BBC Gardeners' World

Your dream garden PART 1 Design basics

Explore your garden at different times of day, to get to know the light and shade

People often seem daunted by the idea of designing their own garden. It’s interesting that many are comfortable turning their house into a home – choosing colour schemes, layout and furniture – but not turning their outdoor space into the haven of their dreams. But it needn’t be that way – it’s simple and fun to design your garden so it reflects your personality and lifestyle.

Start by drawing up two lists. The first should include all the practical elements you need in your garden – shed, compost bin, washing line, bin store, etc – and the second should be about you, your family and what you love. Think about places, music, colours, shapes and anything that reflects your personality. You could even gather photos and other images

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