Beautiful Back Garden Designs for Every Style and Budget
For most homeowners, the back garden is the biggest landscape they have access to. This is the main outdoor space of the home and, therefore, holds the greatest potential for garden design.
Back gardens are no longer just lawns and patios, as there are so many options for these landscapes today. You can create outdoor living spaces, wildlife havens or stylish retreats right on your doorstep simply by choosing the best garden design.
At Creative Gardens & Driveways, we appreciate the value of a well-designed back garden. Our team has helped many clients over the years create stunning outdoor spaces at home and are here to offer the same support to you.
In this post, we are sharing some of the best back garden designs to suit any style and budget so you can have a garden you love.
How To Design A Back Garden: Understanding Your Space
Garden design can be a complex service because it looks different for everyone. No two landscapes are alike, which is why we offer a bespoke garden design solution for all clients.
Ahead of any garden design project, we take the time to learn more about our clients and the garden in question. Through a site assessment, we take in everything from garden dimensions to soil conditions to inform our garden design. We also spend time talking to our clients to understand their desires and goals for the garden.
Before choosing back garden designs and beginning your renovation, you need to understand your space. You also need to take the time to measure and assess your current landscape, as well as have a clear understanding of what back garden designs you are interested in.
When measuring your landscape, note down the size and shape as well as the sun exposure patterns, as this allows you to plan planting and other soft landscaping features.
In terms of choosing back garden designs, you need to determine what you want to use the garden for. Consider what this outdoor space can do for your family and lifestyle, as this will now down options in the future. For example, are you looking to create a child-friendly landscape or somewhere to relax with a glass of wine after a tough working week?
Top Considerations For Back Garden Design
- Garden Size And Shape
- Soil Condition
- Sun Exposure Patterns/ Temperature
- Theme or Purpose of Garden
Taking the time to truly consider your desires and what kind of garden will complement your lifestyle the best will make the rest of the design process easy.
Popular Back Garden Designs For Any Space
The possibilities are endless when it comes to back garden designs, as each landscape deserves to have a bespoke layout. However, to get you inspired, we are sharing some of the most popular back garden designs that we have provided across the region.
No matter your budget or the purpose of the garden, there is certainly going to be a theme to suit you.
Modern And Minimal
Contemporary garden design is one of the most popular trends for outdoor spaces and is a great solution for back gardens of any size. Modern back garden designs are focused on simple layouts and clean lines, making it a great solution for even the smallest space.
Key Features:
- Neutral Tones
- Low-Maintenance Plants And Surfaces
- Geometric Lines And Shapes
Charming Cottage Gardens
Cottage back garden designs are essentially the complete opposite of modern spaces, as they focus on colour and charm. These are usually reserved for traditional properties, where gardens do not follow a straightforward layout or shape but can be used anywhere with creativity.
Based around a range of plants and foliage, charming cottage back garden designs provide a welcome relief from the business of modern life. They encourage us to slow down and smell the roses and encourage wildlife with their bountiful soft landscaping.
Key Features:
- Lush, Dense Borders – Flowers or Foliage, such as shrubs
- Winding Paths And Natural Stone Paving
- Flower Beds And Seasonal Displays
Urban Retreats
Urban-inspired back garden designs are centred on making the most out of any space we have available. There are some overlaps between urban back garden designs and contemporary landscapes in the sense that they focus on creating simple outdoor spaces, but there is a unique appeal to each.
Urban back garden designs are ideal for those with a small landscape, such as a courtyard. Just because you are limited on space does not mean you have to suffer poor garden design, as this theme focuses on space-saving solutions and simple design to create a functional and attractive landscape.
Key Features:
- Vertical Gardens
- Easily Stored Garden Furniture
- Multi-Purpose Features And Zones
Family-Friendly Spaces
Being outdoors is a great way to bond as a family and ensure you are having quality time with the kids. It is common for people to see family-friendly back garden designs to encourage everyone to spend more time outdoors. With fun features and separate zones, it is possible to create a back garden that appeals to people of all ages.
Additional features such as play areas and swing sets can be installed, but zoning is the main focus of family back garden designs. Ensuring everyone has their own space in the garden, such as the lush green lawn for the kids and a beautifully paved patio for the adults to unwind, is a staple for large family spaces.
Key Features:
- Large Lawn Areas
- Durable Materials
- Play Areas And Dining Spaces
What Goes Into A Back Garden Design?
While each garden will look different, certain areas of landscape design are repeated. Garden designs include several main areas and features, which will be customised by layout, material and colour to complement your specific outdoor space.
To design an attractive and functional back garden, you need to include:
- Hard Landscaping: This refers to all the hard-wearing materials and areas within your garden design, such as paving, patios, and decking. These are added for structure and functionality, creating separate zones within the garden design.
- Soft Landscaping: A beautiful contrast between hard landscaping and plants, no outdoor space is complete without soft landscaping such as flowers, turfing or shrubs. Add some colour and natural appeal with a range of seasonal, annual, and evergreen plants.
- Garden Lighting: Create a space that can be used at all hours of the day or night by incorporating garden lighting. Both functional and attractive, garden lighting comes in many forms to complement your outdoor space, such as fairy lights, spotlights, and pathway lighting.
- Privacy and Structure: Ensure your garden is safe and secluded with fencing and shrubs. Garden screens and structures, such as pergolas, may also be used within back garden designs to create private areas or to screen overlooking neighbours if required.
- Decorative Elements: Elements such as water features, garden sculptures, and bespoke planting options can add some personality to the landscape to make it uniquely yours.
Creative Gardens & Driveways: Your Partner In Garden Design
Renovating the back garden can be a complex process because there is a lot to consider and install. Working with professionals like Creative Gardens & Driveways is the best way to see the results you desire.
Our team has over two decades of experience delivering landscaping and garden design solutions across the region. We are accredited and award-winning for our work in the industry, making us a name you can trust for back garden designs.
We offer a comprehensive garden design service, covering all your needs from start to finish. Our team will work with you from the initial consultation until the finishing touches are complete. We can also provide ongoing landscaping and maintenance to keep your back garden in prime condition.
Looking To Design Your Dream Garden?
To get started on your back garden design journey, reach out to the team today. We can offer a site consultation and personalised quote for all new projects.