Renovating
How to Futureproof Your Garden
Incorporate these age-proof elements into your garden and you’ll have an outdoor space people of all ages can enjoy
Designing a flexible garden that meets today’s needs while adapting to tomorrow’s demands – both personal and environmental – involves thoughtful planning and attention to key elements, such as functionality, safety and sustainability.
From designing intuitive layouts to choosing low-maintenance planting, three experienced garden designers share their top tips for creating outdoor spaces that are accessible, enjoyable, and manageable for everyone, now and into the future.
Professional advice from: Annabel Bridge of North Leeds Garden Design; Claudia de Yong of Claudia de Yong Garden Design; Christine Wilkie of Christine Wilkie Garden Design
Also in this series: How to Futureproof Your Kitchen I How to Futureproof Your Living Room I How to Futureproof Your Bathroom l How to Futureproof Your Bedroom
From designing intuitive layouts to choosing low-maintenance planting, three experienced garden designers share their top tips for creating outdoor spaces that are accessible, enjoyable, and manageable for everyone, now and into the future.
Professional advice from: Annabel Bridge of North Leeds Garden Design; Claudia de Yong of Claudia de Yong Garden Design; Christine Wilkie of Christine Wilkie Garden Design
Also in this series: How to Futureproof Your Kitchen I How to Futureproof Your Living Room I How to Futureproof Your Bathroom l How to Futureproof Your Bedroom
Use durable materials
Robust materials that require little maintenance and will stand the test of time are ideal for creating a sustainable outdoor space that doesn’t need revamping every few years.
Christine Wilkie suggests always opting for high-quality paving where possible. “There’s such a wide range of materials available now that it’s possible to get value and longevity,” she says. “For example, porcelain paving is incredibly hard-wearing and easier to maintain due to its water- and scratch-resistant qualities.”
Annabel suggests it’s also worth investing in quality timber elements, such as oak sleepers for raised beds or oak posts for a pergola. “Hardwood timbers such as oak are not only more durable than softwood, they require less-frequent staining and offer a more refined, natural look,” she says. “It’s also a material that brings both longevity and beauty to the garden.”
Robust materials that require little maintenance and will stand the test of time are ideal for creating a sustainable outdoor space that doesn’t need revamping every few years.
Christine Wilkie suggests always opting for high-quality paving where possible. “There’s such a wide range of materials available now that it’s possible to get value and longevity,” she says. “For example, porcelain paving is incredibly hard-wearing and easier to maintain due to its water- and scratch-resistant qualities.”
Annabel suggests it’s also worth investing in quality timber elements, such as oak sleepers for raised beds or oak posts for a pergola. “Hardwood timbers such as oak are not only more durable than softwood, they require less-frequent staining and offer a more refined, natural look,” she says. “It’s also a material that brings both longevity and beauty to the garden.”
Choose low-maintenance plants
Manageability is key when it comes to creating an easy-to-care-for garden as you age, and choosing the appropriate-sized plants for the space that are slow to mature will ensure less cutting back. “This is where a good garden designer with great plant knowledge is worth their weight in gold,” Annabel says.
Planting native perennials that have adapted to the local climate and soil is also a top tip from Claudia. “Once established, these native species will be more hardy and reliable, along with supporting wildlife, which is calming and uplifting,” she says.
Christine agrees, saying, “Native species are also a good choice for maintaining the ecosystem and attracting pollinators into our gardens.”
Find and hire a local garden designer or landscaper through Houzz.
Manageability is key when it comes to creating an easy-to-care-for garden as you age, and choosing the appropriate-sized plants for the space that are slow to mature will ensure less cutting back. “This is where a good garden designer with great plant knowledge is worth their weight in gold,” Annabel says.
Planting native perennials that have adapted to the local climate and soil is also a top tip from Claudia. “Once established, these native species will be more hardy and reliable, along with supporting wildlife, which is calming and uplifting,” she says.
Christine agrees, saying, “Native species are also a good choice for maintaining the ecosystem and attracting pollinators into our gardens.”
Find and hire a local garden designer or landscaper through Houzz.
Incorporate irrigation and water butts
While carrying a heavy watering can could seem easy now, it might become trickier later on, so consider setting up an irrigation system.
Dispersing water regularly with a programmed irrigation system is good for plant health, Annabel suggests, while also taking this chore out of your daily routine, particularly if you don’t have the inclination to water at sunrise.
“Programmed irrigation systems not only help your back, they can also save on water by only dispersing it exactly where it’s needed, and not liberally across the patio as you follow the line of pots and planters,” she says.
“Depending on the downpipes on your house, you could even divert water into raised beds, saving you doing any watering,” she adds.
Christine suggests creating an irrigation system using interconnected water butts, or zoning the areas that require frequent watering.
However, if you don’t want to install an irrigation system, you could fit multiple taps around the garden. “This will avoid you having to carry watering cans [too far],” Claudia says.
While carrying a heavy watering can could seem easy now, it might become trickier later on, so consider setting up an irrigation system.
Dispersing water regularly with a programmed irrigation system is good for plant health, Annabel suggests, while also taking this chore out of your daily routine, particularly if you don’t have the inclination to water at sunrise.
“Programmed irrigation systems not only help your back, they can also save on water by only dispersing it exactly where it’s needed, and not liberally across the patio as you follow the line of pots and planters,” she says.
“Depending on the downpipes on your house, you could even divert water into raised beds, saving you doing any watering,” she adds.
Christine suggests creating an irrigation system using interconnected water butts, or zoning the areas that require frequent watering.
However, if you don’t want to install an irrigation system, you could fit multiple taps around the garden. “This will avoid you having to carry watering cans [too far],” Claudia says.
Integrate raised beds
Eliminate kneeling and bending by bringing plants up to a more comfortable working height with raised beds. “These will make planting, weeding and harvesting much easier, and you can also design them to double up as seating around the garden,” Claudia says.
“In general, 600mm is an ideal height for raised beds, making them accessible if you are a wheelchair user or have back problems,“ Christine says.
“They can be constructed from treated timber sleepers, but [if you’re planning to stay in your house for decades], consider building them in concrete blocks, which can then be clad in a hardwearing material, such as porcelain tiles, split face natural stone tiles, or even porcelain decking planks, which are a stylish alternative to the real thing and more durable.”
More: 10 Inspiring Ideas for Raised Beds
Eliminate kneeling and bending by bringing plants up to a more comfortable working height with raised beds. “These will make planting, weeding and harvesting much easier, and you can also design them to double up as seating around the garden,” Claudia says.
“In general, 600mm is an ideal height for raised beds, making them accessible if you are a wheelchair user or have back problems,“ Christine says.
“They can be constructed from treated timber sleepers, but [if you’re planning to stay in your house for decades], consider building them in concrete blocks, which can then be clad in a hardwearing material, such as porcelain tiles, split face natural stone tiles, or even porcelain decking planks, which are a stylish alternative to the real thing and more durable.”
More: 10 Inspiring Ideas for Raised Beds
Plan for climate change
If you’re planning to stay in your home for a long time, it’s important to consider changing weather patterns and the effect that could have on your garden.
For example, it’s worth taking the time to understand the type of soil you have. “Knowing your soil’s pH value, whether it’s heavy clay or free-draining, prone to flooding or, conversely, drying and cracking in the hot summer months, will help you choose the right plants to achieve a sustainable space,” Christine says.
“It’s also important to know your garden’s orientation with regards to the sun, so you can place plants in the right environment, from full sun to shady spots.”
More: How to Design a Garden to Cope with Flood and Drought Conditions
If you’re planning to stay in your home for a long time, it’s important to consider changing weather patterns and the effect that could have on your garden.
For example, it’s worth taking the time to understand the type of soil you have. “Knowing your soil’s pH value, whether it’s heavy clay or free-draining, prone to flooding or, conversely, drying and cracking in the hot summer months, will help you choose the right plants to achieve a sustainable space,” Christine says.
“It’s also important to know your garden’s orientation with regards to the sun, so you can place plants in the right environment, from full sun to shady spots.”
More: How to Design a Garden to Cope with Flood and Drought Conditions
Design in future flexibility
Today’s kids’ play area could be tomorrow’s grown-up rest and relaxation zone. “Working with a garden designer should ensure you get the optimum use of your garden space and that you don’t have to start from scratch when your family dynamic changes,” Christine says.
She suggests a sunken trampoline, for instance, could be transformed into a fire pit enclosure complete with built-in seating, or perhaps a water feature. “Thinking about the position of each garden element in the overall space today gives you more flexibility to repurpose that feature in the future,” she says.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
Today’s kids’ play area could be tomorrow’s grown-up rest and relaxation zone. “Working with a garden designer should ensure you get the optimum use of your garden space and that you don’t have to start from scratch when your family dynamic changes,” Christine says.
She suggests a sunken trampoline, for instance, could be transformed into a fire pit enclosure complete with built-in seating, or perhaps a water feature. “Thinking about the position of each garden element in the overall space today gives you more flexibility to repurpose that feature in the future,” she says.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
Incorporate safe illumination
While excessive garden lighting isn’t great for wildlife, some strategically placed downlights will be useful for safe access to the garden or a shed at night.
Opt for energy-efficient and cost-effective solutions, such as solar lights or low-voltage LED systems, to light up pathways and prevent trip hazards.
Good lighting also improves visibility and helps to deter intruders, keeping occupants safer.
While excessive garden lighting isn’t great for wildlife, some strategically placed downlights will be useful for safe access to the garden or a shed at night.
Opt for energy-efficient and cost-effective solutions, such as solar lights or low-voltage LED systems, to light up pathways and prevent trip hazards.
Good lighting also improves visibility and helps to deter intruders, keeping occupants safer.
Pop in some rest breaks
“Place benches and seating at regular intervals through your garden to encourage rest and the enjoyment of different aspects of the garden – or simply just as a conversation spot with a cup of tea,” Claudia says. “Then consider pairing a bench with a pergola or arbour and you’ll have a delightful shady spot once it’s covered in aromatic climbers.”
Tell us...
Which of these points do you think is the most important – or what would you add? Let us know in the Comments.
“Place benches and seating at regular intervals through your garden to encourage rest and the enjoyment of different aspects of the garden – or simply just as a conversation spot with a cup of tea,” Claudia says. “Then consider pairing a bench with a pergola or arbour and you’ll have a delightful shady spot once it’s covered in aromatic climbers.”
Tell us...
Which of these points do you think is the most important – or what would you add? Let us know in the Comments.
Sponsored
Whether you’re young, old or somewhere in between, your outdoor space should be a welcoming space that’s easy to navigate, with paths of around 1.2m wide and gentle level changes.
“Steps with riser heights of 130mm-150mm are comfortable to manoeuvre up and down for all ages,” Annabel Bridge says. “However, anything less than 100mm can feel like a trip hazard. Consider a shallow sloping ramp if the step is deemed hazardous.”
Claudia de Yong agrees gentle slopes are preferable to steps, especially if mobility becomes an issue. “Consider using non-slip materials to prevent falling when wet, and ensure pathways are clear of clutter and obstacles, such as overgrown shrubs and low-hanging branches.”