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Garden zoning has become increasingly popular over recent years, and provides us with a chance to maximize our outdoor space while still maintaining sleek, stripped-back styling. Zones are fantastic for creating texture, adding layers, and generally keeping everything in its place. But what exactly should you include in those clearly defined areas?
After all, there’s no point in splitting your exteriors for the sake of it. Instead, you’ll want to work hard to make zones actually work for you. And, we reckon that the best way to do that is to focus on splitting things up with these three primary priorities in mind.
# 1 – Getting Stuck into Green Spaces
Obviously, you’ll want actual gardening space to be your main outdoor priority. Greenery and flowers still provide you with the best chance to improve the exterior of your home. And, there are plenty of ways to incorporate green or flower-based zones outside.
A lawn would make an especially great grounding zone, as it’s a solid, stable foundation around which everything else can flow. Alongside that, you’ll want to add zones for flowers, shrubs, and even vegetable growth if you like.
While you may be tempted to blend some of these zones together, it is worth keeping them separate to achieve a more impactful visual finish. Breaking these green areas up with paving slabs, trellises, and hedges can add much-needed depth.
Photo by Matt Chen on Unsplash
# 2 – An Entertainment Area to Enjoy
Outdoor entertainment areas are most definitely enjoying their heyday, and zoning makes it easier to fit key entertainment features into even a small garden. Raised areas are becoming especially valuable for this purpose, and allow for generous decked floor plans that fit sizable seating, firepits, and more.
Even if you don’t like the raised look, a dedicated patio area, no matter how small, can provide space for either a pool or hot tub. Simply make sure to add plenty of coverage, including fencing, walls, or simply bush growth, for guaranteed privacy. You should also keep these areas looking their best with the help of attractive poolside furniture, potted plants, and a regular pool or hot tub cleaning service.
Outdoor kitchens are also popular right now, and they can be a great zoning plan either alongside your furniture-clad decking or directly outside of your patio doors to ensure a well-integrated flow into your home.
# 3 – Don’t Forget Functional Spaces
While it’s tempting to focus solely on appearances, remember that you still need practical space in your zoned garden. In hidden corners, or at the back of your outdoor area, it’s important to make room for practical priorities, including shed storage, compost bins, and even greenhouses.
These may not be the best-looking features, but you can again cover them with attractive, well-placed garden divides, and even vertical living trellises. These look great, but still ensure you have the stuff you need to actually get on top of each zone across your garden.
Zoned gardening needn’t be complicated if you simply zoom in on priority areas like these!