The capital has enjoyed its hottest summer on record, making it the perfect time to think about redesigning your outside space, and with luxury landscaped gardens gaining popularity, the options are endless. These bespoke settings can be adapted to suit your design preferences and lifestyle, offering a new way to make your home work for you.
Planting with purpose
The finest gardens are shaped by a clear vision of how they should look, feel and function. “We start any design process with a call with the potential client to find out more about the project,” says Tor Cameron, Communications Director at Cameron. “We don’t believe in a ‘one design fits all’ approach, so it's important to understand their lifestyle and how they want to use their garden. We offer fully rendered 3D models of the space so they can explore the design in detail before construction begins. We also create fly-through videos and even demonstrate how the position of the sun will affect the garden on a specific day of the year.”
Effective landscaping is rooted in an understanding of the space itself, with its proportions and character informing every decision. “Gardens in prime central London tend to be more architectural and space-efficient,” Tor notes. “The emphasis is on strong structure, high-quality materials, sculptural planting, and integrated features such as lighting and seating.” Barry Burrows, Managing Director at Bartholomew Landscaping, agrees, commenting, “Simplicity and structure are key. Clean lines and a sense of consistency add to visual calm, while sensory elements such as water, greenery and soft lighting add another dimension, creating a peaceful sanctuary in the middle of the city.”
Gardens in areas such as Wimbledon and Hampstead tend to be larger and more landscape-led. Tor explains, “These allow for lawns, layered planting, and mature trees, resulting in grounds that feel greener, more naturalistic, and more immersive.” Oliver Sharpstone, Sales Director at Dexters Hampstead, echoes this sentiment. “A thoughtfully designed outdoor space immediately elevates the overall feel of a home. In dense urban areas, a leafy garden offers an incredibly appealing sense of privacy and tranquillity. It is often one of the first things buyers and tenants see when they arrive, or the last thing they remember when they leave, so it plays a significant role in the emotional impression a property creates.”
Sustainable style
Eco-conscious living is a growing focus of home design conversations nowadays, and this has naturally moved into outdoor spaces. Native planting is becoming increasingly popular, involving selecting plant species suited to the local ecosystem. “Planting will attract wildlife,” Tor says, “With pollinator-friendly shrubs attracting birds and bees, increasing biodiversity. Cities can be noisy, and planting can also act as a sound buffer.” Repurposed materials bring both sustainability and individuality, from reclaimed brick and salvaged stone to recycled metalwork.
Smart water management is another effective way of reducing the environmental footprint of your property. Rainwater harvesting systems can be discreetly built into garden rooms and planter walls, allowing practical features to sit neatly within the overall structure. “We tend to install irrigation in all our gardens,” Barry states, “As ultimately this ensures plant success while saving water and being environmentally friendly.”
Image above: Bartholomew Landscaping |
Image above: Bartholomew Landscaping |
Alfresco entertaining
A well-designed garden should feel connected to the home, extending its atmosphere and way of living beyond four walls. “Garden design can really impact the overall character and ambience of a space, both inside and out,” says Tor. A feature fire pit serves as the perfect centre point for entertaining friends and family and an overhead pergola structure will allow you to enjoy alfresco dining, while weatherproof furniture is a worthwhile investment for both style and longevity.
“Outdoor kitchens are another growing trend,” says Barry. “Often including a Teppanyaki grill, wine fridge, gas BBQ, and rotisserie, they create a seamless extension of the home which is ideal for hosting.” Implemented from the initial stages of planning, technology is also becoming an increasingly important part of contemporary garden design. “We are asked to integrate technical infrastructure to support music, lighting, and heating, all controllable via apps on mobile devices.”
Distinctive details
While larger-scale plans may form the initial basis of an outdoor space, it is often the finer details that give it personality and polish. “A multi-stem tree elevates a garden by acting as a natural focal point and sculptural feature,” explains Tor. “Instead of a single trunk, several stems rise together, creating layered lines and interesting forms that draw the eye and add architectural character. This brings movement to a landscape, making spaces feel more intentional and thoughtfully designed. They also soften the overall feel by creating an open canopy that allows filtered light and planting beneath.” Barry also recommends introducing reflective elements such as mirrors, as well as carefully considered lighting. “These additions can help create depth and make any garden feel larger and more open.”
The best landscaped spaces combine practicality and personality in a way that feels lasting and effortless. With endless choices available to suit all preferences, you’ll soon find that the grass is always greenest at home.
If you’re planning to put down roots in a new area, our teams would be delighted to help. Get in touch with your local office today.
