7 Garden Design Ideas to Boost Your Wellbeing
Support your physical and mental health with these garden design ideas spotted at the Chelsea Flower Show
The link between gardening and wellbeing has become increasingly visible in recent years and, at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show (24 to 28 May), many designers used it as a basis for their gardens.
From calming spaces aimed at supporting mental health to culinary gardens designed to improve physical health, there was a raft of inspiring ideas and takeaway tips on display. Read on for ways to boost your outdoor space and nourish your health and wellbeing.
From calming spaces aimed at supporting mental health to culinary gardens designed to improve physical health, there was a raft of inspiring ideas and takeaway tips on display. Read on for ways to boost your outdoor space and nourish your health and wellbeing.
Carve out a spot for gentle exercise
Making space outdoors for “decompressing, playing and reconnecting” was a central theme in A Garden Sanctuary By Hamptons (pictured), designed by Tony Woods. The small decked area outside the charred-wood cabin was used during the show as a place for yoga, meditation and gentle movement.
Although this garden also included trees and flowing water for an immersive experience, the idea could be translated into a much smaller space. Just carving out a quiet, shady corner with enough space for a yoga mat and introducing some greenery nearby would bring a similar feeling to any size of garden.
Making space outdoors for “decompressing, playing and reconnecting” was a central theme in A Garden Sanctuary By Hamptons (pictured), designed by Tony Woods. The small decked area outside the charred-wood cabin was used during the show as a place for yoga, meditation and gentle movement.
Although this garden also included trees and flowing water for an immersive experience, the idea could be translated into a much smaller space. Just carving out a quiet, shady corner with enough space for a yoga mat and introducing some greenery nearby would bring a similar feeling to any size of garden.
Cultivate a culinary garden
Supporting physical health with homegrown food was another growing trend at the show this year. The Wild Kitchen Garden (pictured) designed by Ann Treneman was a great example of how to do this in a small space. The design demonstrated how to bring wild, edible plants and trees into a compact urban setting by using container planting.
Foraging for fresh food was also a theme in the The Alder Hey Urban Foraging Station designed by Howard Miller and Hugh Miller, with pockets of herbs growing though a playful ‘woven’ landscape.
Feeling inspired? Find a local garden designer on Houzz today.
Supporting physical health with homegrown food was another growing trend at the show this year. The Wild Kitchen Garden (pictured) designed by Ann Treneman was a great example of how to do this in a small space. The design demonstrated how to bring wild, edible plants and trees into a compact urban setting by using container planting.
Foraging for fresh food was also a theme in the The Alder Hey Urban Foraging Station designed by Howard Miller and Hugh Miller, with pockets of herbs growing though a playful ‘woven’ landscape.
Feeling inspired? Find a local garden designer on Houzz today.
Provide spaces to talk
The idea of a garden as a safe space that can “facilitate and stimulate conversation” was the basis of The Place2Be Securing Tomorrow Garden designed by Jamie Butterworth.
Drawing on the importance of the connection with plants and the natural world for mental health and wellbeing, the planting was deliberately lush to create a feeling of safety, with plenty of spots for children and adults to sit and talk in peace.
Adding a small bench or boulder, or simply extending a raised bed, would create the same opportunity for conversation in any outdoor space, and using lots of lush foliage and evergreen planting would create the cocooning, intimate feel that made this garden so special.
The idea of a garden as a safe space that can “facilitate and stimulate conversation” was the basis of The Place2Be Securing Tomorrow Garden designed by Jamie Butterworth.
Drawing on the importance of the connection with plants and the natural world for mental health and wellbeing, the planting was deliberately lush to create a feeling of safety, with plenty of spots for children and adults to sit and talk in peace.
Adding a small bench or boulder, or simply extending a raised bed, would create the same opportunity for conversation in any outdoor space, and using lots of lush foliage and evergreen planting would create the cocooning, intimate feel that made this garden so special.
Make space for children to play
While many family-friendly gardens are centred on a lawn, a bit of creative thinking can result in a really magical outdoor space, with little hideaways, fun elements and foraging opportunities designed to encourage play and exploration.
The Alder Hey Urban Foraging Station was designed with children’s mental and physical health at its heart and intended to “encourage engagement with nature through foraging, sharing healthy food, relaxing together and being in the moment”. Based on the NHS’s 5 steps to mental wellbeing, the garden created an exciting outdoor world to engage young minds.
You might also enjoy 7 Garden Trends from 2022’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
While many family-friendly gardens are centred on a lawn, a bit of creative thinking can result in a really magical outdoor space, with little hideaways, fun elements and foraging opportunities designed to encourage play and exploration.
The Alder Hey Urban Foraging Station was designed with children’s mental and physical health at its heart and intended to “encourage engagement with nature through foraging, sharing healthy food, relaxing together and being in the moment”. Based on the NHS’s 5 steps to mental wellbeing, the garden created an exciting outdoor world to engage young minds.
You might also enjoy 7 Garden Trends from 2022’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Create a space to connect with others
Combining gardens to allow for social connection was the intriguing concept proposed by The Core Arts Front Garden Revolution, designed by Andy Smith-Williams.
By designing a joint front garden that spanned two separate homes, the space reflected Core Arts’ mission “to support people experiencing mental health difficulties by promoting social inclusion and reconnecting individuals with their communities”.
We can take inspiration for our own gardens with a fresh look at the way we connect our outdoor spaces and engage with others, from open-link fences between gardens to seed-swapping and plant-sharing within communities.
Combining gardens to allow for social connection was the intriguing concept proposed by The Core Arts Front Garden Revolution, designed by Andy Smith-Williams.
By designing a joint front garden that spanned two separate homes, the space reflected Core Arts’ mission “to support people experiencing mental health difficulties by promoting social inclusion and reconnecting individuals with their communities”.
We can take inspiration for our own gardens with a fresh look at the way we connect our outdoor spaces and engage with others, from open-link fences between gardens to seed-swapping and plant-sharing within communities.
Plant for year-round enjoyment
While many gardens are at their peak in spring and summer, with a bit of clever thinking, they can also be designed to continue supporting health and wellbeing all year round.
The planting shown here in The Core Arts Front Garden Revolution was chosen to provide year-round interest and edibles, thus continuing the mental health benefits of the space and encouraging engagement throughout the seasons.
Choose a mix of flowers, trees and edibles to extend the flowering and growing season in your own garden to ensure the space remains engaging and appealing for as long as possible.
Tell us…
What do you think of these garden design ideas? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
While many gardens are at their peak in spring and summer, with a bit of clever thinking, they can also be designed to continue supporting health and wellbeing all year round.
The planting shown here in The Core Arts Front Garden Revolution was chosen to provide year-round interest and edibles, thus continuing the mental health benefits of the space and encouraging engagement throughout the seasons.
Choose a mix of flowers, trees and edibles to extend the flowering and growing season in your own garden to ensure the space remains engaging and appealing for as long as possible.
Tell us…
What do you think of these garden design ideas? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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The power of water to soothe, calm and rejuvenate was explored in many of the garden designs at this year’s show. The Mandala, Meditation and Mindfulness Garden designed by Nikki Hollier (pictured) had a water feature as the central element of the space.
Inspired by “conditions imposed by the pandemic”, the garden was created “as a place in which to escape”. The water feature was a key element, offering a tranquil layer of sound and movement, and showing how effective this can be in a small, urban space.