New clients often approach us when they are carrying out work on their house which will affect the garden. This may be anything from a kitchen extension to a major self-build project. In every case, the goal is to create a harmonious connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces. This blog post outlines the key points to consider in order to seamlessly blend a house and garden into one unified living space.
1 Design relationship between house, garden and surroundings
The garden design needs to be sympathetic to the overall architecture of the house. You can take a lead from the house design by creating a ‘grid’ for the garden layout which reflects the proportions underpinning the layout of the house. It might help to think of these as outdoor ‘rooms’ (or zones) that need to be connected together in the same way as the rooms indoors. While the garden design and style need to be in keeping with the house, it is possible to vary these to suit your own taste. For example, a period house needs suitable hardscaping materials and styling, but you can add a contemporary touch with your planting choices.
You can also take cues from the surrounding landscape to help make your own living space feel part of a larger setting. For example, if you have beautiful, rounded trees in the surroundings, repeat this in the garden with rounded shrubs and trees. Using repetition softens the boundary between garden and wider landscape, strengthening their connection too. If you have the luxury of expansive, naturalistic views beyond the garden then you can ‘borrow’ these as a backdrop, making sure that these views are as visible as possible – maybe framing them as part of your own garden design.
When the surroundings include local buildings with character/history (houses or other buildings), it’s a good idea to make a connection with this in your own choice of brickwork and other hardscaping. If the surrounding landscape is not appealing, then consider making the garden boundary itself a feature.
2 Planning phases
Ideally, it makes sense to consider both the house build plan and the garden design/landscaping plans at the same time. The garden design can influence the house build and vice versa. When I am visiting a site for the first time, there are many design questions for me to consider, including: how to encourage the flow of people between house and garden; how to frame views out of the house into the garden; and how to handle views out of the garden into the surrounding landscape. Views into the garden are important too, in terms of ensuring a sense of retreat and privacy for the homeowner. Considering these questions as early as possible is important, to make the most of design opportunities (and avoid pitfalls too).
There are also many design options to consider in order to facilitate movement between the house and garden. For example, you may choose to raise the garden threshold as you step outside (while bearing in mind practicalities such as damp proofing). Also, a common pitfall is to place garden furniture immediately across the main entrance into the garden, creating a barrier visually and practically. Sometimes placing a furnished terrace/dining area further into the garden creates a great focal point. This can entice people out further into the outdoor space too. We often advise clients on placement of doors to create flow and windows to maximise viewpoints. Or we might suggest a floor length window where a client has not considered this option. There are also logistical benefits to planning the landscaping work in parallel. For example, the build work might prevent access to the garden at a later point.
3 Timing of the landscaping work
Professional landscapers work all year round and have to accommodate all types of weather conditions. Ideally, planting is best done in autumn, winter or spring – as long as the conditions are not too wet or cold. Certain tasks (e.g. brickwork and paving) can’t be done in very wet or cold conditions. Grass can be laid at any time of year as long as the weather is not too hot or cold. In the summertime, new grass needs lots of watering. It’s best not to lay it just before a planned summer holiday.
4 Achieving the look and feel of a mature garden
Buying mature plants can help to achieve the desired effect more quickly – but this is more expensive. Rather than considering it a ‘waiting game’ for a new garden to mature, we would remind clients that one of the greatest joys of a garden transformation project is to watch the new garden develop and flourish. Actively nurturing your own plants can be hugely satisfying too, and a wonderful way to reconnect with nature if you spend a lot of time indoors. The end of a landscaping project is genuinely the start of the garden’s journey. Herbaceous plants establish very quickly in the right conditions. Given a suitable watering schedule, they can bed in after one season. Shrubs and trees take longer to establish. They can take several years to fully bed in. During this time, they will need additional care including staking and watering.
5 Handling established trees
Trees are obviously vitally important for the environment. They provide oxygen, carbon storage, stabilise the soil conditions and provide shelter for wildlife. Established trees with longevity in a garden are likely to contain a wide range of habitats for birds and other wildlife. They should only be removed if they are dead/dying, dangerous or unsuitable in some way. Assessing an established tree for suitability when planning building work nearby is a task for an expert such as a structural engineer or arboriculturist.
6 Biodiversity
It’s essential to bear biodiversity in mind when making decisions about your garden design and landscaping phase. A residential garden can offer a wonderful haven in which local wildlife can feed, breed and shelter. Every garden – no matter the size – can be enriched to promote biodiversity and reduce the worrying threat to wildlife. A garden design-and-build project can have a positive environmental impact by applying a few simple principles. See my blog post here for more guidance on this; there is also great advice here from Kew Gardens.
7 Working with a professional garden designer/landscapers
Making changes to your house, whether minor or major, will require careful budget management. You may not have anticipated the need for a garden design/landscaping budget as well! As you might expect, we would highly recommend that you do budget for professional garden design and landscaping services. A garden designer will add value by balancing what you need in functional terms along with an overall design aesthetic. The effect will be to blend your house, garden and the surroundings together, creating a timeless effect. A professional landscaper will provide you with the craftmanship and expertise that you need to turn the designer’s concept into reality. Their knowledge and skills differ from those of house builders. They will know how to work with specific soil conditions, climate and drainage issues. Their specialist skills include hardscaping, planting lawns, trees and borders, lighting, irrigation, garden features and garden buildings.
Summary
In any successful garden design, a harmonious connection between house and garden is one of the most important features. It is essential to consider at the outset how you to achieve this. Failing to do so can lead to common pitfalls. I hope that this post has helped you to consider how best to avoid these! Planning ahead is key. This will enable you to achieve a sense of harmony and flow. Once planned, you can look forward to spending time with family and friends in a unified living space blending nature and architecture.
This post has focused specifically on the design points to bear in mind in order to integrate a house and garden successfully, particularly when you are making changes to the house. When you are planning an overall garden transformation, there are even more factors to consider – have a browse here for tips on planning and creating your dream garden.