When it comes to your garden, adding new features is a big investment. They’re costly, time-consuming to install, and if done wrong, they could be something you live to regret.
From high-maintenance water features to climbing frames that just don’t last the test of time, it’s easy to make mistakes that have you kicking yourself later on down the line.
Often, the best way to avoid this is by planning carefully before you jump in and invest. Think about what you want from a garden, not just now – but in 10 years time – and plan accordingly.
‘Your space should be planned and intentional,’ says garden designer Joshua Allan of Top Tier Greenery. ‘The first thing to consider is that new garden features should coordinate with your home’s style to maintain a cohesive appearance that fits the architecture and feel of your home and neighborhood.’
With that in mind, here are the key updates garden designers recommend avoiding in your garden. Here’s to saving your time, money and frustration along the way…
Built-in fireplaces
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A big stone fireplace may seem like an idyllic garden retreat, but it’s not typically a good investment. ‘I talk people out of fireplaces all the time,’ says design-build landscape contractor Bobby Krull, founder of Bobby K Designs. ‘If you change your mind, you’re stuck with it.’ A better, more flexible choice is a high-quality portable fire pit, which won’t permanently eat up the space in your garden – and will cost far less.
Built-in water features
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Built-in water features, such as ponds and waterfalls, are a big no. ‘Unless you stay on top of them with cleaning and maintenance, they’re a nightmare of algae and leaks,’ says Joshua. If you do have your heart set on the sound of running water, do some research so you know what you’re getting into – it’s a lot of work and requires loads of effort. Alternatively, choose something that’s plug-and-play that recirculates into a basin, such as a fountain.
Too much paving
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Overdoing the paving in your garden is a big miss. There’s no specific rule on how much you should install, but base it on functional zones, such as walking paths, conversation areas, or a dining spot. ‘You don’t want to have a whole concrete backyard that overwhelms the space,’ says Bobby.
Too much lighting
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Outdoor lighting is meant to add a soft warmth and ambience to a space – too much and it risks looking like a sports park at night. Stick with path and entryway lights for safety, uplight a few trees, a boulder or a seating wall, and that’s about it.
A big climbing frame
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For those with little ones around, a climbing frame might feel like a way of fulfilling a childhood dream. Climbing frames, however, are rarely a wise long-term investment. ‘The materials also tend to deteriorate, especially fabrics, in extreme conditions,’ says Joshua.
Randomly-placed garden beds
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Adding a garden bed is not a bad thing, but there needs to be some rationale for placement. ‘If it’s just placed somewhere in the front yard without having a purpose or reason, it looks bad,’ says Kristian Thiem, landscape and outdoor living designer with Tidal Creek Designs. ‘And if there’s no upkeep, it soon becomes unruly. I’m all for growing gardens, but there needs to be intentional design and maintenance, not just a bunch of beds here and there.’
Specialty cooking appliances
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Outdoor kitchens have been popular for decades, and they’re still a great addition if you love entertaining or spending time outdoors with family. But just because certain features are trending doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for your garden, especially if it never gets used. ‘For example, if you want a smoker [BBQ] because everyone else has one but you’ve never smoked meat, maybe a built-in smoker isn’t right for you,’ says Kristian.
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