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

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

Where to start?

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

Check if there are buildings on neighboring plots (or whether they are planned). Communicate with neighbors in advance, as they may share useful information and even suggest which plants thrive in this climate zone. Most importantly, you will be able to avoid the situation where the house faces a neighbor's shed.

Create a List of Structures

Decide whether you need a bathhouse and utility building, garage for a car or quad bike, or a greenhouse. Make a complete list to avoid placing one of the additional structures in an inappropriate location.

Consider everything ahead of time, plan all life scenarios and arrange the buildings as close together as possible near the edges of the plot to leave more space for an open garden – the place where you will rest.

Just don't forget about regulatory setbacks from building boundaries – you can find these online. At the same time, try not to place buildings close to the center. Even a spacious plot can quickly turn into a small one.

Determine the setbacks from boundaries 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 can be a fire zone, grill area, scenic bench, hammock, swings, pool, children's zone, sports area, or fruit garden zone.

Perfect Layout Plan

Place the house so that its shadow falls closer to the fence, and locate parking nearby (to avoid laying a long path across the entire plot).

On the sunny side next to the house, you can plant a fruit garden and leave maximum open space. In the far part of the plot, place a scenic point, such as a fire zone.

Whether to build a garage is an individual decision for each, but most often cars are left outdoors to avoid opening extra gates. A garage tends to get cluttered with things, so consider whether you really need one.

How to Arrange Paths

Lay out several routes: main and secondary. Main paths will be wider, while additional paths can use different surfaces and narrower widths.

There is an approach to designing paths on a plot: "as you walk, so you lay them." But nothing beautiful will come from that. It will be convenient to move around the plot when you organize logistics correctly.

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Where to Place a Gazebo?

In recent years, gazebos have stopped being places for barbecues. Now people prefer grills or portable barbecues. They are easy to set up on a terrace: you cook near the kitchen, and you can always bring something and wash it. So make the terrace larger in size.

A gazebo can be placed at the far end of the garden. It can be glazed and heated to use as a summer cabin, office, or library. Perfect if the plot has all variants of outdoor relaxation: fully open terrace, covered terrace from rain, and a fully glazed living room with a view of the plot, warm in winter.

Don't Forget About the Integrity of Structures

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

Usually, construction happens gradually, and the right color of paint may not be available in stock, resulting in unwanted color spots in the overall palette. Therefore, it's important to plan everything in advance.

Also Consider the Environmental Factor

If you are located in a Scandinavian pine forest, do not build a palace in Versailles style, and vice versa. The landscape largely determines the architecture of buildings.