Garden Design Ideas - Symmetry in Design

A garden with no underlying structure and design is just a series of random pieces of hard landscaping placed around the available space with no interconnection. It will neither look beautiful or be somewhere you want to spend much time.  A good garden design should make the space feel cohesive and will be somewhere that is pleasant to spend time in as well as looking beautiful.

The garden design process imposes a strong underlying structure using interlocking symmetrical shapes that define and connect the garden areas.  The design holds together, one area flows naturally into the next and there is a sense of movement around the garden that makes maximum use of the available space.  This ensures that all the garden is used because it feels natural and comfortable and navigating between the spaces is safe, interesting and pleasant.

Here’s a very basic example of how symmetrical shapes can be used to create a garden design plan.

Step 1 - choose some geometric shapes and lay them over one another.

Step 2 - add some colour to start defining the pattern. 

 Step 3 - Build on the pattern by adding more shapes.  Here another larger circle has been added under the smaller circle and a large square links the whole design together.

Step 4 - By replacing the colours with textures and patterns that denote stone paving, wood decking, lawn, gravel and planting the pattern is transformed into a plan.

Although no garden would ever this symmetrical, this very simple example illustrates the point that the symmetry of the shapes is key to holding the design together and creating something that looks cohesive.  The design already has recognisable garden elements like lawn, paths, a deck and seating area with some planting, and natural transitions between the areas.

Once the basic layout has been created it can be developed and adjusted to ensure all the areas are the correct sizes for their intended purpose - you may need a larger paved area in order to accommodate a larger table.  You can add a pergola over the path or the deck.  The borders can be raised by adding some retaining walls.

This is one of the techniques that a garden designer uses to ensure a garden scheme works for each different client's requirements and the topography of their plot.

If you'd like me to design something that is perfect for your lifestyle and requirements please get in touch.  You will find all contact details as well as other examples of my work on my Web site.  You can see more of my work on my Facebook page.