8 Garden Layout Ideas for Your Yard

There are lots of elements to consider when designing your home exterior. Big ticket items like siding materials and paint colors are probably top of mind. But other aspects, such as a well-thought-out garden layout, should also be taken into consideration. Keep reading for some garden layout inspiration and design tips from the brick&batten team.

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What is the best layout for a garden?

If you’re reading this post, you’re probably wondering what’s the best layout for a garden. The answer is that there really isn’t one specific layout that trumps the rest. But rather, the right layout depends on a number of factors, such as the size of your yard and your home’s architectural style. If you have the space, you could opt for a sprawling garden full of flowers, plants, walkways, and water features. If space is confined, a few window box gardens can be just as impactful.

#1 // English country garden layout

This owner of the home above wanted a landscape design that exuded English country garden vibes. This style of garden is often less manicured and polished than others and tends to feature lots of colorful flowers in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. 

For this particular garden layout, we suggested a combination of green shrubs, gardenia bushes, lavender, and woodland forget me not plants, as well as some taller trees that frame the home. The purple and blue plants look especially lovely against the gray siding, which features a moody indigo undertone. 

Planter boxes along the balcony railing and beneath the second-story windows add even more charm to this design. 

#2 // Formal garden layout

This homeowner desired a more formal garden layout to fill in their gigantic, sloped yard. By planting the landscaping — a mix of shrubs, boxwoods, and white hydrangeas — in rows, we clearly defined the different elements in the front yard. The driveway and the steps leading to the entrance are both lined with landscaping, as are the walkways that extend from the steps across the yard. Pops of white flowers throughout tie the landscape design to the color scheme of the home.

#3 // Modern garden layout

Our designers took a more newfangled approach to this garden layout. We mulched the area in front of the garage and incorporated a combination of grassy plants of varying heights, agave, a cactus, century plants, and succulents. 

Black planters housing snake plants frame the garage doors, and vines growing over top the front door highlight the entrance. For consistency, we used some of the same plants in the gigantic garden area to line the arched window near the entry.

#4 // Incorporate colorful blooms

If your house has a neutral color palette, you can incorporate vivid hues into your exterior via your landscaping. The home above has brick rendered in Sherwin Williams’ Iron Ore, a luxurious charcoal, and shingle siding rendered in Repose Gray, a lithe gray hue. Pretty purple blooms add a much-needed pop of color to this exterior, but we also incorporated plenty of greenery and some white flowers as well. 

We used horizontal wood fencing and black planters on both sides of the steps leading to the front door to create symmetry and emphasize the entry. Short grassy plants and landscape lighting in front of the fencing further enhances the symmetrical look. Having layers of plants from the driveway all the way back to the house also adds depth to the design. 

Here’s another example of a home with a neutral color palette and a garden layout that incorporates some color. We alternated purple and white flowers on each side of the walkway, making this feature a focal point of the yard. We stuck to a similar color scheme for the plants lining the left side of the home.

#5 // Tropical inspired garden

Depending on the location of your home, you might want to consider a tropical-inspired garden. We lined the front of the home above with various tropical plants, including agave, succulents, and palm trees. We left of rest of the yard largely untouched, simply covering it with grass, to allow the landscaping closest to the home to have a greater visual impact. A gigantic Corten steel planter positioned in front of the white ledgstone also draws the eye and makes the foliage a focal point.

#6 // Play with volume and height

To make a garden as visually intriguing and appealing as possible, we like to incorporate plants of varying heights and volumes. Take the design above for example. The garden features larger wispy plants, as well as smaller, shorter foliage. Putting the shorter plants in the front and the taller ones in the back creates a nice layered look. To add even more interest, we included some purple plants that stand out against the greenery.

#7 // Landscaped driveway

This client’s front yard was dominated by a driveway, but that didn’t stop them from incorporating some green spaces. The base of the two circular gardens is grass and mulch, and we filled the rest of the space with a variety of grasses, plants, and rocks. Landscape lighting will lend a hand drivers navigate the area at night.

We used the same combination of plants to line the front of the home and its covered porch. The earthy siding color, Benjamin Moore’s Desert Twilight, helps the home blend into its natural surroundings.

#8 // Define different spaces

A garden is a great way to fill empty space in your yard, but it can also lend a hand define various spaces, as seen above. A diminutive garden in the middle of this yard creates a clear distinction between the walkway leading to the entrance and the driveway. We also used lots of greenery on the left and right side of the home, creating a nice frame for it to sit within.

Garden layout inspiration for your home exterior

A thoughtfully designed garden can significantly enhance a home’s curb appeal. From formal and polished to carefree and colorful, there are tons of different approaches you can take when designing your garden. Your garden can also serve a variety of purposes. Whether you want to add a pop of color to your exterior or highlight certain features, a garden can lend a hand. Don’t underestimate the power of a gorgeous garden when designing your dream exterior.

Whether you’re looking for garden layout ideas, paint color advice, or other design recommendations, we’ve got you covered. Just let us know what your design goals are, and we’ll lend a hand you visualize them. We’ll provide you with a personalized rendering of your exterior and a shoppable resource list with all the products you need to bring the look to life. Begin your exterior design project today.