7 Common Garden Design Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

Thursday, 20 February 2025

As garden designers, we have a very robust approach to making sure that your new garden meets your every need. We have a detailed questionnaire which we go through with clients at our initial consultation (which is free by the way!) to make sure nothing is missed. We appreciate not everyone can hire a designer so is some insider info on some of the most common garden design mistakes and how to avoid them…

Too small a seating area

Building developers are notorious for putting in tiny patios or decking which are not fit for purpose and some landscapers are guilty of the same mistakes. Think about how you are going to use your seating area (will you be using dining furniture or outdoor sofas or both?) If you already have the furniture then measure it and plot it onto a sketch and make sure there is space to push out a chair and still walk around it. However, don’t make the mistake of just paving large swathes of your back garden (another common garden design mistake) – break up areas with planting, raised beds, water features etc to ensure a healthy balance.

No proper paths

Creating a good infrastructure around the garden is one of the most important parts of our job. What is the purpose of this path? Is it the right finish/width? Does it take you to all the places you need to go i.e. seating areas, shed, bins, garden room, laundry etc? Walking across grass will compact the ground thus making the grass not grow well, so creating proper paths is key.

BBQ area miles away from the seating area

Where you put the seating area will depend on where the sun hits your garden. That can often be a back corner and not necessarily right at your back door. Think carefully where you will locate BBQs, pizza ovens etc so that the person who is doing the cooking isn’t miles away from all the socialising and missing out on the fun – one of many common garden design mistakes.

Bins in a bad location

Bins are a big part of the chats we have with clients and where we locate them is key. Bear in mind you will be popping in and out to the bins often on a daily basis so you need them to be handy for your back door. You then need to think about how they are wheeled out on bin days and make sure there is a good solid path (gravel and grass are not great for pulling heavy bins over.) If you aren’t fortunate enough to have a space to the side of our house to tuck bins away, consider investing in a bin store so you are not looking at ugly bins when you are relaxing in your outdoor space.

Wrong planting

Planting is a difficult area as there are SO many parameters to consider such as size, form, aspect, soil etc. We often come across beds where too many plants have been squeezed in with clients not considering the eventual size the plants will become. Or, commonly, the beds are just way too skinny and not fit for purpose! And always plant your boundaries, you definitely don’t want lawn or paving going right up to them. Do you have clay, chalk, sandy soil? Which parts are sunny and which are shady? How much maintenance do you want to have to do? There’s a lot to think about it and it can be expensive buying something just because it looks pretty in a  garden centre. Do your research first.

Too Much Lawn

OK, so we know lots of people love lawn and we do too. But don’t make it too big at the expense of your borders and your seating areas (see above!) as those things are more important. You will get annoyed when your plants are growing over your grass and killing it because you made your borders too small! Getting the right balance is key.

Making The Shed a Focal Point

Like our lawns, we know a lot of us love our sheds! And they are important for storing the things we need in our gardens. BUT, sheds should never be a focal point so think carefully about the location and size. Do you need one made bespoke to suit your needs? Can it be tucked away in a corner or down the side of the house? What screening do you need to add to avoid looking at your shed when you are in the garden. Think carefully as because once it’s there it won’t be easy to change.

There are plenty more pit falls along the way and planning your garden is the most important thing to do. Take your time and think about every aspect. Making mistakes can be very costly. It could be you would have been cheaper hiring a garden designer in the first place for peace of mind and ensuring all those boxes are ticked. Our initial consultation is completely free. So, get in touch if you want to see what we can offer and avoid making any mistakes at all!

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