Whether it’s for relaxing, entertaining or keeping active, a thoughtfully designed outdoor space can become an extension of your home, adding character and value.
At Redrow, our homes are designed with outdoor living in mind - from generous garden plots to beautifully landscaped garden villages that prioritise green space and community. We spoke to three homeowners who’ve turned their outdoor spaces into character-filled garden designs.
So, whether you’re just starting your landscaping journey or looking for new garden design ideas, we’re sharing their practical tips and landscaping inspiration.
Garden ideas that add value to your home
From patios and decking to seasonal planting, clever landscaping is always worth the investment.
Redrow homeowner Jane, who lives in an Oxford style home in Shifnal, Shropshire, was inspired by the ideas of contrast and curves. She worked with a landscaper to create a circular lawn, adding curves throughout her garden design with borders, patios, and feature lighting.
Jane, who documents her home and garden on her Instagram account @jane_redrow_home, said: “I knew I wanted to contrast the square shape of my garden with softer, sweeping lines. I shared my ideas with a local garden landscaper, who brought everything to life. Their suggestion of a circular lawn with a large patio area near the house, extending down one side to a second patio that catches the evening sun, made perfect sense.
“Circular shapes became the main theme throughout my garden – they feature in a round mirror, a graceful archway draped in roses, and in the water features, pots, and Corten steel decorations fixed to the garden fence. Even now, I’m drawn to round elements whenever I’m adding something new.”
Her planting palette - cool pinks, purples, and whites with bursts of orange, and use of fragrant Olivia Rose Austin and Princess Alexandra of Kent roses -adds year-round charm. Lighting, including a dramatic stone globe light, which looks like a granite sphere in the daytime but glows with a warm light at night, brings the garden to life after dark.
Discover more on Kerb appeal and Garden planting ideas by season
Low maintenance garden design ideas
For those who want visual interest without hours of upkeep, ornamental grasses, evergreens, and gravel paths are great options.
Redrow homeowner Emma, moved into the former show home at The Heathfields, Somerset, so the garden was already part landscaped.
She said: “We’re lucky that this home was the show home on the development which meant the garden had been landscaped when it was built, but it was in need of a little reworking to make better use of the space.
“I was focussed on the sun’s path and understanding where we would be able to sit in the garden during the day and the evening. There was a path taking up a large part of the garden, so I removed this and grassed this area. I then placed a new gravelled path in the shaded area of the garden where I knew not much would be able to grow. From there I was able to complete smaller works such as replanting the borders, building a pallet sofa and a pizza bar to create a garden we enjoy.”
You can follow more tips from Emma on her Instagram account @ourmonktonheathfieldhome.
Explore our 10 garden space ideas for more inspiration.
Host-ready garden spaces for socialising and celebrations
Whether you’re throwing a BBQ for family or hosting a more sophisticated summer soiree, our homeowners have lots of garden design ideas and outdoor hosting ideas to inspire your entertaining areas.
Keen gardener Oliver, the winner of our summer garden competition, has turned his new garden in Yorkshire into a multifunctional retreat - complete with a stone water feature, seating zones, fruit trees, evergreen planting and stylish lighting. His garden video entry stood out for its balance of design, function and tranquillity, earning him our prize of an Ooni Pizza Oven – perfect for garden hosting.
Oliver, who is behind the Instagram account @redrow_welwyn, took inspiration for his wraparound garden from traditional houses in his East Yorkshire village as well as other accounts on social media. He designed the garden himself, and his vision was brought to life with the help of a landscaper.
“It’s hard to say what my favourite part of the garden is as it varies throughout the year,” he said. “I love the large patio area; it’s a great space for entertaining on a summer’s day. The water fountain tends to be a favourite amongst our friends and family; that’s the first thing that we decided we wanted to have after seeing something similar on another new home inspiration account.
“We get to see the most amazing sunsets from the raised patio area near our bi-fold doors, that’s probably my favourite thing about living here. I just love how our garden already looks so established, especially now that all our plants and shrubs have had a couple of years to grow and fill out the planting areas.”
Jane’s favourite garden spot is beneath her pergola. She said: “With climbing roses and jasmine providing shade and scent; it’s home to my most comfortable outdoor rocking chair. After a busy day at work, it’s where I retreat to enjoy the last of the sun and the gentle sound of my water fountain.”
If you’re looking for inspiration around garden design for entertaining, Emma’s DIY pizza bar and sunny seating area are her go-to space for hosting. She added: “The inspiration is very much creating a space to entertain, having different places to sit and BBQ was very important to us. I take a lot of inspiration from Instagram and Pinterest, often small ideas, then I take them into our garden.”
Read more about hosting in your new home and outdoor social space ideas.
From blank canvas to dream garden: Ideas to grow your garden from scratch
“People have busy lives now and a garden is usually the last thing on their minds, but you wouldn’t believe how even just a small amount of planting can change the way your outdoor space looks and feels,” said Oliver. “You don’t need to spend a lot of money or time to create something attractive - designating a small area of the garden to turn into a planting border filled with a variety of low maintenance plants and shrubs can make a garden come alive.”
Oliver’s advice for creating year-round interest is to plant evergreen shrubs, which flower in the spring/summer. He said: “Something like a ceanothus really catches the eye as they are so bright and vibrant when in bloom, but it still looks good in the winter. I recently planted a small loropetalum tree which gives show stopping bright pink flowers in the spring and dark red leaves all year round.”
His top gardening tips focus on giving plants room to grow. “If you’re creating planters or borders then ensure they’re large enough for your plants to thrive to their full potential, it may look sparse initially, but everything soon spreads out,” He explained. “Even if your garden is on the smaller side, don’t be tempted to fully pave or gravel the whole garden. Different tones and textures are what adds depth to a small garden design and gives it a sense of space, so keeping a section of grass alongside any patio and planting area is essential.”
Both Jane and Emma agree that taking your time when creating your new outdoor space pays dividends rather than committing to a wholesale garden transformation at the outset.
Jane said: “For anyone starting with a new-build garden, my biggest piece of advice is don’t rush. Live in your home for at least a year or two before cutting any borders or committing to major planting. It gives you time to learn where the sunny and shady spots are, and where you naturally gravitate to relax. Think about practical elements too-like where a tool shed would be best placed or where pots could thrive.”
Emma added: “Remember that you don't need to do everything at once, you can prioritise the most important jobs and then build from there. In doing this you will also develop your garden into a space you love along the way.”
Active outdoor living: gardens for wellness and movement
Gardens aren't just for sitting still, they’re increasingly being designed to support active lifestyles, wellness, and everyday play.
Open, grassy areas double as perfect yoga spots, while raised decking or quiet corners can also serve as spaces for outdoor pilates, stretching, or meditation.
If you’re designing with children in mind, you’ll be looking for garden ideas for families. Flexible lawns and shaded areas are ideal for trampolines, water play, or swing sets-building in fun without compromising style.
From casual family kickabouts to a space for sport or exercise routines, outdoor spaces are evolving to support everyday wellbeing. Learn more top tips for prioritising play.
Celebrate community spirit through your garden
Gardens aren’t just private escapes-they’re also a chance to connect with neighbours, host events, and bring people together.
Whether it’s a Wimbledon themed garden party or an impromptu summer BBQ, outdoor spaces help build that sense of belonging. At Redrow, our garden villages and communal green space also make it easier to connect.
Find out more about how we build a community spirit and discover what is a garden village community?
Whether you’re dreaming of a rose-filled retreat like Jane’s garden, a creative DIY haven like Emma, or a multifunctional masterpiece like Oliver, it all begins with a Redrow home.
Start your search today and discover new homes and Redrow developments where outdoor living, garden hosting, and community come together.
