6 Garden Design Trends We’re Seeing Right Now

What a year it’s been!

We’ve worked on a wonderful mix of projects, both in design and construction – from planting revamps to full redesigns around new-build homes, and almost everything in between. By my count, we’ve worked on 65 projects this year, and every one of them has been a gem in its own way.

There have been plenty of challenges (as there always are), plenty of learning, and some genuinely delightful collaborations with clients, architects, interior designers, suppliers and contractors. We’re incredibly grateful to each and every one.

Of course, we only have photographs of a small sample of these projects. Not every garden is suitable or appropriate to share, and many are still evolving as the planting settles in. But we thought it would be lovely to share a handful of our recently completed gardens, and reflect on what they might be telling us.

As we looked back through the images, we asked ourselves:

Do we see any trends emerging from our most recently completed projects?

Here are a few that stood out.

1. Entertaining spaces are more important than ever

Entertaining has been a core requirement for new builds and major redesigns for years. What we’re noticing now, though, is a real shift in existing gardens too.

More and more clients with established landscaping are keen to rethink and upgrade the way they use their space socially. A simple patio at the back of the house is no longer enough. Instead, clients want an integrated area that works beautifully for the whole family – whether that means relaxed weekend lunches, summer parties, or simply a comfortable place to sit outdoors with a cup of tea.

2. Outdoor kitchens, pergolas and fireplaces have become almost standard

Closely linked to the rise of outdoor entertaining is the growing demand for structures and features that make gardens feel like a genuine extension of the home.

Outdoor kitchens, pergolas and fireplaces have gone from occasional “nice-to-haves” to almost ubiquitous requests. This has been helped by a big increase in suppliers producing excellent off-the-shelf options, alongside bespoke solutions for more complex sites or higher-end designs.

The other noticeable change is that whilst these are still a significant investment, pricing and quality for good mid-range options has stabilised somewhat, and there are now workable solutions for most gardens, whether large or small.

3. Clients are making bolder choices

One of the most exciting shifts we’ve seen this year is a growing willingness from clients to be braver.

As designers, we always aim to help clients explore options beyond the ordinary. But understandably, many people start the process wanting to “play it safe” – especially when it comes to permanent materials, layouts, and planting.

This year, we’ve been asked to push things further more often than in previous years. We’ve seen bolder use of colour (in built from as well as planting), some fantastic sculpture choices, and our first new build lake for some years.

It’s a delicate balance – interpreting our clients’ wishes while gently challenging preconceptions in a positive, collaborative way. But when it works, the results can be truly spectacular.

4. Planting is back “in” (and we couldn’t be happier)

We’ve been especially pleased to design and install some major planting schemes this year.

There’s been a real appetite for gardens that feel lush, layered and immersive, with sculptural use of hedging, bold blocks of colour and texture, and significant mature tree planting.

It’s true that some clients still feel anxious about the maintenance involved in more ambitious planting. But with more people spending time outdoors and using their gardens daily, many are finding that the joy of a changing palette of textures, colours and scents is worth the time and effort.

And honestly, we couldn’t agree more.

5. Strong structure is back: hedging, topiary and trained trees

We’ve also noticed a return to structure – with clipped hedging, trained trees and strong evergreen forms being used to create framework and year-round presence. This gives gardens a sense of maturity much earlier, and allows softer planting to feel more intentional rather than “wild”.

6. A move towards clean, calm materials (with planting doing the talking)

Another strong theme has been a move towards calm, timeless materials – pale stone, warm timber, and dark metalwork – allowing planting, texture and form to take centre stage. Even in the bolder gardens, the hard landscaping is mostly:

• pale stone / porcelain tones
• warm timber
• black/charcoal metalwork
• restrained brick detailing

As ever, these gardens represent only a small snapshot of the work we’ve enjoyed this year, but they capture many of the themes we’ve been seeing again and again. We feel incredibly lucky to work with clients who trust us to push ideas further, refine the details, and create spaces that will mature and evolve over time. Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey over the last year – we can’t wait to see these gardens settle in, grow on, and become even more beautiful with each season.

CGLA are an award winning team of Garden Designers, Landscape Architects, Landscapers and Garden Maintenance Operatives working in Buckinghamshire, London and the South East, as well as on prestigious design projects across the UK and abroad. We are currently working in Oman, Jersey and France, and welcome enquires for design, landscaping or garden maintenance. Contact us here