Designing for Summer: How We Create Gardens That Actually Get Used

At MRLandscapes, we love the buzz that summer brings to our gardens. It’s the season when outdoor spaces feel most alive - with soft planting in full colour, dappled shade offering quiet relief, and clients finally getting to enjoy the spaces we’ve helped shape.

But great garden design isn’t just about how a space looks in the sunshine, it’s about how it works.

When we’re designing a garden, we’re always thinking ahead to how our clients will use it in real life. Whether it’s morning coffee in a shaded corner, a spontaneous evening with friends, or simply stretching out the day with the dog in the sun, a usable garden is a successful garden.

Designing for Real Life, Not Just for Summer

While summer tends to get the spotlight, our approach is grounded in year-round usability. That means considering:

• Sun and shade: Creating balance with pergolas, mature planting, and flexible structures

• Seating that works: Zones for both entertaining and retreat - often layered, not just one-size-fits-all

• Flow and access: Smooth transitions from home to garden, with materials that feel good underfoot

• Lighting: Soft, integrated lighting extends the use of the garden long after the sun goes down

• Simplicity: We avoid over-designing, favouring restraint and calm over unnecessary detail

A Garden That’s Genuinely Yours

No two clients - or gardens - are the same. Whether it’s space for yoga, a spot for a hammock, or a discreet outdoor shower, we design to suit the people using the space, not just to fit a trend. The best summer gardens are the ones that feel like a natural extension of life indoors - easy, considered, and made to be enjoyed.

Explore Our Work

Want to see how this comes to life? Explore some of our recent projects https://www.mrlandscapes.co.uk/portfolio. Many of our clients use their gardens more than they expected, which, for us, is the ultimate sign of a successful space.

 

Thinking About Your Own Garden?

Summer is the perfect time to reflect on how your outdoor space is working for you, and how it could do more. If you're thinking ahead to next season, we’d love to hear what you have in mind.

Get in touch to arrange a consultation, or visit our Portfolio for more examples of our work.

Call us: 020 8087 2334 Email: info@mrlandscapes.co.uk Visit: mrlandscapes.co.uk

Let’s create something exceptional together this Summer.