Creating a garden environment that’s calm, peaceful, secluded and quiet is certainly achievable, even if you live in a busy urban centre with plenty of hustle and bustle.
All you need to do is be savvy with your garden landscaping and design ideas!
If you’re wondering where to begin, here are some top tips from the LW Landscapes team to get you off on the right foot. Need any further advice? Give us a call!
1. Use plants to create a living barrier
Shrubs, hedges and trees don’t just look lovely… they serve a practical purpose, as well. On top of providing much-needed privacy, you can also plan your planting to block out external noise.
Go for varieties with broad thick leaves to further absorb sound and consider installing trellis panels so you can grow climbing plants like ivy. Not only will this trap noise, but it can also help reduce pollution levels.
2. Soundscape outside
While blocking out noise is beneficial, you can also try and hide it by using soundscaping strategies, such as water features. The trickling of a fountain, for example, can be very effective at masking noise from elsewhere.
Or what about using wind chimes to cover up any unwanted sound? These can be very relaxing additions to a space, without taking up much (if any) room.
3. Install an acoustic fence
If you have a significant noise problem on your hands, consider erecting an acoustic fence, which is made of wood with two external faces and an interior core of soundproofing material such as fibre wool or mass-loaded vinyl.
4. Use soft landscaping to deaden the echo effect
Gardens that sound particularly loud might be suffering from the echo effect where noise bounces around because of heavy use of materials like concrete and metal.
Introduce permeable paving slabs, more groundcover and thick outdoor rugs to help absorb and soften sound.