Garden Features
When designing your garden you need to consider what features you would like to include. There are numerous options to choose from. Select a feature based on design considerations, aesthetic effect and functionality. Below are some ideas to inspire you:
Lawn
- A play area for children
- Sitting area for adults
- A pathway
- To fill space economically
- Create open spaces in the garden for aesthetic effect
- Place to relax
- Place to sunbathe
- To play games
- To exercise
- For pets to run on
Patio
- Sitting area for adults
- Dining area
- BBQ area - permanent or temporary
- Place to relax
- Place to sunbathe
- To store wood for wood burner
- A play area for children
- Decking
- Sitting area for adults
- A pathway
- Dining area
- BBQ area - permanent or temporary
- A play area for children
- Place to relax
- Place to sunbathe
- Raised seating area
- To accompany pond
Gravel area
- Driveway
- Sitting area for adults
- A pathway
- Dining area
- BBQ area - permanent or temporary
- Place to relax
- Place to sunbathe
- To fill space economically
- Decorative
- Area for planting in pots
- To store wood for wood burner
Driveway
- To access garage
- To park car or cars
- For storage
- To access septic tank
- To store caravan
- To store trailer
- To store boat
- Wheelchair / pushchair access
Path
- To prevent wear and tear on grass
- To provide a journey
- To view focal points
- To access areas for gathering and relaxation
- To access borders for maintenance
- To access shed, bins etc
- To use washing line
- To access gate
- To access front door
- To access greenhouse
- To access fuel store e.g. wood for wood burner
- Through arch or pergola
- Wheelbarrow access
- Wheelchair / pushchair access
- Bicycle track
- Skateboard or roller skate track
Path edging
- Decorative
- To enclose path
- To edge borders
Steps
- Move from one level to another
- To access door or gate
- To access garden structure
- As water feature
- Decorative
Ramp
- Move from one level to another
- To access door or gate
- To access garden structure
- Decorative
- Wheelchair / pushchair access
Fencing
- To screen neighbours garden
- To define boundary
- For security
- For climbing plants
- Backdrop for planting
- Decorative
- For shade
- To protect against the wind
- To reduce noise
- To cover unsightly objects - inside & out
- To stop pets leaving garden
- To stop children leaving garden
- For privacy
Trellis
- To screen neighbours garden
- For climbing plants
- Backdrop for planting
- Decorative
- To cover unsightly objects - inside & out
- For privacy
- To divide garden into smaller areas
Gate
- For security
- For privacy
- To stop pets leaving garden
- To stop children leaving garden
- Decorative
- To access garden from outside
- To access pavement / road from inside
- Decorative
- Vehicle access
- Access different part of garden
- Access to neighbours garden
Wall
- To screen neighbours garden
- To define boundary
- As a retaining wall
- For security
- Backdrop for planting
- Decorative
- For shade
- To protect against the wind
- To reduce noise
- To cover unsightly objects - inside & out
- To stop pets leaving garden
- To stop children leaving garden
- For privacy
- To divide garden into smaller areas
Hedge
- To screen neighbours garden
- To define boundary
- For security
- Backdrop for planting
- Decorative
- For shade
- To protect against the wind
- To reduce noise
- To cover unsightly objects - inside & out
- To stop pets leaving garden
- To stop children leaving garden
- For privacy
- To divide garden into smaller areas
- Habitat for wildlife
Border
- Growing plants & flowers
- Growing fruit, vegetables & herbs
- To give colour
- To give fragrance
- To give shade
- Create mystery
- Add shape
- To screen neighbours garden
- For security
- Raised beds
- Growing plants & flowers
- Growing fruit, vegetables & herbs
- Grow plants in area with no soil e.g. rooftop
- Grow plants in different soil e.g. acid
- To make beds easier to manage
- To give colour
- To give fragrance
Containers
- Growing plants & flowers
- Growing fruit, vegetables & herbs
- Grow plants in area with no soil e.g. balcony
- Grow plants where there is little space
- Grow plants in different soil e.g. acid
- To make plants portable
- To keep size of plants under control
- Add seasonal colour
- To give fragrance
Orchard
- To grow fruit
- To provide shaded area
- To provide area for walking
- To supply kitchen
- To encourage wildlife into garden
- To fill large garden
Herb Garden
- To grow herbs
- To add colour
- To add fragrance
- To supply kitchen
- To fill large garden
Vegetable garden
- To grow vegetables
- To add colour
- To add fragrance
- To supply kitchen
- To fill large garden
Wild garden
- To grow wild flowers
- To create low maintenance area
- To attract wildlife
- To add colour
- To add fragrance
- To create place to walk
- To fill space economically
Rockery
- To grow alpine plants
- Focal point
- To add water feature
- To bring stones into the garden
Pond
- Encourage wildlife into garden
- Focal point
- To keep fish
- To grow aquatic plants
- Visually pleasing
- Bring water into garden
- To add sound of water
Water Feature
- To add sound of water
- Visually pleasing
- Bring water into garden
- Focal point
Bridge
- To cross stream / pond
- To access different part of the garden
- To view stream or pond
- Focal point
- Decorative
- To cross gravel stream
Utility area
- To house shed
- To house compost bins
- To house rubbish bins
- To house recycling bins
- To store washing line
Play area
- To have an enclosed safe area
- For a swing
- For a see-saw
- For a climbing frame
- For a sandpit
- For a playhouse
Games
- To play croquet
- To play football
- To play bowls
- To play swing ball
BBQ
- To cook meat
- To cook vegetables
- To entertain
Shed
- Storage for gardening equipment
- Storage for other items e.g. sports
- Storage for recycling bins
- Shelter for pets
Greenhouse
- Growing non hardy plants
- Growing vegetables
- Growing fruit
- Focal point
- Decorative
Garden Room
- Play Room
- Office
- Sun Room
- Workshop
Arbour
- Seat in shaded area
- Seat in sunny area
- For reading
- Focal point
Gazebo
- Shaded seating area
- For entertaining
- For reading
- Focal point
Arch
- Growing climbing plants
- Covered walkway
- Focal point
Pergola
- Growing climbing plants
- Covered walkway
- Focal point
- To create shaded sitting area
Garden Ornament
- Decorative
- Focal point
Water feature
- To encourage wildlife into garden
- Collector
Garden Furniture
- Seat in shaded area
- Seat in sunny area
- For reading
- To enjoy garden
- A place to eat
- For entertaining
Lighting
- For safety
- For security
- To light focal points
- To create light & shadows
- To add colour
- To create ambience
