Garden planning is always an individual matter. Generally speaking, every garden size and shape has its own challenges and benefits from different design tricks. We have already illuminated very small gardens, small to medium-sized rectangular gardens such as the typical terraced house garden and front gardens. If you can walk around at least one side of the house - as is the case with typical small to medium-sized detached houses or semi-detached houses - the following 12 garden design tips will help.
1. align your garden with the sun
The advantage of a detached house is the wide range of options for arranging the garden elements, even in a small garden. Would you prefer to enjoy the morning sun or the evening sun on your patio?
Ask yourself: What do I want to do in my garden, what elements do I want and where should they be located? Before you start planning and building, determine the position of the garden in relation to the cardinal points.
Some plants need light, others need shade. Tomatoes, zucchinis and herbs grow and taste better when the vegetable patch is in the sun. For children playing - and therefore the sandpit - blazing midday sun is not the best thing. When planting a tree, you should also think carefully about where the shade will fall and when.
2. think about the infrastructure of your garden
Which connections and paths make sense? Is there one or more exits?
There are also things you don't want to have in view when relaxing on the patio. Therefore, store garden tools, fertilizer, pots and other garden utensils in a garden shed. The lawn mower also needs a dry place to be stored, as does the garden furniture in winter. If possible, plan generously and also think about space for bicycles, firewood or camping equipment.
Generally speaking, the more structural elements are involved and the higher the quality of the material, the more expensive the garden will be. But even on a low budget, you can achieve acceptable results with clever lines, a good choice of plants and simple materials.
3. think in terms of garden spaces
Needs and tastes differ and are reflected in a good garden design. For example, medium-sized gardens can be divided into more or less separate spaces, each with a different use or style. In the case of a detached family home, a division into such "rooms" is almost self-evident - there is a different outdoor space on each of the four sides of the house, each can be emphasized more or less strongly by use or by design and look different!
4. connect the house and garden through the design
With a small to medium-sized garden, a connection between the house and the open space is particularly important. This is because if the house and garden form a single unit, the property appears larger overall.
In this example, clear, modern lines and similar colors connect the house and patio area in the garden.
In this garden project by Christian Meyer from Berlin, the country house style of the clinker brick façade and the sky-blue shutters is reflected in the lush, informal planting of spring flowers.
5. extend the terrace beyond the corner of the house
Gone are the days when patios were kept rather small. Nowadays, you should plan at least three by three meters for a table and chairs, or more if in doubt - as with this spacious wooden terrace that adorns a house garden in Mindelheim, planned by landscape architects Droll & Lauenstein.
If the terrace is as large as this house in Frechen, you can set up sun loungers, a children's paddling pool, clothes horse or barbecue in addition to the obligatory seating area.
6. lead a path around the house
You can and want to walk around a detached house. So think about the right path layout. If there is a paved and covered path around the house, as here, you can stay dry in all weathers. A big plus point: a covered path like this helps to reduce the amount of dirt carried into the house.
Not covered, but still practical is this path that my company AO Gartengestaltung has created. Even in snow, rain and spring mud, your feet stay dry on this path.
7. let the eye wander
Place several eye-catchers so that the eye wanders through the garden and is occupied with the exciting details instead of noticing the narrow boundaries.
Structural elements such as a pergola, garden shed, pillars, sculptures or another seating area can be used as eye-catchers, as can mobile objects such as planters.
Creating a focal point with plants is a science in itself - with good garden design, the highlights alternate with the seasons.
Ornamental leeks and laburnum create an exciting color contrast in early summer in this country house garden by Eggergärten. The seating areas are also eye-catching.
8. set design focal points
Think about the interplay between open and landscaped areas, taller plants and lawn, emptiness and fullness. Decide on some areas that require a little more attention and others that are more relaxed. This also means: plan at least one part of the garden so that it requires less maintenance.
The well-designed areas are often located on the patio, i.e. where you spend most time and even look at from inside during the winter months. Here, Eickhoff Gärten has worked with gabions, among other things.
The classic is a formal patio design or an elaborate perennial bed with a sequence of flowers at the seating area and an uncomplicated shrub planting at the back of the garden.
Here is an example of a garden from Krefeld, by Freiraumplus Landschaftsarchitekten.
9. plan a second seating area
If you can afford it in terms of space and budget, plan a second seating area in the garden. This allows you to change your perspective and view the garden and house from a different angle. The style of the second seating area is usually a little more relaxed - as in this Mainz garden by FritzPlan.
By placing a second seating area with foresight, you can soak up the sun at any time of day and spread out the situation at garden parties. The second seating area is also ideal for a barbecue or fire pit.
10. bring the greenery closer to the patio
Most flowers (and their fragrance!) work best up close. It's good if the plants are right next to the seating area (here a combination of climbing roses and lavender). This can be achieved with small beds or planters, for example.
But it doesn't always have to be flowering plants. These pine trees integrated into the terrace match the modern design of the house by Mo+ Architekten - and provide light protection from the sun in summer.
11. furnish the garden
It doesn't necessarily have to be large structural elements that set the scene in a garden. Small accents provide personal flair; in a small garden they are enough. See the size as an advantage - in a large garden, on the other hand, lovely little accents would look lost.
Decorative elements usually have a decisive advantage over structural measures: They are often inexpensive and can be easily moved and varied seasonally.
12. plan for water in the garden
Would you like a little more? Then build a swimming pond, spring stone, fountain or water feature into your small to medium-sized garden.
This garden from Potsdamer Garten Gestaltung scores with a swimming pond and water feature, elaborate furniture, natural stone walls, an oversized patio, fixed flowerbed edging made of Corten steel and selected trees and shrubs.
Water is always an eye-catcher - an enchanted garden pond with water lilies and a lush perennial bed adorns this design by Eggergärten. Water features of this size can be created in almost any garden - and there is still enough space for other elements.