How to Plan and Design Your Dream Garden: A Step-by-Step Guide
Designing a garden involves more than just planting flowers and hoping for the best results. It’s about transforming your outdoor space into a functional, beautiful sanctuary that reflects your lifestyle. Whether you’re dreaming of a serene retreat or a lively entertaining area, this guide will walk you through every step of the process—from finding the right designer to creating a sustainable and personalized space. And with studies showing that a well-designed garden can increase property value by up to 10%, investing in professional landscape design is not only about aesthetics—it’s also a smart financial decision.
Why Hiring a Landscape Designer is Worth It
The Benefits of Professional Landscape Design
A professional landscape designer brings expertise, creativity, and technical knowledge to your project. They analyze your space, considering soil health, sunlight, and climate, to create a cohesive design that integrates plants, hardscapes, and other elements seamlessly. Beyond aesthetics, a professionally designed garden can increase your property’s value and ensure a long-lasting, sustainable space while avoiding costly mistakes.
At Simonson Landscape, we pride ourselves on delivering gardens that are not only beautiful but also deeply artistic and creative. From award-winning festival gardens to custom residential designs, we approach every project as an opportunity to craft something truly unique. Explore our portfolio to see how we can transform your space.
When DIY Might Not Be Enough
While DIY gardening can be rewarding, larger or more complex projects often benefit from professional input. Designers take a holistic view of your space, solving challenges like privacy, functionality, and balance. Their expertise ensures a harmonious design that aligns with your vision, lifestyle, and budget.
Like any other profession, becoming a skilled and qualified landscape designer takes years of education and decades of experience. At Simonson Landscape, our team has honed this craft over many years to ensure that every design detail is meticulously planned and executed.
Finding the Right Landscape Designer
What to Look for in a Designer
When choosing a landscape designer, prioritize their experience, credentials, and design philosophy. Look for portfolios that showcase a range of styles and projects, and ensure their approach aligns with your vision. Communication and rapport are crucial since the process is collaborative and often long-term.
David Simonson, the founder of Simonson Landscape, has won multiple international garden festival awards and is recognized for his artistic approach to design. In addition to his design work, David teaches at the prestigious ENSP in Versailles, sharing his expertise with the next generation of landscape designers.
Where to Search for a Designer
Referrals are a great place to start—ask friends or neighbors with inspiring gardens for recommendations. Social media platforms like Instagram can also showcase designers' latest projects and aesthetics. For those in France or Europe, professional organizations such as the Fédération Française du Paysage (FFP), UNEP, or the European Landscape Architects Federation (FLA) are invaluable resources for finding talented designers.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
What is their design process?
How do they handle timelines and budgeting?
Do they have experience with projects similar to yours?
What is their communication style, and which tools do they use?
Planning Your Dream Garden
Set Your Vision and Goals
Start by listing the features and plants you want in your garden. Consider how you’ll use the space: do you need areas for entertainment, relaxation, or gardening? Think about your favorite colors, textures, and plants, but don’t worry about details just yet—broad strokes are enough for the initial stages.
Create a Functional Layout
Using grid paper or design software, map out zones for seating areas, walkways, flower beds, and focal points like water features or sculptures. A functional layout ensures that your garden is both beautiful and practical.
At Simonson Landscape, we specialize in detailed 2D and 3D landscape plans, providing clients with clear visualizations and documentation to bring their ideas to life.
Incorporate Sustainability
Designing with sustainability in mind benefits both the environment and your long-term maintenance budget. Choose native plants, implement water-saving features like rain gardens, and consider wildlife-friendly elements like pollinator plants or bird feeders.
Simonson Landscape excels in creating gardens that harmonize with local vegetation and incorporate drought-tolerant plants, making them resilient to climate change while remaining stunningly beautiful.
The Design Process
Initial Consultation
This is your chance to discuss your goals, budget, and timeline with your designer. Share inspiration photos and a vision for the space. A strong collaboration begins with clear communication and trust.
Developing the Concept
Designers will create a schematic plan based on your input and the site’s unique features. During this stage, you’ll refine the vision together, balancing creativity, functionality, and budget.
Installation and Collaboration
Unexpected challenges during installation can lead to innovative solutions. Keep communication open and respect the designer’s expertise. Trust that the collaborative process will yield the best results.
Cost Considerations and Budgeting
How Much Does a Landscape Designer Cost?
Costs vary widely depending on the project’s scope, the designer’s experience, and regional factors. Discussing your budget upfront ensures transparency and alignment on what’s achievable.
Having a clear and defined budget will help the designer prioritize the design in alignment with your needs. At Simonson Landscape, we believe that an open dialogue about costs allows us to find creative solutions that bring your vision to life within your means.
Budget-Friendly Tips
Prioritize high-impact features like patios, lighting, or key plantings.
Consider phasing the project over time to spread out costs without compromising your vision.
Maximizing Your Garden’s Potential
Planning for Seasonal Growth
To create a garden that looks stunning year-round, include a mix of plants with seasonal blooms, evergreen foliage, and varying textures. Think about how your garden will evolve over time and plan for continuous interest.
Maintaining and Evolving Your Garden
A garden is a living space that changes with the seasons. Keep a journal to document what works and what doesn't, and be open to experimenting with new ideas. This helps ensure your garden stays vibrant and reflective of your needs. Simonson offers maintenance contracts exclusively for the gardens that we design. We can also offer a book that details the maintenance and scheduling of the various seasonal tasks for the upkeep of the garden to ensure its full potential overtime.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping the Planning Stage
Failing to plan often results in a disjointed, underutilized garden. Start with a clear vision and layout to save time, money, and frustration.
Misaligned Budgets and Expectations
Unrealistic budgets or unaligned expectations can derail a project. Communicate priorities and remain flexible to adapt designs to your resources.
Neglecting Communication with the Designer
Clear, respectful communication with your designer ensures a smoother process and better outcomes. Address concerns promptly and collaboratively to resolve issues effectively.
Let’s Get Started on Your Dream Garden Design Today!
At Simonson Landscape, we specialize in creating bespoke, artistic, and sustainable outdoor spaces that reflect your vision and lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a serene retreat, a vibrant entertaining space, or a garden adapted to climate challenges, our award-winning team is here to help.
Let’s create something extraordinary together.
Explore our portfolio of award-winning gardens
Call us at +33 06 43 44 47 42
Email us at david@simonsonlandscape.com
Transform your garden. Elevate your lifestyle. Choose Simonson Landscape.