Where Do You Start When Planning a Garden Redesign in Somerset?

Many homeowners reach a point where they feel their garden could work better, look better, or simply suit how they use the space today. The challenge is often knowing where to begin. Garden projects can involve many decisions — layout, materials, levels, drainage, planting and construction — and it can quickly feel overwhelming without a clear starting point.

This is particularly true when planning a garden redesign in Somerset, where gardens often include sloping ground, older properties, rural views or established boundaries that influence how a new design should be approached.

Taking a structured approach early on can make the whole process smoother and help avoid costly changes later.

Start With How You Want to Use the Space

Before thinking about patios, materials or planting schemes, it helps to consider how you would actually like to use the garden.

Some gardens are primarily spaces for relaxing and entertaining. Others need to accommodate children playing, outdoor dining, gardening activities or storage. Understanding how the space will be used helps shape the layout and ensures the garden works practically for your lifestyle.

Questions worth considering include:

• Do you want space for outdoor dining or entertaining?
• Is a seating terrace or sun trap important?
• Do you need lawn space or play areas?
• Would you like a more low-maintenance garden?
• Are there areas of the garden that currently go unused?

Clarifying how the space should function often reveals what the design should prioritise.

Identify Existing Challenges in the Garden

Most gardens have practical constraints that influence the design.

In Somerset gardens, these might include sloping ground, drainage issues, awkward level changes between the house and garden, limited access for machinery or areas that are heavily shaded.

Recognising these factors early helps prevent problems later during construction. In many cases, a successful garden design works by addressing these challenges rather than ignoring them.

Think About the Key Features

Once you have a clearer idea of how the garden should function, the next step is identifying the main features you would like to include.

These might include:

• A patio or terrace for outdoor seating
• Pathways connecting different parts of the garden
• Steps or retaining walls where levels change
• Raised beds or planting areas
• A lawn or open space
• Garden structures such as pergolas or seating areas

At this stage it is not necessary to make final decisions about materials or exact sizes. The goal is simply to establish the elements that the design needs to accommodate.

Consider a Rough Budget

Garden landscaping costs can vary widely depending on the size of the project, the materials chosen and the amount of groundworks required.

For homeowners planning garden landscaping in Somerset, factors such as site access, ground conditions and level changes can have a significant impact on construction costs.

Having a rough idea of budget early in the process helps guide design decisions and prevents plans from developing in ways that may not be realistic to build.

Our in house extensive experience in the domestic landscape industry, gained over 25yrs+ in hands on landscaping, combined with over 5000 site visit / quotations, (a number that even surprises us!), means we know all to well that arriving at a budget is not easy for many homeowners.

If you’ve never had this type of work done before, how are you meant to know? One answer is to explain your brief ideas to an experienced landscaper or design studio like ourselves, and ask them to guesstimate a rough budget for you, (we’d be happy to do that!).

It has to be said, even with years of experience, it’s not always easy to pluck a number out of the air, especially on large / complex projects. As a rough guide though, the following figures will give you a hint to what sort of cost you may be considering:

• Small garden makeover – not too much structure / hard landscaping – £10 – £15k
• Medium garden makeover – new patio, raised beds, planting, etc. – £15 – 25k
• Medium garden makeover – more extensive hard landscaping – £25 – £40k
• Large garden makeover / garden with lots of goodies! – £40k – £80k
• Extensive large garden re-modelling / lots of features – £80k+

This often represents a significant investment, but we’ve found so often that homeowners always really get to appreciate the enjoyment and use they get out of their garden makeover, as it’s so often an extension of the living space these days.

As a general guide, the numbers we’ve given may give some idea of cost, but the price can vary significantly, based on all the factors we’re listing in this article.

We would say, for your information, projects in the £20k – £35k bracket are what local landscapers complete on a regular basis. Projects in the £35k – £50k brackets are also fairly common. £50k – £100k+ projects are considered large by most landscapers, and usually happen a few times a year, (for established landscapers that is). Smaller / new companies might rarely tackle projects over £20k.

Develop a Clear Layout Plan

Once the main ideas are established, the next step is developing a layout that brings everything together.

This is where a structured garden design becomes valuable. A clear plan helps determine how the different parts of the garden connect, where terraces or pathways should be located, and how levels and materials will work together.

A well-considered garden design also allows landscape contractors to understand the project properly before construction begins, helping them price the work accurately and build with confidence.

Why a Garden Design Can Make a Big Difference

Many landscaping projects begin without a clear design. While this can sometimes work for smaller tasks, larger garden improvements often benefit from careful planning.

A professional garden design can help:

• organise the layout of the garden
• address practical issues such as drainage and levels
• clarify materials and construction details
• ensure the garden works both visually and practically
• give contractors clear drawings to work from
• Aid in setting a realistic, achievable budget

Most importantly, it allows homeowners to explore ideas and refine the plan before construction starts.

Planning a Garden Project in Somerset

If you are considering a garden redesign in Somerset, taking time to think through these early stages can make a significant difference to the final result.

A clear understanding of how you want the space to work, combined with a thoughtful layout plan, helps create a garden that not only looks good but functions well for many years to come.

For homeowners who want guidance at this stage, professional garden design can provide the structure and clarity needed to turn initial ideas into a practical and buildable plan.

Find out more about our Garden design services HERE.