Parts to the outdoor plan puzzle

Decking / Balcony / Paving Areas

They are the main part of your outdoor living area, they are the extension of your indoor living area. A nice deck / balcony / paving space gives you freedom as it draws you outdoors.

Outdoor Roofs / Pergolas / Gazeboes / Sails / Umbrellas

They provide shelter, shade and ambience overhead. Pargolas and gazeboes also provide a good structure for climbing palnts.

BBQ Area

It provides space for outdoor cooking, dining and entertaining guests.

Seating Areas

Outdoor furniture is an important part of outdoor living. Match the appropiate style with the surrounding materials, and balance the size to fit the space. Make seating a feature by using large rocks, slabs of concrete or wood in different locations of the garden. ie. the end of a path, a quiet spot, or a high point to admire a view.

Fences / Gates / Screens / Hedges

They provide privacy and shelter from wind, sun and rain, and enclose your open spaces for security and safety. And they can be used as an enclosure to create an outdoor room.

Path / Steps / Edging

They take you safely to points of interest, connecting you to other areas and different levels in the garden. Edging helps to define the path and seperate it from other areas.

Hard & Soft Surfaces

Hard - gravel, stone chips, concrete, paving, brick, shell, peeble, wood, etc.
Soft - grass, bark, wood chips, etc.

Garden Beds

Defined areas for your plants, shrubs and trees to live in and grow.

Plants

Various selection of plant types, sizes and colour, that is best suited for your specific garden plan.

Ground Cover

Essential to cover soil with mulch, bark or pebbles etc, to keep in moisture and the weeds at bay.

Containers

Use for holding trees, plants, shrubs, herbs ,flowers, vegetables etc. Place in suitable locations near enterance ways, decks, coners, and variuos points to enhance and soften hard structures. You can make them a feature and use to add splashes of colour.

Water Feature

If you have a swimming pool, spa pool, pond, fountain, bird bath, etc in your garden, make it a special feature and focal point and design around it.

Irrigation

Watering system (to get water to plants easily and efficiently), garden hose points, sometimes rainwater tanks need to be considered and incorporated in your final design.

Utility Area

Clothes line, garden shed, glass house, compost bin, rubbish, recycle Bin, garden Shed, etc. This area needs to be hidden so located down the side or back of the house.

Children's Play Area

Sand pit, swings, slide, tree house, jungle gym, play house, etc. This area is often overlocked and needs to be considered as part of your design if you are planing to have children playing in your garden.

Lighting

Lighting can create fantastic night ambience, bringing your beautiful garden to life. Try lighting up entrances, decks, paths, steps, water feature, trees, garden beds, out door dining and bbq areas. They are also used for added safety and security at night time.

Ornaments

Use of various garden art, figurines and sculptures, etc. Maybe added after your garden design project is completed. To further enhance and identify your paticular taste / personality.