When it comes to garden design and landscaping, the only limit is your imagination! But within the scope of creativity, there are still a few rules of thumb that will need to be adhered to if the end result is going to feel cohesive.
Two of the most important rules to consider are scale and pacing, and if you neglect to prioritise these aspects when planning your gardens, you may find that your outdoor spaces aren’t quite what you had imagined.
Scale
When we talk about scale, we’re referring to the size of the different landscape elements you bring in relative to their surroundings, so you need to factor in the size of your house and the size of other objects in the grounds, such as neighbouring properties, trees, hedges and so on, to ensure that everything remains proportionate.
Also consider human scale when designing your outdoor spaces. Because you’ve got such expansive surroundings, it can be tempting to go big and bold, but too much and you may find that you don’t find the garden comfortable to spend time in.
Pacing
Pacing (also referred to as rhythm) in landscape design focuses on the repetition of different elements like plants, hardscaping, colours, form, pattern and so on. You can employ little tricks of the trade to guide people through the space, such as by increasing the distance between your plants to speed them up or slow them down.
The likes of patios, walls and walkways can really help you get the pacing right outside, whether you want stepping stones, a continuous walkway or a winding path.
Of course, these are just a few hints and tips, so if you need any further help or advice, get in touch with the LW Landscapes team today.