There are many different ways in which you can design your garden, but there appears to be growing interest in a more unstructured approach to hardscaping, where the aim is to create something natural and more relaxed.
But how to get a more unstructured look to your landscaping? Where best to begin? Here are a few suggestions to help you get started.
1. Install broken paving
One of the quickest ways to create a more deconstructed look in your garden is to opt for broken, mismatched or irregular paving layouts or materials.
Avoid using anything uniform and perhaps consider opting for reclaimed materials, rugged aesthetics and hand-pitched edges for added texture.
Alternatively (or as well!), consider laying your paving slabs so that there are wider and more irregular gaps between them, using loose gravel or sand in the spaces.
2. Avoid straight lines
Another quick and easy way to achieve a natural look is to embrace curved lines throughout the garden and avoid any sharp angles or straight lines, which don’t appear in nature. Curves are also useful in smaller gardens, as they can create the illusion of space.
3. Use groundcover wisely
Your choice of plants can also make a big difference to the structure of your garden. Opt for creeping groundcover species like thyme, phlox and stonecrop for sunny spots and lesser periwinkle, bugleweed and dead nettle for shady parts of the garden.
4. Install cobble beds
Cobble setts and rounded stones are fantastic for achieving a natural look, perfect for use in borders, retaining walls and mulching for plants.
Not only do they ensure you get the aesthetic you’re after, but they can also help you improve drainage and retain soil moisture, so it’s great for the garden, as well!