. Create a shady spot

Patio cover ideas are important for providing a shaded dining spot in your garden, especially when it comes to the summer months. It always pays to have somewhere cool to relax.

Look out for canvas sails as an alternative to a pergola. These can be used to cover the area if you want more shade or protection from light rain.

You could also use covered pergola ideas to create a shaded nook.

10. Make it family-friendly

Make a dedicated area of the garden just for little ones to enjoy, and think about which materials are most suitable for comfortable play.

'A shaded area can benefit from softer, cooler paving materials like natural stone or textured pavers, making it a comfortable play space for children,' says Matt from Bradstone. 'The paved surface ensures safety and durability while keeping the area easy to maintain.'

Incorporate a small sandpit and a mud kitchen to keep them entertained. An outdoor chalkboard wall gives them space to get creative outside. When it comes to bigger gardens, a playhouse or climbing frame will give them hours of fun.

Position kid-friendly areas near a patio area or the house. That means you can keep an eye on them while they play.

FAQs

How can I divide a garden into sections?

There are a number of techniques at your disposal when it comes to dividing a garden into sections. You could plant natural borders to delineate areas, or you could use garden screening ideas or garden trellis ideas to create a partition between spaces.

'Trellises and screens are perfect if you want to zone specific areas of the garden for different purposes such as creating an outdoor living room or a grow-your-own vegetable patch,' says Jenny Davis, head of marketing at Forest Garden. 'And where space is tight, they can be used to grow climbing plants to provide colour and scent.'

If you're low on space but want to add ambience while defining the different sections of your garden, try zoning with garden lighting ideas. 'Lighting is an easy and affordable way to zone an area of your garden,' says Lee from Sustainable Furniture. 'String lights can be hung around structures like trees or pergolas to highlight a specific area of your garden and visually break up a gravelled area.'

What's the most low maintenance garden layout?

Breaking up a large expanse of grass with a patio or decking area will mean spending less time mowing during the summer months.

A paved space is one of the most low maintenance options, along with using artificial grass. 'Several things can make a garden low maintenance,' explains Fiona Jenkins, gardening expert at MyJobQuote. 'One of the best ways to achieve this is by creating a patio garden. A patio requires very little maintenance when compared to a lawn.'

Fiona continues: 'If you're adamant that you want a lawn in your garden, artificial grass is the most low maintenance option, and this doesn't require mowing or watering. Decking is also another option for a low maintenance garden.' Bear in mind that large expanses of either are not very sustainable. Some grass and plants are needed to help pollinators thrive in the garden.

With so many garden layout ideas to choose from, how will you be designing your space?