Dream Big: Large Garden Design Ideas & Tips

This multi-levelled garden was designed by EH Associates' Ellen Gordon, as part of 'The Healthy House', which featured on Channel 4's Grand Designs programme in 2018. This part of the gorgeous contemporary outdoor space combines Gea porcelain paving and complementary 20mm bullnosed steps and copings, as part of a tiered courtyard space, which acts not only as a vehicle to transport you up to the main garden area, but also as a cosy, relaxing nook in this large garden.

The property was built into the earth, meaning that the lowest storey is below ground level. There is therefore a significant change in elevation to navigate within the garden design. Retaining walls have been turned into a feature, with the carcasses being dressed with Steel Dark DesignClad porcelain cladding, which sits in harmony with the charred timber sleepers, reminiscent of the ancient Japanese practice of 'shou sugi ban'.

The exterior cladding gives a dramatic background to the luscious evergreen planting of hostas and ferns, and the seasonal splash of purple displayed by salvias.

By incorporating contrasting colours (in this case, variants of black and white) into the garden design, the overall aesthetic is one of ultra modernity, suiting the style of the state-of-the-art house, with crisp lines, linear shapes, and restrained texture.

The ultimate al fresco dining experience is encapsulated in this stunning large London garden, by Gardens Of The Future. Skilful hard landscaping dominates this outdoor area, but is softened throughout with pockets of gorgeous soft landscaping, including tree ferns, olive trees, and geraniums.

This design incorporates a plethora of London Stone materials, which work together harmoniously to create a sleek, modern finish. Florence White porcelain paving stars as the predominant paving material, which is complemented by Off White Premium DesignClad affixed to the retaining walls. Meanwhile, Steel Dark porcelain sits beneath the stylish anthracite dining table and chairs, as well as adorning the flight of steps up to a cosy seating area on the higher level.

Adding an outdoor kitchen has provided this homeowner with the ability to enjoy a seamless entertaining experience. Culinary essentials like rosemary and sage have been planted either side of the cooking area to allow the chef to prepare and cook food, fix drinks, and still maintain the focus of their guests. the cooking area to allow the chef to prepare and cook food, fix drinks, and still maintain the focus of their guests.

Earthy, rustic tones have been added into the space to warm the garden's colour palette, by way of Steel Corten Luxury DesignClad porcelain cladding behind the outdoor kitchen, which complement the timber used to clad the meal prep and cooking station. Wooden battens add scale to the space, by bringing a sense of grounding and relaxed charm.

This Kentish garden has a wealth of design ideas, perfect to incorporate into your own large garden design. This scheme expertly combines factory-made porcelain and bespoke-cut Yorkstone steps and copings, to add texture and grandeur.

The gorgeous Yorkstone steps lead you down from the lawned area to the rear of the house, where you're met with a stunning sunken seating-cum-fire-pit design, complete with sheltered outdoor kitchen and entertaining area.

The sun-blushed hues of Golden Stone porcelain add warmth and an inviting feel to the garden, while bringing light into the space, which is important to counteract the shade created by the outbuilding. A fully functioning outdoor kitchen enables long evenings spent with good food, good friends, and good wine.

Soft landscaping highlights include splashes of colour by way of mauve wall flowers, lavender-blue iris, and the yellow-gold tones of achillea. Trailing plants growing up the boundary wall, and the decorative grass, stipa, corners the sunken seating area, to add height and scale to the space.

Large-scale Yard porcelain paving has been utilised to wonderful effect in this garden, designed and built by Isola Garden Design. The pale grey concrete tones of the 1200x1200mm porcelain do not get lost in the large garden. On the contrary, the pavers provide a neutral base colour, which allows the turquoise of the pool and the three statement plant pots to shine. By using large format porcelain pavers, joint lines are minimised, so as not to detract from the sleek finish of the serene outdoor space.

A covered canopy area - complete with living roof - allows for post-dip relaxation and warming up around the fireplace, while a seating area for dining uses angular, metallic furniture, perfectly in keeping with the overall design themes of straight lines, contrasting colours, and simplicity.

This garden is longer than it is wide, meaning that the design is split into three clear areas: an immediate terrace as you leave the back of the property, the swimming pool and entertaining area, and the shed, greenhouse and lawn to the rear of the space. A simple, yet effective use of space, to create something both beautiful and practical.

Popular, hardy perennials add splashes of colour and softness to this beautiful garden, including: verbena, echinacea, crocosmia, achillea, nepeta, and agapanthus. Between the garden's boundary and the pool, a row of boxed beech trees add formality and privacy.