How to Add Interest to Your Garden With Architectural Elements
Beautiful gardens aren’t just about plants – add drama and creativity with some striking sculptural features
The structural design of a garden is just as important as the plants and can mean the difference between an ‘ordinary’ garden and an outstanding one. Including surprising and imaginative elements is a sure-fire way to add personality to your outdoor space. Whether you already have architectural details such as steps, walls or a gate to work with, or you fancy adding in some yourself, here are some fantastic ideas to make your garden stand out from the crowd.
Create an entrance
Part of the pleasure of a garden is the entrance into the space, so why not add a gate to your garden that gives a hint of what lies beyond?
This wrought-iron design frames a great view, while being a strong architectural feature in itself.
You can often find wrought-iron gates in local auctions and scrapyards. Build your wall to fit your gate, refurbish it in a contemporary colour and make this feature come alive.
Part of the pleasure of a garden is the entrance into the space, so why not add a gate to your garden that gives a hint of what lies beyond?
This wrought-iron design frames a great view, while being a strong architectural feature in itself.
You can often find wrought-iron gates in local auctions and scrapyards. Build your wall to fit your gate, refurbish it in a contemporary colour and make this feature come alive.
Take a step up
We’ve already mentioned how a sunken garden can make a statement, but how about a garden that moves up?
Here, elegant structural steps made from pale limestone are edged with very low box hedges to create a striking architectural detail, with the hard and soft materials seeming to ‘melt’ together.
We’ve already mentioned how a sunken garden can make a statement, but how about a garden that moves up?
Here, elegant structural steps made from pale limestone are edged with very low box hedges to create a striking architectural detail, with the hard and soft materials seeming to ‘melt’ together.
Add a feature wall
A traditional wall, such as this one, is the perfect foil for a very modern garden, softening the planting design and adding timeless appeal.
If you’re a competent DIYer, you could sign up to a stone-walling course and build one yourself. Remember to use locally sourced stone for an authentic look and sustainable finish.
A traditional wall, such as this one, is the perfect foil for a very modern garden, softening the planting design and adding timeless appeal.
If you’re a competent DIYer, you could sign up to a stone-walling course and build one yourself. Remember to use locally sourced stone for an authentic look and sustainable finish.
Think in the round
Many of us are interested in growing our own produce, but a kitchen garden doesn’t have to be a boring, featureless space.
This garden triumphs with a strong geometric layout of angles and curves to create an interesting pattern of easily accessible beds. Try adding other structural features, such as bamboo wigwams for climbing vegetables and even some finials at the corners to guide your watering hose.
Keen to create a kitchen garden? Here’s how
Many of us are interested in growing our own produce, but a kitchen garden doesn’t have to be a boring, featureless space.
This garden triumphs with a strong geometric layout of angles and curves to create an interesting pattern of easily accessible beds. Try adding other structural features, such as bamboo wigwams for climbing vegetables and even some finials at the corners to guide your watering hose.
Keen to create a kitchen garden? Here’s how
Let the light in
A garden room can make a stunning feature and can work as an office or simply as a place to relax. It’s a great way to bring the garden and daylight indoors.
Design a simple timber structure and use off-the-shelf windows and doors – you’ll be surprised at how easy it is. In most areas, a Permitted Development certificate is all you’ll need, but make sure you comply with local planning regulations before embarking on your project.
A garden room can make a stunning feature and can work as an office or simply as a place to relax. It’s a great way to bring the garden and daylight indoors.
Design a simple timber structure and use off-the-shelf windows and doors – you’ll be surprised at how easy it is. In most areas, a Permitted Development certificate is all you’ll need, but make sure you comply with local planning regulations before embarking on your project.
Light the elements
It’s amazing how much pleasure you can get out of a garden just by adding some lights. As the weather warms up, there’s nothing like dining alfresco surrounded by an atmospheric glow.
These lights are perfect, because they highlight a key architectural part of the garden’s structure – the olive trees. And the oversized timber Oxford planters add a further strong, structural element.
It’s amazing how much pleasure you can get out of a garden just by adding some lights. As the weather warms up, there’s nothing like dining alfresco surrounded by an atmospheric glow.
These lights are perfect, because they highlight a key architectural part of the garden’s structure – the olive trees. And the oversized timber Oxford planters add a further strong, structural element.
Pimp your shed
Sheds are necessary, but they don’t have to be boring. This one not only serves a practical purpose, it also looks great.
The beauty of this shed is all in the detail. The windows have a number of panes in them for added interest, and the door stylishly splits in two like a barn door. The chalky paint colour makes the shed stand out, but it also blends in well with the landscape. All of these ideas can be used to make a feature of your existing shed – you don’t have to get a new one to make a statement.
Sheds are necessary, but they don’t have to be boring. This one not only serves a practical purpose, it also looks great.
The beauty of this shed is all in the detail. The windows have a number of panes in them for added interest, and the door stylishly splits in two like a barn door. The chalky paint colour makes the shed stand out, but it also blends in well with the landscape. All of these ideas can be used to make a feature of your existing shed – you don’t have to get a new one to make a statement.
Build a proper treehouse
If you have the space and the budget, why not build a treehouse? It will create an instant and dramatic focal point and children love them.
To create something that really stands out, take your inspiration from a forest retreat or a jungle nest. You don’t even need a large tree – just make sure you have plenty of support around your treehouse and give the tree space to grow.
Check out these amazing treehouses
TELL US…
Do you have any unusual details in your garden? Share your stories and photos in the Comments below.
If you have the space and the budget, why not build a treehouse? It will create an instant and dramatic focal point and children love them.
To create something that really stands out, take your inspiration from a forest retreat or a jungle nest. You don’t even need a large tree – just make sure you have plenty of support around your treehouse and give the tree space to grow.
Check out these amazing treehouses
TELL US…
Do you have any unusual details in your garden? Share your stories and photos in the Comments below.
Do what lots of architects are doing these days and dig down. There’s nothing nicer than stepping into a space that’s completely surrounded by flowers, fragrance and foliage.
Make the retaining wall around the space wide enough and you’ll also create an area for sitting and entertaining. You can easily copy this idea next time you need to retain a slope or level change. Or if you’re building a new patio, think about digging a well-drained sunken garden to chill-out in.