Where Designers Would Spend and Save in a Garden
Our experts suggest where you could trim costs and where you could dig a little deeper for your garden redesign
Redesigning your garden is a worthwhile investment, as a well-planned outdoor space will give you years of enjoyment, but how do you know what’s worth splashing out on and where you could cut costs? With some clever planning and thoughtful ideas, you can create a garden that will double your entertaining area without breaking the bank, and could even add value to your home.
“The key is to add smart investments that provide lasting value to your garden,” says designer Claudia de Yong, suggesting permanent long-term features, such as trees and quality landscaping materials, can be incredibly impactful. However, there are always ways of bringing costs down: the secret to saving the pennies is researching and planning.
Professional advice from: Claudia de Yong of Claudia de Yong Garden Design; Georgia Lindsay of Georgia Lindsay Garden Design; Jane Ashley of Jane Ashley Garden Design; Peter Reader of Peter Reader Landscapes; Christine Wilkie of Christine Wilkie Garden Design
More in this series: Where Designers Would Spend and Save in a Bedroom l Where Designers Would Spend and Save in a Living Room
“The key is to add smart investments that provide lasting value to your garden,” says designer Claudia de Yong, suggesting permanent long-term features, such as trees and quality landscaping materials, can be incredibly impactful. However, there are always ways of bringing costs down: the secret to saving the pennies is researching and planning.
Professional advice from: Claudia de Yong of Claudia de Yong Garden Design; Georgia Lindsay of Georgia Lindsay Garden Design; Jane Ashley of Jane Ashley Garden Design; Peter Reader of Peter Reader Landscapes; Christine Wilkie of Christine Wilkie Garden Design
More in this series: Where Designers Would Spend and Save in a Bedroom l Where Designers Would Spend and Save in a Living Room
Save on: Small plants and self-seeders
It’s easy to get carried away at garden centres and blow your budget on towering shrubs, but Peter Reader suggests it’s not necessary to have mature plants everywhere. “Smaller plants are significantly cheaper than larger specimens, and you’ll find they will establish more quickly, growing faster than their larger counterparts,” he says.
Claudia agrees that small plants adapt more easily to the soil, and says they become more resilient in the long run. “Opt for self-seeders and perennials, as they will keep your garden feeling green and save you buying plants year on year,” she says.
Jane Ashley has a great tip. “An economical way of purchasing plants is to source herbaceous ones in very small sizes, known as P9s, or even as bare roots. These will grow relatively quickly, so will soon put on a good show.”
More: How to Lay Out a Short, Wide Garden
It’s easy to get carried away at garden centres and blow your budget on towering shrubs, but Peter Reader suggests it’s not necessary to have mature plants everywhere. “Smaller plants are significantly cheaper than larger specimens, and you’ll find they will establish more quickly, growing faster than their larger counterparts,” he says.
Claudia agrees that small plants adapt more easily to the soil, and says they become more resilient in the long run. “Opt for self-seeders and perennials, as they will keep your garden feeling green and save you buying plants year on year,” she says.
Jane Ashley has a great tip. “An economical way of purchasing plants is to source herbaceous ones in very small sizes, known as P9s, or even as bare roots. These will grow relatively quickly, so will soon put on a good show.”
More: How to Lay Out a Short, Wide Garden
Spend on: Quality materials
Remember the old adage: buy cheap, buy twice? Well, Christine believes this is often the case if you opt for value-priced or cheap materials.
“We’ve known clients compromise on low-quality paving slabs to save money, only to have them ripped out and paved over just a few years down the line,” she says. “Better to wait and save for the right product than have to do the work twice.”
“Elements such as patios, pathways, retaining walls, fences, edging, decking and pergolas shape the layout and create structure, so quality materials and proper installation are vital,” Claudia says.
Jane has another great tip. “Consider combining areas of gravel with your paving – it’s much cheaper and can look great. It’s also more environmentally friendly, as water can drain through it.”
Remember the old adage: buy cheap, buy twice? Well, Christine believes this is often the case if you opt for value-priced or cheap materials.
“We’ve known clients compromise on low-quality paving slabs to save money, only to have them ripped out and paved over just a few years down the line,” she says. “Better to wait and save for the right product than have to do the work twice.”
“Elements such as patios, pathways, retaining walls, fences, edging, decking and pergolas shape the layout and create structure, so quality materials and proper installation are vital,” Claudia says.
Jane has another great tip. “Consider combining areas of gravel with your paving – it’s much cheaper and can look great. It’s also more environmentally friendly, as water can drain through it.”
Save on: Pots
“There can be a tendency when the spring comes to buy some new pots and, before you know it, you have a random selection of little pots that have no relationship to each other and just look messy in the garden,” Georgia says. “Instead, save your money and spend it on one large feature pot for an impactful design statement.“
Claudia suggests upcycling and repurposing items, such as wooden pallets, old containers, baskets and even kitchenware as plant pots, saving you money and doing your bit for the environment.
More: How Can I Create a Balcony or Roof Terrace?
“There can be a tendency when the spring comes to buy some new pots and, before you know it, you have a random selection of little pots that have no relationship to each other and just look messy in the garden,” Georgia says. “Instead, save your money and spend it on one large feature pot for an impactful design statement.“
Claudia suggests upcycling and repurposing items, such as wooden pallets, old containers, baskets and even kitchenware as plant pots, saving you money and doing your bit for the environment.
More: How Can I Create a Balcony or Roof Terrace?
Spend on: Garden professionals
It might seem counterintuitive to spend on good-quality garden professionals in order to save money, but using experienced landscapers and garden designers will help prevent expensive mistakes and avoid overspending.
“If you have tricky areas, such as lots of levels or poor drainage, a professional will help you solve issues for good,” Claudia says. “They will also calculate the correct amount of materials, so you don’t overbuy, and ensure any construction work meets Building Regulations and is safe.”
Jane also believes paying for good workmanship is money well spent. “Ideally, your landscapers should be members of BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries) or APL (Association of Professional Landscapers). I can’t stress enough how important it is to hire experienced and professional landscapers who work to a high standard,” she says.
Peter adds, “A good garden designer will usually have some suggestions for recommended contractors. They are unlikely to be the cheapest, but worth it for a quality build.”
Find reviewed garden designers in your area on Houzz.
It might seem counterintuitive to spend on good-quality garden professionals in order to save money, but using experienced landscapers and garden designers will help prevent expensive mistakes and avoid overspending.
“If you have tricky areas, such as lots of levels or poor drainage, a professional will help you solve issues for good,” Claudia says. “They will also calculate the correct amount of materials, so you don’t overbuy, and ensure any construction work meets Building Regulations and is safe.”
Jane also believes paying for good workmanship is money well spent. “Ideally, your landscapers should be members of BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries) or APL (Association of Professional Landscapers). I can’t stress enough how important it is to hire experienced and professional landscapers who work to a high standard,” she says.
Peter adds, “A good garden designer will usually have some suggestions for recommended contractors. They are unlikely to be the cheapest, but worth it for a quality build.”
Find reviewed garden designers in your area on Houzz.
Save on: Reusing materials
Before you strip everything out and start again, consider which materials and plants you could integrate into your new design.
“Not only does reusing materials make environmental sense, it can also potentially save you money,” Christine says. “Some premium materials, such as Yorkstone, are prized for their durability and enduring style. Just be sure that what you plan to recycle will be aesthetically appropriate in the new design.”
“People sometimes want to rip out the existing shrubs and trees, but instead, give each very careful consideration before doing that,” Jane suggests. “Often, with judicious pruning and care, a formerly tatty-looking shrub can be transformed and make a great contribution in a new scheme.”
More: How to Hire the Right Builder For Your Project
Before you strip everything out and start again, consider which materials and plants you could integrate into your new design.
“Not only does reusing materials make environmental sense, it can also potentially save you money,” Christine says. “Some premium materials, such as Yorkstone, are prized for their durability and enduring style. Just be sure that what you plan to recycle will be aesthetically appropriate in the new design.”
“People sometimes want to rip out the existing shrubs and trees, but instead, give each very careful consideration before doing that,” Jane suggests. “Often, with judicious pruning and care, a formerly tatty-looking shrub can be transformed and make a great contribution in a new scheme.”
More: How to Hire the Right Builder For Your Project
Spend on: Lighting
One great way of extending the garden’s use is by adding gentle lighting. However, our experts suggest buying decent-quality fittings that will withstand all weather conditions, and won’t fail quickly, resulting in costly electrician recall visits.
“If budget is an issue, consider laying conduits, so you can add or upgrade fittings as the garden matures,” Christine says. “You can also mix and match fittings to suit your budget, such as mains-powered lighting in practical areas and quality solar garden lights in borders and planted areas.”
The key with outdoor lighting is to be aware of disrupting wildlife, which means favouring downlights over uplighters, only illuminating key areas, and making sure you switch all lights off when you head indoors for the night. That way, human and wild residents alike can enjoy the garden.
More: How to Design Garden Lighting That’s Good for You and Wildlife
Tell us…
Have you recently used a garden professional to help redesign your outdoor space? Share your experiences in the Comments.
One great way of extending the garden’s use is by adding gentle lighting. However, our experts suggest buying decent-quality fittings that will withstand all weather conditions, and won’t fail quickly, resulting in costly electrician recall visits.
“If budget is an issue, consider laying conduits, so you can add or upgrade fittings as the garden matures,” Christine says. “You can also mix and match fittings to suit your budget, such as mains-powered lighting in practical areas and quality solar garden lights in borders and planted areas.”
The key with outdoor lighting is to be aware of disrupting wildlife, which means favouring downlights over uplighters, only illuminating key areas, and making sure you switch all lights off when you head indoors for the night. That way, human and wild residents alike can enjoy the garden.
More: How to Design Garden Lighting That’s Good for You and Wildlife
Tell us…
Have you recently used a garden professional to help redesign your outdoor space? Share your experiences in the Comments.
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While semi-mature trees or large specimen shrubs can come with a big price tag, they are well worth the investment and deliver instant impact, say many of our garden designers.
“Planting in a new garden takes time to fill out and reach its full potential,” Christine Wilkie says. “Trees and big shrubs are therefore a great way of adding height to provide a strong vertical accent or focal point, and also bring an established aesthetic
to the garden, delivering seasonal blossom, colour and texture.”
“Adding a tree to even the smallest garden is transformative,” Georgia Lindsay agrees. “For the footprint they take up, they have a huge surface area for pollinators. They create a visual pivot point to lead you through the garden and make a strong feature. Try to choose a deciduous tree, which will give you more seasonal interest, marking the time of year.”