How to Use a Garden Plot to the Maximum: Experts' Tips

Bought a garden plot and don't know how to arrange the buildings? We asked experts from Derevo Park studio to explain how to plan a plot and use it functionally.

Where to start?

First, pay attention to the orientation by compass directions to determine where the shadow of the house will fall.

Check if there are buildings on neighboring plots (or if any are planned). Communicate with your neighbors in advance; they may share useful information and even suggest which plants thrive in this climate zone. Most importantly, you can avoid the situation where a window of your house faces a neighbor's shed.

Make a list of buildings

Determine whether you need a bathhouse and utility building, garage for a car or quad bike, or a greenhouse. Create a full list to ensure that one of the additional structures doesn't end up in an inconvenient location.

Plan all life scenarios ahead of time and arrange buildings as close to each other as possible, near the edges of the plot, so that more space remains for an open garden — the place where you will relax.

Just don't forget about regulatory setbacks from building boundaries — you can find these online. Also, try not to place buildings near the center. Even a spacious plot will quickly turn into a small one.

Determine the setbacks from the borders and position the house as close to the edge as possible, taking into account where the shadow will fall. The shadow should shade the utility area and fall on the fence, but not on the garden. All scenic spots, including flower beds and terraces, should be on the sunny side.

Divide the plot into zones

This could be a fire zone, grilling area, scenic bench, hammock, swings, pool, children's area, sports area, or fruit garden zone.

Perfect layout plan

Place the house so that its shadow falls closer to the fence, and position the parking area nearby (to avoid having to lay a long path through the entire plot).

On the sunny side near the house, you can plant a fruit garden and leave as much open space as possible. At the far end of the plot, place a scenic point such as a fire zone.

Whether to build a garage is an individual decision for each, but usually people leave cars outside to avoid opening additional gates. A garage often gets cluttered with stuff, so consider whether you really need one.

How to arrange paths

Lay out several routes: main and secondary. Main paths should be wider, while secondary ones can use different surfaces and less width.

There is a design approach for paths on a plot: "As you walk, lay it down." But nothing beautiful will come from that. It’s more comfortable to move around the plot when you organize logistics properly.

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Where to place a pavilion?

Lately, pavilions have stopped being places for barbecuing. Now more people use grills or portable barbecues, which are easy to set up on the terrace: you cook near the kitchen and can always bring something to wash. So, it's better to make the terrace larger in size.

A pavilion can be placed at the far end of the garden. It can be glazed and heated to use as a summer cottage, office, or library. Ideally, the plot should include all options for outdoor relaxation: a fully open terrace, a covered terrace against rain, and a fully glazed living room with a view of the plot, which is warm in winter.

Don’t forget about the coherence of buildings

Choose one color for all buildings on the plot, one shade for roofing, one tone for facades and window openings to keep the area neat.

Construction usually happens gradually, and the desired paint color may not be available, leading to unwanted color spots in the overall palette. Therefore, it's important to plan everything in advance.

Also consider the surrounding environment

If you're located in a Scandinavian pine forest, don't build a palace in Versailles style, and vice versa. The landscape largely influences building architecture.