Are you having trouble designing your wide rectangular garden? It can be hard to know how to use the space well, especially when the shape feels challenging. But don't worry as this wide rectangular garden design layout guide will help you create a garden that works for you.
Whether you want a peaceful retreat, a space for entertaining, or a simple garden, we have got the tips you need. In this article, we'll go over easy design ideas, essential features, and practical advice to help you make the most of your garden space.
So, let's get started.
Understanding the Characteristics of a Wide Rectangular Garden
A wide rectangular garden has some unique features that you should consider when designing your space. It's usually wider than it is deep, giving you a lot of horizontal space to work with. While this shape can feel tricky to design, it also gives you plenty of opportunities to create a beautiful garden.
One thing that can be remembered about a wide rectangular garden is that it can often feel a little stretched if it's not appropriately planned. It's often good to break up the space into sections. These can be areas for different uses, such as a seating spot or a vegetable garden. You should also think about how to create a flow throughout the garden, using paths and features to guide the eye and movement.
Key Design Principles for Wide Rectangular Gardens
A few simple principles will help you make the most of your space and create a beautiful, balanced garden when designing a wide rectangular garden. Here are some easy tips to get started:
Balance Symmetry and Asymmetry
A little symmetry, such as evenly spaced plants, can lend order to the garden, but too much can make a space brittle. Try mixing symmetrical elements with more organic-asymmetrical elements, as in curving paths, or randomly placed plants for a relaxed balance.
Create Focal Points
Wide gardens feel a little bit empty without some focus on it. Placing a tree, water feature, or statue helps in luring eyes to other sections, thereby giving structure to your garden. Such will lead the eye through it, therefore making the space a lot more interesting.
Use Zoning
Divide your garden into sections based on usage: a seating area at one end, flowers in the middle, and vegetables at the other. This zoning makes the garden appear more organised and functional.
Think About Flow and Pathways
Pathways create flow in the garden, allowing visitors to go from one part of your garden to another. Depending on whether you decide on direct, curvilinear, or diagonal pathways, a pathway guides the people along the space and may provide an element of texture and style as well. Choose materials to match the overall look of the garden.
Add Layers and Depth
It does avoid a flat look if one adds layers of plants in the garden. The tall ones or trees go to the rear, the middle-sized plants stay in the middle, while at the front are reserved the smaller plants or the ground covers to add depth and make one's garden more lively and interesting.
These are a few basic design rules that could be taken to turn your big rectangular garden into something beautiful and uncluttered that you might love.
Planning Your Wide Rectangular Garden Design Layout
The secret to getting your space to work lies in planning your garden layout. A good plan will let you use your wide, rectangular garden to the fullest. Here's how to get started:
Measure Your Space
First, you have to measure your garden to understand how much space you have. This helps you to plan everything well without overcrowding. You can even draw a simple sketch to visualise your layout.
Decide on Key Features
Think about what you want in your garden: do you need a seating area, vegetable garden, or water feature? Plan where these things will go. For example, place seating at the back or side to create a cosy spot and make sure paths connect everything.
Add Pathways
Paths are significant to traverse through your garden. Determine how many paths you would set, and where they should go to link up areas of a garden. Curved pathways tend to feel organic while straight ones give your garden structure.
Consider Sunlight and Shade
Observe how the sun moves through your garden. One area may be much sunnier than another, so you will want to plant sun-lovers in the brightest spots and shade-lovers where it's cooler.
Plan for Easy Maintenance
Make sure to leave some space between the plants or paths for accessibility to each plant for various purposes, such as watering or weeding, which will be a lot easier.
Your large rectangular garden is such a space that will look neat and easy to deal with, having only the simplest plan.
Essential Features for a Wide Rectangular Garden Design
To make your wide rectangular garden both beautiful and useful, there are a few important features to consider. Here's what to include in your design:
Pathways and Walkways
Pathways guide the visitors through your garden. You can use gravel, stepping stones, and bricks for a relaxed natural look, or concrete for a modernist touch. Design the paths that take the visitor around or to a focal point in your garden and interrelate areas of it. Curved-bed gardens make the garden more passive, while straight-bed patterns provide structure.
Plants and Trees
Choose plants of different heights, colours, and textures. Place taller plants or trees toward the back, mid-height plants in the middle, and shorter plants or ground cover toward the front. This creates depth and interest. For texture, try plants like lavender, roses, or grasses; for colour, select flowers that bloom at different times of the year to keep your garden colourful all year long.
Furniture and Accessories
The garden furniture can be made much more welcoming by selecting furniture that provides the style that suits one's garden. A nook will be created by the wooden benches, while for a modern feel, metal chairs will be more in place. Set up furniture where you can view and linger, such as around a bed of flowers or a water feature. Add some extra personality with accessories, such as planters, lighting, or ornamentation.
Water Features
The sound of water featured in fountains, ponds, or small pools greatly enhances the peacefulness of one's garden with more beauty. They can become a focal point and have an added motion effect besides serving as the centrepiece by attracting one's line of sight. A pond and/or fountain will balance any open space, particularly beside the seating area, with their tranquil scene to relax.
Fencing helps in defining boundaries and can add privacy to your garden. Select materials that fit the style of your garden, which could be a traditional wood panel or modern metal. Grow climbing plants like ivy or jasmine on fences to enhance privacy, or plant tall bushes or trees to provide barriers.
With these key features, you can create a big, rectangular garden that is both attractive and practical. It will be a space that reflects your style and needs.
Design Ideas for Different Styles
Following are some simple design ideas for different garden styles that can work well in a wide rectangular garden.
This style is all about clean lines and simplicity. The garden should be neat, with low-maintenance plants and simple features. Pathways are straight, furniture sleek, and decorations minimal. Plants like succulents or ornamental grasses will provide a clean, modern look. The goal is to create a peaceful, uncluttered space.
A traditional garden is all about symmetry and neat planting. Arrange plants in balanced rows or patterns. Use structured elements like hedges, formal flower beds, and neat pathways. Add classic features like stone benches or statues. This style gives your garden an elegant and timeless feel.
A cottage garden feels relaxed and cosy. Use wildflower borders, informal seating areas, and natural stone paths. Mix colourful flowers, herbs, and climbing plants for a cheerful, inviting space. This style is perfect for creating a friendly, homey garden.
This style fuses modern materials with practical design. Materials to be used for this style will be metal, concrete, and glass for sleekness. You can have vertical gardens using wall planters or trellises to save space. Modern lighting helps in accentuating your features and adding ambiance during night-time. This style can thus be great for small spaces or urban spaces.
The following design ideas will help in selecting the best style that suits your wide rectangular garden, to make it look great and according to one's personal taste.
Conclusion
In conclusion, designing a wide rectangular garden layout gives you many options, from modern to cosy styles. Your wonderful and functional garden may be created by following the major tips given above using elements such as pathways, flora, and pieces of furniture. Whatever your style might be, your dream would be carefully planned to turn your needs and preferences into an amazingly great spot.
If you feel like you'd like our team to take the stress out of designing and building your garden for you, click below and book a free design consultation. Make your dreams a reality.
Don't forget to download our '9 Common Mistakes To Avoid For Homeowners' guide!
FAQs
How do I make a small wide rectangular garden look bigger?
Employ light colours, reflecting surfaces, and different height levels of plants to add depth. You can further create an illusion of wider space by adding mirrors or vertical features.
What is the best way to maintain a wide rectangular garden?
Keep paths clear; trim plants often to ensure there is good access to all parts of the area for weeding and watering. Mulch will cut down on care and also improve plant health.
Can I add a vegetable garden in a wide rectangular space?
Yes, a wide rectangular yard is good for a vegetable garden. You can easily manage the space with beds or boxes for gardening for easy planting.
How can I add privacy to a wide rectangular garden?
Plant tall hedges, set up trellises with climbing plants, or use fencing to give a private, enclosed feel without crowding the space.
What plants work best in a wide rectangular garden?
A mix of tall plants at the back, medium-height plants in the middle, and low-growing ground cover at the front works well. Choose plants that suit your climate and garden style.
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