How to Prepare for a Garden Design Consultation

You do not need to design your garden before meeting a garden designer.

That is what you are appointing the designer to help you do.

However, spending a little time thinking about:

• How you use the garden

• What currently frustrates you

• What you would like to change

• Which features matter most

• Your approximate budget

can make the initial consultation considerably more productive.

The best preparation is not arriving with a rigid solution.

It is arriving with a clear understanding of the problems, priorities and ambitions that the design needs to address.

Kirman Design provides professional garden design and landscape construction throughout North West England, including Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and the Ribble Valley.

What Happens at a Garden Design Consultation?

A garden design consultation is normally the first detailed opportunity for the designer to understand:

• You

• Your property

• Your garden

• Your lifestyle

• Your priorities

• Your budget.

Our What Happens at a Garden Design Consultation? page explains the consultation itself in more detail.

This page focuses specifically on what you can do beforehand to make that meeting more useful.

Do I Need to Prepare for a Garden Design Consultation?

You do not need extensive preparation.

However, it helps if you have thought about some of the important questions likely to arise.

For example:

• Why do you want to change the garden?

• What currently works?

• What does not work?

• Who uses the garden?

• How do you want to use it differently?

• What would make the project feel successful?

These questions are much more important than knowing exactly which paving or plants you want.

Start With Why You Want to Change the Garden

Before thinking about individual features, identify the reason for the project.

Perhaps the garden:

• Feels dated

• Is difficult to maintain

• Does not relate to the house

• Has poor privacy

• Has drainage problems

• Is badly laid out

• Does not work for entertaining

• No longer suits your family.

This gives the designer a much stronger starting point than simply saying:

“We want a new garden.”

Make a List of What Is Wrong With the Existing Garden

Walk around the garden and identify what frustrates you.

Examples might include:

• Patio too small

• Seating in the wrong place

• Too much lawn

• Not enough planting

• Poor access

• Overlooking

• Waterlogging

• Awkward slope

• Lack of evening interest

• Ugly boundaries.

Do not worry about solving these problems yourself.

The designer needs to understand them first.

Identify What Already Works

A redesign does not mean everything needs replacing.

Think about what you genuinely like.

This might include:

• Mature trees

• Existing planting

• A favourite view

• A sunny corner

• An existing wall

• A particular material.

Retaining good elements can:

• Preserve maturity

• Reduce unnecessary construction

• Give the new garden greater character.

Think About How You Use the Garden Now

One of the most useful things you can do is explain how the garden actually functions.

Consider:

• Where you sit

• Where you eat

• Where children play

• Where the dog goes

• Which routes you use

• Which parts you avoid.

The existing behaviour of the household often reveals design problems that are not obvious from appearance alone.

Think About How You Want to Use the New Garden

Now imagine how you would like the garden to function.

You may want:

• Outdoor dining

• Entertaining

• Relaxation

• Gardening

• Children's play

• Outdoor cooking

• A fire pit

• A hot tub

• A pool

• Wildlife

• Quiet seating.

Our Outdoor Living Garden Design page explores how lifestyle requirements can influence the overall layout.

Think About Outdoor Dining

If dining outside is important, consider:

• How many people normally eat outside?

• How many might you entertain?

• Do you want morning, afternoon or evening sun?

• Should the dining area be close to the kitchen?

• Do you need shade?

Our Garden Design for Outdoor Dining page explores this in more detail.

Think About Entertaining

If entertaining is a major reason for redesigning the garden, tell the designer what that means to you.

It could mean:

• Dinner for six

• Drinks for twenty

• Family barbecues

• Large parties.

Our Garden Design for Entertaining page explores how different forms of entertaining can influence:

• Seating

• Circulation

• Lighting

• Outdoor cooking.

Think About Evening Use

Some gardens are designed almost entirely for daylight.

But if you spend evenings outside, tell the designer.

Consider:

• Where you want to sit

• What you want to see from the house

• Whether you entertain after dark.

Our Garden Design for Evening Entertaining page explores how the garden can change after sunset.

Consider an Outdoor Kitchen

If an outdoor kitchen is something you genuinely want, mention it early.

Think about:

• Cooking

• Storage

• Refrigeration

• Sink

• Bar seating

• Dining relationship.

Our Garden Design Around an Outdoor Kitchen page explores how an outdoor kitchen can be integrated rather than added later.

Consider a Fire Pit

If you like the idea of gathering around a fire, think about whether you imagine:

• Informal seating

• Built-in seating

• A focal point

• A secondary evening area.

Our Garden Design Around a Fire Pit page explores these options.

Consider a Hot Tub

If a hot tub is part of your plans, tell the designer before the layout is developed.

Consider:

• Privacy

• Access

• Position relative to the house

• Screening.

Our Garden Design Around a Hot Tub page explores these issues.

Consider a Swimming Pool

If you are considering a pool, even if it is a future aspiration, mention it.

Our Garden Design Around a Swimming Pool page explores how a pool affects the wider:

• Layout

• Terraces

• Planting

• Circulation.

Planning for a possible future pool can be very different from trying to insert one into a finished garden.

Think About Children

If children use the garden, consider both their current and future requirements.

Think about:

• Ages

• Play

• Football

• Bikes

• Trampoline

• Storage.

Our Family Garden Design page explores how a garden can work for children without allowing play equipment to dominate the whole landscape.

Tell the Designer About the Trampoline

Do not hide the trampoline from the brief because you think it looks unattractive.

If it is part of family life, it needs to be designed around.

Our Garden Design with a Trampoline page explores how trampolines can be integrated.

For a less visually dominant approach, see Sunken Trampoline Ideas.

Think About Dogs and Other Pets

If you have dogs, mention:

• Number

• Size

• Behaviour

• Digging

• Running routes

• Boundary security.

Our Dog-Friendly Garden Design page explores how the garden can work for both dogs and people.

If planting choices are a particular concern, see Dog-Friendly Garden Plants.

Consider Accessibility

Think beyond immediate requirements.

Does anyone using the garden have:

• Reduced mobility

• Difficulty with steps

• Wheelchair requirements?

Could these become more important in future?

Our Accessible Garden Design page explores inclusive landscape design.

Wheelchair Requirements

If a wheelchair user will regularly use the garden, tell the designer before levels and routes are developed.

Our Wheelchair Accessible Garden Design page explores:

• Path widths

• Turning

• Gradients

• Seating.

Level Access

If you want step-free access from the house, make this clear from the beginning.

Our Level Access from House to Garden page explores how:

• Thresholds

• External levels

• Drainage

need to be coordinated.

Think About Privacy

Ask yourself where you actually feel overlooked.

Is it:

• Patio

• Dining table

• Hot tub

• Whole garden?

And where does the overlooking come from?

• Ground-floor window

• Upstairs window

• Neighbouring extension

• New-build property.

Our Overlooked Garden page explores why privacy is primarily a sightline problem.

Garden Privacy Solutions

Our broader Garden Privacy page explores how:

• Trees

• Planting

• Screens

• Pergolas

can be combined.

You do not necessarily need to decide which solution you want before the consultation.

Simply identify the problem accurately.

Take Photographs of Overlooking Windows

If the overlooking changes depending on where you stand, photographs can be useful.

Take them from:

• Existing patio

• Main seating area

• Kitchen

• Living room.

This helps explain exactly what you want screened.

Think About Views You Want to Keep

Privacy is not only about what you want to hide.

Tell the designer which views you enjoy.

This might be:

• Mature tree

• Countryside

• Church tower

• Attractive neighbouring planting.

A good design can screen undesirable views while preserving good ones.

Identify Ugly Views

If there is something you specifically want hidden, point it out.

Our How to Screen an Ugly View page explores targeted screening strategies.

Think About Maintenance

Be realistic about how much gardening you want to do.

Do you enjoy:

• Cutting lawns

• Pruning

• Deadheading

• Seasonal work?

Or would you prefer a garden requiring less regular attention?

Low maintenance does not mean no maintenance.

But the design can significantly influence the amount and type of work required.

Do You Actually Want a Lawn?

Do not assume lawn is compulsory.

Ask:

• Do we use it?

• Do children need it?

• Do we enjoy maintaining it?

• Does it improve the design?

If not, alternatives may be worth exploring.

Our Low Maintenance Garden Without a Lawn page explores one approach.

Think About Planting

You do not need to prepare a plant list.

Instead, think about what you like.

For example:

• Lots of flowers

• Mainly foliage

• Evergreen structure

• Ornamental grasses

• Cottage-style planting

• Architectural plants

• Naturalistic planting.

This gives the designer useful direction without prescribing the finished planting plan.

Tell the Designer Which Plants You Hate

This is equally useful.

If you strongly dislike:

• Roses

• Grasses

• Conifers

• Bamboo

• Bright flowers

say so.

There is little point designing a garden around plants the client dislikes.

Existing Plants to Keep

Identify plants with:

• Sentimental value

• Good structure

• Maturity

• Particular beauty.

A mature garden asset can be extremely valuable.

Existing Trees

Think carefully before deciding that existing trees should disappear.

They may provide:

• Privacy

• Height

• Shade

• Scale.

Replacing mature canopy can take many years.

Think About Garden Style

You do not need to choose a formal category.

But it can help to consider whether you prefer something:

• Contemporary

• Modern

• Traditional

• Formal

• Naturalistic

• Rural

• Minimal

• Highly planted.

Modern Garden Inspiration

If you are drawn to strong geometry and clean detailing, our Modern Gardens page explores this approach.

Contemporary Gardens

Our Contemporary Gardens page explores a broader contemporary approach combining modern living with planting and landscape structure.

Formal Gardens

If you like symmetry, structure and clipped planting, see Formal Gardens.

Country Gardens

For a softer landscape connected to its rural setting, see Country Gardens.

Naturalistic Gardens

If you prefer a relaxed, layered and highly planted landscape, see Naturalistic Gardens.

Prairie Gardens

For grasses, perennials and repeated planting, our Prairie Gardens page may provide useful inspiration.

Japanese Gardens

If you are drawn to:

• Restraint

• Stone

• Water

• Asymmetry

• Framed views

our Japanese Gardens page explores the design principles in more detail.

Courtyard Gardens

For smaller enclosed spaces, our Courtyard Gardens page explores how every:

• Material

• Plant

• View

• Feature

has greater visual importance.

Bring Inspiration Images

Images can help communicate:

• Atmosphere

• Materials

• Planting

• Colour

• Features.

You can use:

• Magazines

• Pinterest

• Instagram

• Photographs of gardens you have visited.

But use them as references rather than instructions.

Do Not Try to Copy Another Garden Exactly

A photograph may have been taken in:

• Different climate

• Different soil

• Different light

• Much larger property.

The designer should interpret what you like about the image rather than simply reproduce it.

Bring Images of Things You Dislike

These can be useful too.

Sometimes:

“I definitely don't want this”

provides more clarity than a broad description of what you do want.

Think About Materials

If you already have strong preferences, mention them.

You might like:

• Natural stone

• Porcelain

• Brick

• Gravel

• Timber

• Metal.

But you do not need to choose every material before the design begins.

Material selection should follow the wider design rather than drive it prematurely.

Think About the House

The garden should not be designed independently from the architecture.

Consider:

• Brick colour

• Stone

• Render

• Window frames

• Roof

• Interior style.

The garden does not need to copy the house, but it should respond intelligently to it.

Period Properties

If you live in an older property, our Garden Design for Period Properties page explores how new landscaping can respect architectural character without becoming a pastiche.

Listed Buildings

If the house is listed, tell the designer before the consultation.

Our Garden Design for Listed Buildings page explores the additional considerations.

Bring any information you already have about:

• Listing

• Previous consents

• Planning applications.

New-Build Homes

If you have recently bought a new-build property, bring any available:

• Plot plan

• Drainage plan

• Planning information

• Developer landscaping plan.

Our New-Build Gardens page explores common new-build garden problems.

House Extensions

If the house is being or has recently been extended, bring the architectural drawings.

Our Garden Design After House Extension page explores why extension and landscape design should ideally be coordinated.

Bifold Doors

If your extension includes bifold doors, bring drawings showing:

• Position

• Width

• Floor level.

Our Garden Design Around Bifold Doors page explores the visual connection with the garden.

Sliding Doors

For large sliding doors, see Garden Design Around Sliding Doors.

Think About Indoor-Outdoor Living

If the objective is to make the garden feel like an extension of the house, tell the designer.

Our Garden Design for Indoor Outdoor Living page explores this relationship.

Look at the Garden From Inside the House

Before the consultation, stand at:

• Kitchen sink

• Dining table

• Sofa

• Main doors.

Ask:

What do I see?

The garden is often viewed from inside for more hours than it is physically occupied.

These internal sightlines can be extremely important.

Think About Sun and Shade

Consider where the sun falls at different times.

Where possible, note:

• Morning sun

• Lunchtime sun

• Evening sun.

This can help when considering:

• Dining

• Seating

• Planting.

North-Facing Gardens

If the garden is north-facing, do not assume this makes it a bad garden.

Our North-Facing Gardens page explores how layout, planting and lighting can respond to shade.

Think About Wind

Notice where the garden feels exposed.

This is particularly relevant for:

• Rural gardens

• Elevated sites

• Coastal locations.

A beautiful seating area that is constantly windy may rarely be used.

Observe Drainage

If possible, look at the garden after heavy rain.

Take photographs of:

• Standing water

• Saturated lawn

• Runoff

• Water against the house.

Our Garden Drainage page explains why identifying the source and destination of water matters.

Clay Soil

If you know you have heavy clay, mention it.

Our Clay Soil Gardens page explores the implications for:

• Drainage

• Lawns

• Planting

• Construction.

Clay is particularly relevant to many gardens across North West England.

Think About Levels

If the garden slopes, do not worry about working out how to fix it.

Simply identify:

• Where the slope is uncomfortable

• Which areas are difficult to use

• Where steps currently cause problems.

Our Sloping Gardens page explores how levels can become an asset.

Steep Gardens

For more challenging sites, see Landscaping a Steep Garden.

Think About Access for Construction

Consider how landscapers would reach the garden.

Is there:

• Wide side access

• Narrow side passage

• Garage access

• Rear access

• Access only through the house?

This can influence construction logistics and cost.

Tell the Designer About Manholes and Services

If you know the location of:

• Drains

• Manholes

• Utilities

• Underground services

mention them.

Bring any available drawings.

These can influence the location of:

• Walls

• Structures

• Outdoor kitchens

• Paving.

Gather Existing Plans

If you have them, bring:

• House plans

• Extension plans

• Site plans

• Drainage drawings

• Topographical surveys

• Planning drawings.

Our What Information Does a Garden Designer Need? page provides a more comprehensive checklist of useful information.

Do I Need a Survey Before the Consultation?

Usually not for the initial discussion.

The designer can first assess the project and establish what level of survey is appropriate.

For detailed design, accurate site information may then be required.

Do I Need Drawings Before the Consultation?

No.

Existing drawings can be helpful, but you are not expected to have a finished garden plan.

Professional drawings normally emerge after the brief and site have been understood.

Our Do I Need Drawings for My Garden? page explains the different types of garden drawings.

Check Whether Planning Restrictions May Apply

You do not need to solve the planning position yourself before meeting the designer.

But mention anything you already know.

For example:

• Listed building

• Conservation area

• Protected trees

• Previous planning conditions.

Our Do I Need Planning Permission to Landscape My Garden? page explores when landscaping may require further investigation.

Think About Your Budget Before the Consultation

Budget is one of the most important areas to consider.

You do not need a perfectly calculated figure.

But you should have some understanding of what you are prepared to invest.

Why Does the Garden Designer Need My Budget?

Because design choices have cost implications.

For example:

• Patio size

• Walls

• Levels

• Mature trees

• Lighting

• Outdoor kitchen

• Pergola

• Water feature.

A design should be ambitious, but it also needs to have a realistic relationship with the available budget.

How to Set a Landscaping Budget

If you are unsure how to approach this, our How to Set a Budget for Garden Landscaping page provides a practical framework.

How Much Does Garden Design Cost?

Design fees form part of the overall project budget.

Our How Much Does Garden Design Cost? page explains the factors affecting professional garden design costs.

How Much Does Landscaping Cost?

Construction is normally the largest element of a substantial garden transformation.

Our How Much Does Landscaping Cost? page explores the major cost drivers.

Create Three Priority Lists

Before the consultation, divide your ideas into three categories.

Essential

Things the garden genuinely must provide.

For example:

• Safe access

• Privacy

• Dining

• Drainage

• Secure dog boundaries.

Important

Things you strongly want.

For example:

• Second seating area

• Large planting borders

• Pergola

• Garden lighting.

Desirable

Things you would like if:

• Budget

• Space

• Practicality

allow.

For example:

• Fire pit

• Water feature

• Outdoor kitchen.

This gives the designer room to prioritise intelligently.

Think About Your Overall Landscaping Budget — Not Just Individual Features

It is easy to think:

• £X for patio

• £X for pergola

• £X for kitchen.

But a garden also requires less glamorous work such as:

• Excavation

• Drainage

• Sub-bases

• Levels

• Waste removal.

Our Garden Groundworks page explores why these hidden elements can represent a significant part of a landscape project.

Think About Your Timescale

Tell the designer if you have a preferred completion period.

For example:

• This summer

• Next spring

• Before a wedding

• After the house extension.

But be realistic.

Design and landscaping both require time.

How Far in Advance Should I Book a Garden Designer?

Our How Far in Advance Should I Book a Garden Designer? page explores design lead times.

For a substantial project, beginning several months before the intended construction period is usually sensible.

How Far in Advance Should I Book a Landscaper?

The design timeline is only part of the programme.

Our How Far in Advance Should I Book a Landscaper? page explores construction lead times.

Prepare Questions for the Garden Designer

You should use the consultation to assess the designer too.

Questions might include:

• What is your design process?

• What drawings will I receive?

• How do you approach budgets?

• Do you provide planting design?

• Do you also build the garden?

• What happens after the concept design?

• What are the likely timescales?

Our Questions to Ask a Garden Designer page provides a more comprehensive checklist.

Research the Designer Before the Meeting

Look at:

• Portfolio

• Previous projects

• Design approach

• Services.

You do not need to find a garden identical to the one you want.

A strong designer should be able to respond to different:

• Houses

• Sites

• Clients.

How to Choose a Garden Designer

Our How to Choose a Garden Designer page explores what to consider before making an appointment.

Do I Actually Need a Garden Designer?

Not every small garden change needs professional design.

Our Do I Need a Garden Designer? page explores when professional input becomes particularly valuable.

What Does a Garden Designer Do?

If you are unsure what happens after the consultation, our What Does a Garden Designer Do? page explains the wider role.

Design Only or Design and Build?

Think about whether you want:

• A design that can be taken to different contractors

or

• One company coordinating design and construction.

Our Garden Design Only Service page explores the first approach.

Our Complete Garden Design and Build page explores the second.

Do Not Feel You Need to Have All the Answers

This is perhaps the most important preparation advice.

You do not need to know:

• Exact layout

• Exact paving

• Exact plants

• Exact location of every feature.

If you already knew all of those things, much of the design work would already have been done.

Your job is to explain:

how you live

what you need

what you like

what you dislike

what is wrong with the current garden

what you are prepared to invest.

The designer's job is to turn that information into a coherent landscape.

Garden Design Consultation Checklist

Before the meeting, consider the following.

The Existing Garden

• What works?

• What does not?

• What should remain?

• What should disappear?

Lifestyle

• Who uses the garden?

• How do you entertain?

• Do you eat outside?

• Do children use it?

• Are there dogs?

• Are there accessibility requirements?

Features

• Patio

• Outdoor kitchen

• Fire pit

• Hot tub

• Pool

• Pergola

• Water feature

• Lighting

• Trampoline

Planting

• Plants you love

• Plants you dislike

• Existing plants to retain

• Preferred colours

• Maintenance expectations

Practical Problems

• Privacy

• Drainage

• Clay soil

• Slopes

• Shade

• Wind

• Poor access

Property Information

• House plans

• Extension drawings

• Site plans

• Drainage drawings

• Existing survey

• Planning information

Budget

• Approximate overall investment

• Essential features

• Important features

• Desirable features

Timescale

• Preferred start

• Desired completion

• Important events or deadlines

Inspiration

• Gardens you like

• Materials you like

• Planting styles

• Things you definitely dislike.

You do not need to complete every item.

It is a prompt for discussion rather than an examination.

What Should I Bring to a Garden Design Consultation?

Where available, bring or make accessible:

• House plans

• Extension plans

• Site surveys

• Drainage drawings

• Planning information

• Inspiration photographs

• Photographs of flooding or seasonal problems

• Any relevant supplier information for features you have already selected.

Most importantly, bring an open mind.

What Should I Not Worry About Before the Consultation?

Do not worry about:

• Knowing every plant name

• Selecting every material

• Drawing the garden yourself

• Having every technical answer

• Understanding every construction detail.

Those issues can be developed as the design progresses.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prepare for a garden design consultation?

Think about how you use the garden, what currently works, what does not, your priorities, approximate budget and preferred timescale. Gather any useful existing plans or photographs.

What should I bring to a garden design consultation?

Useful information can include house plans, extension drawings, surveys, site plans, photographs, inspiration images and information about known drainage or planning issues.

Do I need plans before meeting a garden designer?

No. Existing plans can be helpful, but the designer can establish what additional information is required after discussing the project.

Do I need a garden survey before the consultation?

Usually not before the first meeting. A suitable survey can be arranged or requested if required for detailed design.

Should I tell the designer my budget?

Yes. A realistic approximate budget helps the designer develop a scheme appropriate to the level of investment.

What if I do not know my budget?

Think about the maximum amount you would realistically be comfortable investing and discuss this openly with the designer.

Should I show the designer Pinterest images?

Yes, if they help explain what you like. Treat them as inspiration rather than a specification.

Should I know what garden style I want?

No. The designer can help establish an appropriate design direction.

Should I know which plants I want?

No. General preferences are useful, but a detailed plant list is unnecessary.

Should I tell the designer what I dislike?

Yes. Strong dislikes can be extremely useful when developing the brief.

Should I mention drainage problems?

Absolutely. Photographs taken during heavy rain can be especially helpful.

Should I mention that the house is listed?

Yes, at the earliest opportunity.

Should I mention a TPO?

Yes. Tell the designer about any known protected trees or conservation-area status.

Should both partners attend the consultation?

Where both are involved in decisions about the garden, it is generally useful for both to participate.

Should children be involved?

Their practical requirements should certainly be discussed, although whether they attend the consultation is a personal decision.

Should I hide the trampoline before the designer comes?

No. If the trampoline is part of family life, it needs to be considered in the design.

Should I tidy the garden first?

There is no need to make the garden artificially presentable. Seeing how the site genuinely functions can be useful.

Should I decide where the patio should go?

You can explain how you want to use the patio, but you do not need to decide its final location. That is a design decision.

Should I get landscaping quotes before the consultation?

For a comprehensive redesign, it is usually more useful to develop the design sufficiently before obtaining detailed construction quotations.

How early should I book a garden designer?

See How Far in Advance Should I Book a Garden Designer?.

What happens during the consultation?

See What Happens at a Garden Design Consultation?.

The Best Preparation Is Clarity About the Problem — Not a Finished Solution

You are not expected to arrive at a garden design consultation with the garden already designed.

You do not need:

• A finished layout

• A complete plant list

• A paving specification

• Every feature positioned.

What is far more useful is knowing:

what frustrates you about the existing garden

how you want to use the new garden

which requirements are essential

which features are optional

what you like and dislike

what level of investment is realistic

when you hope the project will happen.

Bring whatever useful information you already have.

That might include:

• House plans

• Extension drawings

• Photographs

• Inspiration

• Information about drainage or planning.

But do not delay speaking to a designer because you do not have everything.

A good initial consultation should help identify what information is actually needed next.

If you are planning a garden transformation in Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, the Ribble Valley or elsewhere across North West England, Kirman Design can guide you from the initial consultation and brief through garden design, drawings and professional landscape construction.