Garden Types & Styles
For many people, understandably, trying to put into words what type or style of garden you’re after is difficult. This page will hopefully make that task easier by explaining what the basic types of garden design are with the more commonly chosen styles Adelaide home owners choose when looking at renovating their outdoor living areas.
When looking at garden types, there are 2 basic layouts or designs.
Structured garden designs that are geometrically ordered are considered formal. Typically, Mediterranean and Resort Style gardens are more formal in their design layout.
The layout could be square or rectangular, with paths and garden beds forming right angles. The layout could also be circular, or triangular.
The elements and plants mirror the formal style by having or are shaped with the same geometry. In formal rectangular shaped gardens, hedges are pruned to mimic the planter boxes with sharp edges.
Round fountains, water features and plants shaped into a ball are often placed within gardens having a circular layout.
Modern designs, especially with small garden spaces tend to be more structured where size can be controlled better. Small pebbles and pavers will make the space look bigger.
Gardens that don’t have any strict geometric shape are considered informal.
That doesn’t mean they lack structured planning, they just don’t resemble a recognisable shape.
They’re more free flowing with rambling paths instead of being straight, or perfectly circular.
Australian, bush and resort or tropical styles are typically examples of an informal garden design, particularly on larger acreage sized blocks, tending to follow the contours of the natural landscape.
Now that we’ve covered the 2 basic types of garden design, let’s look at the 5 most popular garden styles Adelaide residents select.
Resort style gardens are very popular across Adelaide, inspired by tropical garden styles characteristic of Bali or Thailand. When looking at a back garden makeover, many people that have been to tropical islands like to include elements they’ve seen and enjoyed. Even if you haven’t ventured overseas, re-creating that postcard picture is the dream garden for many.
Emphasising relaxation, resort or tropical garden styles Adelaide residents select often has flowing lines, lounges, bamboo, rattan or timber furniture, market umbrellas, barbecue and entertainment areas. For Adelaide’s hot Summers, shade, water features, pools and spas all cool things down. Consider using design elements such as paving, decking, boardwalks and ropes, pebbling and stone slabs. Typical plantings are close together and include foliage plants, palm trees and bromeliads.
Designing tropical or resort style gardens is a specialty of Living Pictures By Tony Stanton, who’ve helped many clients, even with small gardens or courtyards achieve the goal of having their own tropical paradise.
Mediterranean style gardens depict many of the popular Mediterranean regions from Spain, southern France, Italy and Greece, and are inspired by the lifestyle and culture. Popular with many that have lived in those countries, having a piece of their history or ancestry is important. Similar in climate, this style of garden has been designed for many clients across Adelaide. Provincial style gardens are informal, rustic, and have an aged-farmhouse look using natural stone paving and lime-washed walls. Shaded outdoor areas with pergolas and climbing plants are ideal for alfresco dining. Olive trees and home-grown fruit and vegetables along with picking flowers are characteristic of a Mediterranean Garden Style.
A formal Italian style may include wall-mounted water features, courtyards and piazzas using cobblestone paving, pebbling, mosaics and tiling. Needless to say, custom pizza ovens are a very popular feature.
If re-creating a piece of the Mediterranean is what you’re after for your new back garden makeover, Living Pictures By Tony Stanton will happily customise the design to suit your garden’s area and family requirements.
Have something in mind, Ask Tony for plans.
After completion of both your hardscape construction plans and softscape design plans, you’ll also have a good idea of what the costs will be to transform your current garden into the dream outdoor oasis you’re after.
Whether you’d like a formal or informal design, whether you have a small or large front garden to renovate, a courtyard garden to update or large backyard you’d like to transform, you can trust Tony Stanton to come up with innovative garden design solutions to match your lifestyle.