Family garden design landscaping

Clean lines and sweeping curves reflect a gentler unfussy look

Designing and building creative gardens has much to do with facilitating functionality in the garden area and creating attractive but practical forms. In this project in Killenard, Monasterevin for a family garden which enjoyed a relatively generous plot size combined with a very sunny aspect and a high degree of privacy, the focus was very much on the priority activities, ie facilitate space for young children to play, space for adults to enjoy outdoor living and a disciplined approach to the plant selection, positioning and maintenance.

The results were sweeping curves which are used to good effect to soften the otherwise strong linear effect of the boundary walls, a good and clearly visible layout with an open aspect, unfussy and seamless transitions between lawn and paved areas, an extended but gently sweeping raised planter bed that offers good visibility and good protection of various planting groups, easily accessed for any routine maintenance as well as plenty of informal seating bordering lawn and patio areas.

A garden layout that is structured yet unfussy, warm looking but enduring and where the basic geometry illustrates why the best line is often a curve.

Sandstone Setts make an attractive lawn edge and practical mowing strip

Larger patios provide more scope for seating positions and access

The lawn is a very important yet intrinsic element of most family gardens

Patios should enjoy a sunny aspect with good views of garden features

The raised planter beds are an integral element of the garden scheme

A sweeping curve makes a striking line to draw the eye along its route