Designers' Best Tips for Creating a Tranquil Garden
Take inspiration from these peaceful and secluded UK gardens to create your own heavenly outdoor space
A garden that feels as if it’s in the middle of nowhere – even when it’s overlooked or noisier than you’d like – is the dream: a peaceful space in which you can hang out the washing wearing your pyjamas, entertain friends without feeling watched, or read a book in silence, except for birdsong, the lazy buzzing of bees, and perhaps the gentle bubbling of a water feature… But how to achieve this nirvana? These savvy professional garden designers in the UK have some tricks up their sleeves.
Cosy up a courtyard
When interior designer Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors and her husband first saw the Victorian dairy that would become their home, it was derelict, but the couple could immediately see its potential.
“I was really excited when I saw the huge open courtyard at the front of the building,” says Dadswell. “It had incredible steel girders that were covered in jasmine. It was like an industrial, urban version of Miss Havisham’s house,” she says, referring to the rambling home of one of Charles Dickens’ characters. But as the site was surrounded by neighbouring gardens on every boundary, careful thought was put into how to make it feel secluded.
“We constructed privacy screens out of rusted metal that we positioned on top of the brick walls, then planted climbers to work their way up the metal girders to create drama. We also planted trees and plants in huge black oil drums to bring in height,” says Dadswell. “We’re a short walk from the high street, but all you can hear in the courtyard are birds singing. It’s really special.”
When interior designer Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors and her husband first saw the Victorian dairy that would become their home, it was derelict, but the couple could immediately see its potential.
“I was really excited when I saw the huge open courtyard at the front of the building,” says Dadswell. “It had incredible steel girders that were covered in jasmine. It was like an industrial, urban version of Miss Havisham’s house,” she says, referring to the rambling home of one of Charles Dickens’ characters. But as the site was surrounded by neighbouring gardens on every boundary, careful thought was put into how to make it feel secluded.
“We constructed privacy screens out of rusted metal that we positioned on top of the brick walls, then planted climbers to work their way up the metal girders to create drama. We also planted trees and plants in huge black oil drums to bring in height,” says Dadswell. “We’re a short walk from the high street, but all you can hear in the courtyard are birds singing. It’s really special.”
Let lush growth lean in
So secluded does this garden feel that you’d never guess the lush, tropical space – designed by its owner, architect Simon Hurst – is at the back of a small 1930s terrace in the city.
The lush planting helps to create a secluded atmosphere. “I like a somewhat jungly feel, with plants growing into or through each other,” says Hurst. To add to the effect, having a circular patio means the greenery goes almost right around to envelop the dining area.
Hurst also created different zones and paths throughout the space. “It’s broken up into a large cobbled central circle with diagonal paths in York stone slabs. These lead to different zones and give a false sense of perspective,” he says.
Does your garden need a makeover? Find a landscape architect or designer near you on Houzz to fulfil its potential
So secluded does this garden feel that you’d never guess the lush, tropical space – designed by its owner, architect Simon Hurst – is at the back of a small 1930s terrace in the city.
The lush planting helps to create a secluded atmosphere. “I like a somewhat jungly feel, with plants growing into or through each other,” says Hurst. To add to the effect, having a circular patio means the greenery goes almost right around to envelop the dining area.
Hurst also created different zones and paths throughout the space. “It’s broken up into a large cobbled central circle with diagonal paths in York stone slabs. These lead to different zones and give a false sense of perspective,” he says.
Does your garden need a makeover? Find a landscape architect or designer near you on Houzz to fulfil its potential
Fashion a room within a room
Though this idea, from garden designer Kate Gould, was created for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for a public square, the core concept is one that could be taken and used in a smaller, private space.
Rather than – or as well as – a patio positioned at the back of the house, consider creating a small, semi-enclosed paved seating zone further into the garden, among dense planting.
Gould has done this on a larger scale in this design. “We wanted to create a small garden that was part of a larger garden,” she says. “So at the centre of the space there’s a cool, calm heart, where people can escape the hustle and bustle of the city.”
Georgian-style pillars and walls with ‘doorways’ and ‘windows’ zone the garden and create a sense of enclosure.
Though this idea, from garden designer Kate Gould, was created for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for a public square, the core concept is one that could be taken and used in a smaller, private space.
Rather than – or as well as – a patio positioned at the back of the house, consider creating a small, semi-enclosed paved seating zone further into the garden, among dense planting.
Gould has done this on a larger scale in this design. “We wanted to create a small garden that was part of a larger garden,” she says. “So at the centre of the space there’s a cool, calm heart, where people can escape the hustle and bustle of the city.”
Georgian-style pillars and walls with ‘doorways’ and ‘windows’ zone the garden and create a sense of enclosure.
Make trellises the main event
This garden, which sits on a flat roof extension, features a square-shaped terrace that was overlooked by surrounding houses. “The aim was to give the [homeowners] more privacy as well as somewhere to relax,” says James Gee, project manager of The Garden Trellis Company.
Gee oversaw the design, build and installation of all the joinery in the garden. This included the wide planters at the base of the trellis. “These allow climbing plants to grow up the sides,” he says.
It’s important to choose the right kind of trellis. “It’s typically available in either a square or diamond design and in a wide range of sizes,” he says. “A trellis with smaller apertures (a tighter mesh) is good for adding security and privacy to a fence or wall. A wider, more open gap is useful when growing climbers, as it allows them to wind between the slats.”
In this case, both were important, so a compromise was sought. “We went for a square style with a 48-millimetre gap between the slats – a mix between open and private,” he says.
5 Favourite Climbers for a Pergola
This garden, which sits on a flat roof extension, features a square-shaped terrace that was overlooked by surrounding houses. “The aim was to give the [homeowners] more privacy as well as somewhere to relax,” says James Gee, project manager of The Garden Trellis Company.
Gee oversaw the design, build and installation of all the joinery in the garden. This included the wide planters at the base of the trellis. “These allow climbing plants to grow up the sides,” he says.
It’s important to choose the right kind of trellis. “It’s typically available in either a square or diamond design and in a wide range of sizes,” he says. “A trellis with smaller apertures (a tighter mesh) is good for adding security and privacy to a fence or wall. A wider, more open gap is useful when growing climbers, as it allows them to wind between the slats.”
In this case, both were important, so a compromise was sought. “We went for a square style with a 48-millimetre gap between the slats – a mix between open and private,” he says.
5 Favourite Climbers for a Pergola
Escape to the country
This enchanting cottage garden isn’t in the middle of the country at all – it’s another RHS Chelsea Flower Show creation. Again, it’s one from which ideas for smaller or less bucolic open spaces can be plundered.
Designer Mark Gregory of Landform advises that this style of wild planting can be recreated in a small city garden. “If you want a touch of wildness, then you should have it, and it’s perfectly possible, even in an urban setting,” he says.
“You could plant a cultivated meadow mix for the lawn and, rather than introducing the rather thuggish wild or hedgerow flowers into your borders, go with their ‘tamed’ versions,” says Gregory. “Try Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Ravenswing’, Digitalis purpurea f. albiflora, and Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Ruby Port’, as they’re less domineering than their wilder cousins.”
This enchanting cottage garden isn’t in the middle of the country at all – it’s another RHS Chelsea Flower Show creation. Again, it’s one from which ideas for smaller or less bucolic open spaces can be plundered.
Designer Mark Gregory of Landform advises that this style of wild planting can be recreated in a small city garden. “If you want a touch of wildness, then you should have it, and it’s perfectly possible, even in an urban setting,” he says.
“You could plant a cultivated meadow mix for the lawn and, rather than introducing the rather thuggish wild or hedgerow flowers into your borders, go with their ‘tamed’ versions,” says Gregory. “Try Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Ravenswing’, Digitalis purpurea f. albiflora, and Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Ruby Port’, as they’re less domineering than their wilder cousins.”
Take time with your seating plan
The placement of seating in a garden may not be something you give a huge amount of thought to – beyond picking a spot that has the right level of light or shade for your needs.
As garden designer Barbara Samitier illustrates in this space she created, the view is just as important – especially when you want to form the illusion that you’ve got away from it all.
The position of these concrete armchairs, in the middle section of the garden at an angle, puzzled the homeowners initially. But, says Samitier, “I knew it was the spot where the sun comes through the tree canopy and, because you’re looking at the trees in the neighbours’ gardens, you forget you’re in London.”
Garden Seating Nooks Worth Dreaming About
The placement of seating in a garden may not be something you give a huge amount of thought to – beyond picking a spot that has the right level of light or shade for your needs.
As garden designer Barbara Samitier illustrates in this space she created, the view is just as important – especially when you want to form the illusion that you’ve got away from it all.
The position of these concrete armchairs, in the middle section of the garden at an angle, puzzled the homeowners initially. But, says Samitier, “I knew it was the spot where the sun comes through the tree canopy and, because you’re looking at the trees in the neighbours’ gardens, you forget you’re in London.”
Garden Seating Nooks Worth Dreaming About
Screen strategically
Believe it or not, this leafy oasis started life as a gloomy, empty basement overlooked by a car park – until, that is, designer Roberto Silva of Silva Landscapes worked his magic and created this inviting gem of a secluded small garden.
Believe it or not, this leafy oasis started life as a gloomy, empty basement overlooked by a car park – until, that is, designer Roberto Silva of Silva Landscapes worked his magic and created this inviting gem of a secluded small garden.
Roberto included large, leafy Eriobotrya japonica trees in each corner (seen here) to screen the view from the car park above, as well as creating a pleasing canopy and dampening the noise for anyone enjoying the garden below. “The trees make it quite secluded,” he says.
Your turn
How have you created a sense of seclusion in your garden – or which of these ideas could work at home to do just that? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Need more garden inspiration? Let this Before and After garden transformation show you just what’s possible: Before & After: A Small Garden Gets a Clever, Easy-Care Makeover
Your turn
How have you created a sense of seclusion in your garden – or which of these ideas could work at home to do just that? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Need more garden inspiration? Let this Before and After garden transformation show you just what’s possible: Before & After: A Small Garden Gets a Clever, Easy-Care Makeover
Whether you have particularly lively neighbours or live next to a busy transport route, noise that filters in from outside your garden can kill the sense of tranquillity you may otherwise have created.
Good garden designers will, of course, talk through the issues you want to resolve in your outside space and address them. This is precisely what Tom Howard did with the owners of this (now) peaceful spot in south London, UK.
“The garden has a noisy railway line right behind the back of it,” says Howard. So he built a high fence. “We stained it darker to lose it slightly and planted a yew hedge in front,” he says. “This will grow to around four metres high, which will help to reduce the noise of the trains and provide a green backdrop.”