How to Incorporate Garden Design Into Your Outdoor Living Space
By: Alexis B.
Few things are as magical as a well-designed garden. Gorgeous garden design feels like an extension of your home with the added perks of sunshine and the breezy outdoors. But true garden design is more than just planting a few flowers and calling it a day – it’s about creating an intentional outdoor space that works with your home’s design.
Whether you’re looking forward to curating backyard brunches this summer or just sprucing up the yard for a morning reading nook, here’s how to incorporate garden design into your outdoor living space.
Start Garden Design With Your Lifestyle
You might be ready to run right to your local nursery and start buying plants, but you need to pause before you swipe a single card. How do you plan to use your outdoor living space? Only by determining your needs can you then determine how to incorporate a garden design into your plan.
Your lifestyle should drive your layout. For example, if your weekends are all about relaxing, lean into low-maintenance greenery like ornamental grasses and evergreens. If you’re the neighborhood’s favorite host, consider planting aromatic herbs like basil, thyme, and rosemary near your dining area.
Your garden design should enhance the way you live, not just how your yard looks!
Frame Your Garden Design Effectively
One of the easiest ways to incorporate garden design into your outdoor space is by defining zones. Think of your backyard design as a floor plan – rather than walls, you’ve got garden beds, planters, and fencing.
Once you map out your yard, you can start to incorporate garden elements. Want to better frame your patio? Add a row of tall grasses or potted trees along the edge. Want a cozy outdoor lounge? Build in some raised beds or create a U-shape layout with flower boxes to create the feeling of a separate “room.”
Remember, your garden should coordinate with your home’s overall exterior style. If your home has black trim and wood accents, try a moody, structured garden with boxwoods or black mondo grass. A coastal look, however, may prefer white flowers, soft green foliage, and lavender. Your garden should complement, not contrast.
Mix Hardscape and Softscape Like a Pro
If you’re not familiar with the terms hardscape and softscape, here’s a quick breakdown:
- Hardscape = structures, like patios, paths, stone walls, or decks
- Softscape = plants, like flowers, shrubs, vines, and groundcover
The best garden ideas mix these elements together in a nice balance. Lush ferns can be used to soften the edge of a sleek concrete patio, while stone pavers can add nice contrast to a bed of colorful perennials.
Pro Tip: Repetition results in visual calm. Repeat certain plants or materials throughout your space to create cohesion in your garden design. You don’t have to fully match everything, but consistency will tie your yard’s design together, rather than looking chaotic.
Consider Vertical Garden Design
If you’ve got a small backyard, you have options. Garden design doesn’t always have to sprawl – it can also climb!
Figure out how you maximize the use of your vertical space. Consider a living wall to liven up a plan fence, or hanging planters on your patio railing for a pop of color.
Pergolas are also a great way to add design and functionality to your outdoor space. Train wisteria, jasmine, or even grapevines to grow across the top for shade and style. Plus, it’ll smell incredible when it blooms!
Plan Your Garden Seasonally
Your garden doesn’t have to stay the star of summer. The best outdoor spaces evolve year-round, even during the winter.
Consider mixing plants that bloom at different times of the year, so your garden always has new activity each season. Some great options include:
- Spring: Tulips and daffodils
- Summer: Cornflowers
- Fall: Mums
- Winter: Evergreen shrubs
The right lighting keeps your garden lit all night long, too. Consider adding some solar-powered path lights, string lights, or spotlights to highlight your favorite trees or sculptural plants. Great lighting can transform your garden from “cute” to “stunning.”
Let Your Plants Tell a Story
Garden design isn’t all about structure and symmetry. In fact, some of the most memorable outdoor spaces have little unique details that reflect the home’s owner.
Consider weaving in plants that hold personal meaning. Maybe your grandmother always grew peonies, or that trip to Italy inspired your love of rosemary. Incorporating these plants into your garden design doesn’t just add beauty, it adds soul.
You can do the same with garden accessories. Think vintage garden statues, weathered benches, and hand-painted pots. These little touches turn a pretty garden into your garden.
Garden Design Style Pairings We Love
If you’re struggling to match your home’s aesthetic with your garden design, here are a few of our favorite combinations:
- Modern Farmhouse: Classic boxwoods, white hydrangeas, gravel paths, and wood accents.
- Coastal Cool: Beach grasses, succulents, white blooms, and pale blue pots.
- Desert Modern: Agave, aloe, crushed granite, and bold architectural planters.
- Modern English Cottage: Wildflowers, structured borders, and stone pathways.
These combinations are a great place to start, but there are countless others out there. Consider how to make your own style shine before shopping for plants and accessories.
Final Thoughts: Your Garden, Your Rules
There’s no wrong way to bring nature into your outdoor space. Whether you want a fully edible garden or just a few statement planters on your patio, a thoughtful garden design helps your exterior feel complete.
The key is to be intentional. Match your layout to your home’s style and let it evolve with the seasons.
If you still want a little help making your home’s exterior and garden design work in harmony, our expert designers at brick&batten are here to help. Get started today and let us help you turn your outdoor space into your favorite room, just with more fresh air.
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