Split-Level Garden Design

A garden with different levels can create some of the most interesting and distinctive outdoor spaces.

Changes in height can be used to form terraces, garden rooms, raised planting, sunken seating, broad steps, outdoor kitchens, fire pits and dramatic views through the landscape.

But if the levels are poorly resolved, the garden can feel awkward, fragmented and difficult to move around.

At Kirman Design, we provide bespoke split-level garden design across North West England, combining level planning, retaining structures, paving, steps, drainage, planting and lighting to create gardens where each level feels connected to the next.

The objective is not simply to cope with different levels.

It is to turn them into one of the garden's strongest design features.

What Is a Split-Level Garden?

A split-level garden contains two or more distinct areas at different heights.

These levels may already exist naturally or may be introduced deliberately as part of the garden design.

A split-level garden might include:

• Raised terraces

• Lower lawns

• Sunken seating

• Raised planting

• Steps

• Retaining walls

• Different outdoor rooms

• Changes in paving level

The garden may be naturally sloping, or it may be relatively flat but require level changes to respond to the house or desired layout.

Split-Level Garden vs Sloping Garden

A sloping garden and a split-level garden are closely related, but they are not quite the same.

A sloping garden describes the existing topography.

A split-level garden generally describes a designed arrangement of defined terraces or platforms at different heights.

A sloping site may therefore be transformed into a split-level garden.

But a garden can also be deliberately designed with different levels even where the original site is comparatively gentle.

Why Create Different Levels in a Garden?

Changes in level can help:

• Divide the garden into rooms

• Improve views

• Create privacy

• Manage slopes

• Connect house and garden

• Define outdoor living spaces

• Introduce drama

• Improve drainage

• Create more usable areas

They can also give the landscape much greater architectural character.

Start with the House Levels

The relationship between the house and garden should be understood first.

Important levels may include:

• Internal finished floor level

• Door thresholds

• Existing patio

• Damp-proof course

• External steps

• Garden ground level

These influence what can happen immediately outside the property.

House-to-Garden Level Changes

Many gardens do not sit naturally at the same level as the interior floor.

There may be:

• A step down

• Several steps

• A raised external terrace

The transition should feel intentional.

Poorly proportioned steps or awkward drops can make the house and garden feel disconnected.

Creating a Raised Terrace

A raised terrace can help create a more direct connection with elevated doors.

It may provide space for:

• Dining

• Outdoor kitchen

• Lounge furniture

The structure may require:

• Retaining

• Foundations

• Drainage

• Steps

The terrace should be designed as part of the overall level strategy rather than added independently.

Lowering the Garden

Sometimes the better solution is to lower part of the garden.

This may create:

• Sunken seating

• A lower lawn

• Private terraces

• A stronger visual relationship with planting

Excavation and drainage become particularly important.

Split-Level Garden Layout

A successful layout gives each level a clear purpose.

For example:

Upper level: dining and outdoor kitchen

Middle level: lawn and planting

Lower level: lounge seating and fire pit

Each space is distinct, but the materials, planting and sightlines keep them connected.

Don't Create Levels Without a Reason

Adding level changes simply to make the garden more interesting can create unnecessary:

• Excavation

• Walls

• Steps

• Cost

Each change in height should have a clear purpose.

Good design uses levels where they improve how the garden works.

How Many Levels Should a Garden Have?

There is no fixed number.

A small garden may work best with only two.

A large garden may accommodate several terraces.

Too many small level changes can make a garden:

• Busy

• Difficult to navigate

• Expensive

• Visually fragmented

Fewer, stronger levels are often more successful.

Terracing a Garden

Terracing converts a slope or level change into a series of flatter areas.

Terraces may be used for:

• Seating

• Lawn

• Planting

• Paths

• Outdoor kitchens

They are usually connected with steps or graded routes.

Broad Garden Terraces

Larger terraces can feel more generous and practical.

They provide room for furniture and circulation while reducing the number of awkward transitions.

The dimensions should relate to both the property and the furniture.

Small Split-Level Gardens

Small gardens can benefit from level changes, but restraint is important.

A single raised bed or sunken seating area may create enough variation.

Too many steps and walls can consume valuable space.

Large Split-Level Gardens

Larger plots can use levels to create distinct garden rooms.

For example:

• Main entertaining terrace

• Pool terrace

• Lawn

• Orchard

• Fire pit area

• Lower garden

Changes in height can help give each space its own identity.

Split-Level Courtyard Gardens

Compact courtyards can use subtle changes in level to create depth.

A small step may separate:

• Seating

• Planting

• Water

The details need to be precise because everything is visible at close range.

Split-Level New-Build Gardens

New-build properties often have awkward developer levels.

The garden may:

• Fall sharply away

• Rise behind the house

• Contain uneven transitions

A redesign can turn these imposed levels into intentional terraces.

Split-Level Gardens After an Extension

House extensions frequently change the relationship between internal and external levels.

A new set of glazed doors may sit:

• Higher

• Lower

than the existing garden.

This may require:

• New terrace levels

• Steps

• Retaining

• Drainage

A complete redesign can often resolve the relationship more successfully than simply adding a few steps.

Retaining Walls

Retaining walls are often fundamental to split-level gardens.

They may hold back soil to create:

• Flat terraces

• Raised beds

• Lawns

• Seating areas

The visible wall may form only part of the construction.

Retaining Wall Construction

Depending on scale, retaining work may involve:

• Excavation

• Foundations

• Structural reinforcement

• Drainage

• Waterproofing

• Backfill

• Copings

The wall needs to be designed for the load it is retaining.

Retaining Wall Drainage

Water behind a retaining wall needs to be managed.

Possible measures include:

• Free-draining backfill

• Drainage pipes

• Membranes

• Weep holes

Poor drainage can increase pressure behind the structure.

Garden Walls as Design Features

A retaining wall does not have to look purely functional.

It can be finished in:

• Natural stone

• Brick

• Render

• Porcelain

• Other architectural finishes

The wall may also integrate:

• Seating

• Lighting

• Planting

• Water

This allows the structure to contribute visually.

Raised Planting

Raised planting can soften level changes.

It may help:

• Hide retaining structures

• Bring planting closer to seating

• Create privacy

• Add depth

Raised beds should still include appropriate drainage.

Split-Level Garden Steps

Steps are one of the most important elements.

They need to be:

• Comfortable

• Consistent

• Well proportioned

• Appropriately positioned

A badly designed flight can make the whole garden feel awkward.

Wide Garden Steps

Broad steps can become major architectural features.

They may visually connect:

• House

• Terrace

• Lawn

• Lower garden

They can also create a more generous sense of movement.

Shallow Steps

Where space allows, shallower risers and deeper treads can create a calmer transition.

This can be particularly effective in contemporary gardens.

Floating Garden Steps

Some modern gardens use steps designed to appear as individual floating slabs.

These can create a strong architectural look.

They require careful structural and drainage detailing.

Porcelain Garden Steps

Porcelain can create clean contemporary step details.

It may be used for:

• Treads

• Risers

• Copings

Bullnosing or specialist fabrication can improve the finish.

Natural Stone Steps

Natural stone works well in:

• Country gardens

• Period properties

• Formal landscapes

The stone can help make substantial level changes feel softer and more established.

Brick Garden Steps

Brick can create a strong relationship with the architecture of the house.

It can be combined with:

• Stone treads

• Paving

• Planting

for a more traditional character.

Step Lighting

Lighting can be integrated into:

• Risers

• Adjacent walls

• Under treads

This can improve both appearance and usability after dark.

It should ideally be planned before the steps are constructed.

Accessibility in Split-Level Gardens

Different levels need particular consideration where accessibility matters.

Steps may need to be supplemented or replaced by:

• Ramps

• Sloping paths

• Gradual routes

• Landings

This should be part of the original design.

Ramps

Ramps require more length than steps.

In larger gardens, they can sometimes be integrated using:

• Curved paths

• Switchbacks

• Landscaped slopes

This can reduce the visual impact.

Split-Level Gardens and Wheelchair Access

Where wheelchair access is important, level changes must be resolved very carefully.

Considerations may include:

• Gradients

• Landings

• Surface materials

• Drainage

• Thresholds

The accessible route should feel like part of the garden design rather than a secondary addition.

Split-Level Garden Drainage

Drainage is especially important because water naturally moves towards the lower levels.

Potential problems include:

• Water collecting on lower terraces

• Saturated planting

• Runoff down steps

• Water behind walls

The entire level system should be considered as one drainage strategy.

Drainage Between Terraces

Each terrace needs a controlled way to deal with water.

Possible solutions may include:

• Paving falls

• Linear drains

• Land drainage

• Retaining wall drainage

Water should not simply cascade uncontrolled onto the next level.

Gardens Sloping Towards the House

Where higher garden levels sit behind the property, drainage becomes particularly important.

The design may need to intercept water before it reaches:

• House

• Doors

• Lower terrace

This should be considered before the retaining structures are built.

Split-Level Gardens on Clay Soil

Heavy clay can make level changes more technically demanding.

Water may accumulate:

• Behind walls

• On lower terraces

• At the bottom of slopes

Drainage and soil preparation should be integrated with the structural work.

Waterlogged Split-Level Gardens

If the lower parts of the garden are persistently wet, simply creating more retaining walls may make the situation worse.

The design should establish:

• Where the water is coming from

• How it will move

• Where it can safely go

before the levels are finalised.

Split-Level Garden Paving

Different terraces can use the same paving to create visual continuity.

Possible materials include:

• Porcelain

• Natural stone

• Granite

• Brick

Using too many different surfaces can make multiple levels feel fragmented.

Use One Main Material

A strong strategy can be to use one principal paving material across several levels.

The change in height provides enough variation without needing constant material changes.

Porcelain Paving

Porcelain works particularly well in architectural split-level gardens.

Its regular dimensions can reinforce:

• Geometry

• Steps

• Walls

• Terraces

The setting out should be carefully coordinated across each level.

Natural Stone

Natural stone can help soften large retaining structures.

It is particularly suited to:

• Country gardens

• Period properties

• Rural settings

Gravel

Gravel can be useful for secondary terraces or paths.

It can also reduce the amount of intensive hard landscaping required on a larger site.

Garden Rooms at Different Levels

Changes in height can naturally create separate outdoor rooms.

One level may feel more:

• Open

while another feels more:

• Private

• Sheltered

This helps create variety.

Outdoor Dining on an Upper Terrace

An upper terrace close to the house can work well for dining.

It may provide easy access to:

• Kitchen

• Internal living space

while overlooking the rest of the garden.

Outdoor Kitchen on a Split-Level Garden

An outdoor kitchen needs a stable level area.

It may be placed:

• Close to the house

• On a dedicated terrace

• Beneath a pergola

The utilities should be coordinated with retaining and paving before construction.

Lower Lounge Terrace

A lower level can create a quieter lounge area away from the house.

It may feel more enclosed because surrounding walls and planting sit at a higher level.

Sunken Seating

Sunken seating is one of the most effective uses of level change.

It can create:

• Privacy

• Shelter

• Intimacy

The surrounding retaining walls may also provide built-in seating.

Sunken Fire Pit

A fire pit within a lower terrace can become a destination.

The design needs to consider:

• Drainage

• Steps

• Airflow

• Appropriate clearances

The surrounding walls can create natural enclosure.

Pool Terraces

A swimming pool may sit on its own dedicated level.

This allows the design to coordinate:

• Pool edge

• Paving

• Privacy

• Planting

• Changing areas

The pool can then feel integrated into the wider garden.

Water Features and Split Levels

Water works particularly well with changes in height.

Possible features include:

• Cascades

• Rills

• Water blades

• Stepped pools

The natural fall can be used to create movement.

Cascades

A cascade can connect two garden levels.

This allows the level change itself to become a visual feature.

The water system still requires:

• Pumps

• Waterproofing

• Reservoir

• Electrical supply

Rills

A rill may pass along one terrace before dropping into a lower pool.

This can reinforce an important sightline.

Reflecting Pools

A pool positioned at a lower level can create strong reflections when viewed from above.

This can be particularly effective from:

• House

• Upper terrace

Planting Between Levels

Planting can prevent terraces from feeling like a stack of hard platforms.

It can be used:

• Above walls

• Below walls

• Beside steps

• Between terraces

This visually connects the levels.

Cascading Plants

Trailing or spreading plants can soften the top of retaining walls.

They create a more natural transition between levels.

Structural Planting

Trees and larger shrubs can connect several levels vertically.

A tree planted on a lower terrace may extend visually above an upper wall.

This helps unify the garden.

Specimen Trees

A specimen tree can act as a focal point seen from multiple levels.

It may sit:

• In lower planting

• Beside steps

• Within a raised bed

The viewing angle changes as you move around the garden.

Multi-Stem Trees

Multi-stem trees can work particularly well because their trunks remain visible through different levels.

They also provide:

• Height

• Privacy

• Structure

without creating overly dense screening.

Split-Level Garden Privacy

Different levels create different sightlines.

A lower seating area may naturally be more private.

An upper terrace may be more exposed.

The design may use:

• Trees

• Pleached trees

• Pergolas

• Screens

• Raised planting

to improve privacy where required.

Privacy from Above

A sunken terrace does not automatically provide privacy from upper-storey neighbouring windows.

Higher screening may still be required.

The design should consider both horizontal and vertical sightlines.

Pergolas

A pergola can define one level as a distinct outdoor room.

It may provide:

• Shelter

• Shade

• Privacy

• Lighting

A pergola on an upper terrace can also visually anchor the relationship with the house.

Screening

Screens can help define transitions.

They may be used to:

• Hide steps

• Protect seating

• Create privacy

• Frame views

Slatted timber can work particularly well in contemporary schemes.

Split-Level Small Gardens

In small gardens, every wall and step consumes space.

The design should therefore keep the level structure simple.

Often:

two strong levels

work better than:

four small terraces.

Split-Level Large Gardens

Large sites can use more generous level changes.

There may be room for:

• Broad staircases

• Multiple terraces

• Sunken areas

• Lawns

• Water

The scale of the elements should suit the property.

Split-Level Contemporary Gardens

Contemporary design can make strong use of:

• Clean walls

• Porcelain

• Architectural steps

• Water

• Multi-stem trees

• Lighting

Precise construction is especially important because the geometry is highly visible.

Split-Level Modern Gardens

A modern garden may use a restrained palette across all levels.

Repeated materials and planting help keep the design coherent.

Split-Level Country Gardens

A softer approach might use:

• Natural stone

• Gravel

• Informal steps

• Planting

• Banks

The levels can feel more integrated with the landscape.

Split-Level Formal Gardens

Formal gardens may use level changes to reinforce symmetry.

This could include:

• Central staircases

• Balustrades

• Formal terraces

• Axial views

The proportions need to relate carefully to the house.

Naturalistic Split-Level Gardens

Not every level change needs a wall.

Some transitions can use:

• Planted banks

• Slopes

• Meadow

This can reduce construction and create a softer garden.

Retaining Wall vs Planted Bank

Where space allows, a planted bank may be less visually dominant and less structurally intensive than a retaining wall.

However, it consumes more horizontal space.

The choice depends on:

• Garden size

• Gradient

• Maintenance

• Design style

Using Banks to Reduce Cost

On larger plots, retaining only the areas that genuinely need to be level can reduce construction.

Other areas can transition using gentler planted slopes.

This can create a better balance between hard and soft landscape.

Split-Level Garden Lighting

Lighting can reveal the structure of the garden after dark.

A scheme may highlight:

• Steps

• Walls

• Trees

• Water

• Different terraces

Lighting can also make lower garden rooms feel connected to the house.

Lighting Walls

Light grazing across textured walls can emphasise the level changes.

This is particularly effective with:

• Stone

• Brick

• Textured finishes

Lighting from Above and Below

Different viewpoints create opportunities.

A tree on a lower terrace may be illuminated so it is visible from:

• Lower seating

• Upper terrace

• House

This can create depth after dark.

Split-Level Garden Maintenance

The design needs to consider how each level will be maintained.

Access may be needed for:

• Mowers

• Wheelbarrows

• Pruning

• Plant maintenance

Narrow steps may look attractive but become frustrating if equipment constantly needs moving between levels.

Lawns on Split-Level Gardens

A lawn works best where it is reasonably level.

Rather than maintaining one steep sloping lawn, it may be better to create a flatter lawn terrace.

This provides more useful space.

Mower Access

Where lawn sits on a separate level, consider how the mower will get there.

This practical issue is easily overlooked during design.

Low-Maintenance Split-Level Gardens

Maintenance can be reduced by using:

• Groundcover

• Dense planting

• Reduced lawn

• Larger shrubs

• Gravel secondary areas

Hard-to-access banks should not require constant intensive maintenance.

Common Split-Level Garden Design Mistakes

Common mistakes include:

• Too many levels

• Steps that are too steep

• Retaining walls without drainage

• Tiny unusable terraces

• No connection between garden rooms

• Too much hard landscaping

• Poor accessibility

• Ignoring mower or maintenance access

• Allowing water to collect at the lowest point

A clear level strategy should resolve these issues before construction begins.

How Much Does Split-Level Garden Design Cost?

The design fee depends on:

• Garden size

• Number of level changes

• Survey requirements

• Structural complexity

• Technical detailing

Projects involving significant changes of level often require more detailed design than straightforward flat gardens.

How Much Does It Cost to Landscape a Split-Level Garden?

Costs depend on:

• Excavation

• Soil movement

• Retaining walls

• Steps

• Drainage

• Foundations

• Paving

• Access

A split-level garden can therefore cost more than a comparable flat garden.

Why Can Split-Level Gardens Be Expensive?

A large proportion of the investment may be hidden beneath the finished landscape.

This can include:

• Foundations

• Retaining structures

• Drainage

• Excavation

The visible paving and planting may represent only part of the total construction.

How Can the Cost Be Reduced?

Good value engineering may involve:

• Reducing the number of terraces

• Using planted banks in selected areas

• Simplifying retaining walls

• Concentrating paving around main outdoor living areas

• Using gravel on secondary routes

The aim should be to preserve the design while reducing unnecessary structural work.

Can a Split-Level Garden Be Built in Phases?

Yes.

However, the full level strategy should be designed first.

One phase may affect the:

• Drainage

• Retaining

• Services

• Access

of another.

The whole topography needs to be understood before the first terrace is built.

Is Professional Garden Design Worth It for Different Levels?

For significant level changes, professional design can be particularly valuable.

Once excavation and retaining work begins, design changes become expensive.

Resolving:

• Levels

• Walls

• Steps

• Drainage

• Outdoor living

before construction reduces uncertainty.

Split-Level Garden Design and Build

Kirman Design can take a split-level garden from initial design through to completed landscape construction.

Depending on the project, this may include:

• Garden design

• Level planning

• Groundworks

• Drainage

• Retaining walls

• Garden steps

• Paving

• Outdoor kitchens

• Pergolas

• Lighting

• Specimen trees

• Planting design

This allows the garden to be designed and built as one coordinated landscape.

Split-Level Garden Designers Across North West England

Kirman Design provides bespoke split-level garden design throughout Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, the Ribble Valley and across North West England.

We work with existing sloping gardens, properties with awkward external levels, new-build plots and gardens where introducing carefully designed height changes can create a stronger landscape.

Different Levels Can Make the Garden Better

A completely flat garden is not automatically easier to make interesting.

Different levels can create:

A terrace overlooking the planting.

A sunken fire pit.

Broad steps.

A lower lawn.

A raised outdoor kitchen.

A water feature moving from one level to another.

And a sequence of spaces that reveal themselves as you move through the garden.

The key is to make every change in height feel deliberate.

At Kirman Design, we combine professional garden design, landscape construction, drainage and planting to create split-level gardens that are practical, coherent and visually connected.

If your garden has different levels — or you would like to introduce them as part of a complete redesign — contact Kirman Design to discuss your project.

Frequently Asked Questions About Split-Level Garden Design

What is a split-level garden?

A split-level garden contains two or more defined outdoor areas at different heights, usually connected by steps, paths or ramps.

How do you design a garden with different levels?

Start with the house and existing site levels, then determine which areas genuinely need to be flat. Use retaining walls, terraces, steps and planting to connect them.

Is a split-level garden the same as a sloping garden?

Not exactly. A sloping garden describes the existing ground, while a split-level garden usually describes the designed terraces created from or within that slope.

How many levels should a garden have?

There is no fixed number. Fewer, larger and more useful terraces are often better than many small levels.

Do split-level gardens need retaining walls?

Often, but not always. Gentler changes can sometimes be handled with planted banks or slopes.

Do retaining walls need drainage?

In many situations, yes. Water behind the wall needs to be managed appropriately.

How can you connect different garden levels?

Steps, broad staircases, sloping paths and ramps can all connect levels depending on the garden and accessibility requirements.

Can a split-level garden be wheelchair accessible?

Potentially, yes. Appropriate ramps, gradients, landings and surfaces need to be incorporated from the outset.

Can I have an outdoor kitchen in a split-level garden?

Yes. A dedicated level terrace can be designed around the kitchen, dining and utilities.

Can I have a fire pit in a split-level garden?

Yes. Sunken or lower terraces can create particularly effective and sheltered fire-pit spaces.

Are split-level gardens expensive?

They can be more expensive because of excavation, retaining structures, drainage, foundations and steps.

Can Kirman Design design and build my split-level garden?

Yes. Kirman Design provides split-level garden design, retaining walls, drainage, paving, steps, planting and complete landscape construction across North West England.