Designing a Landscaped Garden Built for Outdoor Living

When designing a garden for true outdoor living, it’s not just about planting, it’s about creating an experience. Whether you're working with a blank canvas, an inherited plot, or a narrow courtyard, the goal is to create a space that feels like an extension of your home. A well-designed garden balances function, beauty and comfort - and we’re here to help you get started.

Start With a Plan: Understanding Your Space

The first step in any garden transformation is to assess your space. Is it sunny or shady? Wide open or compact? What are your existing boundaries, views, and access points? Sketch a basic plan or use a garden design app to help visualize potential layouts. Think of the garden in zones: dining, lounging, cooking, and planting. This makes your outdoor space feel intentional and cohesive—just like any indoor room.

Define the Structure: Pergolas, Paths & Partitions

A garden built for outdoor living needs structure. Pergolas, like the ones we design at Bison, are perfect for defining outdoor "rooms." They provide shade, frame a view, and create a sheltered space for dining or relaxing.

Pathways and partitions help break up larger areas and guide movement through the garden. Consider using materials that complement your home—stone, gravel, or timber—and soften with planting along the edges. Want privacy? Use screens, trellises, or hedging to create boundaries without boxing the space in.

Seating That Blends Style and Function

Comfortable seating is key to enjoying your garden. Position seating in sunny spots for morning coffee or shaded areas for afternoon relaxation. Built-in benches, weatherproof sofas, and under-pergola dining sets all create different moods within your outdoor space. Consider adding cushions, throws, or even a fire pit for added comfort and warmth.

Planting for Personality & Practicality

Once your layout is in place, it’s time to bring the space to life with planting. Even a small garden can be transformed with smart planting choices. Use prairie-style borders for low-maintenance, year-round interest, or design deep and narrow beds with vertical interest and layers of colour.

Choose plants that suit your garden’s conditions—sun or shade, damp or dry—and think about how they work together. Repeating colour themes, contrasting textures, and seasonal blooms can all elevate your garden design.

Don’t forget to consider trees—especially those with interesting bark or multi-season appeal. In smaller spaces, opt for slender or ornamental varieties that offer height without overwhelming the area.

Light It Up

Once the sun sets, your garden should still feel inviting. Integrated lighting under pergolas, up lighting for trees, and solar path lights all add ambience and safety. Consider warm-toned LEDs to keep the atmosphere cosy and relaxing.

Make It Yours

Looking for something unique? Create a gravel garden for a drought-friendly, sculptural look. Add a summer house or garden studio for a peaceful retreat. Or fully embrace the concept of an outdoor room—complete with glass walls, heating, and ambient lighting—for a luxurious garden lifestyle.

Final Thoughts

Designing a landscaped garden for outdoor living is a creative and rewarding process. Start with structure, tailor it to your needs, and build in beauty with thoughtful planting and lighting. Whether you're working with a large space or a compact courtyard, the right design can turn your garden into your favourite room - just outdoors.